If you are one of the lucky ones who can choose where in the world you want to live, there’s a good chance you are already living in a tropical paradise and if you’re not, what’s to stop you booking a flight to sunny Thailand? Several polls have indicated that the Land of Smiles is high on a digital nomad’s list of places to live and here are a few compelling reasons why.
Fantastic Internet connectivity
Thailand might be a developing country, but as far as the Internet goes, 5G is everywhere and hi-speed, unlimited data SIM packages cost around $40 per month! That allows you to hotspot your laptop anywhere, anytime and get to work! The major ISPs in Thailand include DTAC, AIS, True Corporation and 3B and they all offer a wide range of packages to suit every lifestyle. Some prefer to have Wi-Fi in their apartment/house, but if you use the hotspot feature. you only need an unlimited data SIM card. Whichever you prefer, Internet connectivity is very stable and affordable in Thailand.
Low cost of living
When compared to countries like the US or anywhere in northern Europe, Thailand wins hands-down in the cost-of-living stakes. Of course, it all depends on your lifestyle, but it is possible to enjoy a reasonable standard of living with just $1,500 per month for living expenses. Most things are cheaper than at home, with perhaps the exception of some imported goods.
Warm & hospitable Thais
The Thai people are very friendly and welcoming, which isn’t something you can say about every country. We strongly recommend signing up for a Thai language course, as this allows you to apply for a long-term visa, while also helping you to communicate with the locals, which is essential for day-to-day life. Most Thais speak basic English in tourist areas, but once you get out of those areas, it is rare to find an English speaker. Thai people warm to foreigners who try to speak their language and while it might be difficult, the rewards are worth the effort.
Great climate
What better place to escape the freezing winter weather than sunny Thailand? A large number of digital entrepreneurs spend half the year in Thailand and half at home, which is the perfect way to ensure that you miss the cold weather. The European winter coincides with the high season in Thailand and is the busiest time of the year. The rainy season starts in June and runs through to the end of October (later in the south), while the hot summer is from March to May. Thankfully, we have a/c otherwise the climate would be too much for most westerners, with 100% humidity in April!
Excellent food
Aside from the best street food in the world, Thai cuisine is so varied. With coconut milk curries to die for and Thailand is a paradise for vegetarians. Thai desserts are too numerous to list and you can live in Thailand for a few years and still encounter desserts you haven’t seen before. If you visit your local Thai restaurant every week, imagine living in the Kingdom. If you are into backpacking, click here for tips.
Cannabis laws
Thailand has been leading in the push to decriminalize cannabis; you can walk down Sukhumvit Road and stop off at a weed shop, where you can smoke hi-grade bud! As you would expect, this is a very attractive proposition for many young digital nomads; you can order prime bud online and a Grab driver will deliver! The general message is ‘be discreet’ and no one will bother you!
Easy to get around
Thailand has a fantastic infrastructure, with roads that are better than some developed nations. It also has a railway network that covers the entire country. You can take a luxury a/c coach from Bangkok to any region of Thailand, while domestic flights are very cheap. We recommend taking the train for some really scenic views. With a range of classes, fares are very affordable and you get to see so much of the countryside. You can rent a car for the duration of your stay, as long as you have an IDP. Google can take you to established car rental companies in Bangkok.
If you work remotely, Thailand should be on your list of places to check out with a view to relocating. Many thousands of digital nomads already spend part of the year in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand; if you have yet to set foot in this tropical paradise, now is the perfect time to book a holiday. Discover for yourself the many reasons why this is a number 1 destination for digital nomads.