Workation in Thailand: How to live and work in Thailand
How do I live and work in Thailand legally for a longer period of time? This is the most frequent question I get from remote workers in the past year, especially because it is hard to stay in Thailand long-term.
When I talk to our aspiring digital nomads in the community and they very often mention Thailand, I ask them why they are so keen on the Land of the Smiles. Their answer is simple: forever summer, an easy-going, relaxed lifestyle, and fantastic value for money.
Yes, going short term on a tourist visa in Thailand is easy for most passport holders the Western world. Get your laptop, rent a property for a month, get a visa on Arival, and extend it up to three months. Done. Well, this is not completely legal, and you may be paying more taxes than you should.
Things get a bit more complicated for foreigners in Thailand when we start looking at VISA, (SOZIALVERSICHERUNG for our German friends), permits, and actually finding a “workation hotel Thailand”, where you can properly work and maybe meet some interesting people too, so you’re not alone.
Unfortunately, although many airbnbs advertise as offering a workspace, most of them fail to deliver the full working conditions. (interested in European workations?)
If you plan to stay for one month or longer, let me show you an option to live and work in Thailand, avoiding compliance risks and finding a proper accommodation for your work.
Table of Contents
Getting a workation visa in Thailand - is it even possible?
Let’s start with the main problem, a long-term Thai workation visa. The local government offers several options here, but all of them impose stringent restrictions and high costs.
The most common one is the “Thailand Digital Nomad Visa”, referred to as the “Long Term Residence Visa”. In order to get it, you need a valid passport, earn $80k per year, bring your medical insurance, and live as a remote worker in Thailand. The visa is valid for 10 years, and you have to meet the conditions and renew every year.
The main problem, besides earning $80k per year, is that this visa is usually made for 10 years and costs approx. 1300€, which, of course, will not be refunded.
Another option proposed by the local government is “Thailand’s Smart Visa”. There are several types of jobs and situations that fall under this visa, addressed to skilled workers, investors, executives, and startup entrepreneurs. If you count in any of these categories, earning $80,000/year as an executive or having a start-up plan approved by credible Thai agencies, there you go.
The price for such a visa starts at $2760/year, so again, not cheap.
Also, you must consider that this is just the cost of the VISA and other costs will come up, like travel and health insurance and other fees associated with the paperwork.
A short-cut to all these compliance issues is to go on workation for a few months using a local employer of record, also known as EOR.
For example, WorkationScout, an innovative German start-up, has made it possible for remote employees as well as freelancers to live and work in Thailand without paying a cent for compliance. In cooperation with local partners and the Thai government, they aim to solve the two major problems of living and working in Thailand: compliance and accommodation that meets all requirements for a productive work day.
To solve these problems, WorkationScout brought on the market a free-of-charge workation program, addressed to remote workers with a minimum . income of $3,000/month. To find out more about this unique program, you can go directly to their web page.
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Workation in Bangkok - Is it really for you?
Did you know that Bangkok, also called “City of Angels” or, funnily enough, “The Big Mango” is the No. 1 city for remote workers worldwide? According to several rankings, including the one from CommercialSearch, a renowned platform specializing in working and co-working spaces, the Thai Capital has ranked as the number one city and is famous for workations and remote workers.
This is due to its all-round affordability, combined with other important factors in CommercialSearch’s Best Digital Nomad Cities in the World.
A workation in Bangkok is definitely one for city lovers. Some people say it’s too crowded, but for others, it is the perfect place to work and indulge in an affordable Asian lifestyle.
The city’s vibrant nightlife, delectable yet inexpensive food, and hip cafes in neighbourhoods like Thonglor only add to its appeal. Moreover, with the rest of Southeast Asia easily accessible, digital nomads can explore quiet retreats away from the charming hustle and bustle of this nine-million-resident city.
So what’s so special about the “City of Angels” and why is it the number one melting point for remote workers?
Let’s find out together below.
The capital of Thailand is a cosmopolitan city that comes with a bunch of opportunities for start-ups and new businesses. The Global Startup Ecosystem showed there are 217 start-ups in Bangkok. This is 85% of the total number of start–ups in Thailand.
Therefore, Bangkok has numerous coworking spaces, accelerators, and networking events. Welcome to the metropolis where innovation is born!
You will find co-working places within walking distance of your accommodation if you live downtown, but if you “not so lucky” and your co-working is 20 minutes away, no worries, just “grab the Grab.”
Grab is the Asian version of the European Uber. The paying rates are really low compared to Europe, and although Bangkok is a big city, it is really easy to commute from one area to another. (PRO TIP: go for the scooter taxis; they cost about 1$ for a 10 min ride).
The public transport made out of trains and metro is pretty good, allowing you to move pretty easy, but you’ll need to consider the peak hours. Bangkok can get busy at rush hour. Also, keep in mind that the BTS and MTS do not cover the entire city so you’ll need to combine taxis with one of the two above.
A really important thing most people do when arriving on a new continent is buying a SIM card. The local 7-Eleven shops offer a SIM card package with an unlimited internet connection. It costs only 10€/week, which is indeed a good price for unlimited internet. Or alternatively, you go for an AIS esim that will cost you about €7 for 60 GB of internet.
If these 3 points did not convince you about Bangkok’s potential yet, the Germans are already convinced.
A global survey made by the Germany-based vacation search engine, Holidu, brought Bangkok to first place. This survey ranked it as the number one workation destination among 150 cities worldwide.
