You may be a little apprehensive about solo female travel. Taking off on your own to a distant land is a big deal. Whether it’s your first time going to Thailand or whether you’ve been before, it’s likely that family and friends are worrying you with stories they’ve read, or simply their own fears and…Read More
How to Make a Will in Thailand – Your Last Testament
Being a young, single man living in Thailand, I never thought twice about making a Will. It always seemed like something for “old people”, or those with real responsibilities. But getting married and having a child meant that I needed to consider someone else’s future, and how their lives would be impacted if I passed…Read More
Laos Money Guide: Currencies, ATMs, Cash, Cards & Visa
When planning your trip to Laos, be that from Thailand or any other country, you’ll need to consider how to manage your spending money. The reason for this is that Laos Kip, US Dollars, and Thai Baht are all accepted currencies in Laos. Chinese Yuan can also be used in some areas of the country,…Read More
Should You Give Money to Your Thai Girlfriend or Her Family?
The dilemma of whether to give (or lend) money to a Thai girlfriend, friend, or member of your extended family is one that most people with a strong connection to Thailand have to address at one stage or another. It’s a topic that’s always coming up on forums and over beers. Some people take a…Read More
How to Get a Thailand Education Visa & What You Can Study
If you want to study in Thailand, you will need an education visa, officially known as a Non-Immigrant O Visa (ED). This visa applies to those studying Thai, training to become a Buddhist monk, interning at a company, or attending a training or university course. While there are multiple options for study, learning Thai at…Read More
Safetywing – Travel Medical Insurance for Nomads (Includes COVID-19)
The majority of visitors to Thailand fall into the tourist category and require standard travel insurance. But there are also many thousands whose relationship to Thailand is more complicated, and because of this they need tailored travel and medical insurance. Throw in the added requirement for insurance to cover COVID-19 and finding cover that suits…Read More
The Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) – A Tourist’s Guide
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the Skytrain or BTS, is the most efficient means of transportation in in Bangkok. Since 1999 the BTS has been helping Bangkokians and tourists alike hop easily from one station to another Aside from convenience and speed, fares are cheap compared to other transport modes, and of…Read More
How to Use Kráp and Kâ – the Thai Politeness Particles
You’ve no doubt heard Thais using kráp (men) and kâ (women) in everyday conversation. Yet despite their apparent simplicity, understanding these words and when you should use them isn’t entirely straightforward. Most people don’t know that kráp and kâ do not directly translate to any word in the English language. They are politeness particles, added…Read More
10 Things to Know Before Taking out Life Insurance in Thailand
In the last 18 months my life has changed. I got married and became a Dad. It’s awesome. But needless to say this new phase of my life means being more responsible, and part of that responsibility means thinking about what would happen to my wife and daughter if I were to suddenly close my…Read More
Should You Study at a Thai Language School? The Pros & Cons Revealed
People often ask me whether it is a good idea to study Thai at a language school in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, or other place in Thailand. My answer is always “yes”. But hear me out… My reasons are not solely about studying the language. In fact, there are equally efficient alternative learning pathways that…Read More
How to Transfer Money Out of Thailand
The options for transferring money out of Thailand are fairly limited, but it’s actually quite easy. Once you understand the fees involved and the time it takes for each method, you can make a decision on what’s best for you. In this post, I’ll give you an overview of the options a few price comparisons…Read More