Digital Nomad

Thai 1 Year Non O Volunteer Visa

Thai 1 Year Non O Volunteer Visa 150 150 cmbadmin

How to get a 1 year Non O Volunteer Visa/Work Permit.

Digital Nomads, Expats and Visitors that want to stay and live in Chiang Mai for 12 Months!

If you have decided that Chiang Mai is the place for you and you would like to stay longer, you want to know what are the best Visa options to accomplish this.  Until recently you could get an ED Visa and learn Thai Language, and stay for a year – but now Immigration want to see you every 90 days and the reporting process takes 3-5 hours.  Worse, they now are actually testing your Thai language skills and rejecting your Visa if you fail.

But what if you want to stay here, either as a Digital Nomad to work on your own business, or as a longer term semi retirement and you are not old enough (or have sufficient savings) to qualify for a Retirement Visa?

What if I was to tell you there is a way? 

What if you could obtain (for around the same price as a 6 month education Visa), 1 year Non O Volunteer Visa and a Thai Work Permit?  You can get the one year visa and work permit for a year for a total cost of 35,000 baht.  No more hassle waiting 5 hours at immigration every 90 days for your Education Visa. No need to spend hours a week studying to ensure you pass the Immigration spot tests. And a whole year not just the new 6 months on the Ed Visa

Get 12-18 Months Non O Visa and make these Kids Happy!

Get 12 Months Non O Visa and make these Kids Happy!

Additional Information
Retirement Visa
All Types of Visa’s

 

Here is the short and sweet of the 1 year Non O Volunteer Visa and a Thai Work Permit

bullet-greenNon O Volunteer Visa for 12-18 Months
bullet-greenWork Permit for Volunteer
bullet-greenNo More Immigration Problems

bullet-greenNo More Study of Thai Language
bullet-greenOnly 35,000 Baht

bullet-greenNon Profit Organization

bullet-greenCan renew following year without leaving Thailand
bullet-greenCan exit the country multiple times (With Entry Visa)
bullet-greenLow Commitment Time as a Volunteer compared to Language ED Visa


 

You get to Stay 12 Months in Thailand!

PLUS – You get to give back to those who are not as fortunate

How to get a Volunteer Visa and Thai Work Permit and Live in Chiang Mai for One Year

This is a Visa and Work permit for Non Profit Organization. You will be required to engage in volunteer activities with the charity (primarily assisting disadvantaged children).  This will be in the form of

Volunteer work for the charity: 

* Cooking and preparing food
* Delivery and serving food packages in local schools and Hill-Tribe communities
* Planting Trees in Villages
* Teaching English to Children
* Many other types of work

Procedure to Apply

1) Ask Questions with Email or make a 15 Min Appointment to Discuss in our Office.

2) Send in or Bring in this Completed Form.

cmbuddycustomerinformation

We will forward your details to the Non Profit Organization who will conduct the necessary security checks with both local police and from your home State or Country.

If Accepted  to Continue ….

3) Bring your passport into Chiang Mai Buddy (we need copies), the 35,000 Baht Processing Fee and 12 photos size 6 x 4 cm and 12 photos 3.5 x 4.5 cm and 3 Work Permit Photos 3 x 4 cm.  Please be sure that the photos have a white background and that the work permit photos are obtained from a proper photography store using real photographic paper. The other photos can be obtained from any shop printing photos on a printer.

4) We will send your application out for processing.  (We can schedule an Appointment with the Head of the NPO, and Visa services if you require to satisfy your questions)

5) In 2-3 Days your documentation to apply for a Non O Visa will be ready (Pick up from Chiang Mai Buddy)

6) Do Visa trip to Laos (or Embassy of your choice – so long as we know), handing in your Visa Application at Thai Embassy (takes 2-3 days)

7) You will now have a 90 day Non O Visa

Come Back to Thailand

8) Obtain Medical Cert for Work Permit (Includes test for syphilis) 250-360 Baht from a Hospital (Not Medical Clinic)

9) Details of your Address, copies of Degrees (and address of the School) and/or Resume (CV) will then need to be provided

10) After a few days you will be taken to the Ministry of Employment and issued a letter granting permission to extend your visa one year and a work permit

11) Extend your Visa for 12-18 months (This depends on the Immigration Officer on any one day)

You can renew visa and work permit for the following year (no need to leave Thailand again) and leave the country multiple times with a Multi Entry Visa (additional cost)

N.B.

1) Having all of the required documentation before you leave to obtain your Visa is preferred.
2) Please be sure that the photos have a white background and that the work permit photos are obtained from a proper photography store using real photographic paper. Photos printed with blue background and work permit photos printed on on standard consumer paper will be rejected.

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What is Included

The processing fee includes

1) The Non Profit preparing the documentation inviting you to Apply (required for the Non O Visa)
2) Processing of documentation every 3 months to extend your Visa
3) Processing of the Work Permit Documents
4) Taking you out to collect your Work Permit
5) All fee associated for the year for processing

What you will have to do

1) Go to a Thai Embassy of your Choice
2) Go to Immigration to process the Visa Extension (documents provided)
3) 90 Day Reporting
4) Provide your own resources for living in Thailand
5) Remain or return to Chiang Mai for Immigration Visits and Volunteer requirements

[hr]

Benefits of a Non O Visa and Work Permit

For the average Digital Nomad, or short time visitor to Chiang Mai, a tourist Visa is all that is required.  But for those who desire to stay longer, there are so many more benefits to having a legal backing and permission to live (and work) in Thailand. While some of the following are possible on a Tourist Visa, most are not.  Once you have a Non O Visa and Work Permit, you can

bullet-greenOpen a Bank Account
bullet-greenPurchase and Sell Vehicles
bullet-greenNo More waiting at Immigration

bullet-greenNo More Visa Runs or Boarder Crossings
bullet-greenNo More Residency Certificates Required

bullet-greenDiscounts to Government Parks and Attractions
bullet-greenCan WORK Legally (as a Volunteer)
bullet-greenOpen a trading account with a broker
bullet-greenCan get a Thai Credit Card
bullet-greenSpouse can obtain a Non – O visa

bullet-green
Easier to send money out of the country

bullet-greenThai Social Security system – Full health care coverage
bullet-greenGet a Thai driving license
bullet-greenSend your kids to a Thai public school at low cost

bullet-greenImproved status of stay in the Kingdom (can stay forever)
bullet-green
Get a mobile phone contract easier
bullet-greenHire Purchase and Monthly Installments on Purchases
bullet-greenGet Thai rather than Farang Prices
bullet-greenAirport Thai passport holders desk Check In
bullet-greenPeace of Mind with Thai Authorities 

[hr]

Obligations to the Non Profit Organization

volunteer visa

You are applying to be a Volunteer, and as such you will be obligated to do charity work.  Every 90 days the Charity is obligated to send evidence of you being a volunteer.  If you do not volunteer your time then your Visa will be cancelled.  While we offer assistance to a few non profits, the most popular is the a foundation who works with disadvantaged children.  You will be contacted during your stay here about the various activities you have been selected to participate in, and you will be obligated to find your way to this activity.  Usually within 10-15 kilometers of the city of Chiang Mai.

1. Feed School Children  Free lunch is provided to school children. You will go to the school with the NPO and help hand out pre-made lunches.

