Thai Life
Thailand guides, travel tips, cultural insights, and essential local information—discover everything you need to know about living, visiting, and experiencing the Land of Smiles. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand guides.
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Sponsored Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever
Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Upcoming 6th Asian Youth Theatre Festival attracts troupes from 11 countries
The upcoming 6th Asian Youth Theatre Festival in Cambodia has proved to be quite popular internationally with youth troupes from 11 different countries set to attend. Siem Reap will host the event, with Cambodiown youth troupe joining the festival. According to Phnom Penh Post, the festival will run from November 24 to 27 and is organised by Khmer Art Action.…
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Pakistani love story Joyland triggers rabid transphobia
Joyland, a movie made in Pakistan, is about a young married man who falls in love with a transgender woman. The movie won a prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will represent Pakistan in next year’s Academy Awards. But a week before the film was due for release at home, Pakistani withdrew its certification. Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a…
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Monday, Tuesday, Wankday, and a Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne day!
Monday, Tuesday, Wankday, Gazza day! English speaking skills not up to scratch? Why not employ former England, Newcastle United, and Tottenham football legend Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne? Believe it or not, Gazza was once employed by his former club Newcastle to act as an interpreter for Brazilian star Mirandinha, who could not speak a word of English when he arrived at…
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Spielberg’s ‘Terminal’ man departs CDG forever
The man who lived in Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport for 18 years and was the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s film The Terminal died yesterday in his “beloved” airport. Merhan Karimi Nasseri suffered a heart attack at the airport around midday. Police and a medical team were quickly on the scene but could do nothing to save him. Karimi Nasseri was…
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Low-Rise House Key Driver In Property Revenue Hits New Heights
The third-quarter presales and revenue of major SET-listed property developers reached a record high thanks to an economic resurgence fueled by tourists’ in the second half of this year. Key SET-listed developers in Thailand, such as Supalai Plc, Sansiri, Noble, and AP development revenues, hit new heights in the third quarter of 2022. The third quarter of 2022 saw Supalai…
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2022 World Cup for free on Thai TV fiasco rages on
Will footie fans or won’t footie fans get to see the 2022 World Cup for free? That is the question while the fiasco rages on. The clock is ticking on whether football fans in Thailand will be able to watch the World Cup for free. Last week the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), blamed the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT)…
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Pattaya drag icon Maisie Trollette makes movie
Drag icon Maisie Trollette, a familiar sight in Pattaya’s gay clubs of 20 years ago, has made a movie. Based in Brighton UK, David Raven was hired by Pattaya clubs as an MC way back when, and is said to have raised hundreds of thousands of baht for AIDS victims, orphanages and other charities. Maisie is now 89, and the…
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Hollywood star’s bizarre Oscar gesture to Zelensky ridiculed
Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn loaned Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky one of his Academy awards in a scene which brought much mirth, merriment, and ridicule. The Hollywood star visited the Ukraine president yesterday and in a show of ostentation handed over one of his precious Oscars and said… “It is just a symbolic, silly thing but if I know this is…
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Top 10 nationalities buying condos in Thailand
Thailand’s Real Estate Information Centre (REIC) revealed the top 10 nationalities buying condos in Thailand in the first six months of 2022, with Chinese and Russian investors leading the way. In Thailand, foreigners are permitted to own 49% of the units in any condominium building. The remaining 51% must have Thai ownership. The Inspector-General of the Government Housing Bank and…
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Thailand is not ‘selling off’ the country by letting foreigners buy land, says govt
The Thai government is defending its plan to allow foreign investors to buy up to one rai of land after an opposition party claimed that they are “selling off” the country. Foreign land ownership in Thailand comes with strict conditions and the plan will benefit the country’s economy, a government spokesperson said yesterday. The Cabinet recently voted to allow four…
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Universal acclaim? Jakapong’s pageant purchase dismays rights campaigners
Thai businesswoman Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip recently purchased the Miss Universe Organization once owned by fellow reality TV star Donald Trump, something described in prehistoric quarters (US broadcaster NBC) as a “phenomenal milestone.” The deal cost an estimated US$20 million (750 million baht), but who is Jakapong, and what does she want? With million followers on Instagram, the 43 year old…
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Best land plots and villas with gorgeous sea views in Kamala, Phuket
Sponsored So you’ve finally decided to have your own slice of heaven in Phuket? Whether you plan to buy a luxury beach villa to rent out or a piece of land to build your dream holiday home, almost any property investment on this island is a good idea. Phuket is not only a blissful place to live, renting out a…
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Cabinet agrees to let foreigners buy land and houses in Thailand
A major decision was made today by Thailand’s Cabinet which will allow foreigners to buy houses and land in Thailand. The foreigner will be eligible to buy houses and land if they invest at least 40 million baht in Thailand and can maintain the investment over three years, according to Bangkok Biz News. The land purchased cannot be bigger than…
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1-billion-baht tourism stimulus back on track
While debate continues around Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to office, one thing has become clear: the Tourism and Sports Ministry is moving ahead with a package of measures delayed while General Prayut was suspended pending the Constitutional Court’s ruling. One proposal will allow entertainment venues to remain open until 4am. It’s estimated that Thailand loses roughly 70 million baht (US$2…
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Legendary Carabao rocker begs forgiveness over Elephant Duel “misunderstanding”
