holdall · Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok

Feb 2024

1 month

Summary

Summary

Ever since visiting Bangkok on holiday in 2018, I'd been eyeing up a return to Thailand. I'd put it off the last couple of years due to a reluctance in shifting my work day into the evening. Traditionally, being a morning person, the idea of starting work at 14:00 felt intrinsically wrong and in conflict with my entire approach to a work day.

With that being said, after a particularly overwhelming craving for Thai food one day at the end of 2023, I thought I'd challenge this apprehension and booked a flight to Bangkok from Kigali.

Accommodation

Bad

Good

Great

Not many cities can compete with the quantity, quality and price of the accommodation on offer in Bangkok. An over-supply of condo complexes across the city mean that even via Airbnb, you can expect to find a premium quality flat in a central area for under £800 a month. Given the quantity in supply, aim for a recently finished building which hasn't suffered 20 years of short term rental use. Google Maps is useful for checking the overall state of the building the apartment may be based in.

Unlike other warm weather locations where a pool is a nice to have, I'd mark it as an essential item to have on site. Combined with access to a gym, it can make your mornings off work incredibly stress free. Some of the more modern condo buildings offer on site coworking which may be something to consider if working late.

I would whole heartedly recommend the area around the T77 Community, just off Sukhumvit Road.

info

New legislation

Recent changes introduced by the Turkish government has made short-term rentals for under 100 days more restricted. Keep an eye on Reddit threads for up-to-date assessments of how the new legislation is impacting short-term rentals in practice.

Places to work

Bad

Good

Great

With most specialty coffee shops closing by 4:00 pm and even Starbucks shutting down by 8:00 pm, consider using a dedicated coworking space if you maintain European work hours. However, 24-hour access isn't offered by all coworking spaces, so plan ahead and choose accommodation near your preferred workspace. The Hive locations, for example, offer 24/7 access with monthly memberships.

While numerous cafes and coworking spaces can be found across the city, researching options in advance near your desired work and living areas can minimise reliance on public transport or taxis.

Value

Bad

Good

Great

Even in 2024, Thailand remains incredibly affordable for visitors with Western salaries. Local street food stalls and markets are particularly inexpensive, while international cuisine, though pricier, is still good value compared to European standards.

Transportation within Bangkok and to other national destinations is inexpensive and convenient. Alcohol is a noticeable outlier where prices in more sophisticated venues can be comparable or even exceed their equivalents in Europe.

info

The yen is currently at a 34-year low

While this is undoubtedly a negative for the Japanese, it makes for an exceptionally good time to visit Japan from abroad. Although this trend is unlikely to reverse significantly in the short term, it's still worth checking before visiting.

Excitement

Bad

Good

Great

In terms of excitement, very few places globally can match Bangkok. Whatever you’re looking for, it will be there in immense abundance. The depth and variety of food options, spanning all cuisines, are unparalleled.

The intensity isn’t confined to specific areas of the city either—you can practically pick any two points on the map, walk between them, and you’re likely to encounter something remarkable along the way, with great food available at any time of day.

It would be my first recommendation to anyone seeking a memorable, intense, and immersive month.

Working hours

Based in Indochina time, during the winter months, Thailand is 6 hours ahead of Central European, dropping to 5 during the summer.

While this is a significant time difference, adapting your daily schedule can make it manageable, especially if you have some flexibility with your working hours.

🇪🇺 Consider working European hours from Asia?

I've written a guide on how to structure your day to get the most out of the time difference.

Read article

Do you need to speak Spanish?

Without doubt, being able to speak Spanish with a degree of fluency is a huge asset when visiting South America. I had always put off visiting the continent due to my Spanish skills not extending beyond requesting a "cerveza grande".

But even with my incredibly primitive linguistic capabilities, it was not in any way to the detriment of the trip. English is spoken sparsely, but armed with a few phrases, some polite enthusiasm and a translator, it shouldn't deter you from visiting.

Do you need to speak Portugese?

After spending 10 weeks speaking (limited) Spanish across the rest of the continent, I struggled arriving in Brazil.