2. Second hand for Children You can made donations of used property which will be collected and donated to Children in the Mountain and rural areas.  You will help transport and distribute these items

3. Book/Pen/Pencil anything for study!  The NPO provides educational materials to students.  You can donate and hand out some stationary.
4. Teaching English.  Every now and again you will be obligated for half a day (or longer if you wish) to play games that help Thai Children learn English skills

[hr]

Want to Find out More? Book a 15 Minute Appointment or Ask us Questions

[one_half]

download_pdf

Volunteer Visa and Work Permit Guide

Book an appointment with Chiang Mai Buddy

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm

Phone

Thai 091-068-8112

Office Location
39 Siri Mangkalajarn, Suthep, Chiang Mai
39 ศิริมังคลาจารย์ ต.สุเทพ อ.เมือง จ.เชียงใหม่
(copy this for the Tuk Tuk or Taxi Driver)

best coworking spaces in chiang mai

Best Coworking Spaces in Chiang Mai

Best Coworking Spaces in Chiang Mai 538 218 cmbadmin

What are the Best Coworking Spaces in Chiang Mai? A Review

If you are a Digital Nomad you likely know that over the last few years Chiang Mai has become a “number one” spot in Asia (and probably the World) as an online entrepreneur hotspot. As a result, both Thai and foreign business owners have started to provide some first-rate co-working places and venues for Digital Nomads to work from while in Chiang Mai.

Initial disclaimer: If you are an online entrepreneur you may understand the importance of SEO and for this reason, the title of this post is: “Best Coworking Spaces in Chiang Mai? A Review.”  This is a search term that could be used but the reality is, asking “what is the best” is as pointless as asking “how long is a piece of string.” There is no accurate answer to this question because each establishment has pros and cons. Those variables depend upon each individual’s desires and requirements. So… there are no reviews. What one wants from a co-working space might be different from another’s needs. Rather, we list the places and give you the locations, pricing, website links and a few photos. You decide.

This article focuses on the places that have set up as coworking spaces in Chiang Mai.  There are also hundreds of cafes that provide free or inexpensive internet that you can work from.

Location Map of Coworking Spaces in Chiang Mai

[ready_google_map id=’5′]

 

Punspace Coworking place in Chiang Mai, ThailandPunspace
Coworking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand

2 locations – Nimman and Tha Phae Gate
Punspace Nimman 14 Sirimangkalajarn Soi 11
Punspace Tha Phae Gate 7/2 Rachadamnoen Road, Soi 4
24/7 for Members ….. Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Visitors

Website
contact@punspace.com
+66 (0) 53 223 932

 

About PunSpace Co-working

Punspace Nimman was one of the first places to open and become successful, recently opening a second branch near Tha Phae Gate. It offers better deals for members (24-hour access, lower price and discounts on office spaces) but can also be used on a casual and daily basis. It is a lively coworking space in Chiang Mai, located only a stone’s throw from the hip Nimmanhaemin area. Generally, the users found at PunSpace are dedicated and work hard – they are on a mission and like to focus first and foremost on working. Punspace offers a peaceful and creative work environment yet is close to many popular coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, bars, as well as to banks and convenience stores.

Membership and visitors are comprised of startup entrepreneurs, online marketers, sales, mobile/web developers, hardcore programmers, graphic/media designers, podcasters, bloggers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, lawyers and venture capitalists.

Amenities

Hot seats. Skype room. Meeting room with flat-screen TV and webcam. Reliable WIFI. Comfortable chairs. Printer. Scanner. Copier. Fax. Monitor.

Costs: (Information may be dated. See website for up-to-date pricing)

Punspace Chiang Mai Pricing

Punspace Chiang Mai Pricing VisitorsFor full range of Office rentals and pricing visit  http://www.punspace.com/pricing/

Images of PunSpace coworking place in Chiang Mai

 


 

CAMP Coworking space Chiang MaiC.A.M.P (Maya Mall)

Creative And Meeting Place
Coworking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand

5th Floor Maya Mall, Corner of Huay Kaew Road and Super Highway
24/7 (after hours access via Elevator)

+66 (0) 52 081 555

 

About CAMP Creative and Meeting Place Chiang Mai Co-working

CAMP is located on the 5th floor of the Maya mall just opposite the movie theaters and offers a large and modern environment to work, drink and eat. Open 24 hours a day with after hours access via the elevators, the price of admission is a purchase, which gives you a 2-hour connection ticket for one device.

The facility is also an AIS Hotspot so users of AIS phone service with Hotspot (go here for details on getting a phone plan) can connect to a faster and free service. CAMP comes with a reading library and is popular with nomads and local students alike. Creative and Meeting Place staff have no issues with you sleeping there and it has been known to be a ‘half-way’ accommodation for the truly desperate.

CAMP in Chiang Mai does offer a couple of private rooms but they are difficult to get. Many of the seats offer views into the mall and outside of the facility. The vistas of the city lights at night are spectacular.

Amenities

Library, sit or sleep anywhere, plugs, tables, WiFi, cafe, food, communal area

Costs:

Minimum beverage purchase applies for two hours.

Images of Creative and Meet Place (CAMP) coworking space in Chiang Mai

CAMP Creative and Meeting Place Chiang Mai
camp coworking place chiang mai
camp coworking space 1 chiang mai
camp coworking space chiang mai
camp maya coworking space chiang mai

 

 


coworking cafe chiang maiCoworking Cafe
Coworking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Along The Ping River near Super Highway
Tue-Sun, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm

Website
c_chompu_c@hotmail.com
081-916-1721

 

 

About Coworking Cafe Chiang Mai

While not strictly a coworking space, it is included because it is a favorite of long-timers in Chiang Mai who want to get away from other nomads and work in peace and quiet. Located along the Mae Ping River, Coworking Cafe is beautiful, peaceful and quiet. The food is average, as is the coffee, yet there is something nice about working outside, listening to the birds and watching people carry out their lives along the river. There is also an air-conditioned inside room.

The Coworking Cafe caters mostly to local Thai people but the staff speaks enough English for you to be able to get what you need. And, being an out of the way non-nomad oriented venue, if you find other Westerners there, the chances are that their wisdom of “Thailand facts” will be worth the conversation. There’s no need to impress them with what you do, as not many people outside of the Digital Nomad community give a moment’s thought to being a nomad.

Amenities

Cafe, dartboard, use of a fax machine, inside room with AC, outside tables with a view of nature and the river. If you have the time, Kayaks can be rented for use on the water.

Costs:

Free WiFi with any purchase of a beverage or food.

Images of Co-working Cafe in Chiang Mai

Coworking Cafe chaing mai
Coworking Cafe chaing mai 1
Coworking Cafe chaing mai
Coworking Cafe chaing mai

 

 


Starworks coworking space chiang maiStarWork Coworking Space
Coworking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand

87/9 Tunghotel Rd., Watket, Muang, ChiangMai
Mon-Sun, 8.30am -9.00pm
Members 24 Hours

Website
starwork@is.co.th
+66 (0) 53 307000

 

 

About Starwork Coworking Space Chiang Mai

Starwork is a switched-on and happening new coworking space located close to the Bus and Train Stations. It aims to provide everything for the Digital Nomad: a cafe, sleeping room, 24-hour member access and meeting rooms for presentations are among the wide range of additional services. If you call to inquire about opening hours your information will be logged and a tour will be arranged in a few days.

Starwork coworking provides a pleasant environment to work from and relax. It is also actively engaged in co-operating with local businesses in the area. In addition, Starwork offers fixed desk options for members, so that you can stabilize your work environment and place an emphasis on creating a balanced mental and work experience.

Amenities

starwork coworking place chiang mai facilities

 

Costs: (Information may be dated. See website for up-to-date pricing)

Non-Member:
180 THB / 1 day
2,900 THB/ 20 days
3,200 THB/ 30 days

Member:
4,800 THB / Monthly
34,500 THB / Year

Meeting Room

Non-member:
400-600 THB per Hour (small, medium or large)
Members:
200-300 THB per Hour (small, medium or large)

Full Price List

Images of Starwork Coworking space in Chiang Mai

Star Coworking Chiang Mai
Star Coworking Chiang Mai
Star Coworking Chiang Mai
Star Coworking Chiang Mai

 

 


Mana Coworking space chiang maiMANA Co-working Space
Coworking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand

28/12 Nimmanhemind., T. Suthep. Muang, Chiang Mai,
Sun-Fri, 9.30am -10pm

Website
Line ID: manaspacechiangmai
+66 (0) 95 452 9014

 

 

About MANA Co-working Space Chiang Mai

MANA coworking space opened in 2014 and is a cute little cafe and working space run by a brother and sister team. This makes it an inexpensive and quiet place to work from.

