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.

  • AustCham Thailand to host 2025 End of Year Christmas Reception at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit | Thaiger

    AustCham Thailand to host 2025 End of Year Christmas Reception at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

    The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham Thailand) is inviting members and guests to its End of Year Christmas Reception, known as the Christmas Sundowners, taking place on Wednesday, December 3, at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. Held exclusively at the hotel’s Le Grand Ballroom on the 7th floor, the event will run from 6pm to 9pm and will bring together the AustCham…

  • How to use Thailand’s toll roads: Easy Pass, M-PASS, M-Flow & More | Thaiger

    How to use Thailand’s toll roads: Easy Pass, M-PASS, M-Flow & More

    If you’re driving in Thailand, whether as an expat, long-term visitor, or local, you’ll likely encounter tollways. These roads save time, cut through city congestion, and connect provinces. But using them isn’t always intuitive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating Thailand’s expressways, including when to pay, how to get a pass, and tips to avoid fines or delays. On this…

  • What is ‘face’ in Thailand and how to avoid losing it (for anyone and yourself) | Thaiger

    What is ‘face’ in Thailand and how to avoid losing it (for anyone and yourself)

    If you are new to life in Thailand, there is one cultural idea that will help you settle in far more smoothly than memorising phrases or learning the bus routes. It is the concept of face and it has nothing to do with your appearance. It is about dignity, respect, and how people are perceived by those around them. Once…

  • Thaiwatsadu and BnB Home Under Central Retail roll out grand ‘Carnival Nutcracker’ Christmas décor universe | Thaiger

    Thaiwatsadu and BnB Home Under Central Retail roll out grand ‘Carnival Nutcracker’ Christmas décor universe

    Thaiwatsadu and BnB Home, Under Central Retail, the leading retailer of construction materials and home products, are ringing in the 2025 festive season with the launch of their Grand Christmas Decoration Universe. Presented under the theme Carnival Nutcracker, the campaign transforms every store into a one-stop Christmas décor destination, offering over 2,000 Christmas items, from premium fresh-cut trees imported from…

  • Axi expands Thai market with bonuses, cashback, funding, and Manchester City experiences | Thaiger

    Axi expands Thai market with bonuses, cashback, funding, and Manchester City experiences

    Axi, a global leader in online trading, is deepening its commitment to Thai traders with a dynamic range of promotions, tailored support, and unique funding opportunities. From deposit bonuses and cashback rewards to capital allocation via Axi Select and exclusive Manchester City football experiences, Axi continues to deliver everything traders need in one place. Boosted funding through bonuses and Axi…

  • Expat guide to Thailand’s healthcare system: Public vs private hospitals compared | Thaiger

    Expat guide to Thailand’s healthcare system: Public vs private hospitals compared

    The Thaiger key takeaways Thailand offers dependable healthcare through both public and private hospitals, each with strengths that suit different needs and budgets. Public hospitals provide skilled doctors and low-cost care, though the process moves at a slower pace with longer queues. Private hospitals offer fast service, English-friendly staff, and modern facilities, but come with higher prices that are easier…

  • How to make sure that your health insurance meets Thailand’s visa requirements | Thaiger

    How to make sure that your health insurance meets Thailand’s visa requirements

    If you plan to stay in Thailand for a long time, you must have health insurance that meets the country’s visa rules. This applies to Retirement (O-A and O-X) visas and Long-Term Resident (LTR) visas. Each visa type requires a minimum level of coverage for both inpatient and outpatient care, and some also need Covid-19 protection. Several approved Thai insurance…

  • 10 Best restaurants in Asoke, Bangkok | Thaiger

    10 Best restaurants in Asoke, Bangkok

    The Thaiger key takeaways This neighbourhood is one of Bangkok’s busiest eating zones, lined with Thai diners, brunch favourites, Japanese joints and some of the city’s most reliable pizza. Its central location and direct BTS/MRT access make it one of the easiest areas in Bangkok for visitors to explore through food. This curated list highlights the best restaurants worth checking,…

  • Can you stay and work in Thailand with your new Thai degree after graduation? | Thaiger

    Can you stay and work in Thailand with your new Thai degree after graduation?

