Guides & stories
Local know-how, food finds and practical tips for the island.
The Top 10 Phuket Hotel Day Passes: Pool and Resort Day Access in 2026
A Phuket hotel day pass gets you into resort pools, beaches and spas without staying the night. Here are the 10 best, with 2026 prices, hours and how to book.
How to open a bank account in Thailand: what actually works in 2026
Open a bank account in Thailand in 2026: which visas banks accept, the documents you need, why tourist and DTV holders are refused, and what to do instead.
Patong Beach Phuket: things to do, where to stay and is it worth it
An honest local guide to Patong Beach Phuket: things to do day and night, Bangla Road, where to stay, safety, swimming and whether it is worth visiting.
Best beach clubs in Phuket: 12 real day passes, prices and how to choose
The 12 real Phuket beach clubs with day passes in 2026: real prices, what each pass includes, age policies and how to choose the right club for your day.
Best area to live in Phuket for expats: neighbourhoods compared
Compare the best areas to live in Phuket for expats, nomads and retirees: Rawai, Bang Tao, Patong, Kata, Chalong and Phuket Town, with real 2026 rent bands.
The Top 10 Phuket Hotel Day Passes: Pool and Resort Day Access in 2026
A Phuket hotel day pass gets you into resort pools, beaches and spas without staying the night. Here are the 10 best, with 2026 prices, hours and how to book.
Phuket vs Krabi: which is better for your Thailand trip
Phuket vs Krabi: Phuket wins for nightlife, variety and easy flights, Krabi for scenery, calm and value. Here is how to choose, factor by factor.
How to rent a scooter in Phuket: prices, licence and safety
How to rent a scooter in Phuket safely: real prices, the licence and passport rules, the scams to avoid, and how to ride without voiding your insurance.
Best time to visit Phuket: weather, crowds and prices by month
The best time to visit Phuket is November to April for dry, calm weather. Green season means fewer crowds and lower prices. See the month by month guide.
Cost of living in Phuket 2026: monthly budgets, rent and real prices
Cost of living in Phuket 2026: real monthly budgets, rent by area, food, utilities and visa costs in Thai baht and USD, from budget to comfortable expat life.
UK visa for Thai girlfriend: how to bring her to the UK in 2026
UK visa for a Thai girlfriend: the visitor, fiance and spouse routes explained, with 2026 costs, the £29,000 income rule and how to apply from Thailand.
The Spiciest Thai Dishes: Thailand's Hottest Food and How to Survive It
The spiciest Thai food to brave in Phuket and beyond: fiery Southern dishes like khua kling and gaeng tai pla, and how to order and survive the heat.
Thai Breast Slapping: The Truth About Thailand's Strangest Beauty Treatment
Thai breast slapping claims to grow your bust without surgery. We look at what it involves, where it came from, and whether there's any evidence it works.
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Thailand?
How much does it cost to retire in Thailand in 2026? The 800,000-baht visa minimum, realistic monthly budgets for Phuket, healthcare and the LTR visa.
Thailand Privilege Visa (Formerly Thailand Elite): 2026 Guide
The Thailand Privilege visa (ex-Thailand Elite): 2026 tiers, prices, Privilege Points, benefits and how it compares to the DTV, LTR and retirement visas.
How to Start a Business in Thailand: A 12-Step Guide
How to start a business in Thailand in 2026: the Foreign Business Act, company types, the 49% rule and nominee trap, capital, visas, work permits and tax.
Thailand Education (ED) Visa: The Honest 2026 Guide
A straight-talking guide to the Thailand education visa in 2026 — what the ED visa covers, costs, attendance rules, and the crackdown that revoked 10,000 visas.
The History of Thailand: From Siam to the Present Day
A clear history of Thailand, from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms and old Siam through the Chakri dynasty, the modernising kings and Thailand today.
Thailand LTR Visa: The Complete 2026 Guide
The Thailand LTR visa gives high earners, wealthy pensioners and skilled professionals a 10-year, multiple-entry stay. 2026 costs, categories and how to apply.
Unusual Thai Foods to Try in Phuket (If You're Feeling Brave)
From fried insects and red ant eggs to dancing shrimp and balut, here are 10 unusual Thai foods to try in Phuket, what they are, and where to find them.
Thailand Work Permit & Non-B Visa 2026: The Complete Guide
How to get a Thailand work permit and Non-B visa in 2026: the two-document system, employer rules, salary bands, costs and the application steps explained.
Your Rights if the Police Search You in Thailand
What to do if the police ask to search you in Thailand: your rights at a checkpoint, how to stay calm, the contraband to avoid, and who to call for help.
Thailand Tourist Visa & Visa Exemption: 2026 Guide
How the Thailand tourist visa and visa exemption work in 2026 — stay lengths, the 60 to 30 day change, TR visa, fees, extensions in Phuket and the crackdown.
Enduro in Phuket: Trails, Bikes, Tours and How to Ride Off-Road
A local guide to enduro in Phuket: the best off-road zones and trails, when to ride, which dirt bike to rent, guided tours, plus gear and safety tips.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) 2026: The Complete Guide for Remote Workers
Thailand's DTV visa in 2026 for remote workers: eligibility, the 500,000 THB rule, costs, the application steps, tax, and what life is like in Phuket.
Songkran in Phuket: A Survival Guide to the World's Biggest Water Fight
Everything you need for Songkran in Phuket: the 13 to 15 April dates, what to wear and pack, the best places to go, and how to stay safe in the water war.
Thailand Retirement Visa: The Complete 2026 Guide
A practical Thailand retirement visa guide for over-50s: compare the Non-O, O-A and O-X routes, the 800k baht rule, insurance, tax, costs and how to apply.
Healthy Thai Food: The Best Low-Calorie Dishes to Order in Phuket
The healthiest Thai dishes to order in Phuket if you want to lose a few kilos: low-calorie, high-protein street food, salads and soups, plus what to skip.
Phuket Events in July 2026: Festivals, Markets and Things to Do
What's on in Phuket this July 2026: Buddhist Lent, the PYC yacht festival, Parkland Music Fest, the best night markets, beach clubs and green season tips.