The Thailand guidebook
A little local knowledge goes a long way.
Travel notes, everyday lessons, and practical questions to help you plan your next chapter.
Ranong, Thailand: The Complete Travel Guide
Our honest guide to Ranong: hot springs, secret islands, the canyon and skywalk, where to stay, where to eat, and how to get there from Hua Hin.
Read the guide →DESTINATIONSKhao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake: Planning Your Visit
Our honest account of a Khao Sok day trip: the Cheow Lan Lake longtail boat tour, the Coral Cave trek, floating hotel lunch, and booking tips that save money.
Read the guide →DESTINATIONSHua Hin Beaches and Day Trips: Our Local Favorites
Living near Hua Hin, these are the beaches and day trips we keep returning to: Sai Noi Beach, Phraya Nakhon Cave, Khao Takieb, Khao Kalok, and more.
Read the guide →DESTINATIONSDriving Hua Hin to Ranong: Stops Worth Making
We drove our Kia Carnival from Hua Hin to Ranong. The route, the Khao Pho Rest Stop fruit finds, Chan Damri Beach sunsets, and where to stay on arrival.
Read the guide →DESTINATIONSIsland Hopping Around Ranong Without the Crowds
Our filmed Ranong island trips: quiet beaches, snorkeling, boat-day lessons, booking questions and checks before you travel.
Read the guide →EXPAT LIFEHua Hin Living Costs: Build a Budget from Real Examples
Turn historical examples from Dave and Kim’s videos into a personal Hua Hin budget, with monthly categories, quote checks and a separate move-in cash plan.
Read the guide →PRACTICALOur Thailand Immigration Experiences: Questions to Confirm
Learn from Dave and Kim’s historical immigration errands and prepare clear questions for the Thai authority responsible for your own plans.
Read the guide →PRACTICALOur Thailand Home Purchases: Questions Before Committing
Dave and Kim’s buy-sell-buy story, with questions about the exact property, transaction costs and independent advice before committing to a home in Thailand.
Read the guide →EXPAT LIFEHow We Retired in Thailand: Our Story
Who we are, why we chose Thailand and the Hua Hin area, and what retiring abroad is really like, from the couple behind Almost Retired in Thailand.
Read the guide →EXPAT LIFEPak Nam Pran and Pranburi: The Quieter Side of Hua Hin
Why we live in Pak Nam Pran: beaches, Khao Kalok, cycling the beach road, markets, and the fishing village feel, 30 minutes south of Hua Hin.
Read the guide →Hua HinHow to Plan a 30-Day Trial Stay in Hua Hin
Plan a 30-day Hua Hin trial stay with Sam Roi Yot, Khao Takiab, local markets, Thai restaurants and practical checks for everyday life.
Read the guide →Cost of LivingBuild a Thailand Monthly Budget You Can Actually Test
A practical Thailand budget method with a clearly hypothetical baht example, overlooked categories and a worksheet for your own costs.
Read the guide →Living in ThailandA Practical Checklist for Viewing a Long-Term Rental in Thailand
Never rent sight unseen. Inspect the exact home, test everyday essentials and confirm the written deposit-return terms before committing to a long-term rental in Thailand.
Read the guide →