The Digital Nomad in Thailand Guide: Bangkok Edition [2019 Update]
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Bangkok has unarguably emerged as the hotspot for the digital nomad in Thailand in the recent years. Thanks to the developing modern infrastructure, high-quality internet service, and multiple co-working spaces, the Thai capital is a postcard-perfect destination to build a sustainable online business. While our guide for the digital nomad in Thailand is sure to help your work, don’t forget to see everything that Bangkok and its surroundings has to offer – from temples to hiking to Thai food.
Bangkok keeps a moderately warm climate that is comfortable enough to help you mentally relax after a tiring day at work. There are lots of beaches, bays and canals in the Bangkok area and its surroundings, so you’ll have plenty of tropical sights to explore. Lots of English is spoken here as well, so the digital nomad in Thailand won’t have to learn a whole new alphabet just to communicate.
As for their culture, Thai people are notoriously friendly. In fact, Thailand is called “The Land of Smiles.” When it comes to their food, it’s extremely healthy, enriched with the goodness of natural ingredients derived from the local forests and cooked to perfection. Meals usually cost around $2!
The Best Cafes to Work From in Bangkok
It’s no brainer why Bangkok makes an ultimate spot for the digital nomad in Thailand. Bangkok supports their thriving digital nomad community well, thanks to their extremely affordable cost of living and excellent selection of cafes. So, which of the dreamy cafes are the best cafes to work from in Bangkok?
Little Spoon Café – Best Internet Café Bangkok
Cafés do not get any cozier than Little Spoon! Nestled on an uneventful street in Asoke, this café boasts of pristine white walls complemented by comfy, wooden seating. It’s aesthetic is fresh and free from distractions. The clean design is great for concentration, which is what makes Little Spoon the best internet café Bangkok has. The work-friendly setting is elevated by the savory brews, including their signature mocha, mint latte and even an American-inspired vanilla float!
Factory Coffee – The Best Coffee in Bangkok
This bright, airy café with floor-to-ceiling windows is homely and comfortable. Located just beside the BTS Skytrain Station, Factory Coffee is a great place for those who are planning to finish their work checklist. They have many delicious brews to choose from as well as fresh smoothies on demand. They have coffee beans from all over the world and they brew the best coffee in Bangkok. What’s more? Smooth jazz soothes the digital nomad in Thailand as they get their tasks done while sipping java.
P.S. The café serves the best chocolate brownies in the town, if you ever need a sweet break.
The Top Coworking Spaces in Bangkok
The coffee may be irresistibly delicious but sometimes your work requires more focus than you can get in a busy coffee shop. Not to fear! There are tons of coworking spaces in Bangkok for the digital nomad in Thailand. However you choose to work in Bangkok, you’re sure to find a breathtaking spot to get it done.
Draft Board – Totally Modern Coworking Bangkok
Draft Board is a funky, modern workspace that offers natural light, panoramic views of the city and plenty of amenities for busy professionals. They boast giving freelancers 24/7 access via fingerprint scanner, comfy shared seating and private meeting rooms, and a rejuvenating bar/lounge to help you unwind. Draft Board takes the top spot in our list of coworking Bangkok for providing a facility-rich environment for the digital nomad in Thailand.
KliqueDesk – Great for the Digital Nomad in Thailand
With high-tech amenities and a highly customizable service options for individual needs, KliqueDesk is totally equipped for all your digital nomad needs. The bright and colorful coworking spot gives you cool vibes while you’ve got your geek mode on. From completely serviced day-desk rentals to fully-furnished office spaces, KliqueDesk offers an assortment of add-ons like storage services, IT support, bilingual receptionists, incoming mail handling, and even a dedicated phone line. Is there anything else the digital nomad in Thailand could possibly need?
The Best Bars in Bangkok for Going Out
Nightlife in Bangkok gives you a little bit of everything, whether it’s your bag or not. Rooftop bars, go-go clubs, karaoke spots, craft cocktail places…you name it, you can find it in Bangkok! It can be a little overwhelming to navigate, especially for the digital nomad in Thailand who is just trying to find one of the best bars in Bangkok for a quick drink after work. Lucky for you, it isn’t too hard to find a great place for a drink.
Side-note: There’s more than one red-light district in Bangkok, so make sure to pay attention to yourself in these areas, as they have higher rates of pick-pockets.
Titanium Club and Ice Bar – Bangkok’s Coolest Bar
Come home to this frozen wonderland and savor an exquisite drink in temperatures of-10degrees Centigrade. Regarded as one of finest ice bars in the town, Titanium offers cool drinks- literally to beat the Bangkok heat! And if you’re a vodka buff, then you’d surely be impressed by their immense selection of the drink. The only thing to worry about at this Ice Bar Bangkok is whether you should order your drink on the rocks or not!
