Foreigner's Thailand

Guides

Guides

Visa types, essential tasks, and city guides — organised as reference pages, not travel blogs.

Visa types

What each stay permission is for, who it fits, typical fees, and official sources.

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Tasks

The jobs people need to finish: reports, extensions, tax IDs, banks, and SIMs.

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Cities

Practical notes on living in Thailand’s main foreigner hubs, with a cost-of-living calculator.

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All articles

Small dog in a travel crate at an airport
Immigration

Bringing Pets to Thailand: Import Rules and Paperwork

Import dogs and cats to Thailand: rabies titre, import permit, quarantine rules, airline crates, and timing around your visa and TM.30 move-in date.

1 min read
Bangkok city skyline along the Chao Phraya River at dusk
Cost of Living

First Month in Bangkok: Real Budget for New Expats

What Bangkok actually costs in month one: deposits, BTS condo rent, SIM, Grab, immigration trips, furniture, and realistic totals for new expats — not tourist daily rates.

4 min read
Person reviewing documents at a desk
Business

Work Permit in Thailand: Guide for Foreign Employees

Thailand work permit basics: Non-B visa, employer sponsorship, BOI routes, documents, renewal, tax ID, and what remote workers without a permit cannot do.

1 min read
Apartment building entrance
Visa & Immigration

TM.30 House Notification

TM.30 house notification explained: who files, landlord vs tenant duties, why extensions need the receipt, and how to keep proof.

1 min read
Bank counter in a quiet hall
Living in Thailand

Opening a Thai Bank Account

Open a bank account in Thailand: visa types banks accept, tourist visa rules, retirement deposits, KYC documents, and immigration-approved banks.

3 min read
Laptop on a desk near a window
Visa & Immigration

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Overview

Who qualifies for Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), how it differs from a tourist TR, financial rules, and where to apply in 2026.

4 min read
Person reviewing documents at a desk
Visa & Immigration

90-Day Reporting in Thailand

TM.47 explained: who must file 90-day reports in Thailand, deadlines, online vs in-person filing, fines, and what to bring.

1 min read
Tree-lined street in a Thai city
Transport

Getting Around Chiang Mai Without a Car

Chiang Mai transport without a car: red songthaews, Grab, bicycles, scooters, airport links, and smoke season tips.

3 min read
Hospital corridor with reception desk
Living in Thailand

Using Hospitals and Clinics as a Foreigner

Healthcare in Thailand for foreigners: private hospitals, clinics, insurance, emergency numbers, Bangkok vs Chiang Mai, and costs.

1 min read
Passport and travel documents on a desk
Visa & Immigration

How to Extend a Tourist Stay in Thailand

Extend a tourist stay in Thailand: TM.7 form, 1,900 THB fee, eligible stamps, TM.30, queues, and what to do if you overstayed.

1 min read
Limestone cliffs and turquoise water off the coast of southern Thailand
Travel

Island Hopping in Southern Thailand

Island hopping routes in southern Thailand: Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Samui, monsoon timing, ferries, and visa buffer planning.

3 min read
Bangkok city skyline along the Chao Phraya River at dusk
Living in Thailand

Best Neighborhoods in Bangkok for Expats

Where expats rent in Bangkok: Sukhumvit, Ari, Thonglor, Silom, rent tiers, BTS access, floods, and TM.30-friendly condos.

3 min read
Airplane wing above clouds on a long-haul flight to Thailand
Visa & Immigration

Thailand Tourist Visa Guide 2026

Exemption stamps, Tourist Visa (TR) applications, embassy fees, extensions, overstay fines, and how to read your passport stamp in 2026.

3 min read
Calm tropical beach at sunrise
Living in Thailand

Hua Hin Expat Guide: Living on the Royal Coast

Hua Hin for expats: neighbourhoods, rent, hospitals, Bangkok access, retirement communities, golf, visa admin, and who fits this quiet Gulf coast town.

4 min read
Limestone cliffs and turquoise water off the coast of southern Thailand
Living in Thailand

Koh Samui Expat Guide: Island Living for Foreigners

Koh Samui expat guide: Chaweng vs Bophut vs Lamai, rent, hospitals, ferries, nomad life, scooters, monsoon timing, and visa admin on the Gulf island.

