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 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....
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Global communities unite at centralwOrld to celebrate Pride Month 2025
Over 300,000 people marched through Bangkok today, ending their Pride Parade journey at centralwOrld in a powerful celebration of love, diversity, and unity. This year’s event was the first Pride Parade since Thailand officially enacted the Marriage Equality Law, making it a historic moment for the LGBTQIAN+ community both in Thailand and globally. Under the theme Born This Way, the…
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Confessions of a soi dog
You’ve seen us. We’re on every soi, under every noodle cart. At every 7-Eleven door, like we’re bouncers. And no, we’re not lost, we live here. You’re the one who wandered in with your Google Translate with zero street sense. We soi dogs are the last free beings in this country. No leash, no rent, no vet bills, no Instagram.…
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Alarming financial inequality in Thailand
Recent data from the Bank of Thailand reveals a concerning financial disparity: approximately 89% of the nation’s bank deposit accounts contain less than 50,000 baht. This statistic underscores the fragile economic state of a significant portion of the Thai population, many of whom rely on daily wages and lack sufficient savings to withstand unforeseen financial challenges. The financial inequality in…
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Being Thailand 2025 highlights Thailand’s evolving role as a global wellness economy leader
As the global wellness landscape continues to shift alongside changing consumer demands and travel behaviour, Thailand is increasingly recognised as a model of adaptive leadership in the wellness economy. And it was at the new industry strategic touchpoint, Being Thailand 2025 in Phuket, where the country’s role in shaping wellness-oriented tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and consumer markets, was assessed. Over the…
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The unhealthy beauty standards in Thailand
The first thing I noticed as I left the BKK airport in the early morning and got onto the skytrain was the advertisements around me. each one portraying high beauty standards of a porcelain white, very skinny, man or woman, with perfect, clear skin. Almost every advertisement looked more AI than human, completely blemish-free with huge artificial-looking eyes. Unhealthy beauty…
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From coastal cool to quiet chic: Which Phuket lifestyle is right for you?
It’s not hard to understand why people lose entire afternoons scrolling through Phuket property for sale listings. The views are lush, the sunsets come with their own colour palette, and the price tags (if you know where to look) are still less terrifying than anything in London or Hong Kong. Living in Phuket is a dream for many. But as…
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Khao Lak and Phang Nga tourism sector gains momentum with infrastructure and hospitality investment
phuket touriTourism in Khao Lak and the wider Phang Nga province is demonstrating robust post-pandemic growth, underpinned by rising international arrivals, increasing hotel performance metrics, and new project developments across the hospitality and infrastructure sectors. According to C9 Hotelworks’ Khao Lak and Phang Nga Hotel & Tourism Market Review 2025, Phang Nga recorded over 4.1 million guest arrivals last year,…
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A pivot to lifestyle as Phuket’s property market continues to surge
Phuket’s property market is continuing to thrive despite global economic volatility as the sector moves increasingly towards condominiums as lifestyle becomes the new luxury on the island, as delegates heard at the Asia Connect: Phuket Property Pulse event. Held at Andara Resort & Villas, in conjunction with Property Guru Thailand and C9 Hotelworks, the top-level industry gathering further heard speakers…
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Experience nature-inspired living in Phuket at Botanica Lakeside and Foresta II
What comes to mind when you think of a luxury villa in Phuket? Is it sunshine flooding every room through teakwood shutters? Perhaps natural finishes and a design that seamlessly blends with the nature outside? Or maybe a private pool where you can escape the tropical heat? Botanica Luxury Villas in Phuket offers all that, and more. Botanica Luxury Villas boasts…
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Phuket property market in 2025: Evolving with demand and diversification
Phuket’s real estate market is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025, marked by growing inventory, shifting buyer preferences, and intensifying competition. The latest Phuket Property Market Update by C9 Hotelworks reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by lifestyle migration, maturing development ecosystems, and rising price premiums, particularly in branded and well-located properties. Performance in early 2024 and emerging trends The first…
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Where is Bangkok’s most expensive land? Here are the top 10 locations
You thought rent in Bangkok was high? Try buying land. Prime plots in the city centre are now going for millions of Baht per square wah (a Thai unit of land measurement). These prices officially place Bangkok among the most expensive places to buy property in Southeast Asia. But how expensive could it be? To give you a hint, even…
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Is Thailand suffering from overtourism?