Mana is small and cozy: buy a very good cup of coffee for 2 hours to work, and get a free dessert as well. MANA coworking has a small Skype room, reading area and small working space as well.

Amenities

Skype Room, Electric plugs and WiFi, Printing, Copying and Fax Service.

Costs: (Information may be dated. See website for up-to-date pricing)

19 Baht per Hour
99 Baht all day
Buy a coffee 10 baht per hour
Coffee & Cake Free for 2 hours

Images of MANA coworking place in Chiang Mai

Mana Coworking Chiang Mai

Mana Coworking Chiang Mai
Mana Coworking Chiang Mai
Mana Coworking Chiang Mai


Got one we missed?  Want to write an article?  Feel free to contact us at team@chiangmaibuddy.com.

Why Chiang Mai is Number 1 for Digital Nomads

24 Reasons Chiang Mai is the Best Place for Digital Nomads

24 Reasons Chiang Mai is the Best Place for Digital Nomads 538 218 cmbadmin

Why is Chiang Mai the best place for Digital Nomads?

Being a digital nomad allows the total freedom pack your belongings get in a plane and work wherever you want. Why then are so many (possibly over 3000) digital nomads choosing to live and work for extended periods in Chiang Mai City Thailand?

I myself, have done the working online and traveling since 2002, long before Tim Ferris and the 4 Hour Work Week, gave me a job title, I could use to explain myself to others.  Back in the early days, I traveled the United States in an RV, paying US$500 a month just for satellite dial-up internet connection.  In 2 years of RV’ing  I only ever meet one other person you could call a digital nomad.  Twelve years later, after many countries and scores of cities, I found myself returning to Chiang Mai so often, I decided there was no longer any point going anywhere else. In Chiang Mai hardly an hour goes by without meeting another nomad sitting in a cafe, a coworking place, a meetup and even just walking down the street.

So what makes Chiang Mai so appealing to the Digital Nomad?

I am going to bet, this is not the first blog post you have read about Chiang Mai right?  It seems that now, there is not a travel blogger worth their salt who has not been or lived here and written about this beautiful Northern Thailand city.  In fact there are social groups here in Chiang Mai just for travel bloggers to get together and hang out.  Chiang Mai is home to thousands of Nomads, from all categories of online business. Already Digital Nomads know that Chiang Mai is the number one city, and there are hundreds of reasons we keep coming and returning.

Chiang Mai Buddy was created and set up due to the increasing number of digital nomads who began discovering what Expats knew years ago; That Chiang Mai ROCKS!  Our focus is of course to help prepare you to make coming to Chiang Mai a stress free and as inexpensive as you can.  Because despite all the amazing benefits of this city, packing up and moving to a new country is a huge life decision.  Having a friend already in the city helps makes the transition easier.  But enough of the sales talk.  lets look at why you should make the decision to put Chiang Mai at the top of your list.

[hr]

1) Chiang Mai Digital Nomad Community

Digital Nomads having a ball in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Digital Nomads have an active and strong social network

Chiang Mai has an incredible amount of open social network groups that are constantly providing training seminars, dinners, social outings, meetups and networking opportunities.  Gone are the day’s where networking in Chiang Mai required joining private membership clubs such as the Tropical MBA Podcasts ‘Dynamite Circle. ($588 per year) or the more recent Nomads List (one off $49).  In fact the free and open social networking groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand have memberships that exceeds these world-wide communities several times over.

The social communities in Chiang Mai, provide information on “how to…”, “where to…” and “when to…”; along with opportunities for hiring and selling the services of each other within the local environment.  Least not, the constant social events, training seminars by visiting experts and free workshops put on by locals wanting to network and promote their services. – And that is just the Nomad Groups!

Long before discovered by Digital Nomads, Chiang Mai was (and still is) a retirement haven for many Expats from  around the world.  They have over years built social and entertainment networks that exceed many times over the specialty digital nomad communities.  Lana Cricket have used the Gymkhana sports grounds for over 50 years, ranging a wide variety of tennis, golf, cricket and other sporting and social events.

“Wait a Minute”, I hear some of the readers say, “This is about Digital Nomads, why are you telling me about the other stuff”?.  Here’s the bottom line ….  So many Nomads who make Chiang Mai their home, never extend their social networks outside of the digital community.  BIG MISTAKE!.  The stories you will hear from retired English MI6, as they argue with retired American Intelligence agents over a beer are far more interesting than Joe Nomads latest SEO budget expenditure and the results.  The amount of information you will gleam at the Chiang Mai Expats club breakfast or one of their scheduled events, is an incredible wealth of information and resources.  If you are going to live in Chiang Mai for an extended period of time – do not make the mistake of burying your head in the silicon sand of exclusively Nomad world..

Some of the Many Social Networks available in Chiang Mai
For more check out our Resources

I Love Chiang Mai – We all love Chiang Mai – there is a great files section with loads of information. This is a secret group, you will need a friend who is a member add you

Chiang Mai Events  – it’s usually here if it is happening in Chiang Mai.

Couch surfing in Chiang Mai – Couch surfing in the international free accommodation and travel group.

Whats Happening Chang MaiThe primary focus of ‘What’s happening in Chiang Mai’ is to provide to voice to those connected to Burma and social justice issues generally. We welcome posts that are of value to the audience advertising events, and important news affecting our community.

What, Where, When Chiang Mai – A page for people, event organizers, promoters, bar owners, club owners to let everyone know what’s happening in Chiang Mai. Feel free to add people to the group, the more people on here the more we’ll know what’s happening in and around Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai – For people wanting to come to or already living or just interested in Chiang Mai

Digital Nomads in Chiang Mai  – Over 3000 digital nomads make Chiang Mai their home.  Most of them share ideas and events in this group

Chiang Mai Happy Hour Nomads – Looking for a new place to get together with friends? New in town and looking for a group to join n for drinks? Keep an eye on our group for our weekly meetups… We will explore new bars, return to old favorites and share our experiences along the way.

TEDx Chiang Mai – Chiang Mai’s affiliated TEDx talks

Farang Community Chiang Mai – An ask and you shall receive group for foreign nations in Chiang Mai.

Teachers of Chiang Mai – If you have questions about teaching vacancies, necessary teaching credentials, professional development ideas or just need some ideas for teaching activities post your comments here!

Teachers in Thailand: Agarn –  The Ajarn school forum and Facebook page

Thailand Foreign English Teachers Network – Support group for Foreign Teachers in Thailand.
Job postings, visa issues, agents issues, Classified advertising, Group trips and more

2) Cost of Living in Chiang Mai

Cost of living in Chiang Mai Thailand

Front page of the Nomad List website .. says it all

One of the biggest attractions of Chiang Mai, Thailand is the cost of living.  The Nomad List website, which compares the cost of living in cities around the world, rank Chiang Mai as one of the cheapest places to live.  This is supported by the Digital Nomad Community forum and website, as well as International Living, a subscription based retirement community.

You can live here on an extreme budget, choosing accommodation like Siriruk Apartment for less than $100 a month.  Or for $500 stay in a fully serviced Hotel like the Victoria.  If you are staying here longer, you are able to lease a condo (usually 6 months minimum but can sometimes you can find one for 3 months) and save even more.

A Motorbike rental can start as low as $60 a month, but beware, this will be a low quality bike.  Most likely older, 100 cc manual motorcycle.  You are much better off spending $90-100 and get a newer 125cc bike large enough and with enough power for the western frame. Newer motorbikes not only pack more power and acceleration (which might save your life) they are easier on the fuel as well.  Better bikes will end up alost as cheap to run as the cheaper older ones.

