If you haven't already, then this is your sign to book your next digital nomad trip in Thailand because, trust me, you won't regret it.
Thailand has literally everything a remote worker needs to thrive, and we’re not just talking productivity or good internet. You’ll find established digital nomad communities, picture-perfect beaches, and more creative inspiration than you can even imagine.
Interested? Then, keep reading to learn exactly why this country is so great for remote workers and the 10 best places for digital nomads in Thailand.
What Makes Thailand so Popular for Digital Nomads
It’s not difficult to understand why we digital nomads are obsessed with Thailand. I meant, it’s beautiful. Take a look at any photo of the countless Thai beaches, and you’ll agree that Thailand looks like paradise.
Of course, natural beauty is only one element of a great digital nomad destination. When planning my nomad trips, I’m looking for an affordable destinations that have a unique culture, an established remote work community, and feasible visa options. Well, guess what, Thailand ticks every one of these boxes.
From the Northern border to the Southmost islands, Thailand is a stunning country filled with history and rich culture. There is so much to do when spending time in the country, and the food is somehow mind-blowingly good no matter where you choose to eat. With a much lower cost of living than in North America and Western Europe, you can also make the most of your trip without worrying about budget.
Worth also mentioning that 5% of all digital nomads have already visited Thailand, making it the second most popular digital nomad destination. This means plenty of options when it comes to remote workspaces and finding a foreigner-friendly place to live. The internet is also much faster than you might as it ranks among the top countries with the fastest internet in the world for fixed broadband.
As of July 2024, Thailand has also made it easier than ever to visit, live, and work using the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) which is valid for 5 years and lets remote workers from 93 countries stay for up to 180 days at a time.
Best Places for Digital Nomads in Thailand
One of the most amazing things about Thailand for digital nomads is that it is an incredibly diverse country. This can also make choosing exactly where to visit quite difficult. Below, you’ll find a list of the top 10 destinations for remote workers in Thailand to help you plan your next trip.
1. Chiang Mai
If history’s your thing, then you have to check out Chiang Mai. It’s the largest city in Northern Thailand and famously the home to more than 300 temples, some of which are over 700 years old. Chiang Mai has also become known as the Digital Nomad Capital of Asia. The city is filled with co-working spaces like Punspace or Yellow Coworking and has a large community of like-minded travelers to meet and befriend.
Chiang Mai is a great city to live in if you’re on a budget with a cost of living of around $800 to $1,000 per month. You can rent an apartment in the center of the city for under $300 and co-work space monthly rentals at roughly $175.
Want to learn more about Chiang Mai?
The Scrapbookers
2. Bangkok
As Thailand’s capital and largest city, Bangkok has a lot to offer. It is truly a city that never sleeps and offers great food, insane nightlife, and some amazing historic landmarks. These city perks come at a slightly higher cost of living compared to the rest of Thailand, but you can get by on under $1,500 a month on a tight budget or $2,000 - $2,500 on a more mid-range lifestyle.
The capital city was ranked #1 for the most visited remote work hub in the world last year and unsurprisingly boasts 30+ co-working spaces. Its internet speeds are the fastest in the country and you can access 5g from just about everywhere.
3. Ko Pha-Ngan
Ko Pha-Ngan is an island all about beach parties, yoga retreats, and laid-back life. The South side of the island is bustling with backpackers and tourists ready to attend the island’s famous full and half-moon parties, with the North side offering a quieter slice of life.
Internet speeds are nothing to write home about but are sufficient for most people and pretty reliable across the island. There are also a good number of cafes and co-working spaces that offer free WiFi. The cost of living in Ko Pha-Ngan is crazy low, with rent starting at $200 a month for a standard island apartment, or you can look into luxury villas for less than $1500!
4. Ko Lanta
Just off the West coast of Thailand sits Ko Lanta - a peaceful digital nomad refuge that is less crowded than most other remote work hubs in Thailand. The island is a tranquil paradise for digital nomads looking for a more relaxed location to act as their home base in Southeast Asia.
The island may be small but still offers a pretty wonderful digital nomad community thanks to KoHub, a popular tropical co-working space near to the beach. Ko Lanta is one of the cheapest islands in Thailand to live on and the reliable high-speed internet makes it a serious contender for the best digital nomad destination in Thailand.
Planning your trip to Ko Lanta?
Irene Lidia Wang
5. Ko Chang
If you’re looking for serene coastlines and utter peace, then Ko Chang might be the place for you. It’s quieter than the majority of Thai islands and what it lacks in nightlife and co-work spaces, it more than makes up for in cafes, beaches, and atmosphere.
The monthly living allowance is between $700 and $1000, with costs fluctuating in the peak season of November to February. Most places are hooked up with fiber optic internet connections and 5g coverage is great island-wide making working from a coffee shop or the beach a breeze.
6. Nakhon Ratchasima
Not every digital nomad in Thailand is looking for a party lifestyle. For those more interested in immersing themself in authentic Thai culture, Nakhon Ratchasima might just be the perfect destination. Although it’s a little off the tourist-beaten track, it’s a city cheaper than Bangkok that still meets any digital nomad’s needs like good internet and co-working spaces. There are even international schools for any remote working parents out there!
Nakhon Ratchasima is located on the edge of the Isan Region, one of the world’s greatest places, according to Time Magazine. The area is known for its unmatched beauty of the natural parks and ancient temple ruins.
7. Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a great option for digital nomads looking for the atmosphere of Chiang Mai at a lower cost of living. The city is in the very North of the country and is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking mountains and waterfalls in the world. It’s ideal for hiking and biking enthusiasts and has a small but growing remote work community working from the abundance of coffee shops scattered over the city.
Like most of Thailand, you’ll have no problem finding fast and reliable internet, and the cost of living is super affordable. Rent is roughly $200 a month, food as little as $1 a meal, and monthly motorbike hire is only $85.
8. Krabi
Krabi is a coastal destination on Thailand’s West coast that is not only a portal to popular nearby islands but a digital nomad hub of its own accord. Are the beaches stunning? Of course. Is the wifi reliable? Absolutely. Is it budget-friendly? With monthly living costs of $800 - $1,000, I’d say so!
There might not be the biggest array of co-working spaces, however, most cafes and restaurants have fast wifi and are happy for you to sit back and work for hours. Try checking out Much & Mellow Cafe or Lekker Café.
9. Ko Tao
It’s impossible to talk about Ko Tao without mentioning scuba diving. Possibly the coolest place in the world to get your diving qualification, Ko Tao is a haven for digital nomads with a passion for the ocean. There’s a great expat community on the island, quite a few dedicated co-working spaces like BlackTip Cafe or TaoHub Coworking, and heaps of laptop-friendly cafes.
You can get by comfortably on $800 a month but may want to save an extra $300 - $500 for diving school to make the absolute most of your stay in Ko Tao.
10. Pattaya
Love to party? Then you’ll love Pattaya. The city is filled with bars, nightclubs, and let's just say…unforgettable shows. Life is pretty convenient for digital nomads due to the large English-speaking community, easy transportation around the city, and a low cost of living (about $1,300 a month).
The internet is reasonably fast and very reliable and you’ll have a good selection of choices when it comes to co-working spaces with subscriptions ranging between $80 and $270 per month.
Ready to Make Thailand Your Next Digital Nomad Destination?
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
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