    Graduating from a Thai university is a monumental moment of achievement, but for many who do graduate, the question quickly becomes: what’s next? If you’re an expat graduate hoping to stay in Thailand and launch your career here, recent updates to Thai immigration policy may work in your favour. However, staying on legally and working requires understanding how visas, permits,…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend (November 21 to 23) | Thaiger

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend (November 21 to 23)

    Bangkok feels a little quieter this month, but there are still plenty of things to check out if you want to get out of the house. Some galleries are staying open late, a few neighbourhood spots are running small community events and there are food pop ups that make the weekend feel a bit more fun. Here’s our curated list…

  • Overstay rules in Thailand: What happens, how much it costs, and how to resolve it | Thaiger

    Overstay rules in Thailand: What happens, how much it costs, and how to resolve it

    The Thaiger key takeaways Thailand enforces strict fines and penalties for staying beyond your permitted date, with no official grace period. Short overstays usually mean fines, while longer overstays can lead to bans, detention, or deportation. Resolving the issue quickly, either by leaving or contacting immigration, is essential to avoid serious consequences If you’ve ever lost track of dates while…

  • ‘The Magical Stars’: Disney-themed fairytale kingdom rolls out nationwide | Thaiger

    ‘The Magical Stars’: Disney-themed fairytale kingdom rolls out nationwide

    Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s leading sustainable real estate developer and operator of Central shopping centres nationwide, is joining forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and The Walt Disney (Thailand) to create a global year-end festive sensation with ‘The Magical Stars’. The campaign introduces four Disney-themed fairytale kingdoms, highlighted by a signature Christmas tree and 3-metre-tall Mickey Mouse and…

  • Phuket’s fitness boot camps: Why expats fly across the world to train here | Thaiger

    Phuket’s fitness boot camps: Why expats fly across the world to train here

    Phuket has built a global reputation for many things, including tropical beaches, vibrant nightlife, and bustling tourism, among them. But in recent years, another scene has quietly exploded on the island’s southern coast: fitness boot camps. From complete lifestyle overhauls to elite-level training, Phuket has become a destination where people fly in, sometimes from halfway around the world, not to…

  • Blue by Alain Ducasse at ICONSIAM marks its sixth anniversary with a celebration of vision and flavour | Thaiger

    Blue by Alain Ducasse at ICONSIAM marks its sixth anniversary with a celebration of vision and flavour

    Blue by Alain Ducasse, the award-winning and Michelin-starred French restaurant at ICONLUXE, 1st Floor, ICONSIAM, celebrates its sixth anniversary this month with a visit by the legendary chef Alain Ducasse. To mark the occasion, Executive Chef Evens López has created a special Découverte Menu, honouring the spirit of creativity, precision, and harmony that have defined the Blue’s journey since its…

  • Does eating sugar equal killing ourselves? What research really says about ‘slow death’ from sugar | Thaiger

    Does eating sugar equal killing ourselves? What research really says about ‘slow death’ from sugar

    Social media has been sharing quotes like “eating sugar = slowly killing yourself,” to the point that some people are now more afraid of mango sticky rice than cigarettes. In reality, cutting out sweetness completely is impossible. So the question is: when we look strictly at medical research, is sugar really that harmful, or is the real issue the way…

  • Thailand pushes sustainable gem industry with GIT standard programmes | Thaiger

    Thailand pushes sustainable gem industry with GIT standard programmes

    The Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand, or GIT, has launched a new national initiative to advance Thailand’s position as a global hub for sustainable gem and jewellery production. The programme, titled Thailand Towards a World Sustainable Gem and Jewellery Hub, aims to help SMEs meet international standards in sustainability, governance, and environmental responsibility as global trade rules continue to…

  • What you need to know about Cloudflare after global outage hits X and ChatGPT | Thaiger

    What you need to know about Cloudflare after global outage hits X and ChatGPT

    Cloudflare, one of the world’s largest internet infrastructure providers, went down for several hours and caused major websites, including X (Twitter) and ChatGPT, to become inaccessible worldwide. The incident has now been resolved, with the company confirming the issue was caused by an oversized system file – not a cyberattack. Last night, on November 18, internet users across multiple countries…

  • Is expat health insurance in Thailand actually worth it? | Thaiger

    Is expat health insurance in Thailand actually worth it?

    The Thaiger key takeaways Foreigners aren’t covered by public healthcare, making private hospital costs a major concern. Insurance offers financial protection and access to better medical care. Whether it’s worth it depends on your stay length, health, lifestyle, and budget. Thailand is a favourite destination for expats, known for its warm weather, rich culture, and affordable lifestyle. But as more…

  • What parents should know about homeschooling in Thailand | Thaiger

    What parents should know about homeschooling in Thailand

    The Thaiger key takeaways Homeschooling is legal in Thailand but only permitted for children with Thai citizenship and requires official approval from local education authorities. Parents must submit a detailed education plan, choose a curriculum, and provide yearly progress reports for accreditation. Families can follow Thai, international, or blended curricula, but must ensure proper certification for future schooling or university…

  • Where to celebrate Thanksgiving in Bangkok 2025 | Thaiger

    Where to celebrate Thanksgiving in Bangkok 2025

    Thanksgiving is just a random Thursday in Thailand, but that doesn’t mean Americans in Bangkok can’t enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, plus a slice of good ol’ American pie. After all, Bangkok is a melting pot of cultures, one that is full of amazing restaurants. For some, celebrating Thanksgiving in Thailand is as much about enjoying…

