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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    Weekend road trip routes across Thailand [2025]

    Weekend road trips in Thailand are a great way to enjoy beautiful scenery, local culture, and quick getaways without much travel time. From winding mountain routes in the north to coastal drives in the south, every journey brings new sights...

  • Best areas to live in Phuket for expats, finding your perfect neighbourhood | Thaiger

    Best areas to live in Phuket for expats, finding your perfect neighbourhood

    Phuket continues to be a popular destination for people looking to start a new life. It’s where digital nomads, retirees, young families, investors, and entrepreneurs come together, all chasing a slower pace of life under the tropical sun. The island is large enough to offer choice, but small enough to feel like a community, and that balance is what continues…

  • Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run | Thaiger

    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private health insurance, like the plans Cigna offers for expats, provides access to quality medical care, protects against unexpected costs, and…

  • Doja Cat returns, debuts with new single, ‘Jealous Type’ | Thaiger

    Doja Cat returns, debuts with new single, ‘Jealous Type’

    GRAMMY award-winning global superstar Doja Cat returns with her new single and music video “Jealous Type”, out now via Kemosabe Records/ RCA Records. Produced by Jack Antonoff (Taylor Swift, Lorde) and Y2K (Ariana Grande, Tate McRae), with the music video directed by Boni Mata and filmed in Los Angeles, Doja Cat’s “Jealous Type” was first teased in her Summer ’25 campaign with Marc Jacobs. The track is set to appear…

  • ICONSIAM to unveil Thailand’s biggest coffee expo along the Chao Phraya River | Thaiger

    ICONSIAM to unveil Thailand’s biggest coffee expo along the Chao Phraya River

    ICONSIAM, the global landmark along the Chao Phraya River, is transforming Bangkok into a must-visit global coffee destination with the upcoming Iconic Craft Coffee Expo 2025. Taking place from August 29 to September 7, 2025, at River Park, ICONSIAM, and extending to the Event Space, M Floor, ICS, and 4th Floor, ICONCRAFT, the expo represents a strategic platform where business,…

  • Sartoria by Paulo Airaudo welcomes summer with bold and seasonal creations | Thaiger

    Sartoria by Paulo Airaudo welcomes summer with bold and seasonal creations

    Sartoria by Paulo Airaudo, the stylish and sophisticated Italian restaurant located on the 56th floor of EA Rooftop at The Empire, introduces its refreshing new summer menus that highlight the season’s finest ingredients. Designed to awaken the senses, these culinary journeys capture the brightness and elegance of summer in Italy through bold creativity and refined European flair. The first Southeast…

  • RAVA: A new beach club experience at Banyan Tree Phuket | Thaiger

    RAVA: A new beach club experience at Banyan Tree Phuket

    A new era of beach club experience has just arrived in Thailand’s southern island province with Rava, the latest lifestyle concept from Banyan Tree Phuket. Located within Laguna Phuket, an integrated resort destination along the beloved Bang Tao Beach, Rava is a sprawling beach club tucked along a 180 metre shoreline, making it the longest beach club in Thailand. Translating…

  • Master of Fine Arts in motion: Thailand’s oldest art school reinvents the future | Thaiger

    Master of Fine Arts in motion: Thailand’s oldest art school reinvents the future

    The Thaiger key takeaways Poh-Chang Academy of Arts, Thailand’s oldest art school, has launched its first-ever Master of Fine Arts programme. Five pioneering students are blending centuries-old traditions with modern concepts, from repoussé metalwork to experimental jewellery. The programme signals a shift in Thai art education, redefining the line between craftsman and artist while pushing boundaries of expression. If Thailand…

  • Massilia introduces the iconic Ruota di Carro Pizza at Ruamrudee | Thaiger

    Massilia introduces the iconic Ruota di Carro Pizza at Ruamrudee

    Massilia, Bangkok’s multi-awarded Italian restaurant and pizzeria, is proud to announce the launch of its newest menu addition: the Ruota di Carro. This spectacular pizza, rooted in Neapolitan tradition, is now exclusively available at Massilia Ruamrudee. The Ruota di Carro, which translates to “wagon wheel” in Italian, is a pizza made to bring people together. Big, crisp, and full of…

  • Banthat Thong Road: Your new street food destination in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Banthat Thong Road: Your new street food destination in Bangkok

