Guide to Thailand for digital nomads

In recent years, especially after the pandemic, Thailand has become increasingly popular with digital nomads. The unique culture, affordable cost of living, beautiful landscapes and urban centers offer an ideal combination for remote workers.

This guide contains the most important information you need to know about living and working as a nomad in the country, including accommodation for rent in Thailand.

Why Thailand?
Visas
Best places to stay
Cost of living
Accommodation
Itineraries
Coworking spaces
Public places for remote work
Must-try dishes
Transportation
Essential services
Networking
Best neighborhoods
Top places to visit
Tips
Basic Thai phrases
FAQs

Why Thailand?

The popularity of Thailand among digital nomads can be summarized in the following key points:

Affordable cost of living: Thailand offers a decent quality of life at a much lower price compared to Western countries.
Natural beauty: Thailand has diverse landscapes, from tropical beaches to mountains.
Rich culture and history: Thailand's culture and history is obvious in its festivals, temples, historic sites, and everyday life.
Friendly locals: Thailand is known as the "Land of Smiles" and is famous for its hospitality.
Active expat and nomad communities: There are a growing number of communities of like-minded people that facilitate networking and socializing.
Modern amenities: Thailand has modern, well-developed infrastructure, including high-speed internet, making it an ideal destination for remote work.

Find perfect apartments for rent in Thailand

Visas

Thailand has several visa options that digital nomads can take advantage of:

Tourist Visa: Valid for 60 days and extendable for an additional 30 days.
Visa exemption: Many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days (15 days if entering overland).
Special Tourist Visa (STV): Valid for 90 days, extendable twice for a total of 270 days.
Education Visa: For those studying Thai or other courses, valid for up to one year.
Thailand Elite Visa: Offers long-term residency for high-net-worth individuals, ranging from 5 to 20 years.

Thailand digital nomad visa

Does Thailand have a digital nomad visa?

The Thai “Smart Visa” is also known as the “Thailand digital nomad Visa” as it aims to attract highly skilled professionals, executives, investors, and startup entrepreneurs who wish to work or invest in certain industries in the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Smart Visa allows you to live in Thailand for four years. Below you can find more information on this type of visa.

Duration:

The holder of a Thailand Smart Visa has a 4-year permission to stay in Thailand.

Income requirement:

To be eligible as a work-from-Thailand professional, the applicant must have earned $80,000 per year for at least two years. Some exceptions may apply.
The different types of Smart Visas have different income and investment requirements.

Eligibility criteria:

Highly skilled workers, executives, investors, and startup entrepreneurs in industries such as next-generation automotives, wellness, and medical tourism, and digital technologies can apply for a Smart Visa.
Each kind of Smart Visa (Talent, Executive, Startup, Other) has different eligibility criteria.

Application process:

Apply online on the designated website.
Qualify based on the criteria set by the Board of Investment.
Get technical and non-technical endorsements.
Obtain a letter of qualification endorsement that’s issued by the SMART Visa unit.
File for a SMART Visa at a Royal Thai consulate or embassy.
Attend an appointment for the Smart Visa issuance where you need to submit the necessary documents.
Pay the visa fee for each applicant.
Collect the visa at the designated locations (Immigration at OSS in Thailand, Thai consulate, or embassy).

Other considerations:

Smart Visa processing fee is around $2,760 a year for visa permission.
The processing time for the Smart Visa is about 30 business days.
Those who want to extend their visa need to apply for a renewal of qualification endorsement at least 60 days before the SMART Visa expires.
There are specific requirements for each type of Smart Visa depending on the industry, such as salary thresholds, participation in endorsed programs or joint ventures, and investment amounts.
Legal dependents of primary Smart Visa holders have the option to apply for the Smart O (Other) visa.

SMART Visa Thailand for digital nomads

Best places to stay

Bangkok

Why Bangkok?: The capital city offers modern conveniences, well-developed infrastructure, and traditional Thai culture.
Highlights: Grand Palace, Chatuchak Market, a great nightlife scene, numerous coworking spaces.
Best Neighborhoods: Sukhumvit, Sathorn, Silom, Ari.

Chiang Mai

Why Chiang Mai?: Known for its laid-back environment and cooler climate, it’s a popular destination among digital nomads.
Highlights: The annual Lantern Festival, Old City temples, Doi Suthep.
Best neighborhoods: Old City, Nimmanhaemin, Santitham.

Phuket

Why Phuket?: Perfect for those who like to experience beach life and water activities.
Highlights: Patong Beach, Phi Phi Islands, Big Buddha.
Best neighborhoods: Patong, Kata, Kamala.

Koh Samui

Why Koh Samui?: Offers a combination of island life with modern infrastructure.
Highlights: Ang Thong National Marine Park, Chaweng Beach.
Best neighborhoods: Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam.

