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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Maddix reflects on Bangkok, creative process, and dream collaborations
After performing at the 8O8 Festival in Bangkok last December, Dutch DJ and producer Maddix spoke with The Thaiger about his experience in the city, how he prepares for live sets, and the artists he hopes to work with in the future. Known for his trademark high-energy techno sound, Maddix has built a solid reputation in the electronic music scene.…
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Can you get into medical school in Thailand as a foreigner?
The short answer is yes, but the fuller answer is considerably more complicated. Thailand offers international medical programmes that accept foreign students and deliver world-class education. However, the path from admission to actually practising medicine involves significant barriers that many prospective students don’t fully appreciate until it’s too late. If you’re considering medical school in Thailand, understanding these barriers upfront…
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Border farmers rush sugarcane harvest amid renewed clash tensions
Farmers living along the Thai-Cambodian border are racing against time to cut and replant sugarcane after repeated evacuations, as fears grow over a possible third military clash that could again force them from their land. In several border villages, agricultural work has resumed only partially, with many farmers returning to fields they were forced to abandon during earlier tensions. While…
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Free live music every weekend this January: Music in the Park returns to Bangkok
Looking for free live music in Bangkok this January? Music in the Park is back for 2026, bringing a full month of performances to public spaces across the city. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has organised concerts featuring everything from jazz and classical music to traditional Thai dance and contemporary bands, all free to attend. The event runs throughout January 2026…
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Investment trends 2026: Where should your money go? A deep dive into 3 can’t-miss themes
In the blink of an eye, we are about to wave goodbye to 2025. It has been a year of major economic recalibration, but as we step into 2026, the financial world’s pulse is changing rhythm again. The million-dollar question, having retail investors and portfolio managers scratching their heads, is: “So, where should the money go next year?” To help…
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What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 2 to 4)
Happy New Year! The first weekend of 2026 has that slightly unhinged energy where no one quite knows what day it is, but everyone agrees it’s still time to go out. The confetti is gone but Bangkok is still full of exciting events to attend. Here are the best things to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 2 to 4)…
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Japanese expat shares Why you must carry a stack of 20-Baht notes in Thailand
Viral Tip: Japanese Expat Reveals Why Carrying a Stack of 20-Baht Notes is Essential for Rural Thailand BANGKOK — A Japanese expatriate living in Thailand has post a good tip on social media. A practical financial tip for traveling upcountry. she adviced always carry a thick stack of 20-baht banknotes. user @mlxism17 posted a photo of a fresh bundle of…
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20 Best Places for Bangkok’s 2026 New Year Fireworks
Bangkok authorities approved 20 major sites for New Year fireworks displays, featuring riverside landmarks and downtown shopping hubs to ring in 2026 countdown. To welcome the year 2026, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has confirmed 20 authorized locations. These sites range from iconic landmarks along the Chao Phraya River to major shopping malls in the city center for the…
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The best New Year’s eve dinners around Thailand
New Year’s Eve dinner in Thailand is never just about eating. It’s about sitting somewhere you actually want to stay, ordering another drink without checking the time, and letting the night go by until midnight sneaks up on the table. This list is for people who want their last meal of the year to feel like a moment. Big buffets,…
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Sansiri marks new milestones in Phuket for 2026: Expanding into “Surin Beach” and reinforcing dominance in the “Cherngtalay – Bang Tao” zone
Sansiri has unveiled its strategic location plan for Phuket, announcing two new projects in prime areas: Surin Beach and Cherngtalay – Bang Tao, both scheduled for launch in 2026. Tapping into the potential of “Surin Beach” Sansiri is expanding into Surin Beach, a location recognized as one of the Andaman coast’s highest-potential zones. The area is surrounded by luxury hotels,…
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2026 New Year Bank Holiday: Which Branches are Open or Closed?
