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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Phuket Property Watch: Walking in the shadows of dinosaurs
PHUKET: With New Year’s celebrations mostly behind us now, the question everyone has is what’s in store for fourteen? My biggest challenge each and every successive drum roll of another 365 (or 366 in the case of leap years) is to remember to change the date on whatever I’m writing at the time. Typically things settle down by February but…
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Phuket Explore: Escape to Koh Kho Khao
PHUKET: You know it’s going to be a good day’s cycling when you see more water buffalo than you do hurtling pick-up trucks, and when the smiling locals stop what they are doing and rush out to greet you with a hearty “Hello Farang!” Such pleasures are rarely found in Phuket these days, but just 80 kilometers north of the…
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Phuket Property Watch – Not such a long way from home
PHUKET: It’s that time of year again – Christmas. And while Phuket’s idea of a whiteout is sand swept beaches, I find it hard not to get into a sentimental mood as soon as the calendar rolls around to the twelfth month of the year. Somehow the pace quickens in December, year in and year out. A few weeks ago…
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Phuket Property Watch: A case of tech-induced nostalgia
PHUKET: It’s festive time in the US, which is where I am, hacking out this column caught in the joys of the holiday season. Or perhaps not. Having spent three days here since taking the great plane trip over the ocean, my mind calculates the time-line as some thirty-eight hours. But who’s counting? The short and sweet “me” springs to…
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Phuket Property: Centara anticipates tougher times ahead
PHUKET: The insight, influence and impact that the Bangkok-headquartered Central Group employs and exerts across nearly every sector in Phuket is undeniable. The group’s interests encompass retail, infrastructure, construction, real estate, and especially hospitality – through its flagship hotel chain Centara Hotels and Resorts (CHR). The Gazette recently caught up with CHR Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Chris…
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Boutique or bust – Phuket Prop Watch
PHUKET: Obsession is quite a long word – with its three little Ss that sort of roll off the keys with winding twists and turns. Nothing is as it appears, nor is there a straightaway to pull away from the pack. When it comes to design hotels, these enigmatic properties just love to live the “S” life, where the squares…
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Phuket Town’s Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel acquired by Accor Group
PHUKET: Some good news for the property market in the heart of Phuket Town: the old Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel has been acquired by an owner affiliated with the Accor Group of hotels and is now undergoing a complete renovation for a scheduled rebranding under one of that group’s many hotel chains. Work at the site had been underway for…
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Superyachts rock Kata
PHUKET: The Asia Superyacht Rendezvous kicks off today in the island’s south with a stunning array of sail and motor superyachts. S/Y Yanneke Too Sun, sailing and socializing will reign as sponsors Feadship and Boat International Media join the Rendezvous in welcoming owners, captains, crew and invited guests from around the globe to the host venue, Kata Rocks in Phuket’s…
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Phuket Events: 17th Andaman Motor Show underway at Central Festival
PHUKET: The 17th Andaman Motor Show was officially launched this afternoon on a jam-packed ground floor of Central Festival Phuket. The region’s most popular and anticipated automobile exhibition will last until Wednesday, December 18. Presiding over the opening ceremony was Phuket Vice Governor Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak, who was joined on stage in the official launch countdown by Phuket…
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To infinity and beyond – Phuket Diving
PHUKET: A tiny helmet diver stands at attention on the red rocks of a five-gallon freshwater aquarium. Having explored the treasure chest blowing bubbles through fake gold coins, as well as the single strand of Brazilian Pennywort – and even poked around the filter, he simply stands there watching sediment build on his feet, the occasional gold fish going belly…
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The Rendezvous returns – Phuket Lifestyle
PHUKET: Final preparations are underway for the 13th Asia Superyacht Rendezvous. With nine confirmed superyachts, a stunning venue, and captains, owners and crew flying in from all over the world to attend, this looks to be the best Rendezvous to date. The Rendezvous will commence on Monday and conclude on Wednesday. With such a mix of captains and crew, from…
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Phuket photographer revels in retro-pinup revival
PHUKET: “You don’t know what you want! Luigi know what you want!” The Italian photographer holding his camera out to the side, his other hand gesturing – thumb pressed against the tips of his fingers as if he’s plucking something out of the air and shaking it – is not Luigi. It’s Adriano Trapani of Phuket Paparazzi. Standing in front…
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Phuket Food: Think globally cook locally
PHUKET: First on a speedboat, through the deep blue waters, east from Phuket, then in a song taew, across the lush green jungle of Khao Yao Yai – and finally I’m there: a stone’s throw away from a fisherman’s village, surrounded by rubber trees, talking to a chef. Or should I say – a celebrity. With his recent appearance on…
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Phuket Diving: Plunging in before big splash in Bollywood
PHUKET: With her head down and pencil scribbling out numbers for a dive profile, it’s hard to believe that the woman on the far side of Scuba Cat’s Scuba Fun is about to make a big splash – not in the dive industry, but in Bollywood. Manasvi Mamgai, Miss India 2010 and Elite Model Management recruit, is about to debut…
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The legend of the Emerging Buddha – Phuket History
PHUKET: Wat Phra Thong, or the “Temple of the Golden Buddha”, at first glance may seem like any other temple in Phuket. This old temple, located in Thalang district in the northern part of the island, was built during the 18th century towards the end of the Ayutthaya period. Walking into the main chapel, visitors will be greeted with a…
