Expats
Thailand expat news, visas, work permits, property, and healthcare—stay informed with essential updates and insights for foreign residents. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for expat news in Thailand.
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Dopey striker’s 27 million baht own goal in cannabis smuggle sting
A former Arsenal wonderkid has admitted his part in a plot to smuggle £600,000 (26.4 million baht) worth of cannabis from Thailand to Britain, after luring his girlfriend and her pal into playing unwitting drug mules. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, was nicked after 60 kilogrammes of cannabis was found stuffed inside four suitcases that had just landed at London Stansted Airport from…
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Rescue volunteer shocked as foreigner trashes Pattaya booth
A shocked rescue volunteer in Pattaya is pleading for justice after a mystery foreigner allegedly smashed into his emergency booth, causing thousands of baht in damage, including wrecking a defibrillator. Thawin Siangkong, who works unpaid for the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit, reported the late-night break-in to Pattaya police in the early hours of today, May 20. Armed with CCTV footage…
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Ex-British air hostess busted in Sri Lanka over 67 million drug stash
An ex-British air hostess has been busted in Sri Lanka over a massive £1.5 million (66.5 million baht) cannabis haul, just days after another young Brit was arrested for a similar smuggling run from Thailand. Charlotte May Lee, from Coulsdon in South London, was arrested at Colombo Airport, Monday, May 12, after touching down on a flight from Bangkok. Customs…
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High stakes: Teesside teen busted in cannabis smuggle shock
A Teesside teen feared missing in Thailand has turned up 4,000 miles away, busted in handcuffs and facing a possible life sentence after allegedly trying to smuggle a massive haul of cannabis into the ex-Soviet state of Georgia. Bella May Culley, from Billingham, County Durham, in the North-East of England, sparked a frantic international search after vanishing during what was…
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Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure, we don’t think we would be the ones to experience a motorbike tumble in Chiang Mai, a dengue diagnosis in…
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Thailand targets nominee accountants to curb illegal foreign businesses
The Ministry of Commerce is set to introduce regulations preventing people acting as nominees from serving as accountants in a bid to curb foreigners from illegally operating businesses in Thailand. Oramon Sapthaweetham, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, revealed that Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisanpang, who chairs the Subcommittee on Preventing and Suppressing Nominee Activities, is prioritising the issue…
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Thai-hard life: Brit’s retirement dream sours over frozen pension
A British expat who dreamed of living out his golden years under the Thai sun says he’s been left counting every baht after his UK state pension was frozen and he reckons it’s “immoral” he’s been abandoned by his own country. Christopher Lee swapped Wrexham for Thailand back in 2010, lured by sizzling sunshine, spicy street food and a slower…
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White lines, don’t do it! British man nabbed in drugs & visa overstay
A British man’s island joyride ended in handcuffs in Koh Samui after he reportedly tried to dodge a police stop, only to be caught with drugs in his bag and an expired visa in his passport. What started as a routine patrol turned into a high-speed chase through the streets of Koh Samui after a British man gave police the…
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Boob job and Thailand: Kerry Katona’s big move unveiled (video)
Former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona vowed to quit England for Thailand and to get her boobs done after naming the Land of Smiles as her “happy place.” The ex-singer, reality TV star, and OnlyFans creator, shared an emotional video in which she spoke about her desire to move her five children to Asia, swap catfights for cannabis retreats and…
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How to find English-speaking doctors and hospitals in Thailand
One minute, you’re wading through the thick heat of Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai. The next, you’re woozy from food poisoning or a motorbike mishap. Suddenly, you realise that you are in a country that does not speak your language, in a place where the words for hospital and doctor and help do not slip easily off your tongue. And…
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Booze cruise: Drunk foreign man rescued from drowning in Pattaya
Locals safely rescued an drunk foreign man from drowning yesterday after he swam out into the sea at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. According to a report by Channel 7, the rescue took place last night, April 6, near the Dong Tarn booth of the Mueang Pattaya Police Station. Locals observed the foreign man walking into the dark waters and appearing…
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Brits told to log on or bog off as Thailand rolls out digital arrival card
British travellers planning a Thailand getaway next month are being told to fire up the laptop before packing their flipflops because from May 1, every foreign visitor must register online before setting foot in the Land of Smiles. The UK government issued a fresh travel warning to Brits heading to Thailand: don’t get caught out by the country’s new Thailand…
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Thai me down: Bangkok opens new visa expat and investor hub
Thailand is making moves to woo foreign investors and expats, rolling out a brand-new one-stop shop for investment and visa services in the heart of Bangkok. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut the ribbon on Monday at the grand opening of the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Centre (TIESC), housed in the sleek One Bangkok building in Pathum Wan. Located on…
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Quake rumbles Thailand but Phuket stands firm
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat reassured residents and tourists that the island remains untouched by the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar and sent tremors through Bangkok. The quake, which struck Mandalay on Friday, March 28, was felt across northern Thailand, but Governor Sophon confirmed that Phuket, nearly 2,000 kilometres away, has seen no impact on its infrastructure or tourism industry.…
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British couple jailed for running drugs empire from Thailand villa
A British couple who orchestrated a massive drugs empire from their plush villa in Thailand have been banged up for 10 years. Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow masterminded the production and distribution of millions of fake Xanax pills, raking in a staggering £4 million (176 million baht) through the dark web. Operating from their luxurious Thai hideaway between 2018 and…
