Guides

Thailand guides on travel, culture, cuisine, and lifestyle—discover top destinations, hidden gems, visa information, and essential tips. Plan your journey with The Thaiger, your trusted source for expert Thailand guides.

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    Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year

    Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...

  • Kasikornbank: Verify SIM card name by April 30

    Kasikornbank: Verify SIM card name by April 30

    Kasikornbank has announced that mobile banking customers need to ensure their registered name matches their mobile SIM card name by April 30. The bank outlined two conditions for this requirement. Customers who have not been contacted need not take any action. Kasikornbank communicated through its Facebook page, KBank Live, regarding a measure to enhance mobile banking security. This initiative requires…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 31 to February 2)

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 31 to February 2)

    January felt so long, but finally, the finish line is in sight. And the fact that it wraps up on a Friday? Couldn’t be more fitting. You’ve earned a night out, a toast to surviving the first month of the year (and maybe a quiet moment to reconsider those New Year’s resolutions). As always, Bangkok is full of things to do!…

  • Best weed shops in Chiang Mai [2025] | Thaiger

    Best weed shops in Chiang Mai [2025]

    Chiang Mai’s love affair with cannabis is growing stronger by the day, with weed shops popping up across the city. In true Chiang Mai fashion, the dispensaries here are unpretentious, welcoming, and full of character. Some feel like stylish coffee shops, while others have a chill, backpacker-friendly vibe. Many also double as social hubs and creative spaces, so it’s easy…

  • What’s new with Thailand’s LTR Visa? Here’s what you need to know about the update

    What’s new with Thailand’s LTR Visa? Here’s what you need to know about the update

    Have you been dreaming of living and working in Thailand? If yes, there’s never been a better time than today, as the Thai government just updated the qualifications, criteria, and conditions for the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa programme. Thanks to these changes, the visa is now more inclusive, family-friendly, and accessible than ever before. Here’s the lowdown on what’s new,…

  • We are not Daniel Thaiger

    We are not Daniel Thaiger

    We’re sure that it probably goes without saying that we are not Daniel Thaiger. But just for the laughs, we thought it’d be fun to go through what The Thaiger and Daniel Thaiger are and aren’t. A burning question also arises, do people ever get confused because of the names? Daniel Thaiger was founded in 2013 by Mark and Honey,…

  • Shrewsbury launches first ever premium Mandarin-English bilingual programme

    Shrewsbury launches first ever premium Mandarin-English bilingual programme

    Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus proudly announces the launch of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway, Thailand’s first premium bilingual programme offered by a leading international school under a British curriculum. Embracing Shrewsbury’s concept of One Campus, Two Pathways, parents and students can now choose between the British curriculum with English as the medium of instruction, or the British curriculum with…

  • New debt relief scheme aids nearly 500,000 Thai debtors

    New debt relief scheme aids nearly 500,000 Thai debtors

    Deputy Finance Minister Phaophum Rojanasakul announced that as of January 28, the You Fight, We Help initiative has received interest from 497,552 debtors, covering 576,496 accounts. The scheme aims to assist individual debtors and includes two measures, excluding direct registration with financial institutions. The first measure, Direct Payment, Asset Retention, targets home, car, and small SME loans with modest limits,…

  • Kylie Minogue announces 2025 Tension Tour at Bangkok’s Paragon Hall

    Kylie Minogue announces 2025 Tension Tour at Bangkok’s Paragon Hall

    Kylie Minogue announced her highly anticipated Tension Tour for 2025, which will see the global icon perform in cities across the globe and is set to be the Aussie singer’s biggest tour since 2011. Opening in her home country Australia, on February 15, the world tour will then head to Asia in March and go on to North America, reaching…

  • Siam Paragon celebrates ‘A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025’

    Siam Paragon celebrates ‘A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025’

    Siam Paragon, in collaboration with KASIKORNBANK, is hosting a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration, Siam Paragon A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025, from today until February 2, at Parc Paragon. This year’s event is inspired by the rich heritage of Dunhuang, an ancient oasis along the Silk Road with over 2,000 years of history. The celebration marks 50 years of diplomatic…

  • Poppy: Moo Deng’s overseas pygmy hippo competition

    Poppy: Moo Deng’s overseas pygmy hippo competition

    It seems as if the adorable Moo Deng, an A-lister at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has found herself some competition over the pond at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, USA. It has been a few weeks now since the newborn pygmy hippo, Poppy, made her introduction to the world, and just like Moo Deng, people simply can’t get…