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An incandescent talent – Phuket Books
PHUKET: Since the death of Walker Percy in 1990, Robert Stone has been the Big Kahuna of American literature. Here is what he has to say about Rachel Kushner: “The controlled intensity and perception in Rachel Kushner’s novels mark her as one of the most brilliant writers of the new century.” There is no denying the power of Kushner’s prose.…
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Construction: Thai Watsadu Phuket now open for business
PHUKET: Numbered are the days of expensive and overpriced construction, home improvement, furnishing, landscaping and gardening materials in Phuket: The Central Retail Group have officially opened the doors of their Thai Watsadu store on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang, just north of the Heroines Monument. Phuket Governor Maitree Inthusut presided over the ribbon cutting this morning, which was also attended by…
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Merry in the Maldives – Phuket Property Watch
PHUKET: I’ve spent more years than I can recall hovering around sea level. Visualize Robinson Crusoe walking around a desert island, umbrella in hand and deep in conversation with a coconut named Friday. A week ago I found myself on a small atoll about 45 minutes north of Malé, the capital city of the idyllic island nation, the Maldives. My…
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AMCHAM real estate event
PHUKET: Tomorrow (Friday November 22) the American Chamber of Commerce Thailand (AMCHAM) will hold a real estate event at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Topics covered will include the trend in leasehold ownership, regulating real estate agencies in Thailand, big development news in Phuket real estate and current property tends. Shine PR’s, Natasha Eldred will moderate the event. Audience members will be…
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EKA – Putting her heart and soul into Phuket
PHUKET: Canadian born singer EKA recently arrived in Phuket and has begun performing with her newly formed band at venues around the island. More than a decade ago she was a member of the hit Canadian girl group “Jai” which topped the Canadian charts with their first single “Checking Me Out” for three weeks in 2000. After a long hiatus…
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Phuket Gardening: A maze in a month?
PHUKET: Some weeks ago, I received a most unusual, perhaps I should say labyrinthine email – a request from Phuket resident Alex Riva who explained: “I am planning to plant a hedge maze and was wondering what is the most cost effective and recommended type of hedge.” Somewhat bemused, I wrote back requesting more specific details. The reply included the…
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Party with red passion – Phuket Events
PHUKET: SKAL International Phuket and South Thailand is holding its Annual Charity Dinner next Saturday, November 23, and it looks set to be the biggest yet, with loads of live entertainment and gourmet food. This year’s event, dubbed “Red Passion”, will be held at the island’s hottest new venue – Zazada Beach Club. It’s open to the public and will…
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Phuket hotelier seeks help to give kids a break
PHUKET: They say “what you give is what you get”. But Simon Luttrell, a Phuket-based hotel owner wants to take it one step further. His goal is to give to people who have very little and expect nothing in return. It was 2005 when Simon built his first hotel in Phuket – a small building near the international airport. And…
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Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Relief Fund in Phuket
PHUKET: The Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Relief Fund was started by the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, and aims to collect funds for the victims of the recent natural disaster. The donations will be sent directly to Philippine Rotary Clubs in the affected areas over the next few days and weeks, before being allocated in the most effective way. Already…
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Diamond condo sparkles – Phuket Property
PHUKET: Diamond Condominium, the latest project to be developed in Phuket’s high-end Bang Tao Beach area, is located just 400 meters from the beach, and minutes from the Laguna resort complex. The six rai (9,600sqm) property will contain four separate buildings surrounding a central swimming pool and landscaped community recreation area. In all, the four buildings will contain 388 units…
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Phuket Events: Abba-cadabra!
PHUKET: With no time machine available, it seems that only magic can take us back in time. But this past weekend at Laguna Phuket what took us for an amazing journey was music – and it certainly was magical!“The gates open at 6:30pm” the tickets clearly stated. But that didn’t stop a line forming in front of Laguna Latitude Marquee…
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Monsoon season skies – Phuket Aviation
PHUKET: Air. Of all the things we take for granted in our life, few are as easily overlooked as that chemical soup that surrounds and sustains us, breath by breath. Air is easy to take for granted; after all, it is colorless and odorless. Unless you are climbing Mt Everest, trapped in an air-tight vault, or happen to live near…
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Light shined on blackouts – Phuket Diving
PHUKET: The death of PADI professional and freediving enthusiast Denis Lipatov last month brought into sharp focus the specter that continues to haunt the sport of freediving – shallow water blackouts (click here for article). Even the term “shallow water blackout” is rife with confusion within the freediving community, and even more so within the scuba diving community and general…
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Phuket Gardening – Full of Ficus
PHUKET: In Saint Luke’s Gospel, Christ delivers a parable about a fig tree, barren for three years, in which the owner is exhorted to cut it down. The owner pleads: “let it alone this year “so that he can “dig about it and dung it. And if it bears, well: And if not thou shalt cut it down.” In another…
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Commercial real estate thrives – Phuket Property Watch
PHUKET: Direct investment volumes in global real estate markets reached US$125 billion in the third quarter (Q3) of the year, preliminary findings by real estate capital solutions firm, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) show. Preliminary transaction volumes in the first three quarters of 2013 are up 16% over the same time period in 2012, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets…
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