Food in a Thai Thai (the word to explain a typical local place) restaurant starts at 25 baht and seldom goes past 40 (US 75 cents to $1.20). Most people tend to go to the local places in more urban areas where you are looking at US$1-2 for a meal.  Western food usually cost more, but still much cheaper than is typical in your home country.  Although you will generally find eating out is cheaper than cooking food yourself at home.

You can live in Chiang Mai for about $500 a month.  You will live very well for $1000

3) Availability of Accommodation

Chiang Mai city is growing.  From almost any view in any Condo or monthly rental accommodation you will see new accommodation buildings going up. Long term condo leasing (6-12 months) is easily found, shorter term (3 months) more difficult but not impossible.  Monthly accommodation is readily available in the low seasons, but during high seasons you should book ahead of time.

Chiang Mai is not just a popular destination for online entrepreneurs, it is popular with tourists from all around Asia and Thais from other parts of the country.  The city is taking advantage of the increased tourist and short term visitors and building accommodation to satisfy the need.   This means that rental prices are going to remain low for years to come. There are buildings that are popular with the Chinese, with Japanese, with western Expats and some even fill of digital nomads.  So while accommodation is available – knowing where to live so that you are with people like you, is the biggest consideration

N.B.  On many websites and blogs people will say “Accommodation is easy, just turn up and look around”.  This used to be the case.  Since we founded Chiang Mai Buddy, 80% of our customers have come from street walk-in’s after they found that finding accommodation was much more difficult than they read online. I strongly suggest you do not take the risk during peak season of hoping for the best. Book a place and then look around.

4) Digital Nomad Hotspot

Now the most popular location in the world, Chiang Mai is full of digital nomads.  If you are starting out on your nomadic adventure, you will meet more of your future companions, friends, competitors and collaborators in Chiang Mai than anywhere else in the world.  You can find people who are here for a short time and want to travel, making it the best destination to find new friends to plan your future adventures with.

For those who want to stay longer, making Chiang Mai their hub for slow travel, there are many ex nomads (or nomads on a break) who have made this city their home.  In addition there are people who make their money online who do not consider themselves part of the digital nomad community.

Whatever your purpose for coming, be it short-term stay to start your career, bootstrapping, or because you have found yourself getting tired of living out of a suitcase. Chiang Mai has experienced and successful online entrepreneurial and newbies bootstrapping their dreams.  And the community shares information and helps each other with an openness and willingness to share.

5) Internet and WiFi

I am not going to lie, in your accommodation if you are sharing the internet it can be slow (2-10 mbps down and .5-2 mbps up).  But getting your own internet is easy and cheap.  Unlimited 10 Down and one up plans start at 550 baht per month. At Chiang Mai Buddy office we have 30 Down and 10 up, 112 TV Stations and a cell phone with more data than we need for a grand total of 799 Baht (Less tan $30 a month).

Cafes and Coworking spaces offer much faster internet speeds, and with a phone plan of $10 a month or more you have access the the massive amount of Phone provider WiFi hotspots all around the city.  Free WiFi is everywhere, paid internet is extremely cheap.  In my early days living here I visited so many cafes and eateries (each with free WiFi) that I could walk around and almost always be connected automatically on my phone.  But then I discovered how to get prepaid phone services and never had to worry about looking for free wIFi again.

6) Coworking Spaces and Cafes

In Chiang Mai you can not throw a stone without hitting 1) a Temple, 2) a 7/11 and 3) a place for the digital nomad to work from.  There are now 5 or 6 major coworking spaces, several smaller ones and new places opening all the time.  Every cafe offers free WiFi and has no problems with customers spending hours at a time sitting and working from within.  It is good manners to make a purchase every hour or so, but you are seldom approached or requested to.

You can be assured that at almost every cafe in town (and there are 1000’s of them) your fellow Nomad will be there working away, and often eager to spend some time chatting and making new friends.  You can check out the most popular coworking spaces in this article

7) Working Productivity

nomadbullshit

When you think of how the Digital Nomad lifestyle is presented to people before they start what do you think?  It’s the laptop at the beach right? Drinking coconuts! This is in reality – marketing bullshit.  Unless you have incredible time management and conditioned yourself with a disciplined work effort – if you are at a beach you are much more likely to be unproductive.

In Chiang Mai there is amazing support networks and social outlets, mastermind groups and more important you are surrounded by people being productive.  You are much more likely to get inspired here to work (and make money), if you are the some result of the 5 people you hang out with most – Chiang Mai is the place to find those type of people and mentors.

8) Chiang Mai Coffee

Chiang Mai Coffee

Chiang Mai Coffee Farmer explains bean flavors

Do you like Coffee?  People in Chiang Mai do!.  Here many of the thousands of cafes will have their own coffee farms and provide coffee that is some of the highest quality in the world.  The coffee here is what is known as the top 1% by those who spend time slurping and spitting it out. The Chiang Mai region grows Coffee –  It is 100% organic, grown under natural shade at high attitudes and hand picked, wet processed and dried in the sun, and packaged with single source beans.

If you compare this with the media attention grabbing Colombian coffee, which is often grown in fields, harvested with tractors and mixed with beans from other locations – Chiang Mai coffee ROCKS!

9) No Horns, Hustlers, Poverty & Ripoffs

Reasons to Live in Chiang Mai

In Chiang Mai, you are NOT constantly asked to buy things

For the beginner starting to travel around Asia, something they do not tell you in the guide books, or often mention online .. is the Bustle.  In many parts of Asia (Philippines, Saigon, Cambodia, South Thailand) the poverty is overwhelming.  You are confronted by beggars on the streets consistently asking for money.  For the new Nomad, trying to enjoy a beer at 3 am in a nice (or not so nice) bar to be interrupted by a naked 3 year old child with their hands out, is heart breaking (and then often gets annoying).

Touts, Salespeople, Tuk Tuk drivers, Prostitutes, consistently and persistently harass you.  In the Philippines along some of the most happening beaches, you will say no to someone trying to sell you fake sunglasses, and the next walking sales person will hear you say “No” but still approach you.  This type of constant harassment gets old really fast.    In Cambodia you will be offered a ride, then weed, and then a lady, and then 2 minutes later the cycle is repeated.

Horns are used in Asia, to let someone know they are 100 meters from them and approaching, that they are behind them, passing them, have past them, are in front of them, and just because they have not used the horn in the last 30 seconds.  The noise pollution is incredible.  Now some people find this last point “vibrant’ and actually enjoy the massive speed at which the world passes by them and the noise it makes. In Saigon, you are constantly being abused with this type of noise pollution.

This stuff does not happen in Chiang Mai

Yes a Tuk Tuk driver will slow down and ask you if you want a ride, a wave “No” of the hand and they move on.  You are not followed and repeatedly asked to buy things from touts on the streets.   Chiang Mai is a relaxed and layed back city that does not harass the tourists or westerners who live here. So if you need to work, if you need to focus, and you prefer an environment that is not consistently bombarding you with noise and harassment – Chiang Mai is your city.

10) Fantastic Weather

Press image to enlarge

Press image to enlarge

From November to February the weather in Chiang Mai is perfect.  Clear blue skies with 30°C temperatures and low humidity during the day and lower temperatures at night. Around March the temperature starts to get hotter, but Chiang Mai being located in the mountains is always a few degrees C lower than anywhere else in Thailand and most places in Asia.

The rainy season starts around May and sometimes goes until October.  The rain usually happens once or twice a day for 30-60 minutes.  And it is a downpour!.  You will have about 30 minutes warning as the dark clouds roll in and 10 minutes before it starts the wind picks up.  If you are under cover the refreshing breeze and cooler temps are a welcome visitor.

