It’s no secret that Thailand is one of the top international travel destinations. It’s a country that caters to everyone from extreme budget backpacks to high end luxury travelers, and many fun vacation styles. However, there is a new wave of travelers making their way to Thailand!
Digital nomads have descended on the islands and lively cities like Chiang Mai to work remote in Thailand. First off, you should know this post isn’t about moving to Thailand full time. Instead, we’ll share our own experience working from Thailand as well as some great tips for the Land of Smiles!
Working Remote From Thailand
Picture this. We’re sitting on beach chairs on beautiful beach in Koh Lanta Thailand. Our small bungalow is behind us and we’re steps away from the white sand and clear blue water.
In about an hour we’ll take a lunch break and walk down to get a delicious plate of Pad Thai and fruit smoothies. A few doors down, is a couple is on their laptops as they travel around Thailand for three months and work remote from paradise.
Honestly, each time we return to Thailand we see more and more travelers pulling out their computers and typing away as they overlook the Andaman Sea.
Do you work online and want to go on an extended trip? Maybe you’re a digital nomad and plan to travel the world while continuing to make an income.
So what can you expect during your time as a Thailand digital nomad?
Thailand Digital Nomad vs Traveling
Deciding what type of trip to plan completely depends on your job and lifestyle. When working remote from Thailand, the main issue is actually finding the time to work!
There are so many unique activities, amazing temples, and stunning beaches to explore. Obviously, if you’re planning a two week vacation then you will want to put away your laptop to fully enjoy it.
While there are so many benefits to the world being so connected nowadays, there are serious drawbacks as well.
With the push of so many people working online comes the expectation of being always available. However, if you are full time digital nomad then we can highly recommend Thailand for a mix of both!
→ 8 Pros and Cons of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle & Working Remote
Travel Insurance For a Digital Nomad in Thailand
One important thing to note when planning a visit to Thailand (or really anywhere) is having travel insurance. We’ve used SafetyWing for the last few years and they’ve always been there when we needed them.
After a long search we found it to be the most affordable plan to fit our lifestyle. Remember, you are heading to Southeast Asia! There are things to be prepared for in case of emergency like food poisoning or other injuries that could happen.
→ When’s the Best Time to Visit Thailand For Perfect Weather?
Our Experience Working From Thailand
Before we were officially digital nomads growing our website we visited Thailand a couple of times. We loved the delicious street food food, tropical climate, and overall quality of life in Southeast Asia.
Fast forward a couple of years, and we were looking for a place in Thailand to spend two months. This country truly had everything we were looking for!
In early 2022, we flew into Phuket with only the few first days planned out. After some time at a hotel we found an amazing two bedroom apartment to stay long term.
It was more room then we needed, but we loved having the additional space to work remote. We paid around $800 USD per month and had a motorbike, twice a week cleaning, a swimming pool, and small gym in the complex.
The month we spent working from Phuket Thailand was absolutely incredible. Not far from our apartment was Let’s Work which is one of the most popular co-working spots on the island!
When we were finished working for the day we would jump on our scooter, head to one of the many beautiful Phuket beaches, and grab a fresh coconut. I don’t think there was a single day that we missed one of the famous Phuket sunsets.
Phuket gets a bad reputation for being over-touristy and we definitely understand where that comes from. However, know that it is a MASSIVE island and much of the best things to do in Phuket are at the southern tip.
This is where you’ll find the most desirable beaches and so many great local restaurants. The north caters more to short term vacationers with larger luxury hotels.
After our month in Phuket, we wanted to travel more throughout the country. As were were working remote in Thailand, we would travel fast for a few days than slow down and catch up on work.
We went from Phuket to Koh Lanta, across to the islands on the east coast, and then made our way to Chiang Mai.
→ 9 Best Islands in Thailand for an Epic Tropical Vacation
What Makes Being a Thailand Digital Nomad So Awesome?
Cost of Living: This is by far one of the largest draws to working remote in Thailand. The cost of living is extremely affordable, especially if you are getting a monthly rental on a platform like Airbnb. Just know that it’s best to travel in off or swing season if you are really looking to live as cheap as possible.
Fast Wifi: The wi-fi is fast in Thailand if you stick to the popular digital nomad hubs which we talk about in the next section. The only time we ever had shaky wi-fi was on some of the smaller islands in bungalow style accommodations.
Co-Working Cafes & Spaces: Every time we return to Thailand we find more and more co-working spaces. Besides the official co-working spaces, there are tons of great cafes that happily welcome remote workers.
Perfect Weather: For us, the thing we loved most about living in Phuket was the incredible weather. Remember that during the best months in Thailand (November to February) there can be several feet of snow in parts of the United States and Europe. The sandy beaches and warm weather are everything to us in the winter!
Other Digital Nomads: There are some spots in Asia that are more internationally known for working remote than others. However, if you’re thinking about heading to Bali, know that Thailand is quickly catching up. This means you’ll find a fun community of travelers that are always hosting meet ups and events in digital nomad areas.
→ Is Bali Worth Visiting? Pros and Cons of Indonesia’s Famous Island
Our 4 Favorite Places to Work Remote in Thailand
Phuket: We loved being based in Rawai which is the Phuket’s digital nomad town of the south. Here there are tons of co-working/ co-living spaces like HOMA Phuket, vegan cafes, and travelers doing their thing. This part of Phuket is also perfect to be close to so many amazing beaches!
Bangkok: The capital of Thailand is always a popular choice. If you’re the type of traveler who loves the big city life then this is the spot for you. You can explore Chinatown, visit world-famous attractions like the Grand Palace, and enjoy some of the most delicious Thai food. There are countless options for where to stay and an abundance of remote workers living here.
Chiang Mai: This city in Northern Thailand has been exploding with travelers in recent years, and for good reason. While it’s more relaxed than Bangkok, you’ll find plenty to see at the temples and famous night markets. After Phuket, Chiang Mai would be our 2nd choice for working remote in Thailand. Make sure to check out Alt ChiangMai and Punspace co-working cafe if you’re in town!
Koh Phangan & Koh Tao: The islands on the east coast of Thailand definitely surprised us in a good way. While Koh Samui get’s a lot of hype, we preferred Koh Phangan and Koh Tao much more. On the northwest coast of Koh Phangan there is a large expat community around Sri Thanu Beach. Also, Koh Tao is a popular choice if you are looking for more of a small island feel with some of the world’s best diving.
I’m sure you can see why Thailand is hands down one of our favorite places to work remote. We also love Vietnam as you can see in this article.
Have any questions about working from Thailand or want to share your own Thailand digital nomad tips? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Thailand Travel Planning
Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Phuket! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour!
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to if you’re traveling on a budget.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
It’s so interesting to read about and see how being a digital nomad has become so much more popular, and that it is being increasingly facilitated in various destinations. I would love to give it a try for a few years so I hope to experience it at some point!
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Thailand is one of our favorite places to work remotely from! You have the beautiful beaches, islands, temples, and of course… Delicious food. Highly recommend it if you have the chance (-: