Thai Life

Discover the latest regional stories and happenings in Thailand with The Thaiger, your source of credible, informative, and reliable updates. Stay informed about important local events, political happenings, social issues, cultural highlights, and entertainment stories, all curated to ensure you never miss out on what’s happening in the Land of Smiles. Our journalists will keep you informed with all the essential Thai life updates and allows you to connect with the community and experience Thailand like a local.

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    A healthy tomorrow starts today: Celebrate the great American Smokeout day

    The Great American Smokeout, held this year on November 17, is a nationwide event that encourages smokers to take their first steps towards a smoke-free life. If you’re an expat in Thailand, this day could be a timely reminder to...

  • Boat Lagoon Yachting announces mega shipment of private yachts

    Boat Lagoon Yachting announces mega shipment of private yachts

    Boat Lagoon Yachting, Thailand’s largest importer and distributor of luxury yachts, has made history in the region’s yachting industry with the importation of the largest single shipment of luxury yachts, worth over 1,400 million baht. The shipment comprises nine luxury yachts manufactured in the UK by Princess Yachts, with sizes ranging from 19 metres to a superyacht of over 30…

  • Krabi officials to limit the number of tourists to Maya Bay

    Krabi officials to limit the number of tourists to Maya Bay

    Following thousands of tourists pouring into Maya Bay during the tourism high season and over-crowding the beach on a daily basis, the President of Krabi Industry Council, Aekawit Pinyothammanotai, said today (January 17) that the number of tourists will have to be controlled. “The number of tourists traveling to Krabi beaches keeps increasing while the resources remain the same; this…

  • Smart visa available from February 1

    Smart visa available from February 1

    The Thai Cabinet has approved a new “smart visa” to lure specialists to work in 10 targeted industries. Applications for the smart visa will begin on February 1. Kobsak Pootrakool, minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, said the targeted industries included Thai-based industries known as the First S-Curve and new industries dubbed the New S-Curve. First S-Curve industries include next-generation…

  • ‘Poshtels’ pushing into Southeast Asia’s budget and economy hotel space

    ‘Poshtels’ pushing into Southeast Asia’s budget and economy hotel space

    PHOTO: Agoda.com by Bill Banett, c9hotelworks.com A new market report question’s if cookie-cutter hotel groups will again fall asleep at the wheel as they did with online travel agents and Airbnb Call them ‘poshtels’, hostels or hybrid hotels, but one of the most exciting travel spaces across Asia is the emergence of socially-focused accommodation. Not only have millennials embraced the…

  • Bangsaray. Idyllic beaches, tropical retreat. But where is it?

    Bangsaray. Idyllic beaches, tropical retreat. But where is it?

    Ever heard of Bangsaray? It’s about 20 kilometres south of ‘Sin City’, Pattaya, and, so far has seemed to retain much of its charm. Remember Pattaya wasn’t much more than a haphazard fishing village 40 years ago (it might be argued that it’s not a fishing village any more but still haphazard). 20 kilometres appears to make a large difference…

  • Part of the beach in front of Dusit Thani Laguna is privately owned – Land Office

    Part of the beach in front of Dusit Thani Laguna is privately owned – Land Office

    Phuket Land Office, Thalang District Branch, revealed today (January 8), that the land between the sea and Dusit Thani Laguna is Crown Land (Nor Sor Lor). However, the area where the tourist was asked to move away on Sunday is still covered in the resort’s private property, according to the title. The Land Officer, Yongyuth Kanjananurak, commented on the live…

  • Phuket’s low season growth produces record tourism numbers in 2017

    Phuket’s low season growth produces record tourism numbers in 2017

    By Bill Barnett of c9Hotelworks.com For 2017 the island’s gateway airport posted 11.3% year-on-year growth to reach an estimated 8.4 million incoming passengers. This was mainly driven by a 20% surge in Mainland Chinese travelers to the island and a rising number visitors during low season of 11.2% compared to the same period in 2016. Passenger arrivals remain the key…

  • Always wanted to stay in a cool tree-house? Now you can, in 5 star luxury.

    Always wanted to stay in a cool tree-house? Now you can, in 5 star luxury.

    Located on the same stretch of secluded beach as its sister hotel, Paradise Koh Yao, and only a short journey from Phuket International Airport, you will arrive to the start of your Tree House Villas experience. From the Yacht Haven Marina, you head out on a 55 minute speed boat journey soaking up the scenery through the world famous Phang…

  • Thailand Yacht Show. Returns to Ao Po Grand Marina February 22 – 25, 2018

    Thailand Yacht Show. Returns to Ao Po Grand Marina February 22 – 25, 2018

    It is that time of the year where we make resolutions; promises about the year to come and how we will approach it. Rather than ploughing through a northern hemisphere winter to get to the gym or sourcing for fresh fruits during a juice cleanse, why not enjoy the best of the southern tropical lifestyle and head to the Thailand…

  • Who’s coming and what are they spending? Tourist numbers for 2017.