During the rainy seasons (really it should be referred to as the daily hour of rain) the surrounding area of Chiang Mai is beautiful.  Day trips, and rides to see the tourists spots or just to go on an adventure, will offer some of the best photos you will ever have the privileged of taking.  Worse case (because you do not want to ride in the rain) is that for 30-60 minutes you will have to stop off and sit back and relax at a cafe along your trip.

11) Worlds Best Food

Chiang Mai Street Food

Thai food is amazing, and here in Chiang Mai it is at least 1/10th of the price you would pay back home.   Food stalls and markets are found all over the city where you can sample local dishes for $1 a meal.

Well known Thai favorites like pad Thai and green curry are readily available, and Chiang Mai is famous for its local specialty Khao Soi. If you decide to attend a cooking school (around $30 for a half to full day) you will discover the secret to Khao Soi (OK, OK it is a Thai red curry with Indian curry powder mixed in)

Vegetarians and Paleo are extremely well catered for (Thais often go meatless in their meals for special Buddha events). When you tire of Thai food, there are hundreds of restaurants that cater for every other taste.  Indian, Mexican, Greek – you name it, Chiang Mai has an expat who has decided to open it.  For more details  Where to find Western Food in Chiang Mai

12) Cheap Fresh Produce

If you decide you want to cook for yourself (and most people give up on this idea after a week or two of living here because it IS cheaper to eat out) then the local markets in Chiang Mai are for you.  Lower prices than the supermarkets and full of local and imported from other regions of Thailand – the local markets are a busy and popular place with the locals.

The Markets can be slightly overwhelming for the new arrival, (we offer a quick lesson on how to go and purchase produce included with the Digital Nomad Start Up Tour) – but you will soon get the hang of it.

One of the Kings projects was to help the farmers convert from growing drugs to growing food. Farmers where taught how to grow particular crops and shown how to do it well.  If you are American – forget asking for organic, This is Thailand, almost all the food here is organic.

13) Relaxed, Non Sex-Tourist Atmosphere

Chiang Mai is a traditional city, populated with many migrants from the rural areas of Thailand.  These people have traditional and high values, and Chiang Mai is NOT what you might expect about Thailand from watching movies.  Here (unlike other parts of Thailand and Asia) you will not see the 90 year old man holding hands with his young beautiful play thing.  Yes this is Thailand, and there are parts of the city you can visit if you are feeling ‘lonely’ – but for the most part the people that stay here in Thailand have higher morals and codes of behaviors from the usual tourist.

Chiang Mai is also a relaxed city.  Things happen here at a slower pace, and no one is really in a hurry.  The city is big enough and caters for most people and most tastes, but lacks the zoom zoom speed of other Asian cities.  Some people find this slower pace is not for them

14) Fantastic People

Thailand is promoted as the land of smiles, and never more than in Chiang Mai.  The people are friendly and helpful and honest!  The locals here are not (unlike other parts of Asia) always looking for a way to get something from the tourist.  Locals will help you in times of need, and some of the sweetest natures in the world are possessed by the women here.

Because Chiang Mai is a relaxed and non sex tourist destination, many of the local expats are pleasant to know and engage with. As well Chiang Mai has 3 major Universities so the locals are youthful and educated.  One of the greatest things about being in Chiang Mai is that you do not have to always be on guard that your wallet is about to be taken advantage of.

15) Safety

Chiang Mai is rated as one of the safest cities in the world.  Crime against foreigners is extremely rare, and apart from riding a motorcycle, you will never feel intimidated or afraid for your safety.  You can freely and comfortably walk around either during the day or the small hours of the night and feel totally safe even if you are a single women alone.

The scams that fill the headlines in western media about Thailand and Asia just do not happen here in Chiang Mai – or at least are very very rare.  The one exception to this is the Mob run Karaoke Bars along Chang Klan road.  Here you can go in for an hour, have a few drinks with a few ladies and come out with a 30,000 baht bill.  Many (often drunk and loud) westerners do not understand how a few drinks and a couple of ladies flirting with them can cost $1000. The answer is simple – it is a scam – just don’t go there!

16) The Temples & Culture

things to know coming to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has Temples!  If taking photos of golden laced statues surrounded by orange and red clothed monks of all ages is your thing – you could spend months and months going to different places everyday.  If you are up in the early hours you will frequently see monks collecting elms along the side of the roads, monks traveling in public transport … monks monk monks!

Thai culture is valued very highly here in Chiang Mai, with a mixture of both rural and urban important events and traditions being celebrated.  Thailand and indeed Chiang Mai is relatively free from western religion, instead the vast majority of people (99%) are Buddhist and this culture is loudly and proudly displayed during the day to day activities of the people.  A few weeks before I wrote this post, myself and a friend where walking at night, and he collapsed and went unconscious.  Luckily we were outside of a medical clinic and the Doctor and nurses came to his aid, but the staff also immediately lite incense to appeal to the house spirit that controlled the area as well.

Asia is well known for its rich and vibrant culture, here in Chiang Mai you will be able to view massive amounts of it, each and everyday just walking around.

17) The Holidays & Festivals

The culture in Chiang Mai is vibrant and often celebrated.  Festivals and Public Holidays are times when the Locals, Expats and tourists alike relax, take time off and enjoy the many colorful and exotic experiences.  In particular Songkran (April 13-16) and Loy Kratong (Nov 25) are two events that draw overseas tourists and Thai’s from other regions of the country. These are two events that should be on everyone bucket list!

18) Beautiful Scenery and Landscapes

Chiang Mai Scenery

Let’s get this out of the way from the get go.  Chiang Mai is located in the North of Thailand, in the Mountains.  There are no beaches here.  But what is here is lush forests, mountains, old villages, rice fields, elephants, gardens, lakes, caves, temples, national parks and more.  There is a world outside of Chiang Mai (although it is fair to say there are many worlds contained within it as well).  that are absolutely spectacular.  Many Expats regularly go on motorcycle tours around the top of Thailand, taking several days.  More locally in just a few short hours you can go to many locations that will fill your camera memory card within hours.

19) So Much to Do!!

Chiang Mai Elephant Tour

There is more to life than just working, and in Chiang Mai there’s plenty to do in your downtime. You may have seen the Elephant Painting on Youtube – here in Chiang Mai you can go and see it for real.  You could visit one of the many Wats (temples); learn to cook Thai food, or how to give a massage.  Perhaps learn a new language or get qualified to Teach English and get a Visa and make money to live here long term.

Paintball, Salsa, Rock climbing, Trekking, Sports, all the usual things you would enjoy doing at home – PLUS the additional things you can only experience in Thailand.  Get blessed by a Monk, attend a retreat, learn how to train Elephants, relax with a $5 massage.  The choices are endless.

20) Cheap Medical Treatments

Here you can have breast implants for around US$1400, get braces for your teeth for half this amount. Dental treatment, Operations, Plastic Surgery – everything here is at almost a 1/3rd what you would pay in a socialist country with subsidized health care, and a fraction of what the typical American would would pay.

Health checks for $3, eye tests, medication the list goes on and on.  Thailand is a medical holiday country and these savings and benefits extend to local services provided by the medical health professionals here in Chiang Mai

21) Transport is Cheap

You can hire a motorbike for 3000 baht a month (sometimes less and sometimes more) – but if you want to use public transport it is easily affordable.  Chiang Mai is supposed to have a public bus system but you will never see it.  The reality is the Red Truck and Tuk Tuk mafia own this town.  Taxi’s are not allowed to drive around looking for customers, and there are no Motorcycle Taxi’s.  But! You can jump on the Red Trucks and travel for just 20 baht, a Tuk Tuk will cost you between 60-100 for a 5 kilometer trip (depending on the time of day and how well you haggle).

Hiring Cars for day trips is around 800-1200 baht.  If you need to do a Visa run, or want to visit another city (or country) the Bus, Train, Tour Vans and Flights are incredibly cheap.

