Deciding where to go next can be difficult as a digital nomad. Deciding to be disabled can be difficult when it’s the first time to get out and try this whole “working away and travelling” thing. Thailand is a great choice for veteran digital nomads and newbies alike.
Thailand stands out as one of the best countries for digital nomads in the world. This is not surprising considering all that it has to offer. It is not only an island paradise, but it also boasts some of the most creative and awesome cities in the world.
From its lush green forests, clean beaches, and strangely shaped mountains in the middle of the sea, to bustling, noisy cities, tall buildings, and quiet towns with a deep and rich history. Depending on where you go, there is something for everyone in Thailand (just for a short stay).
In this article, we will break down everything it takes to live in Thailand as a digital nomad. We’ve packed it with all the information you could ever need.
From the full process of applying and getting your visa, how much it will cost you to live and work there, where you should go for the best travel experience, what interesting things happen there to help you decide, and what time of year it is. Great for planning your trip.
Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
There have been whispers of a Digital Nomad Thailand visa being issued by Thailand, but unfortunately we have yet to find any evidence of this happening. There are a few options for digital nomads when it comes to living and working remotely in Thailand.
Sixty-four countries can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days. This includes the UK, US, South Africa, as well as many parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. Find out if your country is eligible for visa exemption in Thailand. Scroll to the bottom of the web page for a list of countries.
This visa waiver can be obtained under the following conditions:
This tour is for sightseeing purposes only
You have a confirmed return ticket (either by air or by road) that shows you will be leaving the country within 30 days. (What you will need to produce when you enter the country.)
Proof of income for the duration of your stay. (10,000 THB/ about $300 per person.)
If you’re thinking “Oh, great! I can just go out of the country and come right back every 30 days.” No luck. Since the outbreak, Thailand has been regulating the number of people who can leave and enter the country consecutively and cracking down on those who are repeating the ‘fast visa’.
If you want to stay for more than 30 days you can apply for a tourist visa which is up to 60 days, or another suitable visa. Unfortunately, few options allow you to get a work permit in Thailand. You are expected to be there to rest or work for a Thai company.
Thailand is not known for being too strict about working remotely with a tourist visa, as long as the job is for a company/client outside of Thailand, and you are not taking job opportunities away from local residents. However, it is still against the law to do this.
A few Places in Thailand for Digital Nomads?
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. Here you will find low cost of living and easy transportation. You’ll be able to pick your preferred workspace- there are many to choose from. This city also has affordable, and fast wifi and plenty of accommodation options. An interesting thing to note is that some of the best SEO agencies are based in Bangkok. (That’s good to know if that’s a big part of your business.)
There are beautiful buildings- comparable to Europe, combined with a lot of history. Temples and palaces are all around, but also skyscrapers and rollercoasters. Here you get to see city life in a new way.
There is amazing street food (which, as a bonus, is more affordable than eating out), lots of activities and things to see, including museums, galleries, and beautiful temples. Bangkok also has some cool markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market and Taling Chan Floating Market. The floating market is so picture-worthy that it came up as one of Microsoft’s first screen-up photos. Vegetables and spices and rainbow colored umbrellas galore! Finally, Bangkok also has a unique coffee scene.
There are many foreigners living here, so you can join a Facebook group or another group if you want someone to show you the thread.
Chiang Mai
There are over 300 beautiful temples to explore here! Chiang Mai is a city in Northern Thailand. The area is beautiful and green, with lots of outdoor activities. There are waterfalls (Sticky Waterfall), there is climbing (Pilgrims Path) and even the Grand Canyon (Thailand edition) which is a gorge full of water. It even has a floating water park on top. This place is very cold and in the open air.
Digital Nomad in Thailand love it because it’s peaceful with lots of nature and not many of the negatives that come with living in a city (like traffic and air pollution). It is also much cheaper than Bangkok and other cities in Thailand but maintains a high level of service.
There aren’t many coworking spaces but there are very comfortable options. Including one called Punspace which has a huge garden to take your vacation.
Since there may be limited accommodation options, your best bet for finding affordable accommodation is through old groups on Facebook or using Airbnb for long-term stays.
It is also worth mentioning that it is very hot between February and March, and there is also smoke from farmers burning their leftover crops, polluting the air at this time.
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