It is found in south-eastern Asia from the eastern Himalayas to Myanmar and western Thailand.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

The white-throated bulbul was originally described in the genus Trichophorus (a synonym for Criniger) until moved to the genus Alophoixus in 2009.

The alternate names 'ashy-fronted bulbul' and 'yellow-bellied bulbul' should not be confused with species of the same name (Pycnonotus cinereifrons and Alophoixus phaeocephalus respectively).

The alternate name 'white-throated bearded bulbul' is also used as an alternate name for the eastern bearded greenbul.