Nest Bar – Best Rooftop Bar Bangkok
A casual yet upscale rooftop bar Bangkok with a relaxed vibe, Nest Bar is a great place to wind down while soaking up the panoramic views of the city. The unique, colorful seating coupled with lush green foliage adds to beauty of the space. Just in case the mugginess outside gets to you, you can catch your breath in the air-conditioned area inside. Lastly, the drink menu is wide-ranging and the food options include Thai specials and tapas.
Best Restaurants in Bangkok in 2019
Bangkok is a bustling city and anyone who’s been downtown for more than a second can see that! From the Night Bazaar to the huge bar and club neighborhood, there are so many things calling your attention; let one of them be one of the best restaurants in Bangkok! The digital nomad in Thailand will be spoiled for choice without having to sacrifice a chunk of change. Most dinner spots in Bangkok are cheap, so dig in and don’t worry!
Somboon Seafood – The Best Seafood Bangkok
Love delectable treats from the ocean? Here’s a casual and cozy restaurant that offers no-fuss dining, with an emphasis on sea food. The bare-brick walls couple with the sound of blues to create a relaxed atmosphere while you feast on your favorites like rock lobster with garlic, stir-fried prawns and ocean fresh oysters. There are plenty of Thai-influenced recipes as well, making this the best seafood Bangkok offers locals and digital nomads alike.
Street Food Bangkok – Cheap Eats in Bangkok
The culture of street food Bangkok is widespread and full of variety, with a different delicacy at each food stand. If this is your first stop in southeast Asia you may feel hesitant, but let me tell you – there’s nothing to worry about! Look for street food vendors that have a few people already eating there! Watch out, the food may be a bit spicy but lots of Thai vendors will make sure you’re ready for their cheap eats in Bangkok!
What’s the Best Bangkok SIM Card to Get?
The three biggest network providers are called DTAC, True Move, and AIS (or Advanced Info Service. These three companies provide more or less the same network coverage, with no clear winner. So, it’s smart to go with the cheapest option! AIS makes a “traveler SIM” card especially for foreign people and the digital nomad in Thailand. This plan is available for 599 THB or $18, with the benefits of an unlimited internet for 15 days, 6GB at maximum speed, and 100 THB call credit. The traveler plan is the best Bangkok SIM card for digital nomads.
Transportation in Bangkok: How to Get Around
Make no mistake about it, the Thai capital is huge. So, getting around by public transportation in Bangkok is the best way to move around the city. The elevated Skytrain, also known as BTS, is a great option to get around the newer parts of Bangkok, shopping centers, and the main river boat terminal. The trains run frequently from 6:00 in the morning till midnight. Fares vary from 16-44 THB or simply 140 THB for a one-day pass.
If you prefer, you can use a service like Grab in Bangkok. It’s the equivalent of Uber, which isn’t available in the Thai capital. If you choose to get into a brightly colored taxi or tuk tuk, make sure to map your route as there are some not-so-honest drivers in Bangkok.
The Best Food Delivery App Bangkok
FoodPanda is the best food delivery app Bangkok has. They have every type of restaurant listed as well as tons of available couriers to get you your food as quickly as possible. The price of food delivery in Bangkok is really cheap as well, so you won’t have any reservations about getting take-out!
The Average Monthly Price of Airbnb in Bangkok
One can rent out a private room in a house via Airbnb from $500 onwards. While it is a bit more expensive than other Thai cities, the digital nomad in Thailand has to remember that Bangkok is the capital city! For a city with so many fun things to do, the Airbnb in Bangkok price is quite fair.
Get $30 off your first Airbnb by using this link.
Wifi in Bangkok – Internet Speed in Thailand
The average broadband speed in Bangkok is 40 mbps. While not the fastest Wifi speed in the world, there are no complaints from digital nomads who use the Wifi in Bangkok. In addition, almost every restaurant and café in Bangkok offers free Wifi! Once you know how to protect your computer, feel free to sync up to these public connections and work from anywhere in Bangkok.
Join the Community – Digital Nomad Meetup in Bangkok
DynamiteCircle(DC) is a digital nomad community with more than 900 members. It organizes tons of annual digital nomad meetups in Bangkok, helping individuals set up mastermind groups, and provides a library of handy information for digital nomads. It’s the perfect place to find friends, colleagues and mentors who understand your lifestyle (because they’re living the same one)!