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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Is family health insurance in Thailand worth it?
A family’s day in Thailand can change in an instant when an accident sends a child to the emergency room, with medical bills rising beyond USD 10,000 within hours. While Thailand appeals to many expat families for its safety, lifestyle, and education options, healthcare costs can be high, especially at private hospitals. For families living in Thailand long-term or meeting…
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Chinese New Year in Thailand: History, tradition, and celebrations
For most Thai-Chinese families, the real Chinese New Year typically happens at home. Celebrations centre around the family table, at the home altar, and perhaps in kitchens, where generations gather to prepare dishes together. Wander to Yaowarat during Chinese New Year, and you’ll understand immediately why this tradition matters. It gets really busy during this time, but the public festivities…
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LINION brought Neo-Soul to Bangkok Music City and is teaching Asia to feel the groove
The golden hour light spilt across the Singha Live stage as LINION gripped his bass, the sun setting over Bangkok Music City 2026. It was 6.20pm, that perfect twilight moment when day surrenders to night, and for the next hour, the Taiwanese Neo-Soul artist would guide the crowd through that transition with nothing but groove, his voice, and a philosophy…
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Thai action star Tony Jaa battling stage 3 gallbladder cancer
A close friend has revealed that Thai action star Tony Jaa is undergoing treatment for stage 3 gallbladder cancer after being diagnosed in 2024 and is currently continuing chemotherapy. The update came from a source close to both the actor and his wife, who shared the information with Thairath. According to the source, the condition was first discovered in June…
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Thailand’s love for urban gardening
Walk down nearly any street in Bangkok, and you’ll notice something that doesn’t quite match the usual portrait of a Southeast Asian megacity. Between the concrete shophouses and glass towers, beneath the elevated train tracks and along the motorcycle-clogged pavements, plants are everywhere. Not manicured landscaping or municipal flower beds, but an unruly profusion of potted trees, herbs in plastic…
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Thailand reforms business, visa, and social laws to attract global expats
Thailand is undertaking its most comprehensive expatriate policy overhaul in decades, introducing reforms across business law, visa regulations, property ownership, and civil rights that collectively aim to position the country as Southeast Asia’s premier destination for foreign residents and investors. Announced progressively throughout 2024 and early 2025, these reforms respond to regional competition for foreign talent and investment, particularly as…
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The quick history of Valentine’s Day in Thailand from the 1980s to now
Valentine’s Day in Thailand bears little resemblance to its Western origins. What arrived as a foreign novelty in the 1980s has evolved into a distinctively Thai institution, one that blends bureaucratic ritual, spiritual intervention, commercial spectacle, and most recently, historic civil rights milestones into a celebration that reveals as much about Thai society as it does about romance. On this…
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Etro Residences Phuket hits 830,000 Thai baht per square metre shattering island sales records
Etro Residences Phuket has made an explosive debut, setting a new per square metre sales record just days after launch. Located within the prestigious Gardens of Eden development in Bangtao, the ultra-limited collection achieved prices of 830,000 Thai baht (US$26,350) per square metre, more than four times Phuket’s branded residence average, and the highest on the island. Launched on January…
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Inside Thailand’s underground motorcycle racing culture
On certain stretches of Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road, after midnight, you can hear them before you see them. The sound starts as a distant whine, rising in pitch, then suddenly a cluster of motorcycles appears, weaving through sparse traffic at speeds that make the riders look almost horizontal. They lean into turns, engines screaming, exhausts popping. In seconds, they’re gone, leaving…
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How popular is badminton in Thailand and where can you play it?
