Expats
Stay updated on the latest expat news and insights in Thailand with The Thaiger. Our all-inclusive coverage brings you vital information on residency, visas, work permits, property, healthcare, and other expat-related issues. Adapt to the Land of Smiles seamlessly with our advice, guiding you through various aspects of life as a foreign resident in this enthralling country.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Cheers to safety: Thailand’s plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled crashes
Thailand is ringing in the new year with a determined focus on safety, as Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin reveals a no-nonsense plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled road accidents during the festive celebrations. With the Christmas and new year season notorious for its spike in drink-related mishaps, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has rolled out four game-changing measures to keep partygoers…
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British expats uncovered in Thailand as UK probes pension fraud
In a fresh twist for British expats soaking up the sun abroad, the cloak of UK banking secrecy is about to be lifted if there’s a whiff of state pension fraud. The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently being dissected in the House of Lords, is pegged to hit the legal books in early 2025. This new legislation will…
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Central Department Store Group and The 1 Launches The 1 EXPAT
Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail, has partnered with The 1—Thailand’s largest digital lifestyle and loyalty platform with over 21 million members—to launch The 1 EXPAT, a membership programme that redefines the shopping experience for expatriates in Thailand. Integrated within The 1 application, The 1 EXPAT is designed to provide expats with not only tailored shopping privileges but also…
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Premier League stars tee off in Hua Hin’s inaugural celebrity golf event
October 19 was a rainy day in Hua Hin, but it didn’t make the weekend any less memorable for golf and football fans alike. The inaugural Thailand Celebrity Masters, presented by Orchid Palm Homes, brought together football icons Gary Stevens, Emile Heskey, and Lee Sharpe for a friendly day of golf. Participants had the rare chance to see these English…
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Phuket beachgoers warned of Portuguese man o’ war sting operation (video)
Phuket holidaymakers at Mai Khao Beach have been warned a trip to the sandy shores could have a sting in its tail. Beachgoers in Phuket have been given a red alert about the arrival of the notorious Portuguese man o’ war – aka bluebottles. The Phuket Lifeguard Service confirmed a sighting of these perilous sea creatures yesterday, October 27, prompting a…
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Top Muay Thai gym shares 5 tips on how to apply for a DTV visa
Since the launch of the DTV visa, now the preferred option for digital nomads, remote workers, and frequent participants in Muay Thai courses, there has been significant interest from foreigners worldwide. However, many are confused about the application process. FITFAC Muay Thai Gym, a reputable gym with over 11 locations in Bangkok and one of the few gyms in Thailand…
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The fascinating history and facts of the Thai language
As Thailand becomes a hotspot for travel and a favourite destination for expats, more people are drawn to learn Thai to connect more deeply with the culture and people. With its melodic tones and distinct script, it may seem like one of the hardest languages to learn at first glance. However, it’s actually an incredibly captivating language. Together with ALA…
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Voted: Top 10 travel influencers in Thailand that you need to follow
For many, Thailand is the traveller’s ultimate dream. It is full of interesting and beautiful sights, delicious food, and some of the nicest people you will meet on Earth. However, there are probably too many things to see and there might be a lot more that you don’t know about Thailand and that’s where the top travel influencers come in.…
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Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles
What would you do if the dream of owning your home seemed to be slipping away? For one Aussie mum, the solution was packing up her family and heading for exotic shores, trading Oz for the Land of Smiles. Natalie Coulson, a 45 year old mother of one, had enough of Sydney’s spiralling property market. The fear of a lifetime…
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Thai visa shake-up: Southeast Asia consulates switch to e-visa only
Getting a Thai visa in Southeast Asia is about to become a high-tech affair. Starting next week, several Thai consulates across the region will be switching entirely to online e-visa applications, leaving traditional walk-ins a thing of the past. In a surprise move, consulates in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Bharu), and Cambodia…
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Navigating visa & work permits for remote workers in Thailand
Imagine swapping your office view for Thailand’s breathtaking beaches. Gone are the days of hectic commutes and long lines, replaced with a hearty breakfast before you start your workday from your very own tropical home. After hours and on weekends, an entire country awaits exploration, all while maintaining your current job and salary. This lifestyle, once the domain of digital…
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How can foreigners become Thai citizens?
