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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    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...

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • Rhythm of Thailand: TAT’s mission to discover Thai charms | Thaiger

    Rhythm of Thailand: TAT’s mission to discover Thai charms

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to boost Thailand’s tourism momentum with its ‘Be My Guest’ project, in collaboration with the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (or Subcommittee for Tourism Industry Development under the National Soft Power Strategy Committee). The initiative drives the government’s soft power policy, intending to position Thailand as a leading global destination, while presenting the…

  • Wednesday season 2 on Netflix: Jenna Ortega, Lady Gaga, and new gothic thrills | Thaiger

    Wednesday season 2 on Netflix: Jenna Ortega, Lady Gaga, and new gothic thrills

    If you’ve been counting down the days to return to Nevermore Academy, the wait is finally over. Wednesday season 2 has officially landed on Netflix, premiering on August 6, just shy of three years after the debut season became a global hit. Starring Jenna Ortega in her iconic gothic role and featuring the much-anticipated arrival of Lady Gaga in a…

  • How is Mother’s Day celebrated in Thailand? | Thaiger

    How is Mother’s Day celebrated in Thailand?

    Mother’s Day in Thailand is a special holiday filled with love and respect. It takes place every year on August 12, which is the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. On this day, people across the country honour her as the Mother of the Nation and also take time to show appreciation for their mothers. It’s a day full…

  • Why 8 Atelier Residence is poised for growth: Phuket’s investment hotspot in the making | Thaiger

    Why 8 Atelier Residence is poised for growth: Phuket’s investment hotspot in the making

    Phuket’s residential real estate market is no longer defined only by beachfront villas and short-stay resort condominiums. The island is now seeing sustained interest from international investors targeting long-term yields, capital stability, and access to full-scale lifestyle infrastructure. Looking at that demand, 8 Atelier Residence by Glam Estate Group ticks all the boxes. This new condominium project introduces a low-density,…

  • Koh Samui’s property pivot: Luxury living, rising condos, and smart investments | Thaiger

    Koh Samui’s property pivot: Luxury living, rising condos, and smart investments

    Koh Samui is undergoing a quiet revolution in its residential property market. While the headlines often focus on Thailand’s better-known destinations, this island in the Gulf of Thailand is steadily drawing the attention of lifestyle buyers and investors—especially those eyeing luxury villas at competitive prices. With the total value of Samui’s real estate market for sale currently reaching approximately 30.3…

  • Vroom vroom therapy and Thailand’s ongoing love affair with motorsports | Thaiger

    Vroom vroom therapy and Thailand’s ongoing love affair with motorsports

    Imagine you’re in an expat bar in Thailand, and on the TV they show a news report for Thailand having the F1 race in Bangkok 2028. After hearing this, you might wonder to yourself or aloud, “Thailand likes racing?!” Oh, little do you know. Let’s get one thing straight: Thailand LOVES racing and motorsports. For those who think motorsports is…

  • Thailand’s bombshell enters the villa: Isaan representation in Love Island | Thaiger

    Thailand’s bombshell enters the villa: Isaan representation in Love Island

    Thailand’s big-screen representation continues as Isaan heartthrob Zak Srakaew became the next hottest internet sensation for his role on Love Island USA. Starring in the wildly successful Season 7 of the reality dating show, Zak entered the villa as a bombshell, an unexpected new contestant ready to stir the pot. The show famously puts single contestants together in paradise for…

  • Cosplay, capitalism, and constipated 14 year olds who judge you | Thaiger

    Cosplay, capitalism, and constipated 14 year olds who judge you

    Hey look, another mildly bitter editorial. This one’s for anyone who’s ever wandered into a Bangkok cosplay convention and thought, “Wait, why is this better organised than my government?” Let’s address something that’s been bothering people (aka the writer): anime and cosplay in Thailand are no longer hobbies. They’re alternate lifestyles. You’re not dressing up as Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen…

  • Inside 8 Atelier: Indo-Chine-inspired living meets boutique investment potential in Phuket | Thaiger

    Inside 8 Atelier: Indo-Chine-inspired living meets boutique investment potential in Phuket

    Phuket’s Bangtao-Pasak neighbourhood is already known for its polished villa compounds, upscale dining, and easy access to international schools and beaches. And it’s about to gain even more character with the arrival of 8 Atelier Residence. This upcoming condominium project, set for completion in mid-2027, brings a refined Indo-Chine design language to an area long dominated by modern tropical villas.…

  • Explore Thailand’s sci-fi locations through the lens of upcoming series Alien: Earth | Thaiger

