There鈥檚 no question about it 鈥� Thailand is an adventurous and exciting vacation destination. But it鈥檚 also a favorite spot among the world鈥檚 expats and digital nomads.
Thailand boasts incredible beauty and an extremely low cost of living. And those are but two reasons why it鈥檚 earned our rating as the best place to live abroad based on its culture, social life, and local markets.
Most people think of Thailand as either the bustling city of Bangkok or a remote jungle. But the truth is, there is a lot more to the country.
For expats and digital nomads thinking about moving to Asia, these are the best places to live in Thailand (spoiler alert: Bangkok didn鈥檛 make our list).
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Chiang Mai makes the top spot on our list for a few reasons. For starters, it has a deep and rich .
Hundreds of tech-savvy expats live in Chiang Mai. That means that there is an amazing community of freelancers and digital entrepreneurs.
It鈥檚 easy to find shared office spaces with other expats who rely on decent internet connections to get their work done.
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand. With a population of about 130,000 people, it鈥檚 the perfect spot for anyone who wants to be inland. If you prefer the coast, it鈥檚 probably not for you.
Chiang Mai, like other parts of the country, attracts expats for Thailand’s low cost of living. Your dollar will stretch much further here than anywhere in North America or Western Europe.
You can also experience the Wat Pra That Doi Suthep, one of the most spiritually significant places in all of Thailand.
You can also spend time at the living museum that is the Old City Temples, Wiang Kum Kam, the ancient underground city, and the Bo Sang handicraft village.
In Bo Sang, you鈥檒l find authentically handcrafted parasols, a symbol of Thai culture.
Hua Hin
We absolutely love Hua Hin for its beach resort vibe. And because of that resort feel, it鈥檚 perfect for anyone who wants to live and thrive in a beach community.
Hua Hin feels like a small town, but it offers all of the modern amenities that expats love.
Approximately 63,000 people call Hua Hin home. The climate is hot and tropical, so expect rain and tropical storms. Monsoon season starts in May, but the heaviest rainfall occurs from September to November.
From the Tamarind Market to the Huay Mongkol Temple, Hua Hin is rich with culture and activities. The best part is that with its links to Thai royalty, you can be sure it won鈥檛 lose its small-town appeal.
Koh Tao
If Thailand isn鈥檛 remote enough for your liking, Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand that鈥檚 even more secluded and unique.
If your goal is to enjoy the experience of true island living, this is the destination for you.
Koh Tao has a very remote feel, yet it鈥檚 home to a diverse community of expats who contribute to its thriving community.
If you like to scuba dive or spend time on the water, Koh Tao is the perfect place to do so. This island paradise is a scuba diving hotspot.
It鈥檚 also perfect for snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, sailing, and all sorts of on-the-water excursions.
Kanchanaburi
Do you want to be close to the city without having to live in and deal with day-in, day-out city life?
Kanchanaburi offers easy access to Bangkok and provides an authentic Thai experience without living in the city itself.
Kanchanaburi is home to the original 鈥渂ridge over the river Kwai.鈥� It鈥檚 a province rich in history, mesmerizing waterfalls, and plenty of forests and caves to explore.
In Kanchanaburi, you can enjoy everything from shopping at floating markets on the river to waterskiing and jet skiing. It’s also rich with beautiful national parks.
One of the most interesting things about Kanchanaburi is the Buddhist temple Wat Tham Phu Wa. At the temple, you鈥檒l find a series of grottoes in limestone caves that depict a series of Buddha statues at different stages of life.
It鈥檚 a wonder to behold, making Kanchanaburi a must-visit destination, even if you don鈥檛 live there.
Pattaya
Pattaya used to be a small fishing village. Located on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast, it has recently become an international hotspot. Its beautiful beaches attract people from all over the world.
It鈥檚 well-known for its incredible nightlife, making it an ideal choice for those who want the city experience without living in Bangkok.
Walking Street is a favorite in Pattaya. It鈥檚 where locals and tourists go to experience the excitement of city life without going into Bangkok.
Packed with bars, restaurants, and clubs, Walking Street is full of neon lights, street performers, and a variety of amazing food vendors.
Expats and digital nomads love Thailand for its tropical climate and low cost of living. It鈥檚 exotic, it鈥檚 beautiful, and 鈥� depending on where you go 鈥� you can enjoy big-city excitement, small-town life, or island-style coastal living.
The food in Thailand is amazing, and it鈥檚 an easy place for expats to get accustomed to. Sure, there are some cultural hurdles you鈥檒l have to get past, but that鈥檚 the case with any country that鈥檚 not your place of origin.
Looking for an inland city that鈥檚 away from the coast? Check out, Chiang Mai. Prefer to live near the beach in a place that feels like you鈥檙e on a permanent resort vacation? Look into Hua Hin. Want to be near the city without living in Bangkok? Kanchanaburi might be the place for you.
Whether you prefer the island-style of Koh Tao or the exciting nightlife of Pattaya, you鈥檙e sure to be able to find a place in Thailand that鈥檚 perfect for you.
More Great Thai Cities for Expats to Consider
Bangkok: Thailand’s capital city
Phuket: Beach resort in Thailand
Koh Sumai
Krabi
Pai
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