We’ve all done it. Before moving to Bangkok, we spent weeks binge-watching vlogs, trying to figure out if it's really as cheap, hot, or crazy as the camera makes it look.
The Bangkok YouTube scene is vast, but much of it is noise. This 2026 Expat Guide to Bangkok's Best Vloggers is focused on the channels that provide genuine utility: current news, expat reality, financial honesty, and lifestyle insight.
Top Picks
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Daily essential
Tim Newton – The Daily AuthorityYour weekday briefing for visas, headlines, and what just changed overnight in Thailand.
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Deep city context
Bangkok Pat – The Urban HistorianPerfect if you already live here and want to understand why Bangkok looks and feels the way it does.
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Money reality check
Paul Lee – The Budget ExpertThe spreadsheet energy you need before you quit your job and announce you’re “moving to Thailand”.
Quick Links
Tim Newton: The Daily Authority
If you live in Thailand, you watch Tim Newton. He is the essential daily briefing—the human equivalent of a morning newspaper, focusing on expat-relevant news, visas, politics, and the always-entertaining chaos of Thai legislation. His consistency is what makes him non-negotiable for anyone who lives here.
If you want to feel informed, this is where you start. He cuts through the noise and provides a calm, authoritative perspective on daily life and current events.
Best For: Daily news updates, visa advice, and staying informed without the drama.
The Vibe: Like a sensible uncle explaining why the laws changed again over morning coffee.
Find Him: Search “Tim Newton Thailand” on YouTube
Bangkok Pat: The Urban Historian
Pat's focus is on the deep history, forgotten architecture, and evolution of Bangkok's key neighborhoods. He walks through specific sois, detailing their origins and how the city has changed over the last few decades.
Essential viewing for anyone who has lived here long-term and wants the “why” behind the city’s layout and structure.
Best For: Historical context, deep dives on specific sois, and exploring the “Old Bangkok” vibe.
The Vibe: Slow TV for history nerds. Walking tours without the heatstroke.
Find Him: Search “Bangkok Pat” on YouTube
Sam Tyler: The Reality Checker
Sam has quickly become a must-watch for his honest take on the realities of expat life, entrepreneurship, and cost of living. He does interviews with expats building a life here, and he doesn’t sugar-coat the trade-offs.
Best For: Expat interviews, practical guides, and building a sustainable life.
The Vibe: Unfiltered. He asks the questions you actually want answered.
Find Him: Search “Sam Tyler Thailand” on YouTube
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Witty, sarcastic designs for the Bangkok survivor. Better than elephant pants.
Shop The Collection →Paddy Doyle: The Lifestyle Guide
Paddy leans into lifestyle, travel, hotels, nightlife zones, and “where to go next” energy — high production, fast pace, and very watchable.
Best For: Modern lifestyle, resorts, and high-energy travel vlogs.
The Vibe: Cinematic and adventurous. He leaves Bangkok often to showcase the stunning provinces.
Find Him: Search “Paddy Doyle Thailand” on YouTube
Paul Lee: The Budget Expert
Paul is the voice of financial reason. If you want to know how much money you actually need to live here, and how different lifestyles change the numbers, he’s the spreadsheet-level reality check.
Best For: Detailed budgeting, financial planning, and living affordably in Bangkok.
The Vibe: The antidote to hype. Calm, logical, and backed by data.
Find Him: Search “Paul Lee Thailand” on YouTube
FAQ Before You Binge Bangkok Vlogs
Which YouTuber should I start with if I’m brand new to Thailand?
Start with Tim Newton to get your bearings on news and visas, then mix in Sam Tyler for reality checks and Paul Lee for budgets.
Are these channels useful if I’m only visiting and not moving?
Yes. Paddy Doyle and Bangkok Pat are especially good for visitors — one for lifestyle and travel ideas, the other for city context beyond tourist spots.
How do I avoid outdated visa or cost-of-living information?
Check the upload date, then verify anything important with official sources. Treat old videos as history, not policy.
Can I plan a move to Thailand using YouTube alone?
YouTube is great for vibe and rough numbers — but use it to shape expectations, then confirm details with your own research and real-world visits.
Why do some channels make Bangkok look like a non-stop party?
Because party thumbnails get clicks. Real life here includes immigration offices, rent, and early mornings too.
Comment section: Brave opinions, friendly banter.
Keep it kind. Bangkok is intense enough — let’s make the comments the calm part.