WI-FI

Internet access is good in Bangkok and Chiang Mai but can be slow in other parts.

Wifi is available in most cafés, restaurants, malls and hotels and also the Internet speed is OK. There are several cellular companies operating in Thailand and they also give you good wireless Internet access.

If speed is important for you, use the free wifi networks of the cellular companies. Also the cellular Internet itself is pretty fast, as long as you are within your Data usage.

Wi-Fi speed in cafés and hotels varies from place to place.

Mobile Internet

In Thailand, it’s easy and cheap to get a SIM card with data. When arriving, you will most likely find yourself in Bangkok’s international airport Suvarnabhumi. I would strongly advise you to buy your SIM as soon as you exit Arrivals. If you don’t exit in Bangkok just get one at the airport in Chiang Mai.

There are three main operators:

• AIS
• True
• DTAC

I always recommend to get AIS. They have great coverage and you can add the so called Super Wi-Fi to your normal data plan (if you’re getting unlimited data; Super Wi-Fi is included with limited data plans). The Super Wi-Fi allows you to get high speed internet all over Thailand through the AIS hotspots.

MiFi

Living in Thailand as a Digital Nomad

The cost of living in Thailand is cheap when compared with many other countries throughout the world. When it comes to property, location is the key and the cost of property will vary enormously according to where you wish to live. Despite this, rent is generally cheap when compared with western nations.

Expatriates observe a big difference in the price of Thai and western food here. The local restaurants are extremely cheap and the majority of local people eat out on a daily basis because it is cheaper than cooking at home. The price of western food, however, will largely be on a par with the price of food in the west. Wine is very expensive here but beer and local spirits can be purchased at a very low price.

The principal language spoken in Thailand is Thai, with significant minorities speaking Chinese, Lao, Khmer and Malay. A large percentage of the Thai population speaks English.

The transport network in Thailand is quite dense and can take you almost anywhere in the country at least by bus. Bus is the most popular mean of transport and the most used by Thai people. The train serves the four cardinal points but not all major cities. There are no train to popular tourist destinations such as Phuket and Sukhothai.

Coworking Spaces

If you like working from coworking spaces, you will have no problems in Thailand. There are almost everywhere and the prices are relatively humane.

Here, for example, are two coworking spaces in the nomadic hubs Koh Lanta, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai.

KoHub

Kohub is situated on the beautiful tropical island of Koh Lanta in southern Thailand and only a 40-minute speedboat trip from the popular Phi Phi Islands. Beautiful white sand beaches offer great snorkeling, diving and many other great local activities, such as Maui Thai and yoga. There’s also an abundance of local bars and events, it’s the perfect place to get some work done and enjoy the tropical lifestyle.

The Hive / Hubba

I’m a fan of the coworking space chain The Hive. Already in Saigon and Singapore, I have been working from there. I like the cozy atmosphere and the many activities. But if you want to use your free days of the Nomad List Membership when in Bangkok, you can do it in the Coworking Space Hubba.