22) Visa’s are Easy to Get

Starting late 2014, the government has started to tighten up the relaxed way they did the visa system here in Thailand.  Gone are the days where you could come in for 30 days and do visa runs to the boarder and extend your stay for ever.  Gone are the days where you would get an ED Visa and not actually attend your class.  Now you must have a proper Visa – but they are easy to get.

Most nationalities get a 30-day visa exemption when they arrive by plane, but if you want to stay long-term it’s best to get a 60-day tourist visa available from many neighboring countries—the nearest is Vientiane in Laos. A double-entry 60-day tourist visa will allow you to stay for six months by getting a 30-day extension at the immigration office, and then doing a border run after three months to renew.

Many people choose to use Chiang Mai as a base, and then visit other countries for a period of time, knowing they can always get another Visa in the countries they are in return to Chiang Mai.

If fact you can get a work permit through Chiang Mai Buddy for 30,000 baht.  Click here to find out how

23) Everything you will need is here

Chiang Mai is small enough to easily learn your way around and become familiar with the city, and big enough to have something for everyone.  There are may reasons that Chiang Mai is the Number one spot for Nomads – they can get and do anything they need to be successful.

Computer repairs, Internet, working spaces, recreational activities, women, friends, seminars, nature tours.  This list is too long to even attempt to begin to describe.

24) Chiang Mai Buddy

Chiang Mai is the first (and only as far as we are aware) city that has a Concierge Service specific for digital nomads. We make coming and staying in Chiang Mai an easy and stress free experience. We find you the best accommodation at the same price as if you walked in off the street, knew how to negotiate and paid cash. We pick you up and take you to your new home, motorcycle ready and waiting for you and then show you the hotspots for working, shopping and playing.

Once you are here, our online service means that you can call or send a text to have us make doctors or dental appointments, arrange for bank accounts, find child care, arrange for internet and TV – and everything and anything you could ask for.  How cool is that?

Find out what we can Do for You

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Can Digital Nomads work in Thailand on Tourist Visa

Can a Digital Nomad Work in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

Can a Digital Nomad Work in Chiang Mai, Thailand? 538 218 cmbadmin

There has been a lot of speculation and opinions concerning the question can a digital nomad can work in Chiang Mai, while staying in Thailand on a tourist Visa. The opinions and answers to this matter range from “yes” to “yes BUT” to “No”. Let’s clear up all the myths and misinformation because the reality is, that most of what people are hearing, repeating and sharing is wrong

My own opinion has run the gambit, starting in the flat out “No” camp and then started to read articles online and was influenced by people who appeared to know more than I did; (or at least claim with a confident sense of authority). For example this article by jonez450reloaded sounded impressive and I followed the links that were cited. The article changed my mind to the “It’s fine and O.K. to work as a nomad on a Tourist Visa” view point.  I did not bother to read the whole articles and just skimmed the headlines.  Big Mistake!

A meeting with my Lawyer regarding my own Thai company reveal my views were based on cherry picked knowledge (oh boy I was wrong again).  I decided to follow-up on this because he was of the opinion coworking spaces are on the target list of local Immigration as are some digital nomads.  It did not take too much effort to find that much of the advice and opinions given by the nomad community about this topic have come from distortions of quotes in original sources, or taken from newspaper reports quoting people essentially saying “I don’t know but I think …”

Let’s take a skeptical look at where our information is coming from and examine what is real and what is wishful thinking.

[hr]

Update: 5th Feb

This update information comes from a coworking space owner who has a vested interest in Nomads. Unfortunately (again) not prepared to go on the record officially or have themselves identified. Following up on my inquiry to them before this post was made they have said … Immigration have informed them …

  • They are not interested in digital nomads in particular but they are looking for foreigners that do illegal work like selling/exporting goods from Thailand online eg. Selling Thai made Furniture from Baan Tawai Market online.
  • Immigration said because they are under the military internal security act, they are forced by the military to be more strict.
  • They suspect foreigners that stay in Thailand for a long time go to work at the same place.
  • Coworking spaces are consider in the same group as Cafes and safe to work from.
  • No one is going to get deported
  • It is not just Immigration who decide to go on a Raid. It is also other departments such as Police and Military

Question and Think

What does this new Information mean?

This updated information does not really provide any new details except

1) Immigration is not the single authority who decides what and when to raid places.
2) Added hearsay credibility to the no one will be deported knowledge base

The same texts (info obtained via facebook chat) have been sent to others who have also blogged about it coming to different conclusions.  I know that the tone of my post is cautious and others paint a more upbeat position.

For a balanced view, between the overly cautious and upbeat check the Hobo with a laptop link at the end of this post

[hr]
In a Nutshell

Conclusion In a Nutshell: Can a Digital Nomad Work in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

  • It is Illegal to work as a digital nomad on a tourist visa
  • Immigration say they are not concerned with Nomads working at home, at cafe or on their first (possible 2nd) Tourist Visa
  • Immigration appear to be concerned with Nomads (or anyone) using multiple Tourist Visas and using ‘Offices’ (essentially not a Tourist but living here)
  • Immigration are concerned with Nomads (or anyone) promoting they are working and making money in Thailand without a Work Permit.
  • Almost all opinions shared by the community come from repeating misquoted or cherry picking original sources
  • Chiang Mai Immigration are still actively investigating and collecting evidence
  • It seems only nomads fitting a certain profile are at risk

It is important to note that sources I have obtained my information from have said nothing officially.  This information is admittedly given as hearsay from me to blog post.  But, (and it is an important but) – This information comes from people working in the legal and immigration systems in Chiang Mai.
Let’s be realistic from the start, why would anyone go on record placing themselves in the hot seat for a ‘blog post’? 

[hr]

Let’s examine how we are getting incorrect Information

Cherry Picking Facts!  As is often the case on the internet, the news report linked in the post by people to support their opinions are often wrong.  In the case of jonez450reloaded, in which he concludes digital nomads can work in Thailand … “There’s no grey area, the answer is yes. You don’t have to believe me: Immigration has said so. That article links to a story at Chiang Mai City News quoting Pol. Col. Rutphong Sanwanangkun, Superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration who is paraphrased as saying

“If you are a ‘digital nomad’ running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.”

In Reality
The first article actually reported in the Asian Correspondent quotes quoting Pol. Col. Rutphong Sanwanangkun as

“Generally speaking, to work in Thailand, foreigners should hold non-immigrant B visas and must obtain work permits from their employers. However, the increasing number of people working online does not fit into any neat visa category”.

The second article in Chiang Mai News, is referring to the Aug 20th meeting organized by the Chamber of Commerce.  This meeting was mostly aimed at Expats, Business and Retired people.  In this article the reporter gives the paraphrased response.

“If you are a ‘digital nomad’ running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.”

This one sentence is NOT what Immigration spokespeople said, this is a reporter giving her opinion of what was said.  Does this matter?  Hell yes!  There is more to the story.  This was an off the cuff comment made by a spokesperson, referring to the change in visitor demographics and his opinion.  Granted his opinion is more valid than yours or mine – but it is not the complete story.

In the Beginning

Thai Immigration Law

Thai Law which clearly and definitely says … You can not undertake any work in Thailand while you are here on a Tourist Visa.  This is clearly written on every single Visa application form, in the details about filling in the form, on any website dealing with immigration assistance.  This is not a grey area at all.  People can ‘hope’ that the new paradigm of the Digital Nomad means countries will have to adapt their immigration laws to cope with it. Hoping and wishing does not mean it is true.  To be fair to Chiang Mai Immigration, they have stated they are not concerned with enforcing the law for most digital nomads here on a Tourist Visa.  But as you will see further down – not all nomads are safe!