While I was far from conversational in Spanish, I quickly realised when I stepped out of the airport my vocabulary didn't extend a single word beyond 'Obrigado!'.
‍
In general, English is generally spoken incredibly sparsely. The most flowing interaction I had ended up being with an Uber driver where we periodically shouted out the names of Brazilian footballers playing in the English Premier League.

You can scrape by for a couple of weeks, but if you're planning on staying longer, I'd 100% recommend learning some basics to get the most out of the experience.

Whilst the entire city is a constant hive of activity, the area surrounding CentralWorld is particuarly busy, acting as a hub for both business and retail.

Street food still provides incredibly good value for money, with seemingly a new vendor around every corner. Expect to pay around 50 Thai Baht (Just over £1) for rice with a topping.

Access to a swimming pool as part of your apartment complex is a huge benefit. Mori Haus has a particularly well landscaped and maintained communal pool and relaxation area.

🔎

November 2024 Fact Check

Given the instability in Argentina over the past few years, I found that most advice on key topics, even if written within the last 12 months, bordered on being dangerously outdated.

I have attempted to summarise some of the most misleading points I encountered.

"Nowhere accepts card"

Incorrect

Card availability is now excellent across the city. Even if you are purchasing a single empanada, bananas from a greengrocer, or buying cans of beer off a man in the street before a football match. Some businesses may offer a 10% discount if you use cash, or charge a small surcharge for card payments.

"It's difficult to get a SUBE card"

Incorrect

This was true in recent years, as there had been a shortage of the cards across the city due to a lack of the plastics needed to create the card. I had no problems going to the nearest off-licence and getting a card on my first attempt. It's worth asking your Airbnb host who may have a spare.

"Buenos Aires is cheap"

Incorrect

The biggest misconception that may still linger, even if you are reading articles from 2023. If planning on eating out heavily, then expect European prices or even higher on more imported day-to-day goods. Eating out aside, day-to-day expenses are still good value by global measures.

"Bring dollars with you"

Partially true

This advice would continue to make sense for Americans who already have dollars, but I wouldn't recommend making an effort to purchase with the intent of exchanging them on the ground. Collecting money via Western Union was convenient and good value, which I would recommend to anyone visiting from outside the US.

"Make sure you get the blue-dollar rate"

Partially true

The dramatic stabilisation of the peso by late 2024 means that this difference is nowhere near as significant as it was 12 months ago. At the time of writing, there was only a 10% difference between the official and blue rate. If you are only in the city for a short period you may not even have to grapple with this.

"Restaurant service is poor"

Partially true

I did see some evidence of this, especially in cheaper, traditional restaurants. In comical fashion, drinks would not appear or the bill would never materialise. In more contemporary outlets, it was never a problem.

"It is a football mad city"

True

There is absolutely no doubt that this is as true as ever in 2024.

Where to stay

Bangkok is an enormous metropolis, and you should plan accordingly. I would suggest choosing an area within a 10-minute walk of Sukhumvit Road, one of the major arterial roads which can offer strong transport connections and easy access to coworking spaces.

Lively area, popular with tourists. Not somewhere I'd want to stay for a long stay due to this but a viable option for a shorter holiday.

Where to work

the Hive Prakanong

Top Choice

☕️ Good Coffee

📍 Top Location

🥗 On Site Cafe

🧍Community Focused

⭐️ Quality Fit Out

🌳 Outdoor Space

The Hive, a small chain of coworking spaces with locations across Asia and Bangkok, offers a mix of dedicated desks, flexible hot desks, and private offices at both Phra Khanong and Thong Lo.

While 24-hour workspaces aren't as common in Bangkok as you might expect, The Hive provides monthly members with around-the-clock access and complimentary espresso of reasonable quality. There's a good mix of locals, expats, and travellers, with regular hosted events if you're looking to build a community in the city. The interior of the space is well styled - minimal, modern and well maintained, aside from a couple of slightly rickety tables.

The quiet and peaceful environment features dedicated phone booths for private calls and strong air conditioning throughout the day and into the evening. Numerous restaurants are within a 5-minute walk, and a Sukhumvit Street Coffee branch is conveniently located at the building's base.