    Who’s coming and what are they spending? Tourist numbers for 2017.

    The figures for foreign tourists arrivals in the Kingdom during 2017 are going to reach 35 million visitors, according to statistics from the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). There are a few surprises in the top ten list, including Laotian visitors at #4. China is still the number one source of foreign tourists with 9.92 million visits over the past…

  • The new Smart Visa and digital nomads

    The new Smart Visa and digital nomads

    PHOTO: neverendingvoyage.com The new Smart Visa might be a visa solution for some, but not all, of the ‘digital nomads’ that have been become ubiquitous in Thailand, from all over the world. Whereas the young professionals might have taken off around the world on a break between their schooling and the start of their professional careers, now they’re taking their…

  • The Racha wins triple prestige awards

    The Racha wins triple prestige awards

    Congratulations to The Racha for winning three major hospitality awards in the one year. They’ve won the Best Island Resort Destination and Outstanding Beach Resort in South East Asia by Asian Lifestyle Tourism and the Bronze Award Winner by Exotiq Best of Thailand. The Racha’s Anumba Spa was also voted the Top Island Resort Spa in Asia in the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards. The Racha can be…

  • Cachet comes to Nai Yang

    Cachet comes to Nai Yang

    Cachet: The sate of being respected or admired. On December 16, 2017, discerning travellers discovered a new dimension of bespoke lifestyle resort with the grand opening of the Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket. This re-imagined lifestyle resort is set on the shores of Nai Yang Beach, at the north end of Phuket’s west coast, a mere 5 minutes from the international…

  • Vietjet kicks offs new direct route, Phuket – Ho Chi Minh City

    Vietjet kicks offs new direct route, Phuket – Ho Chi Minh City

    At Phuket International Airport yesterday (December 15), Phuket authorities hosted the welcoming ceremony of a new direct flight, Phuket – Ho Chi Minh City by Vietjet Air. The flight VJ 809 was the first ever flying the route. Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket Office, Kanokkrittika Kritwuttikorn, says that Vietnam is an excellent potential market. There are more…

  • Global Hotel Brands boosts Japan’s Niseko tourism

    Global Hotel Brands boosts Japan’s Niseko tourism

    Mount Yotei, Niseko in summer. The Hokkaido destination is rapidly becoming as popular in the summer as it is in the winter. Image courtesy of The Ginto Residences. Japan’s famed ski destination Niseko is well on its way to becoming a world-class year-round holiday destination back the back of sustained growth in summer visitors over the past six years. Last…

  • Elephant shows and rides under siege

    Elephant shows and rides under siege

    PHOTO: (The Nation) Elephants and mahouts wait for the next group of tourists to take them for a ride. Twenty or thirty years ago many western tourists would have thought nothing about hopping on the back of an elephant and taking a ride astride one of these mighty Thai beasts. Tourists would clap in delight at the cute baby elephants…

  • There’s room for three boat shows in Thailand, but not like it is now…

    There’s room for three boat shows in Thailand, but not like it is now…

    PHOTO: Marine Scene Asia Opinion by Paul Poole An article in the Phuket Gazette on 30 November 2017 welcomed the annual boat show season in Thailand. It raises the question, “is there room for three boat shows each year?” Original story HERE. The question is worth considering as boat show season kicks off for 2017/2018, with a steady stream of…

  • Southern style with KA Villas – Rawai beach life in Phuket

    Southern style with KA Villas – Rawai beach life in Phuket

    Our property of the month. Welcome to the KA Villas in Rawai, Phuket. If you’re looking for location, location, location you get all that with a high standard build and a lifestyle you always dreamt about. Find out more HERE.

