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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Bangkok real estate developer confidence dipped in Q1 due to supply chain woes
Thailand’s home developer sentiment index was 47 in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 52 in the fourth quarter of 2021. The reason for the dip in confidence? Russia’s war in Ukraine, of course. The ongoing conflict has significantly influenced the cost of petrol and numerous construction supplies, notably steel, which has seen a 35% increase in price since…
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Two decade-long battle for same-sex marriage in Thailand
“So when you see all colours of the Thai rainbow in extravagant display in social media, remember that the rainbow in Thailand currently has no pot of gold at the other end.” The Thai government continues to disenfranchise one group of Thai society as conservative elements of the Thai government resist changes to Thaland’s marriage laws. Up to 10% of…
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Thailand real estate sales projected to stay strong in 2022 — CBRE
CBRE plans to sell 14 billion baht in real estate this year, representing a 15% increase year on year, with luxury low-rise residences and resort villas being the main sellers. The company reportedly made 12 billion baht from real estate sales in 2021, an increase of 30% from the previous year. Luxury low-rise homes and villas have increased in popularity…
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SURVEY: The BIG question – Bum Gun or Toilet Paper – final results
So the results are out. When asked the big question, respondents favoured Thailand (and Asia’s) ubiquitous ‘bum gun’ over toilet paper. Full article below, but here are some of the reader responses from today’s The Thaiger YouTube survey. WARNING: Plentiful euphemisms for ‘bottom’ ahead. But first, the final result… • “Bum guns – best things ever! Bum gun to clean,…
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Nawarat to launch 2 projects at 2 billion baht in 2022
After a two-year break, contractor Nawarat Patanakarn aims to launch two new home projects costing nearly 2 billion baht in 2022. The new developments will be close to existing ones that are nearly sold out or have a high demand. The company aims to earn 600 million baht by year’s end, a conservative estimate well below its 690 million baht…
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The Standard to debut second Thailand hotel in May
The Standard is a decorative American hotel company recognized for its creative approach to hospitality. The company will debut its newest Thailand hotel at Mahanakhon in Bangkok on May 11. It will be the brand’s flagship hotel in Asia, with 155 rooms and a variety of international cuisine. Booking began last month. The brand’s shiny new centrepeice will be located…
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Neighbourhood Guide: Asoke, Bangkok
Bangkok can be a challenging city to explore due to its wide variety of neighbourhoods. One of the busiest and most dynamic areas is Asoke. There are many words to describe it Asoke. Some label it as a prime hangout spot, while others call it the central business district. Either way, it’s a central location in the heart of Bangkok…
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Unsold properties saturate Thailand real estate market, may breach 1 trillion baht
Developers of residential properties in Thailand should exercise caution when announcing new properties this year, as their collective plans represent the largest amount of new properties in more than a decade, warns Asia Plus Securities. Meanwhile, unsold properties present a high level of risk and might exceed a total value of 1 trillion baht. The word of caution comes as…
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Thailand condo market improved slightly in 2021, despite cautious expat buyers — CBRE
Thailand’s condominium market saw a modest improvement in 2021, despite the overall “sentiment” remaining low with a lack of foreign buying power. That’s according to a report by CBRE, which measured the pandemic’s effect on the country’s economy, customer confidence, spending power and an oversupply of options. The report found that fewer international investors has compounded the situation. Foreign buyers,…
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Marriott launches new hotel in Pattaya, plans to expand in Thailand this year
Marriott International aims to launch 7 to 8 new locations in Thailand in 2022 as part of a five year goal to add 33 new properties. But several bigger projects may take longer to complete. Among the new developments set to debut this year in Bangkok is an Autograph Collection hotel at Sukhumvit Soi 53, along with two Courtyard hotels,…
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5 smart devices to customise your property in Thailand
When it comes to different types of smart home devices, there’s a huge selection across a wide price range. Adding gadgets you can operate remotely will make your house a little more manageable a lot more automated. So pimp out your property with these 5 tech items for a smarter home. Google Nest Mini The Nest Mini is an excellent…
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CBRE recommends top 5 luxury condominiums in Phuket with fantastic locations
Luxury condominiums in Phuket are an appealing alternative to villas or houses because you can purchase them on freehold, which means that the condos are 100% in your name. It is just like owning a property in your own country. Luxury condos also typically feature their own private pools, as well as a broader range of onsite amenities and 24-hours…
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Central Patana to open largest mixed-use project in Chanthaburi
Central Pattana is set to unveil Central Chanthaburi — the largest and most comprehensive mixed-use development in eastern Thailand. The complex, which is scheduled to officially open on May 26, will exemplify the company’s mixed-use project model in urban cities to strengthen the local economy. Central Chanthaburi is anticipated to be a new city landmark, consisting of a hotel, shopping…
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Singapore home sales down 22%, as expat workforce hits 12-year low
Home sales in Singapore have fallen to their lowest rate in nearly 2 years, as cooling policies and rising property taxes slowed the residential market. The number of foreign white-collar professionals working in the city-state has also reached a 12-year low. The poor property sales reflect a lack of consumer confidence after the Singapore government raised taxes on high-end residences…
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Siamese Asset plans 6 residential properties, targets healthcare and foreigners
Siamese Asset plans to build 6 new residential properties in the Bangkok area for a total cost of more than 11 billion baht, including properties that would provide nursing care for the elderly and rehabilitation clients. Siamese Taling Chan is one of the new projects the company has envisioned for the healthcare sector in 2022. It would be a combination…
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Thailand self-built home costs to rise at least 5%, as metal and fuel prices spike
