Thailand: An Ideal Retreat for Remote Worker
Thailand is one of the world’s favourite tourist destinations and is also considered a preferred choice for remote work due to various reasons including superior infrastructure, fast internet connection, delicious food, agreeable climate, and the friendly locals.
“Workcation” or working while traveling is a popular trend that makes life easier and more flexible, and Thailand is an ideal destination for remote workers who love the tropical climate, rich culture and heritage, affordable cost of living, vibrant culture and entertainment, and superior infrastructure to enjoy the work-life balance.
For remote workers visiting Thailand for the first time, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket are among the kingdom’s most popular destinations, offering a choice of a bustling and vibrant city scene, a spectacular beach or tropical island setting, or a lush green countryside with forest-clad hills and rolling valleys, all easily accessible.
In each destination, there’s a diverse community of remote workers and a wide choice of accommodation options and co-working facilities as well as fast internet connection, making it ideal to work remotely and leisurely with a chance to network and collaborate with a growing community of digital nomads and business entrepreneurs from around the world, as well as to enjoy plenty of leisure activities.
BANGKOK
Thailand’s bustling capital city is a mesmerizing mix of old and new, East and West. Glittering temples stand alongside towering office blocks, high-end shopping malls, and glitzy entertainment complexes. The cuisine on offer ranges from fine dining and Michelin-rated restaurants to delicious street food. Bangkok offers everything travellers could expect from one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Remote Work in Bangkok
Bangkok’s ever-growing business scene and ever-evolving infrastructure make it home to diverse co-working spaces that suit every budget and professional requirement. Nomad List features 576 co-working spaces in Bangkok, while Coworker provides a collection of 168. Here’s a few samples.
Pier Lab offers a place to meet, work and create, and houses tech entrepreneurs and early startups as well as creative freelancers and students. Located in Tha Maharaj riverside lifestyle mall, it’s easily accessible by ferry-crossing and the Chao Phraya Tourist boat which connects to BTS Skytrain Sathorn Station. www.pier-lab.com
The Urban Office – L3, IDEO Q Chula-Samyan provides hybrid co-working spaces, virtual and serviced offices, and conference rooms. Located in the up-and-coming Samyan neighbourhood, on the corner of Rama 4 Road and Si Phraya Road, it’s just a few steps away from MRT Subway Samyan, and easily accessible to Silom and Sathorn area. www.theurbanoffice.com
The Work Loft offers shared working spaces, meeting rooms, private offices, and office facilities plus a café bar and free snacks & refreshments. It’s located in the heart of Bangkok right next to BTS Skytrain Sala Daeng Station and a 5-minute walk from MRT Subway Silom Station. www.theworkloft.com/coworking
CHIANG MAI
Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai is a much-loved destination of culture and heritage with fascinating Lanna temples, enchanting night markets, delightful cuisine, and charming arts and crafts. The city offers a more laidback but still unmistakably city lifestyle. It is also the gateway to adventure-based activities in the Northern region.
Remote Work in Chiang Mai
With affordable cost of living, excellent weather conditions, diverse accommodation options and co-working spaces, and fast internet connection, Chiang Mai is home to a growing community of global remote workers. Nomad List features 437 co-working spaces in Chiang Mai, and here’s just a few samples.
Yellow Coworking is a blockchain-focused incubator and co-working space, offering shared and private office spaces, meeting rooms, event areas, soundproof Skype booths, YouTube streaming rooms, recreational zones, and other co-working facilities for digital nomads, remote workers, and roaming IT expats. It’s located in one of Chiang Mai’s coolest neighbourhoods, Nimman, known for its restaurants, shops, galleries, and cafes. www.yellowincubator.com/coworking
Punspace Tha Phae Gate is one of Chiang Mai’s popular and work-friendly co-working spaces, offering shared and private office spaces, meeting rooms, event areas, Skype rooms, and a range of necessary facilities for a growing community of startup entrepreneurs, remote workers, and digital nomads. It’s located in Chiang Mai’s Old Town, known for its cafes, restaurants and historic Lanna sights. www.punspace.com/coworking-space
The Brick Startup Space is a co-working space for new entrepreneurs and offers a pre-incubation programme that supports local startups. The venue is operated by the Technology Business Incubation Department of the Science and Technology Park in Chiang Mai University and is also supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, making it a perfect place to meet Thai business owners. It’s located on Siri Mangkalajarn Road, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and other coworking spaces. www.facebook.com/thebrickspace
PHUKET
One of the world’s most famous and best-loved resort islands, Phuket offers a tropical island lifestyle that is both relaxed and vibrant. The coastline boasts a wide choice of beautiful beaches from the quiet to the busy, while there is an array of activities and attractions catering to all tastes. Phuket is also the jump-off point for further exploration of the surrounding area, and for fishing and island-hopping trips.
Remote Work in Phuket
Phuket is home to a large expat community and is a hotspot for global remote workers, with a diverse range of accommodation and co-working spaces. Nomad List features 44 co-working spaces in Phuket, while Coworker has a collection of 10. Here’s a few samples.
BAYACO is one of Phuket’s popular co-working spaces, offering spacious shared working spaces, private offices, various meeting rooms, and other office facilities for remote worker, startup entrepreneurs, and those looking for a place to work and relax. It is also the place where the business ecosystem starts and ready to support all startups and SMEs to grow up in the business world. It’s located in Phuket town, about a 10-minute drive to the Old Town area. https://bayacophuket.business.site/
Garage Society offers shared working spaces, meeting rooms, and event areas for digital nomads looking for co-working space in Phuket. It’s located only a few minutes’ walk away from Phuket’s famous Patong Beach, making ideal for those looking for the ‘Bleisure’ vibe. www.thegaragesociety.com/thailand/phuket
Let’s Work is a co-working space with a range of facilities and services to the new era of digital nomads, business owners, and entrepreneurs. It’s located the Rawai beachfront road with a beautiful Seaview in southern Phuket. www.letswork.co.th
Thailand offers a balance between work and leisure, allowing for exploration of Thailand’s many destinations while staying focused on projects and career goals. All you need is a notebook or smartphone, and you can work hassle-free anywhere.