Rock star Yuenyong Opakul must report to the police to answer a charge of insulting Natthapat Suwanprateep, governor of Suphan Buri province, during an offensive rant last week. Pol Maj Gen Uthai Kawindechathorn, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 7, yesterday said the frontman of celebrated rock group Carabao must visit Song Phi Nong police station in the southernmost district…
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The truth behind ‘rental guaranteed returns’ in Thailand
Guaranteed rental return is one of the latest schemes that is taking the property market in Thailand by storm. It’s easy to see why many people are tempted by the idea of this scheme. After all, who doesn’t like certainty? But a lot of people are also in doubt and left with questions — is guaranteed rental return something you…
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Prepare to be spirited away by Ghilbi theme park
With only a few weeks left before the first Ghibli theme park opens on November 1, the world’s press has been allowed to take a look around. True to the Miyazaki vibe, the park in Nagakute has little of the razzamatazz or carnival atmosphere of Disney World. This is a much more quiet, low-key affair. Darker than Disney. There are…
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Honouring the 6th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death
Today marks the sixth anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death. Known as King Rama IX, his passing on October 13, 2016, is now celebrated as a national holiday. People recall his lasting legacy and pay tribute to the beloved king who reigned over Thailand for 70 years. The anniversary of his death is a public holiday. Though there…
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What $300,000 and less buys you for a villa in Pattaya
When it comes to property, a budget of $300,000 goes a long way in Pattaya. With that kind of budget, it’s possible to find a well-designed villa with plenty of space, a pool, and even a garden. So, if you’re looking to buy a pool villa in Pattaya with a $300,000 budget, here are some of the best options. A…
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10 things foreigners may find strange in Thailand
As a foreigner living in Thailand, you might notice some strange things and habits that are so far from what you know at home. From cultural quirks to monitor lizards wandering into convenience stores, here are things that most foreigners find surprising and strange in Thailand. Eating raw instant noodles Did you know that instant noodles can make a tasty…
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Ring craft – Muay Thai referees saving fighters from themselves
Muay Thai has some amazing referees, lots of them being former fighters themselves. One referee has recently been showered with praise for his quick reaction that saved a fighter from a “kill shot,” an aptly-named illegal kick to the head. Refereeing can be an unappreciated task – especially in combat sports. As well as risking injury yourself, you’re never going…
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10 strange laws to be aware of in Thailand
Be careful if you speak English using a microphone, you could be fined! Thailand’s culture and values might be much different than those you’re used to in your country. Therefore, there are some offences that most visitors may not know are illegal. Some laws might seem downright silly, but they need to be taken seriously if you don’t want to…
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‘The Trapped 13’ lets Wild Boars speak for themselves
We’re probably all too familiar with the uplifting tragedy of the Wild Boars football team. We know almost every detail of their time underground, their escape to the light and subsequent international celebrity. But still, the screen adaptations come, three in the last year alone. This time, it’s Netflix The Trapped 13: How We Survived the Thai Cave. The Trapped 13…
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Immersed in coffee on Ratchadamri Road
Visitors to CentralWorld on Bangkok’s Ratchadamri Road, have a chance to try and buy the best coffee beans from around the world, and gourmet coffee from across Thailand at Coffee Hub until Oct 11. It’s the first big public event by the Specialty Coffee Association of Thailand and promises a so-called immersive experience, perhaps a little too much for someone who does…
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Hot tip – Don’t pay hot tips!
To tip or not tip is becoming a hot issue among Thailand’s restaurant goers and waiting staff. For foreigners, tipping can be problematic in this part of Asia with expectations ranging from Chinese-style (no tips ever, anywhere, for anything) to Filipino (tips with everything). No matter what your situation is though, according to the law, 10% is enough. On Tuesday,…
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Thailand’s monsoon baht debacle lights fire to Phuket real estate sector
As Thailand’s monsoon season continues with what seems to be an endless line-up of thunderstorms and massive rain showers, the real story in Thai real estate is the baht. The Thai currency is precariously sitting at a 16-year low against the US dollar and has depreciated by nearly twelve per cent this year. As the exchange rate hovers near the…
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What $100,000 buys you for a condo in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Hua Hin
With a $100,000 price tag, the type of condo you’ll get in Thailand will differ from one city to another. You could buy a 2-bedroom ocean view condo on the coast or a tiny but charming 1-bedroom condo in a shiny glass building in the heart of the capital. Still, condos within this kind of budget are generally well-designed and…
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The tax returns don’t lie – Shakira prepares for court battle in Barcelona
Pop star Shakira is to stand trial in a Spanish court accused of defrauding tax collectors out of 14.5 million euros (536 million baht) between 2012 and 2014. The singer, whose real name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, said she didn’t move to Spain until 2015. A court in Barcelona charged the megastar with tax crimes but no date has…
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Phuket real estate shifts tide in wake of urban flight
Urban flight and a continuous stream of incoming lifestyle residents to Phuket are dramatically shifting Southeast Asia’s leading resort real estate market landscape. The new island property mantra is dominated by surging demand for single-family homes and larger condominiums. Phuket has witnessed a sharp change from 2019 when over 9 million tourists sought a place in the sun, highlighted by…
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Wallaya Villas is back with its new pool villas in Phuket
The first established real estate developer in Phuket’s Kamala neighbourhood is Wallaya Villas. They have more than 17 years of experience in the local real estate industry. They have worked on a variety of projects, including The Nest and The Harmony Phase II, as well as in hotels, commercials, and residential properties. As a result, Wallaya Villas is one of…
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