  • 6 best spots for Scandinavian food in Bangkok

    6 best spots for Scandinavian food in Bangkok

    Craving a taste of Scandinavia without leaving Bangkok? For all you fellow Nordics experiencing a touch of the homesick blues this winter, look no further: Bangkok has got you covered with these 6 spots for Scandinavian food. 6 best spots for Scandinavian food in Bangkok Whether you’re in the mood for a refined fine-dining experience or a casual fika with…

  • Step into the world of dinosaurs at Dinolab Bangkok 2025 Jurassic Domination

    Step into the world of dinosaurs at Dinolab Bangkok 2025 Jurassic Domination

    ICONSIAM, a world-class landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, has partnered with Japan Anime Movie Thailand and INCEPTION, a renowned creator of global exhibitions, to bring the prehistoric world to life with an immersive dinosaur experience right in the heart of Bangkok at Dinolab Bangkok 2025 Jurassic Domination. Experience the most spectacular interactive exhibition where visitors will embark…

  • Are native grapes the next must have in the wine market?

    Are native grapes the next must have in the wine market?

    When it comes to wine, we often gravitate towards the obvious names; Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and a few more of them. Yet, a quiet revolution is underway. Across the globe, a growing number of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs are turning their attention away from mass-produced, international varieties and embracing the unique stories and flavours of native grapes. In…

  • Chinese Zodiac 2025: What’s your luck in the Year of the Snake?

    Chinese Zodiac 2025: What’s your luck in the Year of the Snake?

    As the Year of the Snake approaches 2025, Thailand is gearing up for grand Chinese New Year celebrations, expecting a surge in visitors. With over 770,000 Chinese tourists anticipated to visit Thailand during the holiday period, the nation’s streets will be adorned with red lanterns, dragon dances, and bustling markets. This year, the Lunar New Year 2025 falls on Wednesday,…

  • Tamarind Restaurant Phuket: Southern Thai dishes reimagined through French techniques

    Tamarind Restaurant Phuket: Southern Thai dishes reimagined through French techniques

    Drawing from the flavours of Southern Thai cuisine and elevating them with the precision of French culinary techniques, the new offerings at Tamarind Restaurant, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort promise a dining experience unlike any other on the island. The heart behind the cuisine – Chef Nok’s culinary philosophy is rooted in storytelling – blending her passion for Southern Thai…

  • Celebrity meet-and-greet events to look forward to in Thailand (2025)

    Celebrity meet-and-greet events to look forward to in Thailand (2025)

    Meet-and-greet with your idols? That’s exactly what 2025 has in store. This year, plenty of world-famous stars are coming to Thailand to meet their fans in more intimate settings. From dining with a sports legend to seeing your favourite K-drama actor up close, here’s a roundup of the top celebrity meet-and-greet events happening in Thailand in 2025. Top celebrity meet-and-greet…

  • Thai FDA approves kratom use for health and economic benefits

    Thai FDA approves kratom use for health and economic benefits

    The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of kratom plant products for economic and health benefits. The regulations now permit mitragynine, an active compound in kratom leaves, to be used up to 3 milligrammes (mg) per day, with appropriate warnings on product labels. Dr Witit Srisa-atchachakul, the Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, announced that the FDA,…

  • 62 students suffer food poisoning at Koh Samui school camp

    62 students suffer food poisoning at Koh Samui school camp

    Sixty-two students from Theeparatpittaya School on Koh Samui experienced food poisoning symptoms, prompting urgent medical attention. The incident occurred yesterday, January 24, when students attending a scout camp began suffering from severe abdominal pain after consuming boxed meals. The Narenthorn Ao Thai Centre at Koh Samui Hospital was notified of the situation and quickly coordinated with the Koh Samui district public…

  • Best weed shops in Phuket [2025] | Thaiger

    Best weed shops in Phuket [2025]

    It’s been almost three years since cannabis was legalised in Thailand, and Phuket has become the home to a variety of super cool, licensed dispensaries. The best weed shops in Phuket offer everything from premium buds and edibles to rosins and accessories that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end boutique. However, with so many establishments popping up, it can…

  • Can automation and AI be vital tools in Thai forex markets?

    Can automation and AI be vital tools in Thai forex markets?

