It’s no surprise that Thailand has become a hotbed for digital nomads coming from all over the world. With its beautiful beaches, a plethora of islands, delicious foods, choices of co-working spaces, and friendly hosts, Thailand has established itself as one of South East Asia’s most welcoming paradises. The low costs, easy-going lifestyle, and beautiful sights are just a few reasons why the country has attracted so many location-independent professionals. Below is a guide to everything you need to know if you’re working remotely in Bangkok, Thailand.
1. Lifestyle
Bangkok is, for most visitors, the first stop when they enter Thailand. Whether they’re headed north to Chiang Mai or south to the iconic islands, they’ll usually spend at least a day or two in the capital city. What any visitor will soon find is that Bangkok is a versatile city that has something for everyone. It has tropical trees and golden-roofed temples. It has exotic foods and charming, outdoor markets. It also has, however, well-paved roads, efficient public transportation, and refined luxuries like fine dining and impressive shopping malls. It is the perfect mix of an exotic getaway and a well-developed city.
Couple that with warm weather year-round, low living costs, and a booming expat community, and you have yourself one of the most vibrant and growing cities in the world today.
2. Survival Tips
While there isn’t too much to complain about when it comes to the quality of life in Bangkok, no place is perfect. This is especially true when you’re living the life of a digital nomad and are reliant on things like the internet. Depending on your location, wifi in apartments and cafes can be weak. This means you’ll probably have to invest in a solid connection on your own or rent your own workplace.
The issue of getting a visa is always, well, an issue. If you can’t afford a six-month visa, then making frequent visa runs will become an integral part of your life abroad. This also means you’ll have to regularly watch out for your visa status. Most nomads are working in Thailand illegally. And while most people you meet are friendly and genuinely curious about your life and work, it’s better to minimize interactions regarding your work status as it can get you reported. This is, of course, true of anywhere you work without paying taxes.
3. Where to Work
It might be easy for some to work in the comfort of their home or in a cafe. For others, however, proper office space is required to build their business, network, and have a proper workplace environment to rely on.
You can find coworking spaces around you almost anywhere in Bangkok. They not only provide an office space that will anchor your work but are an affordable and flexible resource for networking and community building. They’re great for collaboration, exchanging ideas, and finding work in Bangkok for foreigners. There’s a good chance you’ll find someone in your field considering the limited amount of work being done online.
4. Workshops and Events
A number of nomads have taken the initiative in hosting their own workshops and career-oriented events. Many of these are cheap or free of charge. This is an excellent way to meet other independent professionals in your field of work. As this is becoming more and more popular, locations in Bangkok have been making things easier and more affordable to choose venues for your workshop. Event centers, conference halls, and outdoors summits are becoming the norm and areas accessible to attend as they are to host.
5. Health, Insurance, and Regional Concerns
Be sure to get both vaccinated and insured before arriving to Thailand. Since you’re coming, most likely, on a tourist/temporary visa, getting travel insurance or an alternative option in your own country is a necessary task. You should also take some time to read about food poisoning, water sickness, and other ways that your body might act up as it begins to acclimate to new foods and bacteria.
Thailand also happens to be more conservative on the political spectrum. Knowing what you can and can’t say when it comes to politics can make the difference between time spent in the sun or behind bars. Like visiting any country, do some research on some of the cultural norms, laws, and what is considered taboo before arriving.
Life is a joy for most digital nomads in Bangkok. You can learn more about tips to become digital nomads in Bangkok here. We hope these tips help you in your journey to the land of smiles
