Thailand is known as one of the best destinations for digital nomads in the whole world. Friendly people, affordable prices, and high-quality living certainly sound attractive. Thailand made sure to provide everything you might need as a digital nomad and even more. Because of this, no matter which place you choose, there are always plenty of co-living and co-working spaces.
Incredible culture, thousands of temples, stunning beaches, and many adventures offer countless opportunities for weekend getaways or a prolonged holiday. Also, thanks to convenient flight connections, it’s easy to travel to Thailand from anywhere in the world. Additionally, Thailand is also a good base for traveling to other Asian countries as well!
We spent two months in Thailand and visited many places during our trip. So here’s a summary of what to expect as a digital nomad in different parts of Thailand. This is the list of the five best places for digital nomads in Thailand.
1. Bangkok
Bangkok is a bustling capital of Thailand. It’s a popular tourist destination as well as a perfect place for digital nomads. If you prefer a big city life with nightlife opportunities then you’ll love Bangkok. But it’s important to know that to those not used to big cities, Bangkok can feel quite overwhelming.
Many aspects make Bangkok one of the best places to visit and to work from in Thailand. A great infrastructure for digital nomads makes it a popular choice. High-speed internet cafes, co-working and co-living spaces are certainly appreciated.
Advantages of working from Bangkok:
- Plenty of restaurants, cafes and also coworking spaces
- Affordable prices
- Many free time activities available
- Easy to meet new people and communities
- Its central location makes it a perfect base for different weekend trips around Thailand.
Disadvantages:
- It’s loud, busy and hectic
- Air pollution is something to consider
- Gets very hot in the dry season
Where to live in Bangkok as a digital nomad?
Multiple neighborhoods around Bangkok are perfect for digital nomads, so it’s hard to choose. Each district has its own atmosphere so to find the place you’ll like most, we recommend visiting your preferred locations for a day or two. That way you will get the feeling of what it’s like to live and work from there.
Silom is an attractive location for digital nomads and also entrepreneurs. It offers a central location, plenty of co-working spaces, and also opportunities to meet fellow nomads. Thonglor is another great place full of cool cafes, bars, and restaurants.
2. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is also a bustling city located in northern Thailand. Surrounded by nature, it has a completely different vibe than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is also very different from all the tropical islands in the country. Despite being a big city it feels relaxed. Because of this, it’s a perfect place where you can slow down and focus on working.
What makes this city so attractive is its incredible mix of nature, spirituality, and culture. Plenty of opportunities will certainly make you enjoy your time in Chiang Mai. You’ll love it, especially during the dry season. Compared to the capital city of Bangkok or the islands in the south, the temperatures are relatively mild even during the hottest months.
Rent a motorbike and spend your free time exploring the surroundings, such as Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Rai, famous White Temple, or visit the Long Neck village.
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Advantages of working from Chiang Mai:
- You’re surrounded by nature
- It’s one of the safest places in Thailand
- For low prices you still get high quality living
- Feels comfortable even during the dry season
- Yoga and wellness opportunities
- Large expat community
- Adventure and sports paradise
Disadvantages:
- During burning season (January – April) the air pollution is terrible with little visibility
- Far from beaches
- Not pedestrian friendly with little sidewalks
- Language barrier – English is not as common as in other parts of Thailand, but still OK
- Western food is expensive
Best neighbourhoods for digital nomads
Nimman area (Nimmanhaemin) is certainly one of the most popular areas for digital nomads. Plenty of cafes, bars, and also co-working spaces are available within walking distance from each other.
Old City is also a good choice. You’ll find live music, rooftop bars as well as many temples here. However, it’s also a very touristy area which might be distracting.
However, if you prefer a more local and budget-friendly area, consider Ban Sathaphon neighbourhood.
3. Phuket
Phuket is known all over the world for its stunning beaches. As the largest island in Thailand, it offers plenty of opportunities to both occasional travelers and digital nomads. Phuket is specifically attractive for its incredible balance of work and leisure. It feels more relaxed than Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Mouth-watering street food from night markets, plenty of bars to spend a night out, and many water activities will certainly keep you from feeling bored. If you need time off, hop on an island-hopping tour, go kayaking, or paddleboarding on the sea.
Accommodation choices will suit every need – from luxury condos with sea-view to budget-friendly apartments, you’ll find everything on Phuket.
Advantages of working from Phuket
- You’re always close to a beach
- Perfect work and fun balance
- Opportunity to visit other nearby islands
- Good healthcare and modern shopping malls
- Reliable internet
Disadvantages:
- No Uber / Grab and limited public transport
- Some areas feel very touristy and overwhelming during the dry season
- Housing might be more expensive than other parts of Thailand
Best areas for digital nomads
Choosing the right area to live in is the most important part, especially on Phuket. Definitely avoid Patong, Kata, and Karon beach areas since these are extremely touristy and noisy.
