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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Rental demand soars, as Phuket real estate returns to fundamentals

    Rental demand soars, as Phuket real estate returns to fundamentals

    Urban flight has driven Phuket’s once investment-focused property market in an entirely new direction. This seismic shift has resulted in a dramatic return to real estate basics. Focusing on the pandemic era of the past two years, a constant flow of new incoming residents from both abroad and Bangkok has seen the scales tip, as rental demand has vastly exceeded…

  • What is the procedure for purchasing an off-plan property in Thailand?

    What is the procedure for purchasing an off-plan property in Thailand?

    Purchasing an off-plan property is an excellent option for investors who want to obtain a property in Thailand. With an off-plan property, you can enjoy numerous benefits and flexibilities. For example, you can choose the best units and have the freedom to modify the unit you want to buy. Buying off-plan in Thailand also gives buyers an opportunity to buy…

  • Top reasons to buy properties in Thailand 2022

    Top reasons to buy properties in Thailand 2022

    While Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations worldwide, it boasts an excellent property market! Well, there are plenty of compelling reasons to buy property in Thailand. First off, Thailand is a fantastic area to live in; the Land of Smile boasts world-class beaches, profound nature and exciting cityscapes. The best part is that you will be able to…

  • Live a millionaire’s lifestyle at MontAzure

    Live a millionaire’s lifestyle at MontAzure

    Sponsored Article MontAzure Elevate your standard of living by residing at one of Asia’s most breathtaking residential developments. MontAzure, nestled against the soft sands of Kamala Beach, is the ultimate luxury destination. It is located on Phuket’s pristine west coast. MontAzure is a perfect location for those looking to make the most of Phuket’s sophisticated resort lifestyle. It is a…

  • Justin Bieber brings Justice World Tour to Bangkok in November

    Justin Bieber brings Justice World Tour to Bangkok in November

    Baby, baby, baby oh! For all you beliebers out there, Justin Bieber will be back in Thailand to perform live on November 6, with tickets going on sale this Friday from 2,500 – 16,500 baht apiece. He’s scheduled to perform at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Ramkhaemphang, Bangkok. Bieber will be kicking off the Southeast Asian leg of his Justice…

  • Do I need a bank account in Thailand to buy property?

    Do I need a bank account in Thailand to buy property?

    One of the most commonly asked questions is whether a foreigner needs a Thai bank account when buying real estate. This is essential to understand to ensure everything goes smoothly and your money doesn’t get ‘stuck.’ Purchasing property in Thailand as a foreigner requires due diligence and a thorough understanding of the buying and selling procedures ahead of time. So,…

  • Have a furry friend? Here is a list of pet-friendly condos in Bangkok

    Have a furry friend? Here is a list of pet-friendly condos in Bangkok

    Living in Bangkok can be very exciting; the city is packed with entertainment and restaurants and is home to more than 10 million people. However, the metropolitan city is not the most pet-friendly city globally, so finding an ideal home for you and your furry friend might be challenging. In some instances, you might be slapped with some “pet-friendly” restrictions…

  • Top 5 villas in East Coast Phuket specially chosen by CBRE

    Top 5 villas in East Coast Phuket specially chosen by CBRE

    Sponsored Article Possessing some of the world’s finest beaches, with water that is crystal clear, powdery white sand, and a landscape sprinkled with coconut palm trees, Phuket is a paradise the modern traveller cannot afford to miss. While the west coast has long been famed for its beaches, it would be a mistake to overlook the unique charms of the…

  • Bangkok real estate developer confidence dipped in Q1 due to supply chain woes

    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…

  • Two decade-long battle for same-sex marriage in Thailand

    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…

  • Thailand real estate sales projected to stay strong in 2022 — CBRE

    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…

  • SURVEY: The BIG question – Bum Gun or Toilet Paper – final results

    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,…

  • Nawarat to launch 2 projects at 2 billion baht in 2022

    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…

  • The Standard to debut second Thailand hotel in May

    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…

  • Neighbourhood Guide: Asoke, Bangkok

    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…

  • Unsold properties saturate Thailand real estate market, may breach 1 trillion baht

    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…

  • Thailand condo market improved slightly in 2021, despite cautious expat buyers — CBRE

    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,…

  • Marriott launches new hotel in Pattaya, plans to expand in Thailand this year

    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,…

  • 5 smart devices to customise your property in Thailand

    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…

  • CBRE recommends top 5 luxury condominiums in Phuket with fantastic locations

    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…

  • Central Patana to open largest mixed-use project in Chanthaburi

    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…

  • Singapore home sales down 22%, as expat workforce hits 12-year low

    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…

  • Siamese Asset plans 6 residential properties, targets healthcare and foreigners

    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…

  • Thailand self-built home costs to rise at least 5%, as metal and fuel prices spike

    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…

  • Sansiri to launch 28 low-rise properties in 2022, bolstering ‘affordable’ housing in Thailand

    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…

  • Bangkok office owners should update, renovate now — JLL Thailand

    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…

  • CBRE offers luxury coastal lifestyle in Phuket 2022

    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…

  • Centara plans to build 100 new hotels by 2026, launch 20 per year

    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…

  • Rent in Singapore reaches 7 year high, despite decreasing population

    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…

  • Origin to launch 31 projects, targets 17.5 billion baht

    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…