Portail Asie is an independent travel publication focused on Thailand and Southeast Asia, founded and primarily written by Stéphane Oliver, an expatriate based in Thailand.
The content published on Portail Asie combines first-hand experience, ongoing local monitoring and reliable sources, including official information when a topic involves travel rules, entry requirements or practical changes.
My goal is simple: to help you plan your trip with clear, practical and regularly updated information, while providing more context about local life, Thai culture and the realities of travelling in Thailand.
At a Glance
- Name: Stéphane Oliver
- Role: Founder and main author of Portail Asie
- Based in: Thailand since 2024
- Areas of expertise: Thailand travel, entry formalities, transport, local culture, Thai islands and Southeast Asia
How My First Trip Changed Everything
My name is Stéphane Oliver, often called Oliver. My story with Thailand began in 2009, during my first trip to the country.
That journey changed the way I travelled and, gradually, the way I chose to live. Over the years, I developed Portail Asie to share that experience and create guides that go beyond a simple list of places to visit: understanding local habits, avoiding common mistakes and travelling with a better understanding of the local context.
My Journey in a Few Key Dates
- 2009: The turning point. My first six-week trip to Thailand, discovering Bangkok, Phuket and several islands.
- 2018: Regular returns. Frequent trips to Asia with an increasingly immersive approach.
- 2020–2022: Long-term immersion. I spent 16 consecutive months in Asia, mainly in Bali, but also in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
- 2024: Moving to Thailand. I settled in Thailand to experience and observe everyday life in the country.
Among all these destinations, Koh Chang holds a special place. I return there regularly for its slower pace of life and its balance between tourism and local life.
You can also read my Koh Chang review, where I share my experience after spending two weeks on the island, with practical tips, itineraries, restaurants and places worth discovering.
An Approach Based on First-Hand Experience
Portail Asie is written and updated from Asia. Since my first trip in 2009, I have travelled through different parts of Thailand and documented many practical aspects of travel, including transport, entry formalities, accommodation, destinations, culture and everyday life.
The goal is not only to explain where to go, but also how to travel more easily and better understand the local context.
How I Work
Portail Asie combines several complementary approaches:
- First-hand experience: observations made during trips, longer stays and everyday life in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
- Local monitoring: regular checks for changes that may affect travellers, particularly transport, entry requirements and local regulations.
- Official sources: when a topic involves rules, administrative procedures or information that may change, I prioritise official and institutional sources.
- Regular updates: important guides are reviewed when travel conditions or practical information change.
I also make a clear distinction between personal experience and information based on official rules or other verifiable sources.
My Professional Background
Before settling in Thailand, I left France in 2005 for my first experience of living abroad.
I have worked for several years as a digital entrepreneur, while also managing personal and real estate projects. This lifestyle allowed me to travel regularly and spend extended periods abroad before eventually putting down roots in Asia.
What You Will Find on Portail Asie
Whether you are planning your first trip or already know Thailand, Portail Asie aims to provide practical, contextualised and regularly updated information.
The site covers topics including:
- planning a trip to Thailand;
- entry requirements and practical travel information;
- transport and getting around;
- Bangkok, Thai islands and major destinations;
- weather, seasons and the best times to travel;
- Thai culture and everyday life;
- scams, travel safety and common mistakes to avoid;
- Thai food and traditional recipes;
- practical information for long-term travellers and expatriates.
👉 Start with the essentials:
- Avoid common scams in Thailand
– practical advice to help recognise risky situations - Rent a scooter in Thailand
– what to know before getting on the road - Thailand Digital Arrival Card
– what to know before entering Thailand
Beyond Practical Guides
Portail Asie is not limited to the practical information needed to organise a trip. The site also explores topics that help travellers better understand tourism and everyday life in Thailand.
These include elephants in Thailand, local life, travel safety, cultural habits, tourism practices and the differences between very busy destinations and quieter parts of the country.
The idea is to go beyond the simple question of “What should I visit?” and also explore “How does the country work, and how can I travel with a better understanding of it?”
Follow Portail Asie
Follow Portail Asie on social media:
- Instagram
– local updates, photos and glimpses of everyday life in Thailand. - Pinterest
– travel guides, destinations, practical tips and Thai recipes.
How to Contact Me
Have a question, suggestion or correction to report?
You can contact me directly through the Portail Asie contact form.