Nine Years as an Expat in Thailand | Firsthand Insights into Thai Life
Songkran (Water Festival) = Thai New Year!
Before the holidays begin, there are many traditional Thai New Year customs that can only be truly experienced locally.
Moving to Thailand for work? The first thing you need to do is integrate into the local culture. But how do you earn the trust and respect of your Thai colleagues? Based on my years of expat experience in Thailand, here are some tried-and-true strategies (and a few clever tricks!) to help you get along seamlessly in the workplace. Read more
![[Interview] Putting Down Roots! Real Stories of Expats Who Made Thailand Their Forever Home](https://thailiangyu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/泰國長久居留實例訪問-720x300.jpg "[Interview] Putting Down Roots! Real Stories of Expats Who Made Thailand Their Forever Home")
After working in Thailand for a few years, every expat eventually faces the same career crossroad: Should I stay, or should I go? Looking at my own circle of friends, the majority have chosen to stay and build their lives here. The reasons are simple: a slower pace of life, an affordable cost of living, and the ability to enjoy a truly affluent lifestyle here on a Taiwan-level salary. In this post, I sat down with several friends who have committed to long-term life in Thailand to get their honest take on why they stayed!
Every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month—usually November—Thailand celebrates Loy Krathong, one of its most beloved traditional festivals. Locals float krathong lanterns on water to pray for good fortune. It’s not just for Thais; the rich cultural vibe makes it a unique draw for international visitors, with crowds from around the world joining in each year.
Here’s my experience from this year’s Loy Krathong—highly recommend trying it yourself at least once!
#ThailandLoyKrathong2025 falls on November 5
Before moving to Thailand, I used to shower multiple times a day while traveling there—it’s just that hot and humid! With all the sweating, laundry services are a must. So, how do expats handle laundry in Thailand? If you're staying long-term, this is something you’ll definitely need!
When traveling in Thailand, besides public transportation like the BTS Skytrain and buses,
the most common ways to get around are taxis and Grab. Grab, similar to Uber, is very popular and has been legally operating for years.
Thailand is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions, with many locals being devout followers. They hold great respect for deities and monks, believing that receiving a Sak Yant tattoo—an ancient Buddhist sacred tattoo—blessed by a master brings protection, luck, and spiritual power. In recent years, more foreigners have traveled to Thailand for these tattoos, not just for their beauty but also for their spiritual significance.
If you ever find yourself in Thailand wondering what to eat, you can’t go wrong with Thai Basil Stir Fry (Pad Kra Pao)—Thailand’s ultimate comfort food.
This simple yet flavorful dish is a staple in Thai households, a go-to meal when people want something quick, delicious, and satisfying.
Today, we’re learning how to make it the authentic way, straight from a Thai chef
—ready in just 20 minutes and budget-friendly!
Lately, many friends involved in Thai purchasing services have reached out, asking:
How do you calculate international shipping costs from Thailand to Australia, Hong Kong, or other countries?Is it cheaper to use Thailand Post?
To assist you, this guide explains how to estimate international postage fees using the Thailand Post website and explores various shipping options.