Some people might have thought that getting Thai citizenship is difficult. Just to be clear, it can be complicated, but there are pathways that you go through and become a Thai citizen. For many who have made Thailand their home, this step is a significant milestone. It signifies not just a legal status, but a deeper bond with the country,…
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How can expats find healthcare services in Thailand, Language isn’t a barrier
Moving to a new country can feel like a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, explore new places, and perhaps even reinvent parts of your life. But amid the excitement, you can’t overlook practical matters like healthcare. While Thailand is globally renowned as a medical tourism destination, boasting some of the best hospitals in…
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Pattaya Beach set to rock: Chon Buri music fest waves in the tunes
Pattaya Beach is about to be transformed into a musical paradise as the Chon Buri International Music Festival kicks off this weekend and continues the next. From 5pm to 11pm, Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22, music lovers can revel in a beachfront bonanza of sound and spectacle. And the best part? It’s absolutely free! Expect a star-studded lineup…
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The 10 (expat) influencers in Thailand you need to follow today
The online world is filled with unique influencers, each carving out their own space with distinctive content. In Thailand, the expat community is no exception, with many sharing stories, advice, and inspiration from their lives in the Land of Smiles. From travel bloggers and digital nomads to automotive enthusiasts and culinary explorers, these expat influencers have made Thailand their home…
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10 common mistakes to avoid while buying health insurance
Understanding health insurance can be tricky with all the options and terms. It’s essential to get it right to ensure both your health and financial security. With so many options and details, it’s easy to make mistakes that could affect you later. In this article, we’ll explore the ten common mistakes people make when buying health insurance. We’ll help you…
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International schools in Thailand soar as local schools shrink
While Thailand faces a crisis with its plummeting birth rate and shrinking student numbers, international schools are thriving, growing by an average of 13% annually. In stark contrast to the decline in Thai public and private school enrolments, the demand for international education is skyrocketing. According to a study by Kasikorn Research Centre, international school enrolments surged by 10.2% last…
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Retiree’s paradise or visa maze? Thailand’s options but no land grabs
Thailand is a popular choice for foreign retirees, offering several visa types including annual extensions, a five to 20 year Elite visa, and a 10-year Long Term Residence (LTR) visa. However, none of these options allow direct land ownership, nor do they guarantee a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. Foreigners can purchase condominiums but this typically doesn’t come with visa…
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Irishman’s fatal fall leaves Pattaya hotel guests stunned
Tragedy struck a swanky 5-star hotel in Pattaya in the early hours of this morning when an Irishman plunged to his death from the 31st floor. The Irishman, Michael Browne, shocked hotel staff and patrons as he fell to his death from the 31st floor today, August 19. The shocking incident, which has left the Pattaya police baffled, raises questions…
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British tourists breathe easy: Bangkok slips off the scam radar
Good news for British tourists heading to Bangkok for a holiday: the Big Mango has dropped five places from No.1 to No.6 as the globe’s most likely destinations to get scammed or robbed. Antivirus company McAfee compiled a new list highlighting cities where tourists are often robbed of their hard-earned cash, with a popular Spanish resort now claiming the top…
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Officials tee up hunt for wayward crocodile at Phuket golf course
Officials in Phuket are stepping up efforts to capture a crocodile spotted at Mission Hills Golf Course. The sighting on July 31 prompted an urgent response from local authorities and specialist crocodile capture teams. It seems the croc is making a real ‘swing’ at disrupting the course, and officials are keen to ‘par’ the situation before it escalates. Nikhom Suksawat,…
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Top health and travel insurance companies in Thailand for travellers and expats
Do you plan on making Thailand your new home? Or are you planning on visiting Thailand on a short trip? While travelling and living in Thailand can be fun, you’ll also want to plan with your medical and travel insurance, providing you with comfort. When it comes to health and travel insurance for travellers and expats in Thailand, look no…
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SCB X delays end of Robinhood food delivery service
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) X PCL has made a significant decision to delay the termination of its Robinhood food delivery service, initially planned for the end of this month. The company yesterday, July 29, submitted a formal request to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to extend the service’s operation. Manop Sangiambut, Chief Financial Officer of SCB X, revealed the…
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Foreign tourists found safe after night search in Doi Nang Mo forest
San Kamphaeng police, forest officers, and other relevant agencies initiated a search at 8.30pm yesterday, July 28, for two missing foreign tourists who had become lost in the Doi Nang Mo forest area near the Mae Pha Nhaen Reservoir in Chiang Mai. The search was prompted by the coordinates sent by the tourists before their signal was lost. The dense…
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Phuket leads in dengue crisis: Kids worst hit in southern Thailand
Phuket has emerged as the hotspot for dengue fever in upper southern Thailand, with the highest infection rates among seven provinces, according to the Department of Disease Control’s regional office. Dr Darinda Rosa, acting Director of Health Region 11’s Disease Control Office, highlighted a significant surge in dengue cases from January 1 to yesterday, totalling 5,853. Children aged 10-14 are…
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Weed way to go! Thailand flip-flops on cannabis laws again
In yet another exercise of political flip-flopping in Thailand’s cannabis saga, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced plans to legislate marijuana for medical use. This unexpected move marks a significant U-turn from recent proposals to re-criminalise the plant, leaving many questioning whether the government knows whether it’s coming or going. Thailand made headlines as one of the first Asian countries…
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Patong tuk tuk driver fined after aggressive road confrontation
Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. A resident, who has been living in Phuket for eight years, documented the encounter and posted the video on the Facebook page Driving…
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Expats: New Thai visas make elite status obsolete
Longstay expats are in uproar as Thailand’s new visa policies render their costly long-term options nearly worthless. The introduction of a 60-day visa-exempt policy and the 180-day Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has left many feeling shortchanged. Geoffrey Fisher, a Brit who recently forked out 900,000 baht (approximately £20,000) for a five-year Elite visa, lamented, “I’ve wasted my money as more…
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Transformer explosion traps tourist in Pattaya condo elevator
An electrical transformer explosion late last night at 11.30pm caused significant disruption at a luxury condominium in Pattaya. The incident, yesterday, July 16, left a young female foreign tourist trapped inside an elevator for over 20 minutes. The condominium, situated in Soi 16, Na Kluea, Banglamung District, Chon Buri Province, stands eight floors tall. Residents and condo officials quickly mobilised…
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Tourists warned of dietary supplement scam ring in Pattaya
A group of foreign nationals has come under scrutiny in Pattaya, accused by locals of running a scam ring targeting tourists. Operating mainly at the Made in Thailand Night Plaza on Pattaya’s Second Road, the gang is also seen near the Avenue Shopping Mall and on Beach Road, according to local reports. These men, described as possibly Pakistani or Middle…
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