Badminton has been one of Thailand’s most beloved sports for generations, sitting alongside football and Muay Thai in the national consciousness. For over 70 years, Thais have grown up with rackets in hand, playing in parks, backyards, school gyms, and makeshift courts wherever space allowed. Walk through any Bangkok park at dawn or any provincial sports hall in the evening,…
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Fallen Thai soldier saves lives through organ donation
A 24 year old Thai soldier who was declared dead following a tragic accident was honoured by the Thai Red Cross Society today, January 20, after his family decided to donate his organs, offering a second chance at life to patients in need. The Thai Red Cross Society shared the story of Sergeant Chuangwit Srikham, also known as “Sergeant New,”…
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Thai student’s story of struggle leads to 1 million baht donation
A 17 year old student in Nonthaburi, who has lived alone since the age of 13 and supported himself through school with a part-time job, has received over 1 million baht in donations within just one night, after his story moved netizens across Thailand. The student, known as Boom (real name Bunnasorn Yuenyong), is currently in Mathayom 5 (Year 12)…
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9 things you must do to protect yourself from Bangkok’s hazardous PM2.5 levels in 2026
Bangkok woke up to a grey shroud on January 14, with Bangkok PM2.5 levels hitting hazardous territory, readings between 79 and 108 µg/m³ across the capital, nearly triple Thailand’s safety threshold. Fifty-four provinces are under health warnings as smoke from agricultural fires in Cambodia and eastern Thailand has drifted into central regions, where stagnant weather has trapped it. Add in…
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Muay Thai fight promotions that go beyond traditional martial art
Muay Thai has long been Thailand’s national sport, but today, it’s more than a martial art. It’s a social ladder, a second chance, a cultural export, and a fight for recognition. While elite promotions like ONE Championship and the historic Rajadamnern Stadium keep Muay Thai in the spotlight. There are parallel fight cultures that thrive in alleyways, fight clubs and…
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How does Thailand celebrate Teacher’s Day?
In Thailand, few roles are held in higher regard than that of a teacher. Each year on January 16, the country pauses to observe Teacher’s Day, an annual national occasion dedicated to recognising the people who guide, educate, and inspire future generations. The Thai saying “Kru kue mae-pim kawng chad,” meaning “Teachers mould the nation,” captures the spirit of the occasion.…
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Bangkok Design Week 2026 returns with ‘DESIGN S/O/S’ from January 29 to February 8
Get ready for the return of Bangkok Design Week 2026 (BKKDW 2026), now in its ninth consecutive year, organised by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organisation) or CEA, in collaboration with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, government and private sector organisations, educational institutions, international organisations, and creative district network partners. This year, the international design festival brings together creators, designers, entrepreneurs, developers,…
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A simple guide to renting in Thailand (plus a bonus tip)
Renting in Thailand is generally straightforward, but a little preparation goes a long way. Whether you’re looking to relocate or planning an extended stay, being familiar with local rental practices, from deposits and documents to pricing and property standards, will make the process much smoother. This guide outlines the key steps to renting in Thailand, from choosing the right location…
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Sansiri marks new milestones in Phuket for 2026: Expanding into “Surin Beach” and reinforcing dominance in the “Cherngtalay – Bang Tao” zone
Sansiri has unveiled its strategic location plan for Phuket, announcing two new projects in prime areas: Surin Beach and Cherngtalay – Bang Tao, both scheduled for launch in 2026. Tapping into the potential of “Surin Beach” Sansiri is expanding into Surin Beach, a location recognized as one of the Andaman coast’s highest-potential zones. The area is surrounded by luxury hotels,…
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Yaowarat comes alive as Chinese opera revives memories in Bangkok’s historic Chinatown
The sound of cymbals, traditional melodies, and rhythmic chanting once again echoed through Yaowarat, Bangkok’s historic Chinatown, as Chinese opera returned to the heart of the neighborhood. For three nights, the area surrounding Wat Mangkon Station transformed into a living cultural stage during the event BEM Happy Journey 2025: Yaowarat, drawing longtime residents, elderly opera fans, and younger visitors together…
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ThaiPropertyInvestor secures eight national awards across Thailand’s real estate sector