As the New Year 2026 festival approaches, many people are planning trips home or vacations during this long holiday. While government agencies observe an extended break, financial institutions and banks have different operating schedules, particularly distinguishing between “in-mall branches” and “general branches.” To help you plan your financial transactions smoothly, we have compiled the bank holiday schedule for New Year…
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Happy New Year 2026: Chinese Wishes for the “Year of the Horse”
Happy New Year 2026! According to the Chinese Zodiac, this year marks the “Year of the Horse”. The Horse is an auspicious animal symbolizing energy, speed, victory, and loyalty. This new era represents a golden opportunity to leap forward toward your goals with stability and strength. Choosing a Chinese greeting with deep meaning, or posting a photo on social media…
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Warnings of higher pollution levels in Bangkok over New Year
Bangkok authorities have issued a pollution warning ahead of the New Year holiday, cautioning residents that PM2.5 levels are likely to rise as air ventilation weakens across the capital. The Bangkok Air Quality Information Centre released an updated air quality outlook covering the period from December 26, 2025 to January 3, 2026. The forecast highlights several days of elevated risk,…
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Yaowarat comes alive as Chinese opera revives memories in Bangkok’s historic Chinatown
The sound of cymbals, traditional melodies, and rhythmic chanting once again echoed through Yaowarat, Bangkok’s historic Chinatown, as Chinese opera returned to the heart of the neighborhood. For three nights, the area surrounding Wat Mangkon Station transformed into a living cultural stage during the event BEM Happy Journey 2025: Yaowarat, drawing longtime residents, elderly opera fans, and younger visitors together…
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Top Places to celebrate the New Year Countdown in Thailand 2026
Be honest. You’ve already started thinking about where you’re counting down. New Year celebrations in Thailand is never just one night; it’s a full-scale, multi-day celebration. Fireworks light up the sky, stages come alive across the city, lineups feature must-see artists, and the crowd energy strikes the perfect balance between excitement and pure fun. From riverfront blowouts and mall takeovers…
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Clean energy: Why it matters more than ever, and why this initiative is now live again
Clean energy has moved from being an ambitious idea to becoming one of the most important global priorities of our time. As climate challenges intensify and traditional energy systems strain under demand, the need for renewable, efficient, and responsible energy solutions has never been clearer. Communities, governments, innovators, and everyday citizens are now part of a growing movement to rethink…
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Thai woman jailed for cannabis in Taiwan seeks urgent deportation due to heart condition
Taiwanese man seeks help. Thai girlfriend suffers heart condition in Taiwan prison. Pleads for Expedited Deportation The popular Facebook page “Drama-addict” shared a distress call from a Taiwanese man. He urgently asked for help regarding his Thai girlfriend, Ms. Araya Pramprom. She currently faces difficult conditions in a Taiwan prison due to poor health and delayed paperwork. Reports state that…
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Pattaya Countdown 2026 New Year event: Free concerts over 3 Days, transport and parking points announced
The Pattaya Countdown 2026 New Year celebration is set to deliver three days and three nights of non-stop fun with free concerts featuring some of Thailand’s biggest artists, including Jeff Satur, Bodyslam, and BUS. Organisers have also released transport advice, parking locations, and free shuttle bus details to help visitors avoid traffic congestion. Get ready to jump, dance, and welcome…
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A New Year detox & reboot focused on digestion, energy, and clarity at Sole Mio Clinic
January carries a different kind of energy, softer, quieter, more intentional. After the holiday season filled with food, celebration, and late nights, the body naturally asks for a pause. At Sole Mio Clinic, they believe that the healthiest way to begin a new year is to clear what the body no longer needs, giving space for better digestion, cleaner energy,…
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Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Phuket
New Year’s Eve in Phuket is never just one plan. It’s a whole choose your own adventure moment. Do you start with cocktails by the pool, drift into a seafood feast, then end up dancing barefoot while fireworks explode overhead? Yes. Yes you do. For the countdown to 2026, Phuket resorts are going full send. We’re talking gala dinners that…
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Central Pattana undertakes a major 30-year transformation of Central Chiangmai Airport