  • Mega projects to shape Bangkok’s skyline – Thailand Tourism Forum 2018

    Mega projects to shape Bangkok’s skyline – Thailand Tourism Forum 2018

    The Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) returns for its seventh annual edition on January 22, 2018, gathering more than 650 hotel industry professionals at the InterContinental Hotel Bangkok to discuss the mega-projects that are reshaping Bangkok’s cityscape. Running under the theme ‘Megacity Bangkok – A Tourism and Hotel Futurescape’, TTF 2018 will focus on the redevelopment of the thriving Thai capital.…

  • Thailand’s Boat Show Season is Here

    Thailand’s Boat Show Season is Here

    By Duncan Worthington For a country that has such stunning cruising grounds as Thailand, it’s no surprise there are boat shows to support and promote the marine industry, however, three boat shows within 13 weeks is a bit of a stretch. Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show kicked off the season and was held November 23 – 26 at Ocean Maria…

  • Mercedes Benz unveils its latest hot wheels for Thailand

    Mercedes Benz unveils its latest hot wheels for Thailand

    Officially has introduced the two models that will be showcased at the Mercedes-Benz booth at the Motor Expo at the end of this month in Bangkok. Prices start at 17.4 million Boat for the 585-horsepower GT R, dubbed “Best of Green Hell” due to its outstanding performance at the Nurburgring, and 16.8 million Baht for the 558hp GT C, which…

  • The rich get richer, the poor get poorer

    The rich get richer, the poor get poorer

    The poor are getting poorer, while the rich are getting richer due to the government’s policy approach to welfare and social enterprise, according to academics who presented at a seminar on civil state policy held at Thammasat University yesterday. Official statistics show a trend in which the rich tend to get more benefit from the government’s policies than the poor,…

  • Phuket’s gay scene gets another chance with Chinese GLBTI

    Phuket’s gay scene gets another chance with Chinese GLBTI

    PHOTO: ZAG Nightclub performers, TheGayPassport.com This article first appeared in The Nation courtesy of AFP. It’s an insight into the rebirth of one of the more ‘tatty’ ends of Patong – Soi Paradise, the ‘gay zone’ – where gay bars have opened and closed over the years struggling to attract a consistent flow of customers. For one of south east…

  • Bangkok’s Number Two. Who’s Number One?

    Bangkok’s Number Two. Who’s Number One?

    PHOTO: skyscrapercity.com Euromonitor International has released its annual Top City Destinations Ranking for 2017 covering 100 of the world’s leading cities in terms of international tourist arrivals. This year’s report includes forecast data up to 2025 and incorporates future travel trends to give further insight on how travel trends are borne out of the opportunities and challenges that cities face.…

  • Travelling to Thailand? Check your travel insurance.

    Travelling to Thailand? Check your travel insurance.

    A cautionary tale… 30 year old Australian Stacey Liddle is still holed up at Vachira Hospital after a traumatic road accident in Chalong caused a lot of damage to her leg which doctors are now trying to save. Whilst she had travel insurance her insurance didn’t cover this accident due to fine print in the contract. Speaking to news.com.au from…

  • Celebrate the third anniversary with a spectacular brunch at Kata Rocks

    Celebrate the third anniversary with a spectacular brunch at Kata Rocks

    Kata Rocks is marking its third anniversary on Saturday, December 2 with a ‘Champagne Brunch of The Year’ Anniversary Pool Party that celebrates Phuket’s luxury lifestyle. The resort’s DJ-fuelled brunches are legendary for their stylish party atmosphere. This year’s event is centred around an enticing combination of excellent entertainment, delicious food and chilled ‘bubbles’ plus an exclusive fashion show next…

  • ‘A Prayer Before Dawn’. About to HIT our screens.

    ‘A Prayer Before Dawn’. About to HIT our screens.

    ‘A Prayer Before Dawn’ is a 2017 British-French drama film directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire. It was shown in the Midnight Screenings section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and stars Joe Cole as Billy Moore. Bar girls, drugs, a young farang in Thailand to have a good time… what could possibly go wrong?! The film’s screenplay has been adapted from…

  • Residences on the rise

    Residences on the rise

    Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com reports on the rise and rise of the residential living properties with hotel branding and management…. Property developers across Thailand are experiencing a magnetic attraction for hotel branded residences in order to spur price premium points and buyer demand. Currently there are 29 new hotel residence projects countrywide with nearly 90% of these located in resort…

  • Five tips for TEFL job seekers in Phuket

    Five tips for TEFL job seekers in Phuket

    by Eric Haeg, Course Director of TEFL Campus TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) October is a fantastic month for finding a job teaching English in Thailand. The start of the second term is just around the corner and schools across Phuket need to fill dozens of vacancies. That may come as good news to job seekers, but the best…

  • Investing in Phuket – Strong fundamentals in a beach location

    Investing in Phuket – Strong fundamentals in a beach location

    ADVERTISEMENT Phuket Property Perspectives presented by Phuketbuyhouse.com With Phuket now being ranked as the fifth top holiday destination in the world, tourism is hotter than ever, attracting more and more buyers per year than ever before. Whether it be for investment or residential purposes, the demand is rapidly growing and we can now see a range of properties available to…