ThaiPropertyInvestor wins 8 major awards, strengthening its position as one of Thailand’s leading real estate brokerage firms ThaiPropertyInvestor Co., Ltd. (ThaiPropertyInvestor) has earned nationwide recognition in 2025 after securing eight major awards from three of Thailand’s most respected real estate platforms, underscoring its strength across residential, commercial, and investment property markets. These accolades reflect the company’s role as a leading…
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Two lucky Lottery Plus buyers claim 48 million baht first prize
Two lucky lottery buyers from Chon Buri and Sakon Nakhon won big through Lottery Plus yesterday, December 16, claiming a total of 48 million baht. The winning first-prize tickets sold via Lottery Plus totalled eight tickets, amounting to 48 million baht in winnings. Five of the tickets belonged to a winner in Chon Buri, and three to a buyer in…
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Tokyogurl denies cheating at SEA Games 2025
Following public backlash, Napapat Warasin, also known as Tokyogurl, has come forward to deny accusations of cheating during the Arena of Valour (RoV) competition at the 33rd SEA Games tournament. The controversy came to light yesterday, December 16, after speculation spread online accusing Tokyogurl of installing unauthorised software or devices on competition equipment. Earlier, Garena, in cooperation with the Thailand…
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Tokyogurl removed from SEA Games over esports rule breach
A player from Thailand’s women’s Arena of Valor (RoV) team was removed from the 33rd SEA Games tournament yesterday, December 15, following an internal issue that surfaced before a crucial match. The Thai team had just suffered a 0–3 loss to Vietnam in the upper bracket final, placing them into today’s lower bracket final against Laos. They need a win…
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Lucky colours of the week in Thailand and what they mean
Ever noticed your Thai colleagues wearing yellow on Mondays, or wondered why government buildings display specific colours on certain days? You’re witnessing one of Thailand’s most charming traditions: the lucky colours of the weekday. This living practice stems from ancient Hindu-Brahmin astrology woven into Thai Buddhist culture. Each day has an auspicious colour tied to celestial deities whose attributes shape…
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Thailand at the centre of a new era in luxury home-sharing
As global mobility reshapes how affluent travellers live, invest, and experience destinations, a new model of second-home ownership is emerging—one that prioritises flexibility over permanence and access over exclusivity. Few companies have been as instrumental in defining this transformation as ThirdHome, the luxury home exchange platform founded by CEO Wade Shealy. Today, Thailand sits at the forefront of the company’s…
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Iconic Thai voice actress behind Conan and Suneo passes away
Channel 9 Cartoon announced the death of Took Arunee, a legendary Thai voice actress behind Conan and Suneo. The Facebook page “Channel 9 Cartoon” shared sad news of the passing of Arunee Nanthiwat, also known as Aunty Took, a legendary senior voice actress. She was the iconic voice behind many beloved characters, including Edogawa Conan, from Detective Conan, and Suneo,…
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Ex-homeless Chiang Mai man wins 18 million baht lottery
Relatives flocked to the home of a former homeless man in Chiang Mai after he struck it rich with a winning lottery ticket worth 18 million baht. The lottery winner, 68 year old Suthon, also known as “Uncle Jae,” lives alone in a rented room in San Pa Tong district. He earns just 350 baht a day from odd jobs…
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Thai Cabinet withdraws plan to add more public holidays in 2026
The Thai Cabinet has backtracked on a decision to add more public holidays in 2026, voicing concerns that extended breaks could negatively impact businesses and employment. Today, December 2, the Cabinet meeting reviewed a proposal from the Secretariat of the Cabinet suggesting the addition of two special public holidays in 2026. However, ministers raised concerns that more long weekends might…
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Taking on Thailand: How Bartels is redefining neighbourhood places through food and community
When Nicolai Bartels stepped onto the stage at this year’s C9 Sessions – Phuket Real Estate Forum 2025, he didn’t present slides, charts, or market forecasts. Instead, he offered something far more valuable: a blueprint for how a food-driven, neighbourhood-centric brand can scale across Thailand by prioritising community, routine, and authenticity over traditional real estate logic. Bartels arrived in Thailand…
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What is ‘face’ in Thailand and how to avoid losing it (for anyone and yourself)
If you are new to life in Thailand, there is one cultural idea that will help you settle in far more smoothly than memorising phrases or learning the bus routes. It is the concept of face and it has nothing to do with your appearance. It is about dignity, respect, and how people are perceived by those around them. Once…
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