One of your first considerations when arriving in Thailand will be; “how do I get from the airport to my hotel”? It sounds simple enough, but depending on where you arrive, the options and pricing will differ. In this article, I cover a few of the most popular holiday destinations, so that you’ll know what…Read More
A Guide to Thai Spirit Houses
Spirit houses are common in Thailand and no doubt you’ve seen them outside homes, hotels, malls and even on farmland. But what are these spirit houses and why do people have them? Ask a Thai and the answer you’re likely to get will be something along the lines of “to keep the ghosts happy” –…Read More
Does My Child Need a Visa? Easy FAQ for Parents
Whether or not you need a visa for Thailand depends on how long you intend to stay, and what you intend to do there: work, retire, volunteer, etc. But what about children, do they require a visa to enter Thailand for a holiday or stay long term? And what about attending school? Here’s the answer…Read More
The Pink ID Card – A Guide for Foreign Nationals
Yes, it’s true. There is an ID card for foreigners. And best of all, it’s pink! Having this little known form of identification means you don’t have to carry your passport around with you to prove who you are, even though most people don’t do that anyway, despite it being a legal requirement. For the…Read More
The Tabien Baan (Yellow Book) Guide for Expats in Thailand
A Tabien Baan is a house document, which translates literally as ‘House Registration’ in Thai. The type of document relevant to foreign nationals is the yellow book Tabien Baan (ท.ร.13, Thor Ror 13). This house registration book contains the details of all foreign nationals registered as living at the address (as their primary residence). The…Read More
The Thailand Pass – Your Questions Answered
Thailand has a new system for entering the country called the Thailand Pass. It is a free, web-based system that manages your entry to Thailand. The pass is required when you enter by air. Regardless of your visa status or nationality, you will need a pass. Thailand Pass Categories The pass contains three categories, from…Read More
A Guide to Social Security Benefits for Expats in Thailand
You might be surprised to learn that working in Thailand grants you access to the social security system. Once you have your work permit and start working, your employer will register you for medical and employment benefits in return. In this article I’ll cover everything you need to know, including the different types of social…Read More
Thai Credit Card Guide: Requirements & Benefits for Expats
You don’t need a Thai credit card to live in Thailand; there’s plenty of others ways to pay for goods and services. However, depending on your situation, it may be something you want to consider. Perhaps the biggest benefit of a credit card is reducing the cost of foreign currency surcharges. And then there’s perks…Read More
Retirement Homes in Thailand: A Senior’s Guide
If you’re planning on retiring in Thailand, or have already done so, you may occasionally wonder what you would do if you were unable to safely care for yourself anymore. When we hit 75, 80, or even a ripe 90, poor health can get the better of us and make everyday tasks quite challenging, which…Read More
Learn to Count in Thai: From Zero to 1 Million! Includes Translations
Whether you’re paying for a train ticket, haggling over a price in the local market, or dissecting the menu prices at a local restaurant, knowing your Thai numbers is very useful. In my opinion it’s one of the easiest aspects of the Thai language to learn, largely because you hear numbers being spoken in so…Read More
How to Pay U.S. Taxes From Thailand: An Expat’s Guide
The USA has strict filing requirements for Americans living abroad. If you earn some form of income, whether from inside or outside the U.S., The likelihood is that as a US citizen you will need to file a tax return. Tax is rarely interesting or exciting, unless you’re getting a rebate, but it’s important to…Read More
How to Get a Residence Certificate in Thailand
A residence certificate provides proof of your permanent or semi-permanent address in Thailand. There are a number of reasons you might need one, such as when buying a car or motorbike or when applying for a driver’s license. Some banks may require one to open an account, too. So the question is: how do you…Read More
Thailand Travel Restrictions – Up to Date Information
Travelers the world over are keen to find out when and how they can travel to Thailand in 2022. In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the current Thailand Travel Restrictions and what you need to do to prepare for your trip. Can I travel to Thailand now? As of…Read More
How to Get the Best Exchange Rates in Thailand
Whether traveling on a holiday or making a more permanent move, you’ll want to know where to get the best exchange rates in Thailand. Over time, a good exchange rate can amount to big savings, which is money you can use to enjoy yourself or invest for a rainy day. When planning your trip, you’ll…Read More
Hospitals in Thailand – An Expat’s Guide to Healthcare
If you stay in Thailand long enough you’ll eventually end up visiting a hospital for one reason or another. My first time was with a friend who fell off a motorbike; my second when I contracted flu, and my third was when my wife had our daughter. It sucks to get sick, but the upside…Read More
Living on Koh Samui: An Expat’s Guide to Moving to the Island
Most people who visit Koh Samui fall for its charm. I certainly did, so much so that I moved to the island and lived there for over a year. Some argue that due to development Samui has lost the island authenticity it had 20-30 years ago. But that’s life…nothing remains the same. And for those…Read More
The Lowdown on COVID-19 Travel Insurance & the Cheapest Policy
Vaccinated travelers are now allowed to visit Thailand freely, without the need to quarantine. However, visitors are required to have a COVID-19 travel insurance policy, with protection of at least $50,000 USD (1.75 million THB). In this FAQ, I’ll cover all the commonly asked questions regarding the requirements and give you all the information you…Read More
A Guide to the New Mandatory Health Insurance Rules for Retirees
If you’ve got questions about the mandatory retirement visa health insurance requirement (O-A visa), this FAQ will answer those questions, and much more. Please also note that as of late 2021, the requirement has been extended (in some countries) to those applying for a Non Immigrant O Visa too. More on that later on. In…Read More
Thailand Visa Overstay Guide : Rules, Fines, Deportation, Bans
If you’re new to Thailand then you probably don’t know too much about overstaying your visa. If you’ve made a few trips back-and-forth already, you may have heard the term but probably aren’t familiar with the rules. Either way, it’s something every visitor should familiarise themselves with. In this post I give you a full…Read More
The Big Thai Visa Post: Visa Types, Requirements, Restrictions & Benefits
All visa processes are somewhat of a pain. And with all the different types of Thai visa available, at times it may seem as if figuring out how to fly to the moon would be an easier task than finding out which you need to travel. It isn’t straight-forward, that’s for sure; I’ve been here…Read More
Did It Really Snow in Thailand in 1955? (The Truth Revealed)
As parts of the Western world head into winter and the cold weather sets in, there’s one thing on everyone’s minds: Will it snow this year? Unsurprisingly, except for a few chilly mornings in the North, there’s no sign of snow in Thailand, yet! I’ll bet my house it won’t happen, but… According to Thailand’s…Read More