The fiber: fast and cheap
Let's start with what matters most to a remote worker: the connection. Home fiber in Thailand runs 300 to 1,000 Mbps for around ฿600–900 a month (€15–23), and in the big cities and nomad hubs it's stable. It's simply faster and cheaper than in half of Europe. The provider is usually arranged by the landlord or set up when you move in; the lease agreement helps you get it activated.
SIM and eSIM
| Option | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Data eSIM | The first few days, right after landing | Depends on the travel plan |
| Local SIM (AIS, True) | To live there: a Thai number | ฿300–600/mo |
A Thai number is required by the bank, QR payment apps and services, so a local SIM isn't optional if you're staying — it's one of the first things in your first month. The eSIM is the perfect bridge for the first few hours.
Coworking, city by city
A monthly coworking pass runs around ฿3,000–5,000 (€80–130), with cheaper day passes. Where each place shines:
| City | Scene |
|---|---|
| Chiang Mai | The world's nomad epicenter: the widest choice and community |
| Bangkok | Premium spaces and business networking |
| Phuket | Coworking spaces near the beach; scene in Rawai/Chalong |
| Koh Samui | Wellness + remote community; island pace |
And the worst-kept secret: plenty of cafés with good fiber double as a free office. In Chiang Mai it's a way of life.
Setting up your remote office
- Double connection: home fiber plus mobile data as backup. Cheap and saves meetings.
- Time zone: Thailand is UTC+7 (about 5–6 hours ahead of Spain). Great for clients in Asia and Oceania; for Europe, your mornings are their small hours — plan around it.
- The tax side of remote work is a separate, important matter: it's covered in this guide, and the natural visa is the DTV.
Where Bexpat fits in
We handle your move — flight, arrival with SIM included, apartment — and guide you on which city fits how you work. If you're a nomad, the Chiang Mai guide is required reading, and the visa test tells you your route in a minute.
Frequently asked questions
What's internet like for remote work?
Very good and cheap: fiber at 300–1,000 Mbps for ฿600–900/month (€15–23), stable in cities and nomad hubs. One of the reasons behind Thailand's remote-work boom.
Local SIM or eSIM?
eSIM for the first few days; local SIM (AIS or True) to live there, because a Thai number is required by the bank, QR payments and services. ฿300–600/month with plenty of data.
How much does coworking cost?
฿3,000–5,000/month (€80–130), with cheaper day passes. Chiang Mai is the epicenter; Bangkok, Phuket and Samui have good spaces too. And plenty of cafés with fiber work as a free office.