The prices of self-built homes are projected to rise by 5-8 percent, spurred by rising metal and fuel costs in the wake the war in Ukraine. Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine last month, metal prices have increased by 50%. Key construction materials, various metals account for some 20% of home building costs. As a result, the prices of…
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Sansiri to launch 28 low-rise properties in 2022, bolstering ‘affordable’ housing in Thailand
Thailand real estate developer Sansiri says it aims to launch 28 new projects worth 39 billion baht in 2022, more than double last year’s figure, citing its growing confidence in low-rise housing projects for the domestic market. Last year, Sansiri’s presales for low-rise properties totalled 22.4 billion baht, comfortably exceeding its goal of 20 billion baht by 12%, according to…
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Bangkok office owners should update, renovate now — JLL Thailand
Bangkok property owners should update their older office spaces now to maintain renters and adjust to changing consumer habits. Renovations and upgrades of older facilities are necessary in the face of lower demand and increased competition, as local developers plan to introduce more than 2 million square metres of new office spaces between 2022-2026. Owners of ageing office buildings in…
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CBRE offers luxury coastal lifestyle in Phuket 2022
Sponsored Article CBRE Thailand Phuket, located in the south of Thailand, is famous for its wonderful tropical settings, idyllic beaches, breathtaking beachfront, hilltop properties, and vibrant community of ex-pats. The island offers a high standard of living at a reasonable cost compared to other top holiday destinations, and its well-deserved reputation for luxury and exclusivity make it one of the…
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Centara plans to build 100 new hotels by 2026, launch 20 per year
Centara Hotels and Resorts plans to open 100 new hotels in Thailand, the Middle East, China and neighbouring countries over the next 5 years, with the intention of managing them through agreements with partner companies, according to the Bangkok Post. Centara’s 5 year goal from 2022 aims to add 20 hotels each year, bringing the total number to more than…
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Rent in Singapore reaches 7 year high, despite decreasing population
Home rentals in Singapore, already among the world’s most expensive locales, have increased to a seven-year high, despite the city-state’s population decreasing in the last two years. The rental price index for private residential buildings rose to 114.2 in the fourth quarter last year, an increase of 9.9% compared to the same period last year, as demand outstrips supply, affected…
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Origin to launch 31 projects, targets 17.5 billion baht
Developer Origin Property intends to introduce 31 new residential properties in Thailand totalling 42 billion baht, targeting 35 billion baht in presales and 17.5 billion baht in revenue, according to the Bangkok Post. Of the projects, 19 are apartments, costing a total of 28.6 billion baht, followed by 12 low-rise residences, costing 13.4 billion baht, says Origin’s chief executive. “The…
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Thailand developer Sansiri to focus on low-end, affordable apartments in 2022
Sansiri says it will put lower-end apartments on the market a month before they are finished, and will collaborate with banks to secure the transfer of units with reduced mortgage loan rejections. The approach can assist the company in achieving sales and transfers in lower-end sectors with greater mortgage rejection rates than others, according to the assistant executive vice-president for…
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BTS score their second win as ‘Global Recording Artist of the Year’ from International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
Superstar K-pop band BTS have won the The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s 2021 Global Recording Artist of the Year award, again. It’s the second year in a row for the seven-member group. BTS again received the award based on their worldwide performance across digital and physical music formats over the past 12 months. Around the world, BTS were…
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AP to launch 5 condo projects for 13 billion baht in 2022, early pre-sale gains
AP Thailand is planning to develop 5 apartment complexes at a projected cost of 13 billion baht in 2022, citing a significant increase in presales in Bangkok’s condo market in Q1 this year. The chief of the condominium business group says the condominium market in Bangkok has shown positive signs in the last six weeks, with AP registered 1.08 billion…
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Pruksa plans to invest 3.5 billion baht in property, healthcare and tech startups
Pruksa Holding plans to spend 3.5 billion baht in property and healthcare technology businesses to improve its primary operations and increase cash flow, following a 2 year restructure and stock clearance. The CEO stated that the company’s two major operations, property development and hospitals, will be synergised with technology and innovations. Their plan is to invest in startups via joint ventures…
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City Guide: How to get around Bangkok 2022
There are many ways to get around Bangkok. You’re not limited to the typical big city transpiration options of train, bus or taxi. In fact, there are many other ways that are convenient to get around, though some take more time to do so. Those who have visited Bangkok before will know how to navigate the concrete jungle, but newcomers…
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Central Pattana reports B7.1 billion profit in 2021
Central Pattana, a retail and property developer in Thailand, made 7.1 billion baht in net profit and received 28.9 billion baht in revenue in 2021, despite Covid-19 challenges. CPN’s Chief Financial Officer described 2022 as another difficult year for the company since the pandemic has had a greater impact on customers’ lifestyles and numerous businesses than the previous year. “The…
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Thailand’s real estate sector to remain depressed until 2024, despite strong predictions
Despite big plans and strong earnings predictions from local real estate developers, Thailand’s real estate market might not even return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2024. This from the Government Housing Bank. Factors cited include a slow economic recovery, inflation, and the latest variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, which has depressed local business activity since the middle of December…
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Survival Guide: How much does it cost to live in Thailand?
Thailand gets a lot of attention as a fantastic travel destination in Southeast Asia; it’s also a great place to call home. The most common questions before moving to a new country include, “How much is it going to cost me?” and, “Is X amount enough each month?” While there are no fixed amounts, we are here to help paint…
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