Thailand has long earned the title of a digital nomad mecca — it is the country most often associated with the working traveler lifestyle and has lured visitors and adventurers for decades with the promise of freedom garnished with the beauty of blissful islands and the enigma of glittering temples.
Why Thailand?
The friendly climate, affordability, fast Internet speeds, and the ever-growing international community all make a setting that is considered ideal for a digital nomad. Once a Utopian backpacker's paradise, popularised even more by the 1996 novel and later a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Beach", Thailand is no stranger to foreign visitors. The country boasts a tourist-friendly infrastructure, from the widespread use of English to easy transportation within and between its cities, villages, and islands.
Today, the country provides most of the amenities on a freelancer's checklist. It offers a mix of locations to settle in, from the urban rush of the busy Bangkok to the quieter forested setting of Chiang Mai and the idyllic atmosphere of remote sandy islands.
Best cities in Thailand to work from
Working remotely from Thailand conjures images of rolling waves, beach cafes, and reggae parties after work hours. Yet, it's not Thailand's South that has earned the title of a digital nomad haven but the northern city of Chiang Mai. Thailand's fifth-largest city, also known as the "Rose of the North", is the country's number one nomad destination and ranks as one of the best cities for freelancers worldwide.
A well-balanced mix of affordability, development, and quality of life makes Chiang Mai a contender that is hard to beat. Unlike urban Bangkok, the city is submerged in lush greenery and forests and offers a more laid-back setting for those wishing to escape the stress of a big city. With that, it has all the needed infrastructure for organizing your work and much fewer distractions than Thailand's coastal cities and paradise islands.
One of the main things that now attracts budding perpetual travelers to the city is the result of its own success: a vibrant and supportive digital nomad community. In Chiang Mai, you will find a wide range of clubs, societies, and regular gatherings, and even coworking spaces tend to come with their own crowd, offering great opportunities for networking as well as guidance and advice for those just exploring the lifestyle.
Bangkok is a natural choice for first-time travelers to Thailand. The country's capital is home to over ten million people and a large number of expats. A humming mix of old traditions, modern lifestyle, and international crowds make the city a unique space that both inspires and motivates. Needless to say, Bangkok has everything you might possibly need to work remotely, including lots of coworking spaces and 24-hour coffee shops.
For those searching for a classic escape, there are the islands. From the large, easily accessible party island of Phuket to the smaller islands in the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, KohTao, Ko Chang) and in the Andaman Sea (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Lipe), there is no shortage of choice.
Depending on how far you are willing to travel, the level of comfort you are looking for, and whether you enjoy the presence of other nomads, your selection will narrow down. Small islands offer the idyllic "palm trees and coconut shakes" setting but will lack some of the amenities of bigger places. Another thing to consider is the quality of the Internet connection – in small remote locations, the connection may be spotty.
A larger island in the province of Krabi, Koh Lanta, is emerging as a digital nomad hub thanks to its "unexplored" character and a popular coworking hub (KoHub).
The Internet and coworking spaces in Thailand
The Internet in Thailand is the fourth fastest in Asia. With the average speed across the country estimated at 218.94 Mbps, the country comes ahead of Vietnam and Cambodia but lags behind Asian web speed leaders China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Coworking spaces are aplenty. You are sure to find dozens of choices when settling in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, and even some remote islands often offer at least one coworking space for setting up camp.
Coworking spaces in Bangkok
Whether you're a one-person team or a small startup, Bangkok has many coworking spaces to suit your needs. Each of the coworking spaces listed below provides everything you need, including desks, private offices, Internet, drinks, snacks, and more.
139, Pan Road, Sethiwan Tower, Silom, Bangrak
46/9, Soi Sukhumvit 49, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
K.S.Building Soi Sathorn 9, Sathorntai Rd, Yannawa Sathorn
1, 281/19-23 Si Lom, Silom, Bang Rak
8/2, Soi Sukhumvit 40, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Bangkok 10110
Coworking spaces in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai might be known for its outdoor adventure, but digital nomads from around the world have taken to the city for something else – its coworking spaces. Tucked beneath the lush green mountains of the northern province, you'll find plenty of places to work while making friends and enjoying Chiang Mai's rich cuisine of khao soi, gaeng hang lay, and sai oua.
