Thailand guides.
Practical guides to living in Thailand: settling in, renting, schools, community and getting things done.
Latest Guides
GuidesA data centre on your street? Thailand's new rules set a 70-decibel limit at the fence, but most of the detail is still to come
Thailand's Cabinet approved a data centre policy on 10 November 2026 that sorts sites into seven tiers by power use, keeps the biggest out of commercial zones and, officials say, caps generator noise at 70 decibels at the boundary. Here is what changes for neighbours, what happens to projects already under way and what is still undecided.
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GuidesStill pointing at the menu? These are the five Thai language schools Bangkok learners rate highest
We ranked Bangkok's Thai language schools by Google rating on 10 November 2026, counting only schools with at least 90 reviews and no closure notice. Speak Thai Easy leads with 5.0, two of the five are on Phaya Thai Road, and Duke has the most reviews. Here is the list, the method and what to ask before you pay.
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GuidesThailand wants foreigners to sit full driving tests, even with a licence from home. Will a one-year visa shut you out?
A Department of Land Transport draft, open for comment until 4 December 2026, would end test exemptions for foreign licence holders, require two years left on a visa for a temporary Thai licence and move foreigners' tests to DLT offices. Here is what would change, who could be affected and how to comment.
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Best Places to Live in Bali for Singles, Couples and Families (2026)
Canggu is not the automatic answer. The best Bali base depends on whether you need people, peace, schools, surf, walkability or a Tuesday that does not disappear in traffic.
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Best Places to Live in Da Nang for Singles, Couples and Families (2026)
An Thuong is the easy landing, Hai Chau is the real city, Son Tra gives you space and Ngu Hanh Son works when the beach matters more than being in the cafe grid.
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Your First 30 Days in Portugal: What to Sort First
Portugal is easy to romanticise and surprisingly admin-heavy once you arrive. Use the first month to get your identity, banking, healthcare, housing and everyday systems into a sensible order.
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Schools & Schooling in Chiang Mai for Expat Families (2026 Guide)
Chiang Mai can be excellent for families, but school is the boss of the whole move. Pick the school first, then let the map tell you where your life should happen.
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Renting in Chiang Mai in 2026: Deposits, Agents, Contracts and Mistakes
A practical 2026 guide to Chiang Mai deposits, contracts, utility charges and the current consumer protections to check before transferring money.
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Best Places to Live in Chiang Mai for Singles, Couples and Families (2026)
Chiang Mai is not one lifestyle. Nimman, Santitham, Old City, Hang Dong, Mae Rim and San Sai all solve different problems, and picking the wrong one is how a cheap city starts feeling irritatingly expensive.
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GuidesRenting in Phuket in 2026: Deposits, Agents, Contracts and Mistakes
One month in advance plus two months as deposit remains a common Phuket market pattern. Current consumer rules add important contract, utility and refund protections when the landlord is a covered residential-rental business.
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GuidesYour First 30 Days in Thailand: What to Sort First
The first month is where people either build a life properly or spend four weeks pretending chaos is a personality. Sort the boring stuff first and the rest of Thailand gets much easier.
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GuidesBest Places to Live in Phuket for Singles, Couples and Families (2026)
Phuket is not one housing market. Some areas are built for beach clubs and late nights, others for school runs and weekly routines, and a few newer pockets are where the island's next wave of growth is heading.
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How to Get a Thai Driving Licence in Phuket (2026)
The official fees, documents and routes for getting a Thai driving licence, plus the details to confirm with your provincial office before attending.
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GuidesSIM Cards, eSIMs & Internet in Phuket & Thailand (2026)
Getting online in Phuket is cheap, fast and easy. Here's what to pick for your phone and your home in 2026.
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GuidesSurvival Thai for Everyday Life in Phuket
You don't need to be fluent. A handful of phrases said with a smile will get you a long way in Phuket.
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GuidesSchools & Schooling in Phuket for Expat Families (2026 Guide)
If you are moving to Phuket with kids, school is the first question. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how to choose without making it weird.
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