    In Thailand’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, Forex is a vital channel for retail and institutional investors. In recent years, Thailand’s trading community has turned to algorithmic solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the foreign exchange market. Automated trading systems are increasingly seen as an indispensable tool, from advanced data analysis to machine learning algorithms. AI-driven solutions not only guarantee faster…

  • Pink Ribbon charity tennis challenge raises funds for QSCBC Foundation

    Pink Ribbon charity tennis challenge raises funds for QSCBC Foundation

    The 6th Annual Pink Ribbon Charity Tennis Challenge in support of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation (QSCBC) will be held on Friday, February 21 at The British Club. Support a great cause by participating in a charity event with us! For an entry donation of 1,200 baht, you can take part in the tennis tournament, with two…

  • Spend Chinese New Year by the ocean at Novotel Marina Sriracha and Koh Si Chang Thailand

    Spend Chinese New Year by the ocean at Novotel Marina Sriracha and Koh Si Chang Thailand

    Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, whatever you call it, is a time for family, feasting, and fresh beginnings. This year, why not swap the crowded streets for sea breezes and sunshine at Novotel Marina Sriracha and Koh Si Chang? The dual-location hotel in Chonburi is ready to welcome the Year of the Snake with exciting packages.…

  • Finding the perfect souvenir in Thailand is closer than you think

    Finding the perfect souvenir in Thailand is closer than you think

    What’s the best thing to bring home from Thailand? For me, it’s always been about finding keepsakes that characterise the soul of the place. One of my favourite souvenirs is a small glass elephant I found at a market in Chiang Mai and people say that elephants are symbols of good luck – so why not have one around? Now,…

  • Gordon Ramsay and his nemesis, the Pad Thai

    Gordon Ramsay and his nemesis, the Pad Thai

    Gordon Ramsay, a mainstream figure in countless TV shows over the past few decades, headlining popular shows such as Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and MasterChef, among many others has made a return to Thailand to oversee the opening of his new restaurant, and to confront his arch nemesis, the Pad Thai, once more. With his ventures in the culinary world,…

  • Bangkok set for Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages on January 23

    Bangkok set for Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages on January 23

    Bangkok is making history as it prepares to offer Thailand’s first-ever legal same-sex marriage registrations starting January 23, 2025, following the enforcement of the Marriage Equality Act (Amendment No. 24, 2024). Thailand becomes the first Southeast Asian nation and third Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage following Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal in 2024, marking a historic step for LGBTQ+…

  • FazWaz assumes control of Lifull Connect for Thai global real estate leadership and innovation

    FazWaz assumes control of Lifull Connect for Thai global real estate leadership and innovation

    Phuket-found PropTech company FazWaz has taken over Lifull Connect, the world’s largest real estate aggregation network, solidifying its position as a leader in the global real estate market. This milestone showcases the potential of Thai companies to succeed internationally. FazWaz and Thaiger share core shareholders which emphasises their joint commitment to advancing Thai businesses globally and reinforcing Phuket’s growing reputation…

  • How TrustFinance is leading financial transparency in 2025

    How TrustFinance is leading financial transparency in 2025

    The world of digital finance is full of malicious people who seek to use the anonymity and obscure nature of the internet to scam and take advantage of other people’s money. Almost everyone has lost their money or at least had a friend or family member scammed by what they thought was a trusted person telling them to trade, invest,…

  • Thai Airways: Ministry’s bid for more administrators rejected

    Thai Airways: Ministry’s bid for more administrators rejected

    The Central Bankruptcy Court has thrown out the Ministry of Finance’s bid to tighten its grip on Thai Airways’ rehabilitation, ruling that the current administrators are steering the airline’s recovery effectively. In a hearing yesterday, the court dismissed a proposal by the Ministry of Finance to appoint two additional administrators to oversee the struggling carrier’s rehabilitation. The bid aimed to…

  • State Welfare Card applications to open by March

    State Welfare Card applications to open by March

    Applications for the State Welfare Card will open by the end of March, with low-income and vulnerable groups invited to register. The registration follows two years after the last round, which took place from September 5 to October 31, 2022. Julapan Amornwiwat, Deputy Finance Minister, announced that the details of the new registration for the State Welfare Card this year…

  • How much is Thai health insurance?

    How much is Thai health insurance?

    Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at a higher price. Regardless, getting Thai health insurance has its costs and it’s good to be aware of how much…