14, Siri Mangkalajarn Lane 11, Muang
30/1-3, Nimmanahaeminda Rd, Su Thep, Muang, Muang 50200
Hub53 Co-working and Co-living Space
53, Chonlaprathan Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200
Coworking spaces in Phuket
Phuket is another attractive city for digital nomads, and it's not hard to understand why. The island offers pristine views for anyone wanting to get a day's work done by the sandy shores or lush rolling hills. Also, Phuket's nightlife compliments the digital nomad lifestyle well. There are plenty of bars, clubs, live music venues, or quiet places to retreat to at the end of the day.
Grind Time Co-Workspace & Cafe
9/35-36, Chaofa E Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District
The Project | Co-Working Space
39, 77, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand
469, 3 Wiset Rd, Rawai, Phuket, 83130, Thailand
Coworking spaces on the islands
Phuket isn't the only Thai island for digital nomads. If you're looking for a slower pace of work-life balance, check out the coworking spaces on Ko Phangan off the east coast of Thailand or Koh Lanta, which is just south of the less-popular but relaxing beach town of Krabi.
136/1 Moo 1, Ban Tai, Ko Phangan
224/1, Pra Ae, Koh Lanta District
8/80 moo.2 Maehaad, Koh Tao
Visa options for digital nomads in Thailand
If you are planning to settle in Thailand as a digital nomad, the only way to do so legally is to get the right Thai business visa and work permit. If you get caught working in Thailand without the proper visa or permit, you could be fined, deported, and blacklisted from the country.
That said, Thai immigration doesn't offer a "digital nomad" visa just yet, although they have been talking about creating one. The closest thing that comes to it is the Thai SMART Visa. However, in order to qualify for the SMART visa, you have to be highly skilled in a specific field. Your other choice would be to join a company like Iglu, which hires remote workers in Thailand and offers a Thai business visa and Thai work permit in exchange.
That said, should the current Thai visa regulations deter you from becoming a digital nomad in Thailand? That is a question you're going to have to answer after you weigh the risks and rewards of working in the country on other types of non-work-related visas.
Instead of applying for a business visa and work permit, many digital nomads choose to enter Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days. If you plan to stay longer than that, you may decide to apply for a long-term visa or leave Thailand every 30 days and then re-enter the country. If you do this, however, you will raise a red flag with Thai immigration officers, and they could deny you re-entry.
You could also apply for a Thai tourist visa, which will give you a stay of 60 days in Thailand (single or multiple entries). The stay can then be extended for 15 to 30 days for an additional fee of 1,900 baht, but once again, if you abuse the tourist visa, you will raise red flags with Thai immigration officers.
Alternatively, if you want to stay for 6 months or even a year, consider an education visa. Signing up for a Thai language course, cooking classes, or even Thai massage training with an accredited establishment will allow you to stay in the country longer. Still, you will need to combine your online work with some class time (you can choose a course with the minimum number of hours). Finally, there is the retirement visa that will let you stay in the country for the long term, provided you meet the needed requirements (applicants must be over 50 years of age and provide proof of financial well-being).
If you are in good financial standing, there is another option to consider — the Thailand Privilege Card. This card replaced the Thailand Elite Visa and comes in several versions:
- Gold: 900,000 baht | 5 years;
- Platinum: 1,500,000 baht | 10 years;
- Diamond: 2,500,000 baht | 15 years;
- Reserve: 5,000,000 | 20+ years.
The Thailand Privilege Card allows you to stay from 5 to 20+ years in Thailand and comes with many benefits, such as free stays, spa treatments, and health insurance. However, you still won't be able to work legally in Thailand with this kind of visa. Therefore, it's always best to apply for a business visa and work permit.
After-work hours in Thailand
One of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Thailand has plenty to offer during the after-work hours, from discovering the culture and history of Bangkok and Chiang Mai to idling away on one of the many paradise islands. Seeing Thailand's 40,717 Buddhist temples is a formidable task by itself. The country's south offers beautiful coastal views and famous get-away islands from the moon party famous Ko Phangan to the heavenly Ko Phi Phi and beyond.
Useful links:
We Work - T-One Building Bangkok
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