4 min read
Person reviewing documents at a desk
Immigration

TM.30 vs 90-Day Reporting: What Is the Difference?

TM.30 address notification vs TM.47 90-day report explained: who files, when, penalties, and how both affect visa extensions.

2 min read
Passport and boarding pass on a table
Cost of Living

Cost of Living in Thailand 2026

Thailand cost of living in 2026: rent, food, transport, utilities, healthcare, and realistic monthly budgets by city for foreigners.

3 min read
Laptop showing an online form on a desk
Immigration

90-Day Report Online in Thailand: Step-by-Step

File TM.47 online through Immigration e-Service: account setup, eligibility, upload steps, common errors, and when you must still go in person.

1 min read
Apartment building entrance
Immigration

TM.30 When Your Landlord Refuses: What To Do

Landlord or condo juristic office won’t file TM.30? Legal duty, self-filing options, power of attorney, and how to protect your extension.

2 min read
Bangkok city skyline at dusk
Immigration

Bangkok Immigration Appointments: Chaeng Watthana & IT Square Tips

Queue strategy, documents, dress code, and transport for Bangkok Immigration: Chaeng Watthana HQ and IT Square Lak Si extension office.

2 min read
Steering wheel and dashboard on a sunny road trip
Transport

Thai Driving License for Foreigners: How to Apply

Convert your home license or pass the Thai test: DLT requirements, medical certificate, residency proof, and Bangkok vs provincial offices.

2 min read
Calculator and financial documents on a desk
Immigration

Tax ID (TIN) in Thailand for Foreigners

Apply for a Thai tax identification number at the Revenue Department: who needs one, PTR-01 form, documents, and links to filing obligations.

2 min read
Airplane wing above clouds on a long-haul flight to Thailand
Visa & Immigration

Re-Entry Permit in Thailand: Application Guide

Single vs multiple re-entry permit: TM.13 form, fees, Chaeng Watthana filing, and what happens if you leave without one.

2 min read
Bangkok skyline at golden hour
Immigration

First 30 Days in Thailand: Foreigner Task Checklist

Task-focused first month checklist: stamp, TM.30, SIM, bank, 90-day calendar, tax ID, and links to immigration hubs — not a holiday packing list.

1 min read
Airplane wing above clouds on a long-haul flight to Thailand
Visa & Immigration

Thailand Visa Requirements by Nationality (2026 Overview)

How Thailand visa rules differ by passport: exemption lists, embassy TR routes, DTV eligibility, and where to verify nationality-specific requirements in 2026.

2 min read
Coastal view near Pattaya with boats on the water
Living in Thailand

Best Pattaya Neighborhoods for Expats

Where expats live in Pattaya: Jomtien, Pratumnak, Naklua, Central Pattaya — rent tiers, beach access, noise, floods, and TM.30-friendly buildings.

3 min read
Modern Bangkok business district skyline
Immigration

Late 90-Day Report in Thailand: Fines and What Happens

Missed your TM.47 deadline? Guideline 2,000 THB fine, how officers treat repeated lateness, and how to file late without making it worse.

1 min read
Laptop on a desk near a window
Visa & Immigration

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Complete Guide 2026

Deep guide to Thailand DTV: eligibility categories, financial proof, application steps, stay length per entry, TM.30, 90-day reporting, and common refusals.

1 min read
Limestone cliffs and turquoise water off the coast of southern Thailand
Living in Thailand

Phuket vs Koh Samui for Expats

Phuket vs Koh Samui for expats: rent, beaches, hospitals, flights, monsoon timing, nomad scene, and who should pick each island.

2 min read
Calm tropical beach at sunrise
Living in Thailand

Pattaya vs Hua Hin for Expats

Pattaya vs Hua Hin for expats: rent, beaches, Bangkok access, retirement communities, traffic, and who fits each eastern seaboard town.

3 min read
Modern Bangkok business district skyline
Visa & Immigration

Thailand LTR Visa Guide: Long-Term Resident Programme 2026

Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa explained: Wealthy Global Citizen, pensioner, remote professional, and skilled worker categories, costs, and BOI process.

2 min read
Senior couple walking on a sunny beach promenade
Living in Thailand

Best Cities in Thailand for Retirement

Best Thai cities for retirement: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket — healthcare, costs, communities, and visa logistics for age 50+ foreigners.

