“Ladyboy” is a common tourist term for some Thai transgender women, but many people prefer kathoey or identify simply as women. The label can describe a visible part of Thai culture, yet it doesn’t capture every person’s identity, work, family life, or beliefs. Thailand’s kathoey culture has historical roots, strong public visibility, and a complicated […]

The post Ladyboy Culture in Thailand: Facts Beyond the Stereotypes first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

JUL

Thailand Tattoo Tourism: What’s Changing in 2026

By:

Thanawat Chaiyaporn

BANGKOK – Thailand is becoming a more appealing destination for travelers who want a tattoo with a story behind it. Some visitors seek a traditional Sak Yant blessing, while others book appointments with contemporary artists in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or other creative centers. In 2026, Thailand’s tattoo tourism is changing as travelers ask more […]

The post Thailand Tattoo Tourism: What’s Changing in 2026 first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

JUL

Building a Life in Chiang Mai Thailand: Vedant Chawla on Business, AI, and Finding a Home

By:

CTN News

When Vedant Chawla first visited Chiang Mai in February 2016, he did not know the city would one day become home. Originally from Agra, India, the city known around the world for the Taj Mahal, Chawla says Northern Thailand gave him something he had been looking for but could not easily describe at the time: […]

The post Building a Life in Chiang Mai Thailand: Vedant Chawla on Business, AI, and Finding a Home first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

JUN

Song Wat Road in Bangkok: Exploring The Top Things to Do

By:

Rebecca Kim

Song Wat Road is one of Bangkok’s most walkable surprises, a short street with a lot packed into it. You’ll find old shophouses, street food, cafes, vintage stores, and local art all in one easy stroll. It’s the kind of place that feels both old and new at the same time, which is why more […]

The post Song Wat Road in Bangkok: Exploring The Top Things to Do first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

JUN

Priced-Out Irish Citizens Are Trading Dublin for the Beaches of Thailand

By:

Jeff Tomas

Ireland has long been a nation of travelers, but the latest wave of people packing their bags for Thailand feels very different. Pushed to the edge by skyrocketing rents, a daily struggle to pay bills, and growing social unrest, thousands of Irish citizens are looking for a way out. While younger generations once automatically flocked […]

The post Priced-Out Irish Citizens Are Trading Dublin for the Beaches of Thailand first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

JUN

Japan’s Gen Z Ditches Digital Screens for Print Media and Handmade Zines

By:

Naree Srisuk

TOKYO, Japan — Walk into a trendy coffee shop in Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa neighborhood, and you might notice something unexpected. Young people are sitting at wooden tables, but they are not looking at smartphones. Instead, they are turning physical pages of small, stapled booklets. These booklets are called “zines.” They are self-published, handmade magazines created by […]

The post Japan’s Gen Z Ditches Digital Screens for Print Media and Handmade Zines first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

MAY

Thailand’s Hidden Code: The Silent Social Rules Nobody Tells You About

By:

Naree Srisuk

BANGKOK – Many foreigners view Thailand as a paradise of beaches, street food, and relaxed vibes. It is easy to see why the country earned its nickname, the “Land of Smiles.” However, beneath this laid-back surface lies one of the most complex social structures in the world. Thai society does not run on Western-style individualism. Instead, […]

The post Thailand’s Hidden Code: The Silent Social Rules Nobody Tells You About first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

MAY

The Rise of the ‘Slomad’: Digital Nomads Moving to Chiang Rai in 2026

By:

Jeff Tomas

CHIANG RAI — It is a quiet Tuesday morning here in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Inside a local coffee shop, the scene looks very different from the digital nomads hotspots of five years ago. There are no backpacks piled by the door. No one is loudly boasting about their upcoming weekend flight to a new country. […]

The post The Rise of the ‘Slomad’: Digital Nomads Moving to Chiang Rai in 2026 first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

MAY

Trading the Chaos for Calm: Why So Many Foreigners Are Moving to Chiang Rai in 2026

By:

Naree Srisuk

CHIANG RAI – For years, when expats talked about moving to northern Thailand, the conversation began and ended with Chiang Mai. It was the undisputed hub for digital nomads, retirees, and adventure seekers. However, times are changing. As Chiang Mai becomes more crowded, more expensive, and heavily influenced by mass tourism, a new destination is quietly […]

The post Trading the Chaos for Calm: Why So Many Foreigners Are Moving to Chiang Rai in 2026 first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

MAY

Retiring in Thailand at 50 vs 70: The Truth No One Tells You

By:

Jeff Tomas

CHIANG RAI – From the financial realities of an early escape to the hidden emotional costs of paradise, here is exactly what it takes to make your Thailand retirement dream a reality in 2026. Picture this: you wake up to the gentle hum of a tropical morning. You walk down the street to grab a […]

The post Retiring in Thailand at 50 vs 70: The Truth No One Tells You first appeared on Chiang Rai Times.

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