Prior to the pandemic, more than 30m foreigners visited the Land of Smiles in 2018 and while this unique country has always been popular for tourists and retirees, there’s a new breed of expat that lives and works in Bangkok, namely the digital nomad. So, why Bangkok? I hear you ask, and here are some of the reasons digital entrepreneurs flock to relocate in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
- 5 Star Internet – The digital nomad needs two things to operate, a digital device and a stable Internet connection; Thailand ranks up there with first world nations’ IT infrastructure and for around $50 a month, you can have an unlimited Internet SIM card that allows you to hotspot for a laptop connection. An average package would offer download speeds of 4 mps and you can much higher if you deal with a lot of data. There are several ISPs in Thailand; True Corporation, DTAC and BBB and they pretty much cover the entire country and 5G is already on the table.
- Cheap Accommodation – If you are thinking of relocating to Thailand, take a short holiday first; Take out a Test & Go package in Thailand with a leading SHA Plus hotel and spend a few days checking out the sights in Bangkok. Empty condo units are in abundance, so rentals are low; you can rent a studio apartment in a luxury complex with gated security, swimming pool, fitness center and underground parking, and all for around $400 per month. Of course, you might prefer a beachside villa on Koh Samui and who would blame you? Even in the tourist regions, rentals are reasonable; the past few years have had a devastating effect on the tourism sector in Thailand.
- Great Climate – No one likes the harsh winters in Europe and the US and when you manage your business online, you are free to live where you like; what’s not to like about living in a tropical paradise? Admittedly, the Thai summer (April/May) is very hot and humid (can reach 40C) with 100% humidity, but the Thai winters are fantastic; clear blue skies, 25-30C daytime temperatures. Here are a few strategies to draw in new customers.
- Easy to Get Around – Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis, but there are canals that run through the entire city, while the Skytrain is cheap and fast, with several lines that intersect in the central part of the city. There are thousands of green and yellow cabs that you can hail on the street, while the adventurous can take their chances on the motorcycle taxis that weave their way in and out of the rush hour traffic.
- Great for Networking – Whatever your sector, you will meet many people who enjoy the millionaire lifestyle; there are many great co-working spaces where all the tech guys hang out, so you will soon have a full contact list of professionals across many sectors.
Always check with the Thai government website regarding the current Covid-19 entry requirements, as things can change without notice.