1 min read
Laptop and coffee on a coworking table
Digital Nomads

Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Thailand

Best Thailand cities for digital nomads: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Phangan — internet, coworking, visas, costs, and community in 2026.

2 min read
Bangkok skyline at golden hour
Living in Thailand

Moving to Thailand: The Complete Guide (2026)

Moving to Thailand step by step: visa choice, first 30 days, housing, banking, healthcare, SIM, taxes, and city selection for foreigners.

1 min read
Modern apartment living room with city view
Living in Thailand

Renting a Condo in Bangkok: Complete Guide

How to rent a Bangkok condo as a foreigner: deposits, juristic office, TM.30, lease terms, agent fees, viewing checklist, and red flags.

2 min read
Office workspace with documents and laptop
Visa & Immigration

Non-Immigrant B Visa and Work Permit in Thailand

How to work legally in Thailand: Non-Immigrant B visa, employer sponsorship, work permit application at Labour Department, extensions, and 90-day reporting.

2 min read
Electric transmission towers at dusk
Living in Thailand

Electricity and Utilities in Thailand

Thailand electricity bills, condo markups, water, internet, gas, and typical monthly utility costs for foreigners renting condos.

3 min read
Steering wheel and dashboard on a sunny road trip
Transport

Driving in Thailand as a Foreigner

Driving in Thailand as a foreigner: licences, International Driving Permit, converting to Thai licence, insurance, traffic culture, and fines.

3 min read
Bangkok city skyline along the Chao Phraya River at dusk
Living in Thailand

Bangkok vs Chiang Mai for Expats

Bangkok vs Chiang Mai for expats: rent, healthcare, transit, air quality, nomad community, and who should pick each city.

2 min read
Bus at a Southeast Asian land border crossing
Visa & Immigration

Thailand Visa Exemption Entry Limits: Land vs Air 2026

Visa exemption stay length at airports vs land borders, entry frequency limits, visa-run risks, and when to switch to Tourist TR or DTV instead.

2 min read
Smartphone displaying mobile network signal icons
Living in Thailand

Thai SIM Cards for Foreigners: Complete Guide

Thai SIM cards for foreigners: AIS, True, dtac, airport vs 7-Eleven, passport registration, eSIM, tourist vs postpaid, and data plans in 2026.

3 min read
Airplane wing above clouds on a long-haul flight to Thailand
Visa & Immigration

Thailand Re-Entry Permit: Stay Valid While Abroad

Re-entry permits (TM.13) explained: single vs multiple, when you need one before leaving Thailand, fees, and interaction with visa extensions and 90-day reporting.

2 min read
Person reviewing documents at a desk
Visa & Immigration

DTV vs LTR: Which Long-Stay Visa Fits You?

Compare Thailand DTV and LTR visas: eligibility, costs, duration, remote work rules, and who should choose each route in 2026.

2 min read
Airplane wing above clouds on a long-haul flight to Thailand
Visa & Immigration

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): What to Know 2026

TDAC replaces TM.6 for air arrivals: who must complete it, deadline before landing, QR code at immigration, and how it differs from TM.30 and 90-day reporting.

1 min read
Passport and boarding pass on a table
Visa & Immigration

Retirement Visa vs Thailand Privilege (Elite)

Retirement visa vs Thailand Privilege Elite: costs, eligibility, stay length, perks, and which long-stay route fits your budget.

2 min read
Bangkok skyline at golden hour
Visa & Immigration

Tourist Visa vs Visa Exemption in Thailand

Side-by-side comparison: Thailand visa exemption vs Tourist Visa TR — eligibility, cost, stay length, extensions, and which route fits your trip.

2 min read
Medical professional reviewing notes
Healthcare

Health Insurance for Foreigners in Thailand

Health insurance for foreigners in Thailand: visa requirements, travel vs expat plans, private hospitals, and what to buy before you extend.

1 min read
Bus at a Southeast Asian land border crossing
Visa & Immigration

Thailand Visa on Arrival (VOA): Airport Guide 2026

Visa on Arrival at Thai airports: eligible nationalities, 2,000 THB fee, documents, designated ports, VOA vs exemption, and when to apply TR at embassy instead.

1 min read