Did you know that in Thailand each day of the week is associated with a different color? Wearing the correct color on the correct day is said to be lucky, but there’s more to it than that. This part of Thai culture is influenced by Hindu mythology, which follows an astrological rule of assigning a…Read More
Renting an Apartment in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide
Renting an apartment in Thailand is an exciting prospect. But before you start your search for the perfect condo, you’ll want to read up on how the process differs from renting in your home country. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know, from pricing to lease contracts to deposits to utility bills…Read More
The Boiler Rooms of Thailand – How to Avoid Investment Scams
A fool and his money are soon parted, as the saying goes. But it’s not just fools that have lost their savings in Thailand to fraudsters; it’s people like you and me. The worst thing about it is, the scammers are usually our fellow countrymen – hailing from the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, US, and…Read More
Retiring In Thailand? Here’s the Most Useful Guide Ever Compiled
If you’re planning on retiring in Thailand, there’s a bunch of things you need to consider, some of which you probably haven’t yet thought of. And that’s the purpose of this post; a checklist of sorts to make sure you have everything covered. First we will look at where to live and the pros and…Read More
Naughty Nightlife in Thailand: A Tourist’s Guide to Bars, Girls & Pay for Play
It’s no secret that hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Thailand each year for the naughty nightlife. This has given Thailand a reputation as a “sex tourism” destination, which is a little unfair, since it is just a small part of Thailand and, while somewhat unique in its delivery, is not something you can’t…Read More
How to Lease Land in Thailand: A Foreigner’s Guide to the Law
A lease agreement in Thailand enables a foreigner to maintain a long term interest in the country through land. Lease permitting, a house can be constructed on the land and registered in the foreigner’s name. A lease arrangement is suited to a number of situations, including: Someone who wants to retire in Thailand and construct…Read More
A List of Prohibited Jobs for Foreigners in Thailand
I often get asked about job opportunities in Thailand for specific industries, and “Can I move to Thailand and work as a [enter job here]. The answer is usually no – because Thailand prohibits foreign nationals from working in many areas of industry. The large majority of the restricted positions are trades; jobs that require…Read More
Cannabis Law in Thailand: A Guide to Growing & Smoking Marijuana
Thailand’s Marijuana laws have evolved dramatically in recent times. What was once considered an illegal drug, unsafe for society, is now legal, mostly. Thailand approved the decriminalization of cannabis, agreeing that the Health Ministry drop cannabis from its list of controlled drugs. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an announcement removing the drug from Category 5…Read More
Motorbike Safety in Thailand: 12 Must Follow Holiday Tips
Many travelers, and those relocating to Thailand, don’t give riding a motorbike a second thought until they arrive and realize it’s the easiest and cheapest way to get around. Suddenly, without having planned it, you find yourself out on the open road on a machine you have zero experience of operating. When I first arrived…Read More
40 Easy Isaan Words & Phrases You Can Learn Today
Isaan refers to Thailand’s northeastern region, the largest area of Thailand. The word is also sometimes spelt Isan or Esarn. The reason for its separate identity is a history of war and people displacement. Without delving too far into the history here, see Wikipedia for that, many of the people in this region are of…Read More
How Much Does it Cost to Holiday in Thailand?
It’s always a difficult question to answer because a holiday in Thailand can be as cheap or expensive as you like. I suppose this can be said for most countries, but Thailand is different. It really is an all-budget country. To give you an idea of what I mean, some Thais live on $6 a…Read More
Thailand Airport Taxi Guide: Pricing for Fares to Your Hotel
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
The Thailand Pass Guide – 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. Regardless of your visa status or nationality (except Thais), you will need a Pass. The Pass is required for both air and land border entry. The requirements for entry to…Read More
A Renter’s Guide to Deposits & Conflict Avoidance in Thailand
If you’re renting a condo or an apartment for more than one month in Thailand, you will have to pay a deposit. Two month’s rent paid upfront is standard, though the law states that landlords with more than 5 properties are only allowed to take a month’s deposit. Whether they adhere to this is a…Read More
Everything You Should Know About Buying Land in Thailand & 12 Steps to Avoid Getting Ripped Off
As a foreigner, whenever you talk about buying land in Thailand, some smart Alec pops up and says, “You can’t own land in Thailand, so ner”! While this is sort of true, the law doesn’t restrict foreigners from owning land in all instances, which we’ll discuss in a moment. Aside from that, however, I assume…Read More
My Personal Travel Insurance Recommendations (includes over 70s)
Traveling is an incredibly rewarding experience that changes your perspective on the world, on life, and on yourself. It’s exciting and, once you’ve booked, all that’s on your mind is taking off starting your adventure. But while traveling is a largely positive experience, things can go wrong. You’re stepping into the world of the unknown,…Read More
The Definitive Thailand Acronyms Guide
Do you know your TIT from your TOT, your BKK from your PATTS, or your 555 from your OMB? You don’t care, right? I know, acronyms have got way out of hand. I blame social media and lazy kids. But hey, if you can’t beat ’em you might as well join ’em. So, as a…Read More
Drug Laws in Thailand: Know the Facts Before You Travel
Thailand’s drug laws are very strict, except for marijuana, of course, which is now legal, albeit with some restrictions on public use and age limit. Narcotic & psychotropic drugs, however, are still very much illegal. There’s certainly no slap on the wrist for getting caught with a small amount of cocaine or a few pills.…Read More
Sin Sod – What Should You Pay to Marry Your Thai Girlfriend?
You will find a huge amount of misleading information online regarding Sin Sod, and conflicting experiences can be found plastered all over forums and blogs. So, when a foreigner wants to marry his Thai girlfriend and the inevitable subject of Sin Sod arises, it is no surprise that he becomes confused over what he should…Read More
How to Open a Thai Bank Account: Choices, Requirements, Reader Experiences
If you’re working, retiring, or frequenting Thailand then it makes sense to have a bank account. Why? Because using foreign credit and debit cards involves high fees, on top of local ATM charges. And then there’s the frustration of cards being rejected by ATMs. Opening a Thai bank account isn’t the same process at every bank.…Read More
Taxes For Expats – A Review of the US Filing Service for Expats
If you’re an American living abroad, be that in Asia, Africa, or Europe, you can’t ignore your US tax filing requirement. It doesn’t matter whether you are a retiree, a digital nomad, or somewhere in between, you must ensure that you are complying with the law. The US tax system is arguably the most complicated…Read More
iVisa Review – How Does It Work & Is It Worthwhile?
iVisa is an online visa service that issues visas and travel documents online. Sometimes it’s easy to apply for a visa through an embassy website, while at other times the process is complex, hard to follow, and an all-round hassle you could really do without. Oftentimes you have to visit an embassy or consulate, or…Read More