    The Thaiger key takeaways Banthat Thong Road is Bangkok’s rising street food hub, blending atmosphere, affordability, and variety near Chulalongkorn University. Must-try stalls include June Pang, Black Me O Boat Noodles, Suki Changphueak, and Jay Oh, alongside dessert favourites like Tuay Tung Ice Cream and Cheng Sim Ei. The street comes alive from 6pm to midnight, making evenings the best…

  • Thailand eyes kratom crackdown amid abuse fears | Thaiger

    Thailand eyes kratom crackdown amid abuse fears

    Thailand’s justice minister has vowed to rein in kratom abuse after nationwide reports of users mixing the herbal drink with narcotics. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said new regulations may soon be introduced to restrict kratom leaf sales, following talks with Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin earlier this week. “On August 20, I discussed with the public health minister the necessity…

  • Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money | Thaiger

    Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money

    Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning how to manage these costs, you can stay in control of your health coverage. Knowing what causes these increases is…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend and next (August 22 to 31) | Thaiger

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend and next (August 22 to 31)

    August in Bangkok isn’t slowing down, with the rain, the heat, and a packed calendar all proving it this weekend. You’ll find late-night parties, art that bends the imagination, films screened on ice, and dinosaurs stomping along the riverfront. If you’re still deciding where to go, here’s our pick of the best things to do in Bangkok this weekend (and…

  • New Thai tax plan could cost expats their perks | Thaiger

    New Thai tax plan could cost expats their perks

    Thailand is preparing to flip its tax system on its head, and expats could soon be caught in the crossfire. By 2027, the government plans to roll out a negative income tax, a major shift in how financial aid is delivered. Instead of handing out subsidies to broad social groups, the new system will offer direct payments to those who…

  • Summer Sonic Bangkok 2025: Get ready for a showdown in the capital! | Thaiger

    Summer Sonic Bangkok 2025: Get ready for a showdown in the capital!

    The countdown is on, only a few days to go! Get ready, because Summer Sonic Bangkok 2025 is just around the corner! On August 23 to 24, Bangkok will transform into the ultimate music capital with two blazing stages over two explosive days. If you miss this, you’re truly missing out! Don’t be mistaken, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill concert. It’s…

  • Welida Health, the personalised wellness centre in Bangkok that can help you feel like yourself again | Thaiger

    Welida Health, the personalised wellness centre in Bangkok that can help you feel like yourself again

    Life can get so busy that taking care of your health becomes something you plan to do ‘next week,’ but never quite manage. The deadlines pile up, your sleep gets shorter, and suddenly, you’re running on caffeine and stress, wondering why you feel so out of sync. But that’s exactly what Welida Health is helping people change. Located in Bangkok,…

  • Your guide to affordable seaside holidays at Thai Teaw Thai Fair 2025 | Thaiger

    Your guide to affordable seaside holidays at Thai Teaw Thai Fair 2025

    Who doesn’t love a great deal? If you’re already dreaming about your next seaside holiday, Thailand’s biggest travel fair is where you can turn those plans into reality while saving money along the way. The Thai Teaw Thai Fair is back to Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre for its 75th edition this August 21 to 24, and it’s bringing…

  • Peripheral Pictures/Mbrella Films’ & Hollywood Thailand’s ‘Peen Kleaw Thai’ debuts August 21 | Thaiger

    Peripheral Pictures/Mbrella Films’ & Hollywood Thailand’s ‘Peen Kleaw Thai’ debuts August 21

    What would you risk to save your home? In a gripping tale of loyalty, redemption, and survival set in modern-day Bangkok, a young man must confront a violent gang to protect his home village. This high-stakes conflict forms the basis of the new Thai action-drama, Peen Kleaw, which will have its theatrical release in Thailand on August 21, 2025. Directed…

  • Thai interest rate cut fuels stock market surge | Thaiger

    Thai interest rate cut fuels stock market surge

    Thailand’s stock market has been handed a shot of adrenaline after the Bank of Thailand (BoT) slashed its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.50%, a move analysts say could send the SET index surging to 1,370 points by the year’s end. Market watchers hailed the rate cut as the start of “a policy-led re-rating phase” that will redirect…

  • Thai hospitals probed over fake migrant health certificates | Thaiger

    Thai hospitals probed over fake migrant health certificates

    Private hospitals in Thailand are facing a scandal after allegations surfaced that they have been issuing fake health certificates to migrant workers without carrying out proper medical checks. Deputy Public Health Minister Chaichana Dechdecho announced yesterday, August 19, that two to three hospitals are under investigation, with early evidence suggesting doctors signed off on the fraudulent certificates without conducting blood…