By 19:00, the space becomes practically deserted, ideal for focused work late into the night.

‍

WeWork options in Bangkok:

WeWork T-One Building - Situated within a 5-minute walk of the Thong Lo BTS station, this is probably the best of the three sites across the city in terms of convenience, location and quality. The All Access seating is positioned on the 20th floor, which has a good ambience without being overly crowded. An in-house barista from neighbouring coffee shop Sarnies provides coffees until 15:00. I can't imagine there are many better views from coworking spaces in the city, with the neighbouring competing towers of Watthana providing a great backdrop for your workday. Whilst it technically closes at 18:00 when the air conditioning stops, you can stay later into the evening; however, your key card will stop working, meaning you'll rely on other people to open the doors. Ensure you bring ID to the front desk to get a building card for the lifts - a mild inconvenience.

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WeWork Spring Tower - Quieter than the T-1 site, my main issue with this building is just how annoying it is to get in and out of the building. Each time coming in and out of the building, you will need to provide ID to be given a temporary card which is valid for only one use. Assuming you are coming in and out of the building a few times a day for coffees, it's unwanted friction. A nice space, but if you are staying in Sukhumvit, I would look elsewhere.

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Remote work visa

Remote work visa coming soon

A dedicated remote work visa is available for this country.

This country is actively working on a visa support for remote workers.

There is currently no remote work visa available for this country.

Thailand's Digital Travel Visa (DTV) is a 5-year programme aimed at remote workers, requiring proof of income (500,000 THB annually) and evidence of remote work status.

The visa operates on a multiple-entry basis, allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry throughout the 5-year validity period. A 6-month extension is possible. At £300, it's considerably more affordable than other long-term visa options.

To apply, you'll need to provide either an employment contract or professional portfolio that demonstrates your remote work status. The income requirement stands at 500,000 THB annually, and you'll need to submit proof of this alongside standard immigration requirements like a valid passport and clean criminal record. The application fee is £300.

Visa length

Visa cost

Earning requirements

Learn more open_in_new

To the best of my knowledge this information was correct as of Jan 2025. If you notice something has changed drop me a message and I'll update it!

‍Citizen Remote is a great source of up to date knowledge for everything to do with remote work visas.

Safety

On the whole, a safe and secure city.Bangkok feels walkable at all hours of the day, with street traders busy until the early hours of the morning. There may be some occasional reports of petty crime but nothing that should deter you from visiting.
Download ride hailing apps to get around.Both Bolt and Grab are widely available across the city. Late at night you may get offered rides from unlicensed private operators which for obvious reasons are best avoided. You'd be best advised to avoid any motorbike rides at the end of a night out where the combination of faster open roads, alcohol and a loosely enforced helmet policy feel potentially problematic.

Off work

Explore China Town

One of the largest Chinatowns in the world, it is a particularly busy and immersive part of the city home to a bewildering number of restaurants and markets. An ideal place to spend a couple of hours on foot during the weekend.

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Take a weekend break

The rest of Thailand is easily accessible from Bangkok via all transport methods. If you don't fancy the hassle of going through the airport, Koh Samet can be reached by bus in 3 hours making it a perfect option for a weekend away. 12Go Asia is a reliable option for booking bus and ferry tickets.

Explore Bang Kachao by bike

Given the enormity of its urban landscape, Bangkok doesn't excel in its availability of city parks. If you are seeking a break from the intensity of the city, Bang Kacha is an ideal place to spend an afternoon cycling on quiet waterways, with plenty of options for food and drink along the way. M-BIKE offers reliable bikes at low prices.

Duration & season

Whilst February was hot, it was by no means unbearable. Temperatures are routinely in the mid-30s during the day, dropping by 10 degrees overnight. With only one day of notable rain, it felt an ideal time to be based in the city, with the noticeable smell of blooming plant life in the evenings.

March-June is classed as the summer and can see daytime temperatures reaching 40, with the rainy season running from July to October. If you can be flexible with your timings, the window between November and February seems an ideal balance.