    Explore Thailand’s sci-fi locations through the lens of upcoming series Alien: Earth

    Thailand makes headlines again in the pop culture community, as Alien: Earth is set to premiere on August 12. Filmed in multiple locations across the country, from Bangkok to Krabi, the prequel to the beloved original Alien movie showcases both the beauty and breathtaking city views of the Land of Smiles. Following popular cinematic productions like The White Lotus and…

  • Tea rooms: Steeped in history, served to people who talk too much | Thaiger

    Tea rooms: Steeped in history, served to people who talk too much

    When most people think of a tea room, they picture some serene place in London or Paris. You know the type: lace curtains, porcelain cups, people trying to pretend they’re not judging the placement of your spoon while you stir or you have the people who think of themselves as a worldly person. They think of an asian taoist room.…

  • Why Thailand is obsessed with Labubus | Thaiger

    Why Thailand is obsessed with Labubus

    If you’ve been wondering why everyone in Bangkok is dangling strange little dolls from their designer bags, meet Labubu and Cry Baby, Thailand’s latest pop culture obsessions. Labubu, a mischievous elf with pointy ears, serrated teeth, and wild hair, was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015. Inspired by Nordic mythology, Labubu first appeared in The Monsters’ story…

  • Hot Phuket property deal: Arise Vibe launches limited offer on select units, now from 2.55m baht | Thaiger

    Hot Phuket property deal: Arise Vibe launches limited offer on select units, now from 2.55m baht

    Phuket’s property market is full of big names and high prices, but some of the most exciting opportunities are happening just outside the spotlight. That’s where you’ll find Arise Vibe. Set in Si Sunthon, one of Phuket’s fastest-growing areas, this new residential project is turning heads for all the right reasons. It’s close to international schools, minutes from the airport,…

  • What foreign buyers are getting for US$80k in Phuket today | Thaiger

    What foreign buyers are getting for US$80k in Phuket today

    Phuket has always attracted those chasing the dream of living by the beach, but not every buyer comes with millions to spend. Fortunately, these days, foreign buyers can still secure a well-located condominium on the island with around US$80,000, or roughly 2.8 million baht, provided they know where to look. While beachfront villas may be well out of reach at…

  • Why trucks and buses in Thailand are moving works of art | Thaiger

    Why trucks and buses in Thailand are moving works of art

    Light bouncing off six dozen chrome-coated side-view mirrors. Rows of Michelin Man figurines sit proudly on the cabin roof. Sprawling intricate murals depicting anime characters, cartoon superheroes, and fantastical dreamscapes. If any of these images are familiar to you, then you’ve likely seen the elaborately decorated and modified lorries and buses in Thailand. Perhaps you’ve also wondered why these Thai…

  • Citi Foundation and Bangkok Community Help Foundation unveil the ‘Center of Dreams’ | Thaiger

    Citi Foundation and Bangkok Community Help Foundation unveil the ‘Center of Dreams’

    Citi Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting economic stability and social responsibility through a funding grant of 16.5 million Thai baht to the Bangkok Community Help Foundation for the establishment of the Center of Dreams, the first homeless shelter located in Bangkok’s inner city. The centre offers essential facilities as well as vocational skills training. By the end of…

  • Branded residences gain ground in Asia’s Property Market with Thailand taking the lead | Thaiger

    Branded residences gain ground in Asia’s Property Market with Thailand taking the lead

    A quiet transformation has been shaping Asia’s residential landscape for over a decade: the rise of branded residences. Once a niche offering, this category has grown into a significant segment of the region’s property market. Blending high-end real estate with the services and credibility of globally recognised brands, branded residences are increasingly appealing to discerning buyers, and Thailand is at…

  • How much does a two-bedroom condo cost in Bangkok? | Thaiger

    How much does a two-bedroom condo cost in Bangkok?

    How much would you guess a two-bedroom condo costs in Bangkok? Three million baht? Ten? Ask around and you’ll get wildly different answers. Some people imagine sky-high prices like in Singapore or Hong Kong. Others assume it’s cheap across the board. But the truth is that Bangkok’s property market is more varied than you might think. For those considering a…

  • Cafe culture for people who refuse to make coffee at home | Thaiger

    Cafe culture for people who refuse to make coffee at home

    Many people, when they hear the word ‘cafe’ they think of Paris, New York, Vienna, maybe even Melbourne, but did you know that Thailand, especially Bangkok, is the cafe capital of Asia? No? Well, of course, you didn’t hear that, because I made it up. Shame on you for believing a random article on the internet. Jokes aside, Thailand does…