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Health insurance cost in Thailand for expats – update
No one likes thinking about health insurance. But if you’re an expat in Thailand, it’s one of those things you need to have sorted. Maybe you move to Thailand because the sun is warmer, or because you’re chasing your dream job, or because you want to spend your retirement days by the ocean. Whatever the reason, you don’t move here…
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Drunk British man allegedly insults Thais in restaurant (video)
A drunk British man reportedly insulted Thai workers and customers at a restaurant in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima after his favourite alcoholic beverage was not available. The restaurant’s owner, Thai man, Apinan, called officers from Phimai Police Station to the scene in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday, March 16. The 49 year old restauranteur was…
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Dope busted: British nationals caught in Kho Samui cannabis caper
Four British nationals were collared in Thailand for their alleged role in a colossal cannabis smuggling scheme. The suspects were apprehended at Koh Samui Airport with a staggering 131 kilogrammes of marijuana as they prepared to jet back to the United Kingdom. The bust, yesterday, March 16, was a coordinated effort by the Surat Thani Immigration Investigation Unit, Koh Samui…
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Bugged out! Mosquito bite leaves British dad in Tourette’s grip
A British father’s dream holiday in Thailand took a nightmarish twist after a vicious mosquito bite not only gave him Tourette’s syndrome, but set off a series of bizarre, life-altering health issues. Ross Constable returned from a family holiday to Phuket, never expecting a simple insect bite to transform his life in the most shocking way. The 48 year old…
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Wheel of misfortune: Hungarian bike boss in hot seat in Thailand
A Hungarian national has been nabbed on Koh Pha Ngan for allegedly running a motorbike rental business in a job reserved for Thai citizens. Police Colonel Apichart Chansamret, head of Koh Pha Ngan police, reported that 40 year old Laszlo Meszaros was arrested at his rented home in Tambon Koh Pha Ngan. During the operation, officers seized an air gun…
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Elderly British couple’s Thailand nightmare goes from bad to cell
An elderly British couple face time in a Thailand jail despite being victims of a savage beating, caught on CCTV, in their own back yard. One of the victims described the past year as a “living hell.” The couple, Des and Mary Byrne, from Middlesbrough, in the North-East of England, envisioned a peaceful retirement on the “Thai Riviera,” but their…
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Splish splash splendour: Pattaya preps for a Wan Lai soaking (video)
Pattaya City is gearing up for a splash-tastic 2025 with its iconic Wan Lai Naklua and Wan Lai Pattaya festivals. Known for their thrilling water-pouring ceremonies, dazzling cultural performances, and energetic parades, these events promise a spectacle like no other. The vibrant preparations were discussed in a meeting led by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn at Pattaya City Hall. The festivals…
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Cheers! Thai health minister pushes for designated booze zones
The Minister of Public Health highlighted the necessity of establishing designated areas for drinking alcohol for certain groups of tourists visiting Thailand. The government aims to support tourism, which is expected to see over 35 million visitors this year and the ministries have been tasked with proposing suitable locations for alcohol sales. The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee convened to…
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Boom to bust: Chinese investment in Thai property hits rock bottom
Once a beacon of opportunity, Thailand’s vibrant condo market for Chinese investors is now dimming, as economic clouds gather over China’s middle class. Stephen Yao, a former Chinese investments broker in Bangkok, and Pattaya, has seen his formerly bustling schedule dwindle. In 2017 and 2018, he made a staggering 32 trips from China’s Guangdong province to Thailand. But recent years…
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Quad tragedy: Scottish man’s high-speed horror plunge in Thailand
A Scottish man’s life met a sudden end after his quad bike smashed into a concrete barrier after skidding on a treacherous road in Thailand, sending shockwaves through the local community. The unnamed 62 year old, believed to have been living in Thailand for over a decade, was catapulted from his vehicle and plunged 30 feet to his death after…
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Northern Irishman fights for life after Thailand holiday accident
Friends, family, and co-workers are rallying behind a Northern Irishman left fighting for his life following a shocking accident while on a dream holiday in Thailand. Ryan Daly, from Portadown, had set off on an ambitious round-the-world trip when tragedy struck, leaving him on life support and his loved ones in turmoil. The 27 year old care attendant, known for…
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Irish diver’s fate revealed on Thailand’s ‘Death Island’ (video)
In a heartbreaking twist that has sent shockwaves through a small Irish village, the tragic fate of a young Irish diver discovered lifeless on a Thai island has been made public. The body of Robert “Robby” Kinlan was found on January 9 in Koh Tao, ominously dubbed “Death Island” due to a chilling pattern of tourist fatalities. Initial post-mortem examinations…
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Everything you need to know about SMART Visa in Thailand
If you’re thinking about working, starting a business, or simply enjoying the perks of living in Thailand, the SMART Visa might be the golden ticket you’ve been searching for. Designed for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, the SMART Visa makes it easier for foreigners to live and work in Thailand while contributing to the country’s growing economy. The SMART Visa…
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British man’s Thai-high trip goes up in smoke at Manchester customs
Another British man has been nabbed in a high-stakes arrest after being caught returning through Manchester Airport customs with two suitcases full of cannabis from Thailand. The alleged British drug mule, Ahmed Sohail, who claimed he went to Thailand to lose some weight, ended up losing much more than he bargained for. Stopped by eagle-eyed Border Force officials, the 26…
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Naked Russian man rescued by speedboat hero near Pattaya
A naked and exhausted Russian man was dramatically rescued by a heroic speedboat driver headed to Koh Lan off the coast of Pattaya. The incident, which unfolded about six kilometres from Pattaya, grabbed headlines due to the man’s dire predicament. Pracharat Satsuk, a 34 year old speedboat operator, revealed how he stumbled upon the struggling swimmer during his regular route,…
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