Many digital nomads pick Thailand and it’s easy to understand why. Living in Thailand is fun, easy, and affordable. You’ll find plenty of good coworking spaces around the country as well as digital nomad communities.
In this guide, we’ll focus on the best places to live in Thailand. We’ll share tips and coworking spaces that we recommend so you can find your next digital nomad base.
We hope this guide will convince you to move to Thailand next.
How To Pick A Place To Live In Thailand
There are several trendy destinations for digital nomads in Thailand. Depending on your budget, needs, and interests, you could end up pretty much everywhere in the country.
Depending on the season, the north or the south could be better. For example, many digital nomads who live in Chiang Mai leave to the Thai islands during the burning season that starts in January.
To help you pick the best place to live in Thailand, we’ll describe each popular spot for digital nomads so you can pick the one that suits you better.
Best Places In Thailand For Digital Nomads
In this section, we’ll focus on the best cities to live in Thailand. We’ll include Chiang Mai, Koh Lanta, Bangkok, and Koh Phangan.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a city located in the north of Thailand. It’s smaller than Bangkok, but it’s still quite busy. You can always escape the city easily because the city is located next to mountains. You could even go for a weekend in Pai which is popular for a calm and quiet getaway.
Chiang Mai became very popular amongst digital nomads and expats because it’s easy to find an apartment, the cost of living is affordable, and you’ll find malls, restaurants, gyms, and nightlife options. There are several coworking spaces and cafés to work from.
The digital nomad community is huge in Chiang Mai, especially in the Niman area which became very popular during the last few years.
If you decide to pick Chiang Mai, take a look at Punspace – they own 3 coworking locations. If you’re looking for something a bit more social, you can take a look at Hub53.
👍 Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Best coworking spaces in Thailand (in my opinion)
- Huge community
- Amazing coffee and food
👎 Cons:
- Traffic jams and lots of police checks, so make sure to have an international driving license if you’re planning on driving a scooter
- Burning season
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is another popular destination for expats and digital nomads in Thailand. Located on the Andaman coast, Koh Lanta offers beautiful beaches, snorkeling excursions, and scuba diving opportunities.
Think of beach bars, parties on the beach, and karaoke nights.
Koh Lanta became popular because of its famous coworking space Kohub which became one of the big icons of the island. You’ll find yoga studios and one gym on the island.
When it comes to accommodation, you can expect villas, guesthouses, and apartments.
Koh Lanta is quite small, which is why many digital nomads go there temporarily (for 1 or 2 months at a time).
Looking for a modern apartment in Koh Lanta? Stay at Malee Highlands in their apartment for digital nomads and remote workers.
👍 Pros:
- Amazing beaches and lots of day trips available from there
- Great restaurants
- Very social coworking space, so it’s easy to make friends there
👎 Cons:
- Most digital nomads are there short-term, so lots of networking required
- It’s a small island, so you might get bored after 1-2 months
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is probably the most expensive city in the country. This destination is ideal for expats or digital nomads who want to stay there for longer periods. Many condominium buildings ask for a lease of 6-12 months. You could always try Airbnb for shorter periods.
Bangkok is full of coworking spaces, malls, markets, and restaurants. If you’d like to enjoy a fancy cocktail on a rooftop, Bangkok is probably the right city for you.
When it comes to coworking spaces, it really depends on the neighborhood you’ll pick. Bangkok is a huge city (full of traffic jams), so you may want to pick a workplace nearby.
👍 Pros:
- Easy access to everything (cinemas, malls, gyms, restaurants, clubs, etc.)
- Beautiful condominium options and well-designed coworking spaces
👎 Cons:
- Expensive cost of living
- Traffic jams
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is another Thai island located in the Gulf of Thailand. You’ve probably heard of it before because that’s where the full moon party happens. Imagine stunning beaches, parties, and palm trees everywhere.
It’s a great destination for those who like spirituality, yoga, and ecstatic dances. You’ll find several yoga studios and gyms, as well as great restaurants around the island.
If you pick Koh Phangan, you can opt for Cospace located in the Casa Tropicana.
👍 Pros:
- You can pick a quiet side of the island, or live on the busy side
- You can expect different vibes across the island
- Lots of hiking options and beautiful beaches
- Lots of vegetarian and vegan restaurants
👎 Cons:
- During the full-moon parties, you can expect lots of tourists on the island
- You need to get there by ferry, so the island is not that easy to access
Visa in Thailand
Depending on your nationality, you could get a 1 or 2 month-visa. You’ll be able to apply for a visa extension for another 30 days. If you wish to stay in Thailand longer, you could either do a visa run or apply for a student visa.
For example, many expats opt for a Muay Thai visa or a language visa so you can study Thai.
Cost of Living in Thailand
Living in Thailand is affordable, but the destination chosen could influence the cost of living. For example, life on the Thai islands is usually a bit more expensive than in Chiang Mai. It’s simple, everything needs to be transported there, and as a result, it’s more expensive.
Regarding the cities we mentioned above, Chiang Mai is the most affordable one. It’s followed by Koh Lanta and Koh Phangan. Bangkok can be quite expensive.
Digital Nomad Communities in Thailand
You’ll find many digital nomads in Thailand. You’ll find them in the spots mentioned above, but you’ll find some in other destinations such as Phuket, Pai, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, etc.
If you’re traveling alone, you’ll be able to make friends in places like Chiang Mai or the Thai islands. Working from a coworking space and participating in social events is the best way to connect with fellow digital nomads.
Final Thoughts On Thailand Digital Nomads
Thailand is an incredible destination for digital nomads and expats. We hope you’ll like it as much as we do.
Learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle:
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