Why Chiang Mai is the Best Digital Nomad City in the World

Thailand has been long dubbed as the “Backpacking Hub of Asia,” and that’s undeniable because every aspect of it makes the life of travelers hassle-free enough to juggle work and travel shenanigans while on the road. It has an easy transportation system, an affordable cost of living, gustatory food selections, a wide array of accommodations available for every budget, a vibrant nightlife, and natural and historical destinations for everyone to revel in. It’s safe to say that Thailand has it all, isn’t it?

What is more, Chiang Mai, the largest city found in the northern side of the country, is gradually becoming the best digital nomad city there is. It fulfills every dream of a digital nomad when it comes to getting work done while traveling: fast internet connection in a place that gives promising views.

So apart from those, what makes Chiang Mai the best digital nomad city? Why is Chiang Mai the best digital nomad city?

The Creative City

Seven years ago, a long-term vision and initiative called “Creative Chiang Mai” or CCM was established by the Governor to make Chiang Mai a “Creative City” and to foster the creativity scene in the city. It covers culture, economy, ecosystem, education, tourism, handicrafts, healthcare, design, technology-inclined innovation, and creative endeavors, to name a few. All actions made to maintain their initiative is rooted in collaboration, networking, creativity, and innovation that will make Chiang Mai a better place to live in, work in, and travel in. Here, travelers rest assured that their needs from the digital world are met because that plays a big role in today’s time and age. Totally a heaven on Earth for students, freelancers, creatives, and digital nomads!

Where to get work done in Chiang Mai

Finding the best spots in Chiang Mai where fast internet connection exists is never a problem. There are a lot of co-working spaces and coffee shops made for all walks of life, especially the digital nomads, to get their works done—powered by good coffee, exemplary customer service, and high-speed internet connection, of course. After all, Chiang Mai won’t be the best digital nomad city for nothing.

Here, I listed five co-working spaces and five coffee shops that will further attest why Chiang Mai is the best digital nomad city ever.

MANA

MANA is a quaint coworking space in Chiang Mai that offers one of the greatest deals in the city. Working here would cost you at about 19 THB/hour or 99 THB/day, which comes with refillable coffee or tea, all served by its hospitable owners no less. They have a printer, some private rooms for meetings, and a restaurant. The best thing about MANA is almost everyone in this space is focused and works quietly, which will definitely help you boost your productivity level. Here’s a pro tip: come early as the seats get filled immediately!

MANA is located at 28/12 Nimman Hemin Road., Suthep Subdistrict, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Punspace

Punspace is a dynamic co-working space in Chiang Mai that has two convenient locations in the city. One is located in Nimman, and the other is in Tha Phae Gate. Nimman is in a hip neighborhood of coffee shops, bars, convenience stores, and banks. It also an amazing courtyard where you can peacefully work under a tree. Tha Phae Gate is nearby cultural sites and good coffee shops as well. The good news here is that transferring from one branch to another won’t cost you a thing! You may use the same username and password in the same branch and work your way through your deadlines. Here’s a pro-tip: be a member and enjoy the space 24/7!

Punspace Nimman is located at 14 Sirimangkalajarn Lane 11 Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Punspace Tha Phae Gate is located at 7/2 Rachadamnoen Road, Soi 4, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

StarWork Chiangmai

Furnished with white and red comfortable seats, StarWork Chiangmai offers a great environment for getting your works done for only 299 THB/day or 2,490 THB/month. For when you need a break, go and grab some weights over their gym or reward yourself with a good cup of coffee.

StarWork Chiangmai is located at 87/9 Tunghotel Rd., Watket, Muang, Chiang Mai. 50000, Thailand.

Addicted to work

As the name suggests, this coworking space located in the owner’s house will totally make you addicted to work in a good way because of its fruitful and chic environment for only 120 THB/day or 3,000 THB/month. Generous spaces are given to each customer. Meaning, more personal space for you to ace your works. Addicted to work also has free drinks and snacks, ample parking spaces, and private offices for your team.

Addicted to work is located at 27/3 PP&P Mansion, Chomdoi Rd. T. Sutep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

C.A.M.P.

C.A.M.P. or Creative and Meeting Place is huge co-working space where working is free, but the internet access comes with a price, of course. A two-hour worth of internet access will you cost you at about 50 THB. There are also wide selections of food and drinks here so getting food to keep you sane with all of the workloads is not a problem. The 24-hour coworking space also offers private rooms that cost at about 500 THB good for three hours.

C.A.M.P. is located at Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand.

StartUp Café

StartUp Café is both a coffee shop and coworking space housed under one roof. It has gustatory offerings like a bear-shaped cake, frappes, and lattes to start up your working day right. Meanwhile, StartUp Café’s coworking space offers personal lockers, meeting rooms, lounge area for you to take a break in, and equipment such as printer and scanner.

StartUp Café is located at 161/17, Moo 4, Chiang Mai Business park, Chiang Mai - Lumpang Superhighway, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand.

Wake Up

Open 24/7, Wake Up is a coffee shop in Chiang Mai that will definitely wake your senses up. While your hands are full with all of the typing job you are doing with your laptop, be sure to take breaks in between and get a hold of their strawberry snow, mango snow, or a red bean coffee. Just be sure to provide yourself with some sweater as the temperature can get really cold in here.

Wake Up is located at 30/1-3 Nimmanahaeminda Rd., Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

CoWorking Cafe

Showcasing a rewarding view of the river, CoWorking Cafe is without a doubt the place to be when you want to work on your digital nomad duties with a view. The cafe has a soulful music that adds to the serenity of the place, which helps people boost their mood while working. Wi-Fi access is free as long as you get something to stuff yourself with such as coffee and pastries.

CoWorking Cafe is located at 88/8 อาคาร เอ็ ม เพา เวอร์ Wang Sing Kam Rd, Pa Tan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand.

Ninety Four Coffee

According to Nine Four Coffee, it got its name from the 94 Celsius water temperature needed to brew the best coffee in the city. Here, you are surely spending your Baht with a bang not only because of its signature aromatic cup of joes but also because of the high-speed internet connection to keep your hard working fingers from doing your digital duties.

Ninety Four Coffee is located at 60, Sanambin Road, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, 50100, Thailand.

Peppermint Coffee House Restaurant

Situated in a small street, Peppermint Coffee House Restaurant is the place to be when you want to veer away from the touristy crowd and get some serious work done. While you’re here, chew on their vegan burger and a generous serving of pad thai for a job well done.

Peppermint Coffee House Restaurant is located at 7/1 Rachadamnoen Rd Soi 5, Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mikee Pascual is a Filipino travel and lifestyle writer who is gradually shifting from a sedentary life to a nomadic one. She dreams of traveling to all 81 provinces in the Philippines and having her own book, hostel, and restaurant someday. Keep track of her world through her words at World In My Words.