The PunSpace Raid

Can Digital Nomads work in Thailand

On October 1st 2014 PunSpace (a coworking place), was raided as reported by telecomasia.net as a “bungled raid on a digital nomad co-working space in the northern city of Chiang Mai”:  One of the 18 (some reports say 11) people detained was well known nomad and Chiang Mai resident Johnny FD. Johnny informed a concerned nomad community what was happening with his blog about the situation with regular updates. Much of the guessing and speculation began here in the comments about Johnny’s attempt to report what was happening. Much of the theories and opinions where based around there being no charges laid, and everyone being released.

Because no one was charged speculation went from ‘bungled’ headlines to ‘everything is fine, they just did not understand what a digital nomad was’.  My research suggest in fact Immigration know exactly what a digital nomad is. The often online repeated statement “They did not know what a digital nomad was’ came from this news report which quotes a staff member of Punspace who actually said

““The soldiers asked ‘what are these farang (foreigners) doing here?’ They didn’t know what we are”. 

Let’s examine this more ….  A Punspace staff member was talking to a soldiers (the hired guns) not to Immigration personal.  The same newspaper report in the next paragraph states plainly

“An immigration official refused to answer questions about the raid, but confirmed they were monitoring places like Punspace “with lots of farang” as part of an ongoing investigation.”

The major impression we are given as a result of this raid is that Immigration did not know what a digital nomad was.  The factual reality is that Immigration declined to justify the reasons for the raid, but stated they are continuing to investigate.  These two conclusions are not the same thing.

The English Teacher Raid

17 Foreigners Arrested for Teaching Illegally in Chiang Mai

On January 23rd 2015 at 12.30am, Chiang Mai Immigration raided a modified office room in the ground floor of Riverside Condo on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road and detained 17 foreigners, who were teaching English on Skype. The raid as reported by Bangkok Post has been copied and pasted and commented upon in online forums all over Chiang Mai and Thailand, with the usual speculations and opinions being expressed about the whys and whats of working in Thailand.

All 17 foreigners were taken to Mae Ping police station to be prosecuted, and their passports and laptops were seized. The were held for 8 hours before being release.  Prosecutions are intended for each of them, but as of yet I could not determine how many would be charged and deported.

Interestingly while this is simply a breach of the law, Chiang Mai News reported Officials saying they believe the teachers were tutoring “Chinese Spies” and have reported the matter to Thailand’s Security Affairs Section and Chiang Mai’s Chinese Consulate.  Training Chinese Spy’s? On the ground floor of a condo unit, in plain site of everyone!  Let’s not forget we are in Thailand, and in Thailand the Farang is always wrong, no matter what the situation is.

[hr]

The Digital Nomad able to work … Speculation says ….

The information given online, in forums, by word of mouth is totally inconsistent. I admit that I gave my own impressions of what I thought the situation was as well. And my ‘opinion’ was influenced and formed with intellectual laziness.   I did not take the time to go to the source of information and in hindsight I did what every human being tends to do.  I selected the opinions of others that fitted into what I wanted or already believed – and I downplayed information that contradicted this.

Over the course of the last few months, my opinion and advice regarding our ability to work here has shifted from yes to no to yes.  Like almost everybody giving their advice, I did the best to repeat what I hoped was the situation without actually looking into the reality of the situation with any effort.

There is too many different versions of what is possible and what is not possible, but the general consensus of the majority of online commentary experts seems to be…..

1. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa

2. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, but just do it anyway

3. It is the same thing as checking your emails or going on Facebook

4. It is not illegal to work in Thailand as long as you are not working for a Thai company, receiving pay in Thailand and the work you do is not for Thai nationals.

5. As long as you don’t actually do a job a Thai person can do Immigration have no problems, especially if it’s online

5. It’s a grey area, there are no laws regarding digital nomads working here, let’s work and wait and see

Whats the Real Story!

Background
On Friday 30th January, I went to see my Lawyer, [edit] I have removed the reasons I went to see the Lawyer as that revelation while used to give evidence of my sincerity could be used against me at a later date. [end edit]  and the conversation turned to Digital Nomads.  Long story short.

What the Lawyer Told Me

Cutting to the chase because you have had to read a bit to get to this point.  Here are the main points

  • The person quoted in all the press statements from Immigration is a spokesperson he does not make decisions, there is another section that does this.
  • It is illegal to work in Thailand on a Tourist Visa – that’s it bottom line
  • Immigration needs to prove in court that someone is breaking the law to get them deported
  • Immigration is now actively collecting this evidence for future arrests to provide proof
  • Punspace was not a bungled misunderstanding, they knew what a nomad was, and got statements as evidence
  • Immigration’s investigators are likely to have joined and monitoring Facebook groups and nomad forums to ‘watch & record’
  • Not every Digital Nomad needs to be worried

Obviously I was greatly disturbed by this.  I am a member of this community and as much as I care for your safety and well-being, – you lot and your friends are my customer base.  My lawyer said that not all hope was lost, Immigration were targeting specific criteria, and while technically illegal to work in Thailand at all without a work permit;  For now, Immigration are not concerned with the average digital nomad working while they travel. :By average” they are referring to the nomad with a 3 month stay in Thailand on their way to other places.

I wanted confirmation of this and had my staff call [edit] My staff members associations with the Immigration office were provided to establish credibility.  This has been removed as it could potential create problems in the future. The basic gist was I was trying to arrange a meeting) [end edit]

The Nomads being Targeted

There is bad news: It is illegal to work in Thailand on a Tourist Visa. It does not matter if your company is in another country or you are not taking work away from Thai people, or selling products in Thailand, or working for a foreign company selling to a foreign company.  A Tourist Visa is for a holiday.  If you intend to work while you are in the Kingdom of Thailand you do not come on a Tourist Visa legally stating on the application that you will not be working. If you are making an income or exchanging your time for a potential income – YOU ARE WORKING!

And good news:  For now only specific people are going to have a problem. Local Immigration officers are fully aware of what a nomad is and how we contribute to the economy.  Immigrations major concern is to remove undesirable elements from Thailand.  This is one of the major reasons the Visa run of the past has been shut down.  The thinking is, if you can not afford to leave the country and obtain a Visa to return, you are not contributing to the ‘Happiness of Thailand”.  In other words, your poor – go away.  By the same token, if you are making money and living here long term, but are not paying the required fees to obtain a Work permit – you are not contributing to the ‘Happiness of Thailand”

What is the criteria Immigration investigators are concerned about?

  • Anyone working from anything that can be defined as a ‘Office”.  This includes condos converted into Offices (as in the Skype English Teachers) and spaces deemed to look like an Office (rented enclosed working spaces in coworking spaces) and actual rented Offices
  • Anyone who publicly states they are working in Thailand as a digital nomad without a work permit. Investigators are looking at Forums, Facebook groups, Nomad seminars with a fee, and personal blogs – and collecting evidence

What are Immigration investigators not concerned about?

  • Visitors who are holidaying in Thailand as part of an extended overseas vacation
  • People working from inside their own condo or apartment
  • People working in open cafe (something that does not resemble an office)
  • People without a history of living here repeatedly
  • People who are working and not openly promoting they are breaking the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand.

[hr]

What happens if you are arrested?

Section 54 of the Immigration Act

In case there is an order of deportation for the alien; while waiting for the alien to be deported the competent official may order the alien to stay at any prescribed place or he may order the alien to report to him ( competent official ) according to a prescribed date, time ,and place with Security or with Security and Bond. The competent official may also detain the alien at any given place as many be necessary.

Immigration may hold you for 48 hours to complete their investigation and then further extend this to 7 days if need be. Any detention longer than 7 days must be approved by a court. Hence you are more likely than not to appear before a judge within 7 days after being arrested.The expense of detention and deportation will be charged to the person involved.

If you are arrested, you will be taken to Immigration, who will cross reference you to the information they are collecting.  If you are on the suspect list, it will be assured this time they will have the evidence to take the matter further. (if they decide to). They are collecting information from Blogs, Facebook posts and other sources we like to chat in. You will be given time to arrange for legal representative, and contact your Embassy; but Immigration have the right to detain you in a location of their choosing.  This maybe in locally, in Bangkok or they may let you return to your place of residence.