  • Out of bitcoin’s shadow: Ethereum’s challenge to the crypto crown | Thaiger

    Out of bitcoin’s shadow: Ethereum’s challenge to the crypto crown

    Market analysis provided by Quoc Dat Tong, Financial Markets Strategist at Exness The cryptocurrency market has come a long way since 2008, when Bitcoin (BTC) became the first decentralised digital currency. Its scarcity, decentralisation, and early-mover advantage made it the foundation of the digital asset space. Then came Ethereum (ETH) in 2015, a network designed not just for transactions but…

  • Top 10 best marketing agencies in Thailand (2026 edition) | Thaiger

    Top 10 best marketing agencies in Thailand (2026 edition)

    Thailand has become one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets for digital marketing and creative advertising. With Bangkok emerging as a hub for international brands, but also some very promising and or already popular local brands, the competition among agencies has grown stronger than ever. Today’s leading firms blend data-driven performance with creativity, cultural insight, and end-to-end services that help…

  • Is Bangkok’s cost of living as cheap as people say? Here’s how they compare globally | Thaiger

    Is Bangkok’s cost of living as cheap as people say? Here’s how they compare globally

    When it comes to relocating abroad, affordability plays a major role in choosing where to go. For many, Bangkok represents an ideal balance between comfort, culture, and cost, but how does it truly compare to the rest of the world when it comes to monthly utility expenses? A recent study conducted by Remitly analysed 40 global cities to find out…

  • How to pay your road tax in Thailand and how much it costs? | Thaiger

    How to pay your road tax in Thailand and how much it costs?

    The Thaiger key takeaways Road tax is mandatory for all vehicles in Thailand and must be renewed yearly. Expats need a blue book, Por Ror Bor, and inspection documents before paying. Costs vary by engine size, and EVs enjoy a five-year road tax exemption. Paying your road tax in Thailand is a crucial part of owning a car or motorbike…

  • Addressing the change in the alcohol laws in Thailand | Thaiger

    Addressing the change in the alcohol laws in Thailand

    Thailand’s alcohol regulations have long been a source of confusion for both tourists and residents. But as of late 2025, the Thai government has officially made adjustments to two key aspects of its alcohol policy. These changes mark a shift toward a more flexible and tourism-friendly approach, while still retaining Thailand’s broader public health framework. Here’s what’s new under the…

  • What to do if you need to fly home from Thailand for treatment | Thaiger

    What to do if you need to fly home from Thailand for treatment

    The Thaiger Key Takeaways Always contact your insurer’s 24-hour hotline before arranging any medical transfer. Skipping this step can void your claim. Understand the difference between evacuation (to the nearest qualified hospital) and repatriation (returning home for treatment). The right international health insurance can save you tens of thousands of dollars in medical flight and hospital costs. As an expat…

  • Is it cheaper to drive electric vehicles in Thailand? | Thaiger

    Is it cheaper to drive electric vehicles in Thailand?

    As electric vehicles (EVs) gain traction across Thailand, the conversation has moved beyond environmental benefits to something far more practical: cost. Drivers are wondering: Is it actually cheaper to drive an electric car in Thailand compared to a petrol car? From upfront purchase prices to the day-to-day running costs, EV ownership is filled with both advantages and surprises. Let’s take…

  • Start 2026 right with Novotel Sriracha and Koh Si Chang’s seaside New Year room packages | Thaiger

    Start 2026 right with Novotel Sriracha and Koh Si Chang’s seaside New Year room packages

    The Thaiger key takeaways Choose between the lively seaside town of Sriracha or the serene island of Koh Si Chang for your New Year celebration. Enjoy two-night stays with breakfast, merit-making sets, and exclusive perks starting from just 7,700++ baht. Book before December 15, 2025, to secure your spot for a seaside New Year getaway without the high-season price tag.…

  • South Korea eases visa rules for young Thai job seekers | Thaiger

    South Korea eases visa rules for young Thai job seekers

    South Korea has eased visa rules for young Thai nationals who speak Korean, allowing them to apply for longer stays and job opportunities with fewer restrictions. The South Korean Embassy in Bangkok has announced a major visa policy shake-up, easing the path for young Thai nationals fluent in Korean to live and work in the country. Effective this month, the…

  • Axi empowers traders with educational resources tailored for the Thai market | Thaiger

    Axi empowers traders with educational resources tailored for the Thai market

    Axi, a global leader in online trading, is deepening its commitment to Thai traders by delivering a suite of free, high-quality educational resources designed to support every stage of the trading journey. From beginner fundamentals to advanced strategies, Axi’s initiatives are tailored to the Thai market to help traders expand their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and build confidence. Axi Academy:…