Phuket Old Town is a common choice since it offers a wide variety of cafes and co-working spaces. Living costs might also be slightly lower compared to other destinations around Phuket. Numerous international schools make it perfect for families.
Chalong Bay is another digital nomad hub which lies in the south-eastern coast. Sea-front cafes are the best place to work from! Apart from that, expect many healthy restaurants and Muay-Thai gyms in the area.
4. Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a paradise island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is well known for its stunning palm-lined beaches, luxury resorts, and dense jungles. The island is very popular amongst tourists as well as digital nomads for a good reason.
You can expect reliable internet with many cafes that provide a safe wifi connection. Co-working spaces are available, too. Koh Samui offers a wide range of activities, from island-hopping and scuba-diving to cooking and Muay Thai classes.
To enjoy Koh Samui the most, come in the summer months when there’s a rainy season in the rest of Thailand. While storms might hit Koh Samui, they usually pass quickly. However, this time is less busy and there are not so many tourists on the island. That will certainly make it easier to concentrate on work.
For a weekend getaway, you easily visit Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, too!
Advantages of working from Koh Samui:
- Beautiful beaches are always nearby
- Plenty of activities to do in your free time
- The island has a laid-back vibe
- Good to visit even during wet season
- Easily accessible
- Immigration office is available on the island
Disadvantages:
- It’s a popular tourist destination, with dry season being the busiest
- No public transport or Grab, you must use songthaews or scooter to get around
- Some areas feel remote with little facilities (choose wisely!)
- It’s a small island
- Feels a little westernized
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Best areas for digital nomads
Choosing the right area to stay on Koh Samui is essential. While some places offer almost no facilities at all, other might feel like too much.
One of the best areas to choose is Lamai. It’s directly on the beach and very close to popular and busy Chaweng. Lamai is a good alternative which offers many restaurants and bars to choose from but still feels relaxed and calm.
Chaweng is a good choice, too. Just make sure to avoid the area between Chaweng Lake and Chaweng Beach. While it’s okay during the day, at night it turns into a loud party hub. To find a more peaceful area, look around the south part of Chaweng.
If you’re looking for a more authentic and tranquil place, check out Bophut. From Chaweng you can get here in 15 minutes on a scooter. Bophut has a lovely beach and offers a variety of cafes and restaurants.
5. Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan was definitely our favorite place in whole Thailand. The island has a distinct vibe which you won’t find elsewhere in Thailand. Famous for it’s Full Moon party, many people think it’s just a party island. But Koh Phangan is so much more than that. Just head to the north and you will find a digital nomad haven.
Koh Phangan’s northern side, especially the Zen Beach area, is known for its hippie vibes and spiritual and yoga workshops. You can explore numerous beaches and it’s one of the best places for snorkelling in Thailand! While the choice of restaurants, accommodation options, and workspaces might be somewhat limited, you will certainly find the perfect place for working and living on Koh Phangan.
In your free time, we recommend visiting both Bottle Beach viewpoint and Bottle Beach. For the best snorkeling, head to Mae Haad or Haad Khom Beach.
Advantages of working from Koh Phangan
- Experience a true tropical island life
- Hippie laid-back vibes
- Not so many restaurants to choose from, but the food is delicious
- Good prices for food and living
- Mind-blowing snorkeling spots
- Many activities with focus on spiritual and personal development
- If you want to spend a night out, just travel to Haad Rin
- Easy to visit Koh Samui and Koh Tao for a day trip
Disadvantages
- No grab or public transport
- Small island, might feel slightly boring after a long while
- Long travel time to the mainland
Best areas for digital nomads
While Haad Rin offers everything you might need, it’s a destination focused on parties and nightlife. Therefore, choosing areas in the north might be better for working.
Zen Beach is definitely the best places to visit on Koh Phangan as a tourist and also to live as a digital nomad. Many restaurants in the area provide both local and international food. Additionally, there’s a number of cozy bars and cafes.
Chaloklum Bay is also a beautiful area. You’ll find lovely houses with sea view here as well as few restaurants and cafes. A stunning beach is the perfect place to relax after work. Chaloklum is also known as a dive center of the island. Head to nearby Mae Had beach for incredible snorkelling.
Best places for digital nomads in Thailand – conclusion
No matter if you prefer a big city life or if you imagine your digital nomad life on a tropical island, Thailand has something to offer for everyone. Friendly people, delicious cuisine and extraordinary sceneries all around the country make it one of the best destinations for digital nomads.
With high-speed internet access almost anywhere, incredible digital nomad infrastructure, co-working and co-living places it’s easy to see why so many people choose to live in Thailand.