  • The Italian Table: A six-hands culinary collaboration | Thaiger

    The Italian Table: A six-hands culinary collaboration

    JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, the leading destination dining resort in Phang Nga, is proud to unveil The Italian Table on August 29 and 30, 2025, a two-night collaboration bringing together three of Thailand’s most visionary Italian chefs for one unforgettable dining experience. Hosted at Olive, the resort’s signature Italian kitchen, this special event is set to showcase the…

  • Central Pattana unveils Central Park on September 4 | Thaiger

    Central Pattana unveils Central Park on September 4

    Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s leading real estate developer committed to sustainability, will soon open the doors of Central Park, its 43rd shopping centre with a gross building area (GBA) of 130,000 square metres as part of the world-class mixed-use development, Dusit Central Park, with a total project value of 46 billion baht. The development integrates a shopping centre, office tower,…

  • Phuket fights against HIV: Bold plan to end AIDS by 2030 | Thaiger

    Phuket fights against HIV: Bold plan to end AIDS by 2030

    Phuket has declared an all-out war on HIV/AIDS with the launch of a high-powered workshop aimed at making the island Thailand’s first Province of Ending AIDS by 2030. The two-day event, which opened today, August 19, at the Bukitta Hotel in Phuket Town, gathered 50 representatives from health, government, and community groups. It was chaired by Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer…

  • Australian Pharmacy Location Rules – Insights for success | Thaiger

    Australian Pharmacy Location Rules – Insights for success

    The Australian Pharmacy Location Rules were established under the National Health Act 1953 and are jointly overseen by the Australian Federal Government and the Australian Pharmacy Guild. These rules standardise the approval process for pharmacies to supply medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), allowing the store to be reimbursed for the gap between the patient’s out-of-pocket cost and the…

  • Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand? | Thaiger

    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand? Yes, you do get access to some healthcare for free only if you have a work permit and contribute to…

  • Kora Beach Resort Phuket makes dazzling debut with grand opening on Bangtao Beach | Thaiger

    Kora Beach Resort Phuket makes dazzling debut with grand opening on Bangtao Beach

    On 9 August, a new pearl began to shine along Bangtao and Phuket’s pristine shoreline as Kora Beach Resort Phuket proudly celebrated two unforgettable milestones: Official opening ceremony of Kora Beach Resort Phuket As sunset painted the Andaman Sea in brilliant hues of gold and coral, Kora Beach Resort Phuket welcomed guests to the Official Opening Ceremony, marking the start…

  • Kao unveils the ‘Kirei World’ Experience: Inspiring sustainable living through innovation at NST Fair 2025 | Thaiger

    Kao unveils the ‘Kirei World’ Experience: Inspiring sustainable living through innovation at NST Fair 2025

    Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer of consumer and chemical products, has presented its immersive Kirei World Tour experience at the National Science and Technology Fair 2025 (NST Fair 2025), organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation under the theme Science in Action for Sustainable Community. The fair showcases Kao’s vision of creating…

  • Kristian Petersen appointed as General Manager of Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok | Thaiger

    Kristian Petersen appointed as General Manager of Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok

    Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok is delighted to announce the appointment of Kristian Petersen as General Manager, effective August 4. A veteran hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience with Marriott International, Kristian brings a wealth of expertise in hotel operations, pre-opening strategy, and brand transformation across Asia Pacific and Europe. Kristian most recently served as General Manager of…

  • Land of smiles, punchlines, and open mics | Thaiger

    Land of smiles, punchlines, and open mics

    Comedians who were interviewed Johnathan Samson Chris Wegoda Alex Latour People who think Bangkok is only temples, traffic, and tuk-tuks have clearly never been cornered at an open mic by a drunk Australian determined to share his new ladyboy joke. Open mic, you ask? Yes, stand-up comedy exists in Thailand, and it’s not just a hobby. It’s a stubborn, funny-looking,…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend (August 15 to 17) | Thaiger

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend (August 15 to 17)

    Bangkok weekends are never short of surprises, and this one’s serving up plenty to keep you moving, sipping, reading, and wandering. From free swing sessions under the trees to art-filled nights inside converted warehouses, boredom won’t be in your vocabulary this mid-August. Here are some of the best things to do in Bangkok this weekend (August 15 to 17) Things to do…

  • Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever | Thaiger

    Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever

    If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas, like retirement or long-term stay. Choosing a plan from a trusted company like Cigna can make the process easier and…