There is more than enough within the city for a one month stay, with the rest of the country easily accessible for weekend trips to islands or more remote settings.

Food & drink

Mutual Bar

Phrom Phong

Cocktails in a dimly lit intimate bar with imported craft lagers and live music on the weekends.

Top choice

Laptop friendly

Huan Roastery

Punnawithi

Top quality espresso with a number of bean varieties roasted in-house. The 'routine' Colombian one was excellent.

Top choice

Laptop friendly

River Walk

Walk

The volume of traffic on the roads can make walking taxing after a while, for a more peaceful journey, the urban waterways offer a more secluded route across the city reminiscent of London's grand union canal. The route from Charn Issara Pier to Hua Chang is relatively uninterrupted and shady throughout.

Bang Kachao Cycle

Cycle

If you are looking to escape the hustle of the city centre, take the short ferry from Wat Khlong Toei Nok Pier to Bang Krachao Pier. Good quality bicycles can be hired for £2 per day, where you can explore the quiet roads and waterways.

Benchakitti Forest Park

Walk

Substantial park just off of Sukhumvit Road, with a lake and amphitheatre. Great for a walk near sunset.

People

Even for a country that has been saturated with tourists for the past 30 years, Thai people remain warm, friendly, and approachable. English is widely spoken, albeit with varying levels of proficiency.

As one of the world's most popular cities for international tourists, there is a constant stream of people entering and departing the country, with many passing through Bangkok to reach more exotic locations within the country.

If you are looking to meet fellow remote workers, you won't have to try very hard. Brits and Germans appeared to be some of the most notable groups, alongside remote workers from neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.

Exercise

River Walk

keyboard_arrow_down

Bang Kachao Cycle

keyboard_arrow_down

Benchakitti Forest Park

Substantial park just off of Sukhumvit Road, with a lake and amphitheatre. Great for a walk near sunset.

keyboard_arrow_down

River Walk

Bang Kachao Cycle

Benchakitti Forest Park

Substantial park just off of Sukhumvit Road, with a lake and amphitheatre. Great for a walk near sunset.

Verdict

Positives

If you enjoy Asian food, there is arguably no better city in the world.The endless selection of Thai food is complemented by a glut of options from all across the region, with Japanese and Chinese options particularly prominent and inexpensive.
A world class city for coffee.Since I last visited in 2018, there appears to have been an explosion in the number of specialty outlets dotted across the city. Expect to find espresso blends featuring beans from the north of Thailand, Laos and Burma, as well as options from across the world.
A glut of affordable accommodation options.I can't think of anywhere else in the world where Airbnb availability and quality is so high. Even with short notice, you'll be spoilt for choice on affordable, attractive options.
It's unlikely you will ever be bored.There's so much constantly going on in the city, it's hard to imagine there would be a day where you wouldn't know how to spend it.
A large community of remote workers and expats across the city.Perhaps the late working hours and more candid evening setting played a contributing role in speaking to people, but I found Bangkok to be the most natural place to meet people in a similar position.
There's benefits to working later in the day.Starting work in the afternoon means you have the mornings to spend in whichever way you see fit, whether that be a in the gym, getting a haircut, going out for brunch or getting a £7 Thai massage.

Negatives

Hot, busy and hectic.If it sounds like the sort of urban environment you would hate to be working in, then you should probably stick with your gut instincts.
Poor air quality.Air pollution is an issue throughout the country which is often bemoaned by locals. I didn't feel particularly affected by it, but it's something which may put you off a prolonged stay in the city if you are particularly susceptible to such conditions. When I returned in January 2025, during a particularly severe week it had the third-worst air quality levels in the world, with an AQI of 198, placing it just behind Mumbai and Lahore.‍
Working hours have the potential to be problematic.If you have to adhere to a strict 18:00 finishing time in the UK, then a 01:00 finish may not sound too appetising. If you are able to work a schedule which allows you to have wrapped up by 23:00, you can maintain a relatively normal schedule.

