Thai Life

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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • 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…

  • Thai steel producers brace for higher production costs, slower market

    Thai steel producers brace for higher production costs, slower market

    Thailand steel producers are preparing for the fallout of higher steel prices and growing demand from Asia in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Within a week, the world market price of steel billet rose to roughly US$800 per tonne, up from $650 per tonne, EAF Long Product Steel Producers Association committee member Pravit Horungruang told the Bangkok Post.…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Sena to expand housing, warehouse portfolio in 2022

    Sena to expand housing, warehouse portfolio in 2022

    Sena Development intends to expand into warehouses, serviced apartments and asset management in 2022, while also developing 49 new residential properties valued at 27.5 billion baht. This year, the company intends to venture into new sectors in order to increase stable earnings from regular income, with the majority of new operations connected firms that can help with property development, the…

  • 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…

  • Thailand developer Sansiri to focus on low-end, affordable apartments in 2022

    Thailand developer Sansiri to focus on low-end, affordable apartments in 2022

    Sansiri says it will put lower-end apartments on the market a month before they are finished, and will collaborate with banks to secure the transfer of units with reduced mortgage loan rejections. The approach can assist the company in achieving sales and transfers in lower-end sectors with greater mortgage rejection rates than others, according to the assistant executive vice-president for…

  • BTS score their second win as ‘Global Recording Artist of the Year’ from International Federation of the Phonographic Industry

    BTS score their second win as ‘Global Recording Artist of the Year’ from International Federation of the Phonographic Industry

    Superstar K-pop band BTS have won the The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s 2021 Global Recording Artist of the Year award, again. It’s the second year in a row for the seven-member group. BTS again received the award based on their worldwide performance across digital and physical music formats over the past 12 months. Around the world, BTS were…

  • Thailand real estate market to see post-pandemic boom by 2024

    Thailand real estate market to see post-pandemic boom by 2024

    Real estate developers in Thailand should brace themselves for a post-pandemic boom, despite the current inflation and higher development prices, economists say. After a 2 year slowdown during the pandemic, Thailand will enter a new economic phase from 2022 to 2024, according to Bangkok Bank’s Senior Executive Vice-President Kobsak Pootrakool in the Bangkok Post. “We are getting close to the end…

  • AP to launch 5 condo projects for 13 billion baht in 2022, early pre-sale gains

    AP to launch 5 condo projects for 13 billion baht in 2022, early pre-sale gains

    AP Thailand is planning to develop 5 apartment complexes at a projected cost of 13 billion baht in 2022, citing a significant increase in presales in Bangkok’s condo market in Q1 this year. The chief of the condominium business group says the condominium market in Bangkok has shown positive signs in the last six weeks, with AP registered 1.08 billion…

  • City Guide: How to get around Bangkok 2022

    City Guide: How to get around Bangkok 2022

    There are many ways to get around Bangkok. You’re not limited to the typical big city transpiration options of train, bus or taxi. In fact, there are many other ways that are convenient to get around, though some take more time to do so. Those who have visited Bangkok before will know how to navigate the concrete jungle, but newcomers…

  • Central Pattana reports B7.1 billion profit in 2021

    Central Pattana reports B7.1 billion profit in 2021

    Central Pattana, a retail and property developer in Thailand, made 7.1 billion baht in net profit and received 28.9 billion baht in revenue in 2021, despite Covid-19 challenges. CPN’s Chief Financial Officer described 2022 as another difficult year for the company since the pandemic has had a greater impact on customers’ lifestyles and numerous businesses than the previous year. “The…

  • Top 5 pool villas in Phuket recommended by CBRE

    Top 5 pool villas in Phuket recommended by CBRE

    Sponsored Article Whether you’re looking at Phuket for a permanent home, a vacation villa, or an investment opportunity, we have a range of properties that tick all the boxes necessary for enjoying a luxury lifestyle on the island. In addition to being visually stunning, these pool villas are situated within compounds with solid security, as well as being close to…

  • Thailand’s real estate sector to remain depressed until 2024, despite strong predictions

    Thailand’s real estate sector to remain depressed until 2024, despite strong predictions

    Despite big plans and strong earnings predictions from local real estate developers, Thailand’s real estate market might not even return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2024. This from the Government Housing Bank. Factors cited include a slow economic recovery, inflation, and the latest variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, which has depressed local business activity since the middle of December…

  • Bangkok office owners face flood of new competition – CBRE

    Bangkok office owners face flood of new competition – CBRE

    As the office sector experiences its lowest net take-up rate, Bangkok landlords should upgrade their existing properties and provide better and more flexible leases to lure renters, before a massive amount of new places start to open, stated consultancy firm CBRE Thailand. The pandemic has had the most significant impact on Bangkok office spaces since the 1997 financial crisis. “There…

  • Large apartments in high demand in Bangkok, despite higher prices

    Large apartments in high demand in Bangkok, despite higher prices

    The resale market is predicted to see steady strong demand for larger condominium units this year, despite higher prices for smaller units in new Bangkok developments. CBRE Thailand stated apartment buyers were seeking bigger apartments in popular locations at reasonable rates, the Bangkok Post reported. Consumers of resale condos like spacious properties with a separated workstation from the lounge. These…