  • Untranslatable Thai words that carry more meaning than you think | Thaiger

    Untranslatable Thai words that carry more meaning than you think

    Ever stumbled across a Thai word that just doesn’t quite make sense in English? Thailand’s language is filled with beautiful, emotionally rich expressions that reflect the country’s culture, values, and daily life. These words are often untranslatable, not because English lacks vocabulary, but because the feeling behind the word is hard to pin down. Here are four Thai words you’ve…

  • Thailand’s Red Train: What to know about the SRT Royal Blossom | Thaiger

    Thailand’s Red Train: What to know about the SRT Royal Blossom

    If you’ve seen a sleek red train while gliding through TikTok or rolling past misty Thai hills, you’re not imagining it. That’s the SRT Royal Blossom, Thailand’s latest generation of long-distance trains, quickly becoming a travel favourite among explorers. With their deep red carriages that were refurbished from Japanese Hamanasu cars, reclining seats, air-conditioning, and luxurious interiors, these new trains…

  • Dating in Thailand: Confused, colonised, and 46 years old | Thaiger

    Dating in Thailand: Confused, colonised, and 46 years old

    Before we start, let’s get this out of the way: Yes, there are plenty of happy, healthy couples who met in Thailand, built a life here, and aren’t walking red flags with passports. This column isn’t about you, so you can relax. Now buckle up. We’re talking about the other ones. The ones who think love is a tourist attraction…

  • Meow Chicken Rice: Thai restaurant goes viral after Gundam anime shoutout | Thaiger

    Meow Chicken Rice: Thai restaurant goes viral after Gundam anime shoutout

    After the dish khao man gai (chicken rice) was name-dropped in episode 10 of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, curious fans in Japan began searching for it online. To their surprise, their search didn’t just lead to a recipe. And it led to a real Thai restaurant called Meow Chicken Rice in Saraburi. The restaurant’s name just so happens to match…

  • Glam Estate Group unveils 8 Atelier Residence, redefining approachable luxury living in Phuket | Thaiger

    Glam Estate Group unveils 8 Atelier Residence, redefining approachable luxury living in Phuket

    Glam Estate Group has officially launched its newest residential project, 8 Atelier Residence, a 48-unit luxury condominium in the sought-after Pasak neighbourhood of Choeng Thale, Phuket. This refined low-density development promises to offer a fresh take on boutique condo living by combining timeless Indo-Chinese aesthetics with modern-day functionality. Thus, positioning itself as a standout in a market dominated by high-end…

  • Helmet Heroes Thailand transforms from one helmet to global impact, securing major brand sponsorships in 17 Months | Thaiger

    Helmet Heroes Thailand transforms from one helmet to global impact, securing major brand sponsorships in 17 Months

    Helmet Heroes Thailand, the visionary non-profit dedicated to providing free (TIS Certified) motorcycle helmets to children, proudly announces its remarkable growth from a single helmet donation to significant brand sponsorships within just 17 months. Ducati Motors, Thailand, B Quik, and Triumph Motorcycles have all shown support, as has Bangkok Hospital. This rapid expansion underscores the urgent need for child road…

  • PropTech push: Lifull Connect launches SEA Connect Ventures in Southeast Asia | Thaiger

    PropTech push: Lifull Connect launches SEA Connect Ventures in Southeast Asia

    Lifull Connect, a global digital real estate group, has formally launched SEA Connect Ventures, a newly formed regional vehicle that consolidates its Southeast Asian operations and recently acquired assets across the region. SEA Connect Ventures now holds market leadership in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia, with an extended presence in Vietnam and Malaysia. The business combines key portals and…

  • 8 Atelier Residence Phuket: Boutique condo living with timeless style and prime investment potential | Thaiger

    8 Atelier Residence Phuket: Boutique condo living with timeless style and prime investment potential

    If you’ve been exploring Phuket’s real estate landscape, chances are you’ve heard about Choeng Thale’s Pasak neighbourhood. A quiet, green enclave favored by those seeking refined living away from the noise of Bang Tao’s beachfront without compromising on convenience or quality of life. Now, in the heart of Pasak Soi 8, 8 Atelier Residence offers a bold new take on…

  • 7 Tips for choosing the best health insurance in Thailand for expats | Thaiger

    7 Tips for choosing the best health insurance in Thailand for expats

    Many expats in Thailand don’t give health insurance much thought because the country’s healthcare system is excellent (arguably the best in Southeast Asia) and, for the most part, affordable. But affordability doesn’t mean it’s cheap, and it certainly doesn’t mean medical bills can’t add up quickly. Expat health insurance is still one of the most essential things to have. It…