Tips

Extending a tourist visa in Thailand is relatively straightforward.If you have less than 45 days remaining on your 60-day visa, you can extend it for another month's stay for a fee of 2,000 THB. Rather than risking any queues on the day, you can use the recently released e-Extension service, which means you only need to visit to collect the stamp. Plan for seven days from submission to arriving at the centre for stamp collection. The main immigration building is located quite far outside the city centre, so you may need to set aside a morning.‍
Take big chunks of cash out - you will need it.Outside of big international chains, card availability is still patchy at best and non existent with street vendors. ATM fees are extortionately high (up to £6 per transaction), if you are near Centralworld AEON bank fees are the lowest in the country at around £3 however as of April 2024 they appear to be discontinuing this service.

Get a BTS card.Remember to take your passport to the BTS office to initially register for a card. The metro service is ran by a different operator and will require different cards.
Grab a local sim at the airport.Unlimited monthly 5G data plans can be got for around £25, I was more than happy with Tru Mobile.
Hailing rides via Taxi apps can take a long time.Expect waits of up to 15 minutes for a car throughout the day and evening. Motorbikes offer a quicker (and exhilarating) alternative.
Make use of the highly efficient food delivery apps.Especially use if you are working late into the evening, order something on the Grab app and it's likely to be at your door within 20 minutes.
If you're looking for a gym, head to 'Fitness Platinum Ekkamai'.It offers high-quality equipment in a spacious setting, and a one-month pass costs around 2,000 THB, making it more affordable than Jetts and other major gyms in the area. The location is particularly convenient for those staying in Ekkamai or Thong Lo. (Google Maps)
If you need sports nutrition products, head to MUSCLE INC. in CentralWorld.They stock a large range of quality supplements at competitive prices and accept card payments. You'll find the store on the third floor of the shopping mall. (Google Maps)
Download the local messaging app.LINE is the local WhatsApp equivalent and is useful to have on your phone to communicate with local businesses.

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I loved everything about this trip to Japan. I've put together some thoughts on my entire stay in the country, which may come in handy if you are planning a visit soon.

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Avoid the rainy season (July - October) to minimise the likelihood of scenes like this.

China Town is one of the most hectic areas in the entire city and a constant assault on the senses.

Bangkok is home to an intricate network of rivers running through it's suburbs which make for ideal walkways away from the intense road traffic.

Planning a trip to

Bangkok

?

Looking for dedicated remote travel insurance?

I've used SafetyWing for the past twelve months and can vouch for it being an excellent service!

National infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with the changing needs of digital nomads and remote workers. The internet has allowed people to break out of the cultural norms of their home countries and live, work and form communities how they choose.

Bangkok

An intoxicating blur of motorbikes, vitamin D and rice.

Thailand's capital offers a mix of traditional culture competing with waves of modernity.

Bangkok

Summary

Accommodation

Places to work

Value

Excitement

Working hours

🇪🇺 Consider working European hours from Asia?

Do you need to speak Spanish?

Do you need to speak Portugese?

🔎

November 2024 Fact Check

Where to stay

On Nut

Ari

Thong Lor

Khaosan Road

Asok

Bang Rak

Where to work

the Hive Prakanong

WeWork options in Bangkok:

Remote work visa

A dedicated remote work visa is available for this country.

This country is actively working on a visa support for remote workers.

There is currently no remote work visa available for this country.

Safety

Off work

Explore China Town

Take a weekend break

Explore Bang Kachao by bike

Duration & season

Food & drink

Tamnan Kon E-San

Bang Kho Laem

PAGA Microroastery

Khlong Toei Nuea

The Old Siam Plaza

China Town

KIMMIK Pattanakarn

Pattanakarn

Karo Coffee

Phra Khanong

Sago Tree Dish and Spoon Café

Phra Khanong

P.J O'Brien's

Phra Khanong

Mutual Bar

Phrom Phong

Huan Roastery

Punnawithi

People

Exercise

River Walk

Bang Kachao Cycle

Benchakitti Forest Park

Verdict

Positives

Negatives

Tips

More from Japan

Planning a trip to

Bangkok

?

Get insured with SafetyWing

Pick up cash globally with Western Union

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Currently:

Bangkok

Next:

Madrid

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