  • Movie Guide: Top Thai films to watch on Netflix 2022

    Movie Guide: Top Thai films to watch on Netflix 2022

    There are countless movies to watch at home, whether it’s on one of the many streaming services, that dusty DVD collection you have laying around, or even your favourite pirating site (not recommended). But what about Thai films? When it comes to local Thai entertainment, choosing a movie to watch after work, on a date or on vacation can be…

  • SC Asset to develop 27 domestic projects in 4 years, targets 100 billion baht in revenue

    SC Asset to develop 27 domestic projects in 4 years, targets 100 billion baht in revenue

    SC Asset Corporation aims to invest 40 billion baht to build new residential developments in Thailand totaling 130 billion baht between 2022 and 2025, with a revenue target of 100 billion baht over the next four years. Of the 130 billion baht the SET-listed developer intends to invest in new releases from 2022 to 2025, 20 billion baht would go…

  • Thailand homebuilder Seacon aims for 28% sales growth in 2022

    Thailand homebuilder Seacon aims for 28% sales growth in 2022

    Thailand homebuilder Seacon Company Limited announced it expects a 28% increase in profits for 2022, hoping to make a staggering 2.4 billion baht in sales, as it prioritises luxury and high end properties. The ambitious sales target comes as Thailand’s first homebuilder company celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Last year Thailand’s homebuilding business significantly improved with a market value…

  • UPDATE: Spotify removes over 100 old Joe Rogan Experience episodes

    UPDATE: Spotify removes over 100 old Joe Rogan Experience episodes

    Streaming service Spotify has now removed 113 episodes of the highly popular Joe Rogan Experience from its platform. It follows an apology from Joe Rogan, for using racial slurs on his podcasts and comes just 2 weeks after another controversy regarding criticism of apparently misleading Covid-19 guests and conversations. The Instagram apology isn’t directly related to the mounting criticism over some…

  • A night with the Junkies! Phuket’s Junkyard Theatre.

    A night with the Junkies! Phuket’s Junkyard Theatre.

    By Barry Daniel As a quiet, bookish type I’ve only taken LSD a few dozen times, but my recent Saturday night at the Underwood Art Factory Junkyard Theatre Show was far better than any other trip I’ve experienced! Half way along Phuket’s By-Pass Road in the middle of the island, lies the Underwood Art Factory’s psychedelic parallel universe which has…

  • Thailand real estate prices expected to rise in 2022

    Thailand real estate prices expected to rise in 2022

    Since the first quarter of 2020, the home price index has been declining while new home prices have increased. Several pandemic-related factors are to blame, including an increase in the costs of fuel and construction materials, along with higher inflation and a labour shortage. The compounding of these pressures mean real estate prices in Thailand are ready to rise in…

  • Streaming services rake in more than 815 million baht, emerge as new cash cow for Thai entertainment industry

    Streaming services rake in more than 815 million baht, emerge as new cash cow for Thai entertainment industry

    The Department of International Trade Promotion announced on Tuesday that international streaming services like VIU, iQiyi, WeTV, and Netflix, alongside the Thai film industry, have earned Thailand more than 815 million baht. The news comes after the DITP held a meeting with members from international streaming providers and 15 Thai content creators to improve their relationship on January 27. This…

  • Proposals to up foreign ownership quota for condos, extend leasehold rights rejected

    Proposals to up foreign ownership quota for condos, extend leasehold rights rejected

    While plans for a 10-year visa scheme for the wealthy and high-skilled professionals is moving forward, proposals to increase the foreign ownership quota for condominiums and the maximum lease for foreigners were rejected by Thailand’s Centre for Economic Situation Administration. The proposal to allow foreigners to hold ownership of one rai of land for residential purposes was agreed in principle.…

  • Property Spotlight: Plum Condo Bangyai Station in Nonthaburi

    Property Spotlight: Plum Condo Bangyai Station in Nonthaburi

    If you’re looking for an affordable condo to rent or buy north of Bangkok that’s within easy walking distance of public transportation, then Plum Condo Bangyai Station might just be the perfect property for you. Located at 133/38 Mu Ban Ban Bua Thong Road, Bang Rak Phatthana, Bang Bua Thong District in Nonthaburi, the condominiums project is just a 10-minute…

  • Chinese buyers dominated Thailand real estate market in 2021

    Chinese buyers dominated Thailand real estate market in 2021

    The acting director of the Real Estate Information Centre (REIC), Wichai Wirattaphan, has stated that Chinese nationals accounted for nearly 60 percent of condominium purchases in Thailand in the first nine months of 2021. The statistics released by the REIC show that foreigners from the following five nations were the top investors of properties in Thailand: China, Vanuatu, United States,…

  • Spotify vs Neil Young: Spotify win round one, facts come second

    Spotify vs Neil Young: Spotify win round one, facts come second

    Spotify have started to respond and offer commentary to the swirling debate over comedian Joe Rogan’s podcasts on their platform. Firstly it was musician Neil Young, then Joni Mitchell, who said they were taking their music off Spotify in protest to misinformation spread about Covid-19 by the Joe Rogan Experience. Now they’re being joined by other podcasters and musicians complaining…

  • Property Spotlight: Notting Hill Sukhumvit – Praksa

    Property Spotlight: Notting Hill Sukhumvit – Praksa

    Notting Hill Sukhumvit – Praksa is a 35-floor condominiums project managed by Origin located in Samutprakan, the province directly south of Bangkok. It’s a popular choice for commuters and young professionals in the area looking for modern conveniences at an affordable price point. Community Located within walking distance of Phraek Sa station, three stops from the southern end of the…