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.

  • Sponsored

    Outdoor adventures in Thailand for adrenaline seekers

    The Thaiger key takeaways Thailand provides a wide range of adventure activities, from whitewater rafting and rock climbing to ziplining, scuba diving, and skydiving, suitable for all skill levels. Macro and marine life exploration, Muay Thai camps, kiteboarding, ATV riding,...

  • Pattaya drag icon Maisie Trollette makes movie | Thaiger

    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…

  • Hollywood star’s bizarre Oscar gesture to Zelensky ridiculed | Thaiger

    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…

  • New foreign land ownership law in Thailand can be scrapped if Thais don’t agree | Thaiger

    New foreign land ownership law in Thailand can be scrapped if Thais don’t agree

    If Thai people aren’t happy with the newly proposed foreign land ownership law in Thailand, the whole plan can be scrapped, said Minister of Interior General Anupong Paochinda in Parliament yesterday. “We can improve the regulation, such as by increasing the investment to 100 million baht. The plan can be scrapped if people have serious concerns. We won’t see it as…

  • Top 10 nationalities buying condos in Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Universal acclaim? Jakapong’s pageant purchase dismays rights campaigners | Thaiger

    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…

  • Best land plots and villas with gorgeous sea views in Kamala, Phuket | Thaiger

    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…

  • Jack White strikes a chord in Bangkok for the first time | Thaiger

    Jack White strikes a chord in Bangkok for the first time

    Former White Stripes frontman Jack White plans to strike a chord in the capital early next month with rock and roll enthusiasts. The US indie rock star is in Bangkok for the first time on the Pacific Rim Leg of The Supply Chain Issues Tour. White also visits Manila, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. The 47…

  • Cabinet agrees to let foreigners buy land and houses in Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Legendary Carabao rocker begs forgiveness over Elephant Duel “misunderstanding” | Thaiger

    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…

  • The truth behind ‘rental guaranteed returns’ in Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Tears in Hogwarts – Hagrid is dead | Thaiger

    Tears in Hogwarts – Hagrid is dead

    Robbie Coltrane, probably best known for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, has died aged 72. Born Anthony Robert McMillan in Glasgow, Coltrane went to Glasgow School of Art until he had second thoughts about talent, and switched to acting in and doing standup, taking his name from jazz musician John Coltrane. Coltrane started out with small…

  • Prepare to be spirited away by Ghilbi theme park | Thaiger

    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…

  • What $300,000 and less buys you for a villa in Pattaya | Thaiger

    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…

  • 10 things foreigners may find strange in Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Son of a gun! Hunter Biden caught lying on pistol application | Thaiger

    Son of a gun! Hunter Biden caught lying on pistol application

    The hard drive that Hunter Biden abandoned at a Delaware computer repair shop is the gift to tabloid media that just keeps on giving. The New York Post yesterday claimed to have found a 4-minute, 30-second recording on a copy of the drive that has the United States President Joe Biden’s son begging his sister-in-law-turned-lover Hallie Biden for cash to…

  • Ring craft – Muay Thai referees saving fighters from themselves | Thaiger

    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…

  • Immersed in coffee on Ratchadamri Road | Thaiger

    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…

  • “One For the Road” film is Thailand’s 25th Oscar attempt | Thaiger

    “One For the Road” film is Thailand’s 25th Oscar attempt

    Thailand is hoping that next year will be the year when the country finally brings home an Oscar. The kingdom has previously entered 24 films for consideration in the Best International Film category but has yet to have a single movie accepted. One for The Road is hoping to break that losing streak and be the first Thai film nominated…

  • Hot tip – Don’t pay hot tips! | Thaiger

    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,…

  • Thailand’s monsoon baht debacle lights fire to Phuket real estate sector | Thaiger

    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…

  • The tax returns don’t lie – Shakira prepares for court battle in Barcelona | Thaiger

    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…

  • Top 10 studio condos in Phuket (2022) | Thaiger

    Top 10 studio condos in Phuket (2022)

    If you have a limited budget but don’t want to compromise on location in Phuket, a studio condo can be the right choice for you. Many studio condos sacrifice style in favour of practicality and efficiency. Still, plenty of studio condos on the island are tastefully designed. Therefore, they’re not only practical and livable but also very stylish. Moreover, some…

  • Phuket real estate shifts tide in wake of urban flight | Thaiger

    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…

  • Wallaya Villas is back with its new pool villas in Phuket | Thaiger

    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…

  • Ascott Thonglor Bangkok – a luxury serviced apartment, and upscale hotel in the heart of Bangkok | Thaiger

    Ascott Thonglor Bangkok – a luxury serviced apartment, and upscale hotel in the heart of Bangkok

    Sponsored The Ascott Limited (Ascott) just expanded its portfolio of luxury property with the opening of Ascott Thonglor Bangkok, a luxury hotel, and serviced apartment, on 15 July 2022. Located right in the heart of Bangkok’s trendiest Thonglor neighbourhood at the intersection of Sukhumvit Soi 59 and Sukhumvit Road, the property is surrounded by upscale amenities. From a great selection…

  • Condos in Phuket offering the biggest price reduction (September 2022) | Thaiger

    Condos in Phuket offering the biggest price reduction (September 2022)

    Discounts are a big deal on an island as popular as Phuket. As the island is making a post-pandemic rebound, it’s finally shifting back into a seller’s market. And thus, good deals are becoming more and more challenging to find. That’s why we comb through Thaiger Property listings to help you find the best Phuket condo with a major price…

  • Serviced Apartments in Central Bangkok providing home-away-from-home experience | Thaiger

    Serviced Apartments in Central Bangkok providing home-away-from-home experience

    Serviced apartments are fast becoming a popular choice for leisure and business for people visiting Bangkok. Whether you’re looking for a luxury place to call home for 4 nights or 4 months, a serviced apartment in Bangkok can be an ideal option. Unlike your average hotel room, serviced apartments are a lot more than just a place to sleep. It…

  • What $500,000 and less buys you for a luxury condo in Thonglor and Ekkamai (Bangkok 2022) | Thaiger

    What $500,000 and less buys you for a luxury condo in Thonglor and Ekkamai (Bangkok 2022)

    A budget of half a million dollars gives you plenty of nice options if you’re looking for a luxury condo in Thonglor or Ekkamai. These two neighbourhoods are among the most prestigious addresses in Bangkok. Living in one of them means being surrounded by the city’s upscale amenities and attractive entertainment venues. That’s why property prices tend to be higher…

  • Thai superstar Lisa wins K-Pop MTV Video Music Award | Thaiger

    Thai superstar Lisa wins K-Pop MTV Video Music Award

    Pop superstar, member of K-Pop sensation Blackpink, and now, MTV Video Music Award winner – Thailand native Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban just set a new milestone with her win. The award went to her solo debut song and video for “LaLisa” which broke the Internet when it was released last year. When Lisa released the video for her debut single “LaLisa”…

  • Everything your property insurance covers | Thaiger

    Everything your property insurance covers

    SPONSORED For many people, their house is the most valuable thing they own. It’s a precious asset that took years of hard work and savings to achieve. That’s why it only makes sense to protect it with Thailand property insurance. Of course, no one wants anything bad to happen to their property, but the future is uncertain, and unwanted things…