I spent about two months living the digital nomad life in Thailand, and here’s a full record of my experience and impressions.
This was actually my third time visiting Thailand. By the third trip, you start to feel a certain sense of home. In the latter half of my stay, I hardly felt like I was “in Thailand” anymore—it started to feel like everyday life, just like when I was living in Japan.
For this trip, my plan was to spend the first two weeks in Bangkok, followed by a month and a half in Chiang Mai.
Bangkok
After landing at Don Mueang Airport, I took a bus into the city and then grabbed a Grab taxi to my hotel. I stayed at Cheap Boutique. The price was indeed cheap, but there were some downsides:
- Far from the city center—Grab taxi was a must every time (about 1,000 yen round trip)
- Weak air conditioning, so the room was hot during the day
- Bathroom wasn’t very clean, and only had cold-water showers
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At first, I thought, “Yeah… I messed up this booking.” But I’ve done enough long-term travel to adapt pretty quickly, and I got used to it after a while.
The main reason I stayed in Bangkok was to get vaccinations at the Snake Farm. I’ve written about that in detail here
On other days, I mostly worked—either in my room after grabbing food from the local convenience store, or in cafés around the city. In the evenings, I had a routine of buying roast pork (40 baht) from a street vendor near my hotel and pairing it with convenience store beer.
Recommended Café in Bangkok
- Bottomless Sukhumvit 33
There’s a shopping mall called Musphere nearby, so after working you can head straight to eat or shop. Super convenient.
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Highly Recommended Restaurant
- Eat Am Are Good Steak
Huge portions for around 200 baht. It’s a chain, so look for a branch near you—it’s so good that I’m genuinely sad it’s only available in Bangkok.
I also visited Fire Tiger, a bubble tea shop that went viral on social media. It’s worth trying, but be warned—it’s very sweet, so only for those with a serious sweet tooth.
Chiang Mai
The flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is just one hour—it goes by in a flash.
I stayed at The 51 Hometel, which I booked on Airbnb.
- Strong air conditioning
- Weekly cleaning service
- About 80,000 yen for 1.5 months
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It was very comfortable, but the area didn’t have many shops, so short-term travelers might find it inconvenient. For me, it was perfect for focusing on work.
There was a local food stall nearby that sold wonton noodles for 50 baht—a dream for budget travelers. I always ordered two bowls though.
The Three Main Areas of Chiang Mai
- Nimmanhaemin (One Nimman) Area
Packed with modern cafés and restaurants, plus the Maya Shopping Mall—very convenient.
- Old City
A historic area with scattered cafés and shops. The Sunday Night Market is a must-visit—tons of street food, souvenirs, and a lively atmosphere with both locals and tourists. If you’re coming to Chiang Mai, try to include a Sunday in your schedule.
- Night Bazaar Area
Night markets are held every evening, with endless street food and bars.
Sightseeing
Popular spots include the Long Neck Karen villages and Chiang Rai’s famous temples, but I skipped those this time. Instead, I took a trip to Phuket
Next time in Chiang Mai, I’d like to get an international driver’s permit and explore the surrounding areas by motorbike.
Recommended in Chiang Mai
- Na-Nua Suan Dok Gate – น่า-เนื้อ สาขาประตูสวนดอก
A steak rice bowl place I entered out of curiosity after seeing one muscular foreigner after another walk in—and it turned out to be a jackpot.
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- Chiang Mai Horumon
Went here with an friend I met by chance. Surprisingly delicious, and perfect with beer.
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- North Gate
A jazz bar where you can enjoy live music. The outdoor seating has the best vibe.
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The Charm of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is cheaper than Bangkok and offers a more relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. Almost every café has digital nomads working away, and using Meetup or similar apps is a great way to connect with nomads from around the world.