Central Pattana Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading sustainable real estate developer, has invested 1.2 billion Thai baht to transform Central Chiangmai Airport into a new mixed-use landmark, strengthening Chiang Mai’s position as a high-potential global city. Developed under the “Reimagining Lanna” concept, the project spans over 130 rai with a total GBA of 173,000 square metres. Featuring over 350 global…
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Staying safe on the road during Thailand’s Christmas and New Year holidays
Thailand’s Christmas and New Year holidays are a time of joy, travel, and celebration. However, this busy season also brings a sharp rise in road accidents, with hundreds of lives lost each year. Most crashes involve motorcycles, often linked to speeding, drunk driving, and low visibility, making the roads especially risky for both locals and visitors. For travellers, having the…
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Festive Christmas destinations in Bangkok to celebrate in 2025
Bangkok does Christmas its own way. No cold weather. No quiet nights, but people still want a reason to gather, eat well, drink late, and stay out longer than planned. Hotels, bars, clubs, and venues know this, and they plan accordingly. If you want a clear plan for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve, start here. These places…
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Christmas and New Year festive guide at Jungceylon Phuket this December
There might be no snow or cosy days by the fireplace in Phuket, but there’s definitely a festive atmosphere all around. You can still meet Santa, see Christmas lights, and find plenty of ways to celebrate, and Jungceylon Phuket is the place to go if you want to soak it all in. This year, the shopping and lifestyle complex goes…
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CNN selects Bangkok at ICONSIAM as a Major Asia-Pacific Broadcast Hub for New Year’s Eve 2025
CNN is set to broadcast its New Year’s Eve 2025 celebrations live from Bangkok, Thailand. This year, one of CNN’s Asia-Pacific Live Studios will be based at ICONSIAM, located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. Hosted by Anchor and Correspondent, Kristie Lu Stout and Senior International Correspondent, Will Ripley, live audio and visual signals from Bangkok will…
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Chulalongkorn University hosts Bhutan’s King and Queen for honorary degrees
Chulalongkorn University had the great honour of welcoming His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of the Kingdom of Bhutan on Monday, December 22, for the Conferral of the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degrees, held at the Chulalongkorn University Auditorium and Maha Chulalongkorn Building. Upon Their Majesties’ arrival at Chulalongkorn University, they were…
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Indorama Ventures, Siam Piwat, and VINN PATARARIN join forces to create ‘Tree of Tomorrow’ Christmas tree at NEXTOPIA, Siam Paragon
Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, has unveiled a sustainable Christmas tree titled Tree of Tomorrow, created in collaboration with Thai fashion brand VINN PATARARIN, and leading retail and real estate developer Siam Piwat. Installed at NEXTOPIA, Siam Paragon, the project celebrates the festive season through a blend of design, sustainability, and forward-looking innovation. Standing 4…
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Did you know NASA found a Christmas Tree in space?
While you’re hanging ornaments and stringing lights on your Christmas tree this season, NASA has spotted a cosmic version twinkling 2,500 light-years away in our Milky Way galaxy. The “Christmas Tree Cluster,” officially known as NGC 2264, is a stunning grouping of young stars that, with a little help from telescopes and clever imaging, bears a striking resemblance to a…
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What it’s like to give birth in Thailand as an expat
The Thaiger key takeaways Thailand offers reliable, international-standard maternity care, with private hospitals being the preferred choice for most expats due to English-speaking staff and bundled maternity packages. Giving birth in Thailand can be affordable compared to many Western countries, but costs rise quickly without maternity insurance, especially at international hospitals. Maternity insurance requires forward planning, as waiting periods usually…
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Central Pattana commits 500 million baht to Thailand’s biggest New Year 2026 countdown
Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s no.1 real estate developer and operator of 44 Central shopping centers nationwide, is joining hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to announce the launch of centralwOrld Bangkok Countdown 2026 The Original – A Tribute to Love at centralwOrld, the “Times Square of Asia” the only countdown landmark in the heart of the…
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