Krabi

Why Krabi?: Known for its limestone cliffs and pristine beaches.
Highlights: Railay Beach, Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang.
Best neighborhoods: Krabi Town, Ao Nang.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Thailand can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle and the city you choose to live in. Here is a general breakdown:

Bangkok: $1,500 - $2,500 a month
Chiang Mai: $800 - $1,500 a month
Phuket: $1,200 - $2,000 a month
Koh Samui: $1,000 - $1,800 a month
Krabi: $800 - $1,500 a month

Breakdown of monthly expenses

Accommodation: $300 - $1,000 (varies by type and city)
Food and dining: $200 - $500
Transportation: $50 - $200
Utilities and internet: $50 - $150
Entertainment and activities: $100 - $300

Accommodation types available

In Thailand, you can find a variety of accommodation options ideal for digital nomads:

Apartments and condos: Most common in cities, from studios to luxury penthouses.
Houses and villas: Popular in rural and coastal areas, offering more privacy, freedom, and space.
Serviced apartments: Include amenities like laundry, cleaning, and sometimes breakfast.
Hostels and guesthouses: Budget-friendly and a good option for short-term stays.
Co-living spaces: Combine accommodation with coworking, creating a sense of community among nomads.

Rent prices in different regions

Bangkok: $400 - $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Chiang Mai: $300 - $800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Phuket: $400 - $1,200 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Koh Samui: $350 - $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Krabi: $300 - $800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Using Flatio to find accommodation

Flatio is a housing rental platform ideal for digital nomads looking for flexible stays, from days to months. We offer a seamless booking process, and our user-friendly interface makes it easy to find the perfect living space in Thailand, including in:

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Phuket

Find perfect apartments for rent in Bangkok

Itineraries

1 week

Bangkok: 2 days exploring markets, temples, and nightlife.
Chiang Mai: 2 days enjoying the mountains and visiting temples.
Phuket/Koh Samui: 3 days exploring islands and relaxing on the beaches.

1 month

Bangkok: 1 week, including side trips to Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya.
Chiang Mai: 1 week, including a trip to Pai.
Phuket/Koh Samui: 1 week, with beach time and island hopping.
Krabi: 1 week exploring islands and beaches.

6 months

Bangkok: 1 month, using it as a base for trips to the surrounding provinces.
Chiang Mai: 2 months, including visits to the Golden Triangle and Doi Inthanon.
Phuket: 1 month, with lots of beach time and water activities.
Koh Samui: 1 month, exploring nearby islands and relaxing.
Krabi: 1 month, enjoying outdoor adventures and the beaches.

Coworking spaces in Thailand

Thailand has a growing coworking scene with spaces for all needs and preferences:

Bangkok: The Hive, Hubba, JustCo.
Chiang Mai: Punspace, CAMP, StarWork.
Phuket: Garage Society, HATCH, The Work Loft.
Koh Samui: Mantra Samui.
Krabi: KoHub on nearby Koh Lanta.

Public places for remote work

In addition to coworking spaces, many public places are also ideal for remote work:

Cafés: Many with reliable Wi-Fi and comfortable seating (e.g., Starbucks, local chains).
Libraries: Often equipped with internet and quiet.
Parks: For those who like to work outdoors, many parks have free Wi-Fi.
Malls: Most shopping malls have comfortable seating areas with Wi-Fi.

Must-try dishes

Thailand is known for its tasty cuisine. Here are some of the must-try dishes:

Pad Thai: Stir-fried noodles with shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
Tom Yum Goong: Spicy shrimp soup with lemongrass.
Som Tum: Green papaya salad.
Massaman Curry: Rich, mild curry with chicken or beef.
Mango Sticky Rice: Sweet dessert that’s made with sticky rice and ripe mango.

Must-try dishes in Thailand

Transportation

Getting around in Thailand is relatively affordable and easy:

BTS/MRT (Bangkok): Cost-effective and efficient metro systems.
Taxis and grab: Widely available in almost all cities, Grab is similar to Uber.
Songthaews: Shared pickup trucks, particularly common in Chiang Mai and coastal areas.
Motorbike rentals: Popular for short-term use, especially in smaller cities and islands.
Buses and minivans: For intercity trips.
Domestic flights: Frequent and affordable, good for long distances.

Essential services

Healthcare

Thailand has top-notch healthcare facilities, especially in main cities:

Hospitals: Bangkok Hospital, Bumrungrad International, Chiang Mai Ram Hospital.
Clinics: A large number of private clinics for minor health issues.
Pharmacies: Widely available and many medications are available over the counter.

Banking

Setting up a bank account can make it easier for digital nomads to manage their finances easier:

Major banks: Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank.
ATMs: Frequently available but they often charge a fee for foreign cards.
Digital banking: Mobile banking apps are user-friendly and convenient.

Networking

Thailand offers lots of opportunities for networking with other nomads:

Meetup groups: Check platforms such as Meetup for events.
Facebook groups: Many city-specific Facebook groups for digital nomads.
Coworking Events: Many coworking spaces regularly host networking events.
Nomad List: A valuable resource for networking and connecting with other nomads.

Find perfect apartments for rent in Phuket