The reasons for this can vary, but we can take into account the low prices, delicious food, and cheap stay, compared to the European capitals.
If you haven’t been to Thailand yet and wonder how much you would pay for a one person dinner with drinks included, it usually won’t be more than 10 euros in mid-range local restaurant.
The street food costs way less, around 1-2 euros per portion and most people prefer to try out a mix of seafood, noodles, vegetables and rice, stirred and fried in a wok pan. Pad Thai is the most common dish foreigners order when in Bangkok. Why? Because it is not as hot as other dishes. Most dishes in Thailand, the same as in India, are a bit spicy for europeans.
As a drink, you can enjoy a variety of fresh fruit shakes. From Mango to Durian, or Passion Fruit you will find all kinds of exotic tastes
For a total immersion in Bangkok, I recommend visiting Wat Arun Ratchawararam, known as the Temple of Dawn and Wat Pho, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. What is really impressive about these temples is, the architecture, but for me personally, it is the unique calmness that makes you feel welcome in the “City of Angels”.
The best deal for accommodation would be to live in an apartment on Airbnb (even though Airbnb is not really legal in Thailand) , but of course, as a remote worker, not all apartments “are remote work ready”. Expect to pay between 400-500 USD for a nice condo in central Bangkok.
We like to make sure we have fast internet, a good working desk, a comfortable chair, and so on.
If you want to avoid headaches, you should check out companies like WorkationScout. This Berlin start-up helps remote workers anywhere in the world settle in Thailand.
Roland and Ana are two expert remote workers and will guide you to find an appropriate place to stay, for your own budget and needs. Their service is free of charge for remote workers.
Based on a cooperation between WorkationScout, Remote Tribe, and the local employer of record in Thailand, the employees earning $3000/month or above, participating in the program for 6 months, will get a refund for the flights at the end of the stay.
The only thing left as a remote worker is to immerse yourself in an unforgettable cultural adventure because the “City of Angels” is something you will never forget.
Steps to planning a workation in Thailand
Choose Your Location: Thailand offers a variety of destinations suitable for a workation. Consider popular cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or smaller beach towns like Krabi or Koh Samui. Each location has its own vibe and amenities, so choose one that fits both your work environment and your hobbies. For example, Chiang Mai is the best place to try cooking classes, visit national parks, while the islands like Koh Phangan are better for relaxation, sports, meditation, and so on.
Research Accommodation: Look for places to stay that are suitable for remote workers. Many hotels, resorts, and co-living spaces in Thailand have high-speed internet (and now 5G!) and some spaces where you could work. Check the reviews and amenities first so you don’t have any surprises when you land in Thailand.
Check Visa Requirements: Depending on your nationality and the length of your stay, you may need a visa to enter Thailand. Research the visa requirements well in advance and make the necessary arrangements to obtain the appropriate visa. We talked some options above.
Ensure Connectivity: A stable internet connection is crucial for a workation. Confirm that your accommodation (Airbnb,etc) or check the details on the website. You may also consider getting a local SIM card with a data plan to stay connected while exploring. We recommend AIS eSIMs. 5g with them is extremelly fast with them.
Set Up Your Workspace: This should be easy. If you are renting an apartment in CHiang Mai or Bangkok and you chose one with a working space, then you’ll probably be good to go since you enter the door. If you choose to go in the islands and rent a small hosue there or a resort, make sure they do have a comfy desk and chair.
Plan Your Work Schedule: Create a realistic work schedule that allows you to balance work and leisure activities. Factor in time zone differences if you’re working with colleagues or clients in different locations.
Explore Local Experiences: Take advantage of your surroundings during downtime. Explore Thailand’s rich culture by visiting temples, trying local cuisine, participating in cooking classes, or engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, snorkeling, or yoga.
Stay Organized: Keep track of your work tasks and travel plans using tools like calendars, task management apps, or travel journals. Staying organized will help you make the most of your time and avoid last-minute stress. Also, plan your trips well in advance to avoid head aches and save money.
Budget Wisely: Create a budget for your workation, including expenses for accommodation, transportation, meals, activities, and any work-related costs. Keep track of your spending to avoid overspending and ensure a smooth financial experience.
Stay Flexible: While it’s important to have a plan, be prepared to adapt it as needed. Embrace spontaneity and be open to new experiences that may arise during your workation in Thailand.
Your Travel Resources Handy In One Place 🗺️
🧳 Travel Insurance
Enjoy peace of mind during traveling and don’t leave your country without good travel insurance. We recommend Insured Nomads or Genki for international travel insurance.
💰Travel Finances
Get your travel finances smart and straight with Wise or Revolut.
🏨 Accommodations
For a short stay check out Booking or Agoda. Staying longer? Take a look at the offers at Airbnb. Hostels are the cheapest option that you can explore at Hostelworld.
🏡 Recommended places for long-term stay
Wanna know the accommodations where we lived during our digital nomad journey? Check out the places we enjoyed the most!
🎫 Book tours
Are you up for taking part in epic guided tours? Book ones you like using GetYourGuide or Viator.
🚗 Rent a car
To find great rental car deals check out Rental Cars and get ready for your car trip!
✈️ Book a flight
For the hottest deals check out Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights or WayAway.
🛡️ VPN
To stay safely connected while traveling, don’t forget about a good VPN. We recommend Surfshark or NordVPN.
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