As the years have passed, Thailand has grown into a bucket list essential for travellers all around the world. For those looking for stunning natural scenery or bumping nightlife, Thailand has proved to be the place to be. Though in more recent years, overtourism has become more and more of a topic within the media. At the same time, however,…
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Bangkok through time: A city in flux and its spirit of resilience
The recent earthquake, brief but unnerving, reminded residents that nothing, not even concrete or glass, is entirely fixed. And yet, in true Bangkok fashion, life carried on. Commuters returned to the skytrain. Street vendors lit their woks. The Chao Phraya kept flowing. In this fleeting moment of disruption, the city’s rhythm barely faltered, its quiet resilience taking centre stage. It…
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Why are boat noodles served in tiny bowls and why you’ll need at least five
If you’ve ever sat down at a boat noodle shop in Thailand and been surprised by the size of the bowl, you’re not alone. Boat noodles, or kuai tiao ruea (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ), are famously served in bowls so small you could almost finish one in three slurps. But behind these tiny servings lies a rich tradition that has helped turn the…
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Thailand’s thrift culture is reviving 2000s fashion
The return of butterfly hair clips, low-rise jeans, cargo pants, and baby tees might feel like just another passing trend on TikTok but there’s more to the Y2K revival than nostalgia and glittery accessories. Around the world, and especially here, Y2K fashion Bangkok is quietly or not so quietly making its way back into the mainstream. What used to sit…
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How Southeast Asia can capitalise on The White Lotus Effect
Since The White Lotus checked into Thailand, so has the rest of the world, or at least, they’re trying to. With sweeping drone shots of Koh Samui’s turquoise waters, and a cast of rich, unhappy people sweating their way through wellness retreats, infinity pools and luxury suites, Thailand has never looked more glamorous. To understand the real impact behind the…
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Why families with children are choosing Bang Tao
Families today think differently when it comes to finding the right place to live. The decision is no longer based only on house size or scenic views. Safety, education, a strong sense of community, and long-term well-being are now essential priorities. A home is more than a property — it is the foundation for everyday life. It shapes childhood memories,…
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PEANUTS x IPPUDO: A first-ever collaboration to celebrate 75 iconic years
Do you love eating Japanese ramen noodles in Thailand? Do you also happen to be a huge fan of the PEANUTS franchise? If that’s the case, I believe I have the biggest news for you. IPPUDO is proudly presenting their first-ever collaboration with the global phenomenon that is PEANUTS which includes famous characters such as Charlie Brown and Snoopy himself. …
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Phuket’s new lifestyle communities: Embracing nature and wellness
Phuket is known for its beautiful landscapes and stunning beaches, making it a popular spot for tourists and people looking for tropical living. Recently, though, there’s been a shift in the type of communities in Phuket that is quickly gaining traction. More and more, people are looking for homes that are connected to nature, sustainable, and focused on wellness and…
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Khao Lak’s new surf town and exciting developments
The newly launched Matalay Integrated Resort Town is an ambitious 1,000-rai (400-acre) development project aimed at transforming Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province into a premier tourism destination. The name “Matalay,” meaning “come to the sea,” reflects the resort’s vision of creating a comprehensive town featuring luxury accommodations, recreational facilities, and entertainment options designed to attract both domestic and international…
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Koh Samui real estate booms thanks to ‘The White Lotus’
Koh Samui, the popular resort island in Surat Thani province, is set to see a surge in demand for luxury condominiums and villas this year, according to investment management firm Colliers Thailand. The latest season of the hit American TV series The White Lotus was filmed at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, with additional scenes shot at Anantara…
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Tourism boom drives residential-led hospitality investments in Phuket
Thailand’s tourism boom is driving lifestyle investments as traveller traffic morphs into a desire to stay longer in the country. The number one beneficiary is Phuket, where arrivals continue to soar with a 23% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year for a total of 8.65 million arrivals registered at Phuket International Airport. The key trend emerging, according to…
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Unforgettable LGBTQ bars in Bangkok for party lovers
In Thailand, Mai Pen Rai—meaning no big deal—is the national catchphrase for, well, just about everything. And guess what? That laid-back, fun-loving attitude extends to its buzzing LGBTQ scene too! As one of the most pro-LGBTQ nations, Thailand is packed with the most fun, exciting, and downright legendary spots to get drunk and connect with fellow friends in Bangkok’s diverse…
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Foreigners rush to buy Phuket villas on long-term leases
Thailand’s property market is witnessing a real estate revolution, as foreigners snap up houses on long-term leases instead of just condominiums. This trend, particularly in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani, has been booming since Thailand reopened its borders in 2021. According to Dr Wichai Wiratkaphan, an independent scholar in urban development and housing, the leasehold market…
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Life with a dog in Bangkok: Adventures with Beans
I recently met with dog owners Shannon and Stuart with their cocker spaniel, Beans, at a cafe in Bangkok. While we talked, Beans lay politely under the table, his floppy ears resting on his paws, completely at ease in the lively atmosphere. I had been scrolling through Instagram a week earlier when I first came across Beans. His goofy haircut,…
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Have you eaten rice today? A love language shrouded in simplicity
In many parts of Asia, especially Thailand, rice is life. It’s the steaming bowl that soothes after a long day, the humble plate shared among friends and family. It’s the ever-present comfort food that feels like a warm hug. As one of the world’s largest rice exporters, Thailand’s relationship with rice goes far beyond economics. Here, rice doesn’t just fill…
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Use your DTV Visa to open a bank account with FITFAC
Many expats holding a DTV Visa may encounter difficulties when trying to open a Thai bank account, as almost every bank refuses to provide account services for DTV Visa holders. The primary concern for banks is that accounts opened by foreigners could be used for illegal financial activities such as online gambling, romance scams, or even money laundering. These policies…
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10 things to know before watching The White Lotus Season 3
The highly anticipated third season of The White Lotus has just been released, and this time, it was set in Thailand! With Lisa from BLACKPINK joining the cast, the first episode aired on February 16, on the MAX application and excitement is still at an all-time high. Before we dive into the chaos that awaits at this luxurious resort, let’s…
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From ICONSIAM to One Bangkok: Mentabuild, the consultancy firm behind Thailand’s most ambitious developments
If you’ve ever set foot in Bangkok and looked up at its towering skyline, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Mentabuild’s work, whether you realised it or not. Founded over 40 years ago, this construction consultancy firm has played a big role in shaping Thailand’s urban landscape. From massive mixed-use developments to sleek corporate offices, Mentabuild makes sure projects get…
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Why is it raining heavily in Bangkok?
Bangkok and many parts of Thailand are currently experiencing heavy rain, which is expected to persist throughout the week. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy downpours across 33 provinces. But what’s causing this unusual weather, and how does it relate to Thailand’s monsoon patterns? What’s causing the heavy rain in Bangkok?…
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