ChianG Mai

Cultural diversity.

Relaxed lifestyle.

Chiang Mai for Nomads

Chiang Mai is high on the list of desired destinations for many digital nomads.
A popular hotspot for remote workers from all over the world.

entry requirements

You can enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days. You can extend your stay once for another 30 days. However, you can also apply for a tourist visa at the Thai Embassy for 60 days with an extension for another 30 days. You can stay up to 6 months in the country with the special Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. Here it is even possible to enter and leave the country several times. However, both visas do not officially allow you to work in the country. Digital nomads have to be careful. If you want to work in Thailand, you are on the safe side with the Non-Immigrant B Visa. There are different variants. It is best to ask for advice at the responsible embassy or consulate. A work permit may also be necessary. You can usually get one from your employer.

Since September 2022 you have the possibility to apply for the Long Term Residency Visa for Thailand. With this visa you are not allowed to work directly in Thailand, but you are allowed to expand your international business. The perfect basis for digital nomads. The visa is valid for up to 10 years, but is not cheap.

Leisure and Lifestyle

What makes the city interesting is not just the low cost of living.

Above all, the lifestyle and the numerous remote workplaces provide an almost perfect foundation. Although Chiang Mai is a rapidly growing city, you live in close proximity to nature.

Thais are exceptionally friendly and tolerant hosts. This is reflected in the very large community of expats and digital nomads.

Compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai has more the character of a village despite its 127,000 inhabitants. The residents know each other and are very relaxed in everyday life. You will rarely meet business people in a hurry here. Life pulsates on the streets of Chiang Mai. There are street markets with all kinds of Thai delicacies and countless souvenir stores. One quickly notices that the city is heavily geared towards tourism. The range of activities seems almost endless.

Religion plays a big role. Chiang Mai plays a big role in Buddhism and forms a kind of center of faith. Many Thais come to the city to spend some time in a monastery and devote themselves completely to their faith.

Must Sees in Chiang Mai

1

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

It is the landmark of Chiang Mai. The temple complex is a popular destination for tourists.

2

Loi Krathong Festival

The Festival of Lights is celebrated in the twelfth month of the Thai lunisolar calendar.

3

Mae Sa Waterfalls

An oasis in the middle of the rainforest. At the waterfalls you can swim and also hike.

4

Nimmanhaemin Road

So to speak the “place to be” of Chiang Mai. A modern neighborhood with chic cafes, restaurants and clubs.

Public Transport

Songthaews, buses and tuk-tuks

The most common means of transportation are songthaews, buses and tuk-tuks.

Songthaews can carry eight to 12 passengers. There are no fixed routes. The driver always decides individually on the most comfortable route and lets the passengers off near the actual destination. At the end of the trip, passengers pay the driver for the distance covered.

In addition, motor scooters are everywhere in the urban area. These are in Chiang Mai on every corner. Who is on the road with it, needs an international driver’s license. It is not quite safe to be on the road on a two-wheeler. Accidents are the order of the day. The scooters are often not insured, so that damages have to be paid out of one’s own pocket.

The safest and most independent way to travel around Chiang Mai is by car. At rush hour, as in any big city, you need to plan more time.

Everyday life in Chiang Mai

Food and Groceries

In Thailand, people often eat out. Restaurant visits are not considered a luxury here, but are firmly linked to everyday life. There are offers for every budget, from the canteen to the upscale restaurant. On the typical night markets, there is the smell of delicious Thai food on every corner. A very special flair is literally in the air and attracts tourists in particular. Street food is a big part of food culture. It is always freshly prepared and is exceptionally delicious. If you are vegan or vegetarian, then you should make sure that the stalls also prepare meat products in the same oil (often this is not the case, but with stalls that sell many different types of food, the probability is very high).

If you prefer to cook for yourself, you can find many ingredients at local markets. There is a large selection of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Pharmacy

Pharmacies in Thailand are well equipped. Not all pharmacists speak fluent English. However, you can usually communicate well. Pharmacists usually speak some English, and you can tell them your symptoms.

Fitness and Health

Health Care

Medical care is generally of high quality and somewhat cheaper compared to Western countries. However, you should not do without health insurance. Especially in the traffic of Chiang Mai accidents happen frequently. Serious injuries in case of a fall are therefore not excluded. With private health insurance, you can get treatment at any public or private hospital.

Air pollution: Increased sharply in recent years. If you have a pre-existing condition such as asthma, you may have problems during the dry season from November to April.

Stay fit in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is known for its many green spaces. They blend seamlessly into the cityscape and popular with recreational athletes. Jogging, cycling, fitness – outdoor is possible. Due to the many digital nomads in the city, you can actually find like-minded people everywhere. Yoga courses are especially popular with women. The sports offer is altogether huge.

Finding Places to live in Chiang Mai

Apartments in Chiang Mai

AIRBNB

Apartments and private rooms

Chiang-Mai Open Realty

Homes and Condos for Rent

Hostels in Chiang Mai

Hostelworld

Shared rooms, coliving and apartments

Coliving in Chiang Mai

Alt_ChiangMai

Coliving flats and coworking space

Hub 53

Modern coliving and coworking space

Hotels in Chiang Mai

Booking.com

Searching for a hotel rooms in Chiang Mai.

Best Places to Work

Chiang Mai is a hot spot for remote workers.

Location-independent work is easily possible everywhere here. The coworking spaces are modern high-tech offices that lack nothing.

Coworking spaces in Chiang Mai

Yellow

Coworking spaces with 24/7 access

Punspace

Coworking at two locations in Chiang Mai, 24/7 access

hub 53

Coworking space located near Nimman Road

4 facts you need to know about Chiang Mai

Night Bazaar

Every evening near the Ping River. Here you can find various local products and several cookshops.

The land of smiles

The land of smiles
You may be surprised to learn that there are 13 types of smile, each with a special meaning and use in a particular situation!

Community

Chiang Mai is very western and an absolute hot spot for digital nomads. You will quickly find new acquaintances in modern cafes and malls.

Internet Speed

Free wifi access is a matter of course in cafes. There are a few coworking spaces that offer up to 100 Mbps. In rental accommodations, it is significantly less.