It is likely based on the history with over stayer, if you can show the means to leave, you will be released and given the ‘opportunity’ to leave the country.  BUT If you have ever watched Thai news on TV or read the papers; Thai authorities love to parade their good deeds in the media. Not only parade them but as in the case of the English lessons via Skype, they justify with exaggerated claims it was a “spy training ring

[hr]

What is the Chance of anything happening?

I freely acknowledge, that I, like everyone (except a few people within Chiang Mai Immigration) have no idea what might or might not happen. This matter is of concern to me because it at the base level affects my bottom-line.  Nomads are my income base, and I have no intention of wanting to scare anyone away from Chiang Mai.

Best that can be done at this point is to examine what is known, what is uncertain (and define it as uncertain) and what is known to be myth. For me, just 1 day ago I was saying any threat of Immigration deporting digital nomads was a myth.

Now I know this is not the case.  But luckily it is not every nomad, and you can easily avoid any risk by following a few common sense decisions. Sadly it would seem the people who are openly and actively promoting Chiang Mai as the place for Nomads to come, are most affected.

Here is what is known:

  • It is Illegal to work here on a Tourist Visa.  That’s it bottom line.  This is the Law, even if it is a law that has not kept up to date relating to digital nomads.  Even if it is a law that has not been actively enforced for whatever reasons. Even if it will damage the economy of Chiang Mai – this is the law as it stands and at any time it can be enforced.
  • Immigration has stated that the single entry Visa tourist who works from home, or a cafe or a coworking space in an open area is not of concern to them and should not have any problems.
  • Most of the information that we are using to base our decisions on are cherry picked from articles, misquoted, or from people guessing.  Repeated misinformation does not make it true, no matter how many people want to think it is.
  • Most of what you read, including previous comments I have made is copied and pasted wishful thinking
  • Chiang Mai Immigration are conducting further investigations.  They are monitoring and collecting information on people who are openly sharing that information online.
  • Immigration is collecting evidence in order to be prepared to prosecute and deport aliens they feel are a detriment to Thailand.
  • Immigration knew what they where doing when they raided Punspace.
  • Punspace, and other coworking spaces are going to be visited again.  It is possible that only those people in ‘offices’ will be detained, it is possible their will be a list of people being looked for, it is possible it is a scare tactic
  • Immigration have names and details of high profile people openly advertising they are earning money while living in Thailand

Here is what is Unknown

  • If digital nomads is a priority for the new government (Army) or local Chiang Mai Immigration
  • If this is a nationwide thing or just a concern for Chiang Mai
  • If this is a national policy or instigated by one member of the local Chiang Mai office
  • If any real action will be taken on the information gained from Immigrations ‘ongoing investigations’
  • If Nomads under the “no concern” position of the spokesman comments, is real policy.
  • If digital nomads have any official status (negative or positive) with Immigration
  • If a case can be put forward on our behalf by local Thai business people
  • If this is a real threat or just posturing for publicity

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What can be done?

Latest update: You can get a volunteer work permit for 30,000 baht for web based services.  And other type of Visas

Get a Thai Visa or Work Permit

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Conclusion

 

The bottom line is ….

1) It IS illegal to work here on a Tourist Visa – get this stuck in your head. There are no special circumstances or exceptions!

2) Immigration spokespeople have stated that they are unconcerned with enforcing this for the vast majority of digital nomads passing through Thailand on a Tourist Visa. (and maybe those living here quietly)

3) Immigration are conducting further investigations and have a criteria they are looking for that make us a possible risk

a) Working from something that looks like an Office.
b) Consistent long time residency in the Kingdom of Thailand on Tourist Visas
c) Openly flaunting you are working and living here
d) Exporting Online products that are made in Thailand (added Feb 5)

4) So far nothing has been acted upon specifically targeting digital nomads.  The Skype English teachers were targeted because they were using an Office, and possible training Chinese spies (read with unbelievable sarcasm)

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I will repeat again, the day before I investigated and wrote this, I was of the opinion that there is nothing to be concerned about with Immigration raids and being deported.  I still think this to be the case for almost all of the digital nomads living in Chiang Mai for being deported; rather fines will be levied.

I have changed my mind on the possibility of there being no further raids on coworking spaces, although I doubt will end up with any or many arrests.  I am certain (as I can be on hearsay) that investigations and information collection is happening; weather anything will come of it, I have no clue.  I would love to think (maybe hope) that through being observed, the positive light of an open and sharing community of travelers will be shown.  I would like to think that a deeper understanding of the nomad community will help lead to Visa reform.

Imagine if Thailand became the first country to accept and embrace the digital nomad movement? Imagine how much media attention and increased tourists they would get if they provided a place that supported the latest version of the entrepreneur?

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Get a Thai Visa or Work Permit

What Should I Pack? A Nomad Guide

What Should I Pack? A Nomad Guide cmbadmin

What should I pack? A guide for the Digital Nomad

Deciding what to bring with you is the hardest part of going Nomad, and I know this handbook caters to a wide variety of people from young Millennials to retiring Baby Boomers. I am going to cover the bones; your travel necessities.

Do not worry about forgetting anything, and do not become overly obsessed with your packing list. Despite my own previous fascination with scouring the web for Digital Nomad packing lists, the truth is that most “must-have” travel accessories aren’t, and you could survive just as easily and affordable if you were born yesterday and sent to Thailand without anything but the clothes on your back and your passport.

I’ve been able to travel with nothing but a carry on for years, and I still re-evaluate my belongings before every relocation in a vain attempt to reduce the load.

Those wheeled suitcases don’t bode well in Southeast Asia due to high pedestrian traffic and uneven, obstacle-course like “sidewalks”. Using bulky suitcases obligate you to find a place to check-in right after your arrival, whereas a good backpack will allow you to rove around town and settle in before deciding where to hang your head for the night.

The key to remember is to disregard anything you do not need when you want to move somewhere. Less is more, and spending less on “stuff” (aka “filler”) will free up hard earned cash for select, authentic, quality items that will last longer, can be repaired, carry a lifetime warranty, leave a lasting impression, etc.

As mentioned previously, 7-Eleven carries just about every toiletry, personal care, or hygiene item you may need while in Thailand so I only included items you need during transit in this list.

And if you’re going to bring any “refillable” items –a best example being a razor– don’t. A lot of the products available back home are different from those in Thailand and may not be compatible.

Lastly, carry a nylon dry bag in case you need to carry smelly items or get caught in the rain (or a Songkran soaker parade) and keep all of your papers in an easily accessible place, separate from other belongings.

So let’s recap these packing rules:

  • Only use a carry-on, never check your luggage
  • Don’t carry items you rarely use and can acquire on the ground for cheap (ie. raincoat, basic medicines)
  • Carry a nylon water-proof bag to protect specific items from getting wet

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1) Backpack

I selected two backpacks for this line item, however I only use (and am in love with) the first option.

The second option is presented because it looks like a great product, and was actually developed by Nomads, for Nomads through a Kickstarter campaign some years ago.

Option 1: Osprey Farpoint 70
http://www.ospreypacks.com

The Osprey Farpoint 70 is a little large for my needs, and I keep it 2/3 full at all times, except for when I visit home. That 1/3 of space will be great for gifts for nieces and nephews.

This pack meets several key requirements I think all of you may need to consider when making your backpack purchase(s).

Clamshell opening

The Osprey Farpoint’s ability to open “clam shell” style allows for non-linear access to your items. Simply put, no first-in-first-out nonsense, digging through your bag at inconvenient times, etc. You can open part of the bag, or you can peel back the entire top flap of the bag for equal access to objects anywhere within it.

Detachable Day Pack

The Osprey Farpoint also comes with a detachable day pack which I use every day, only using the larger portion of the pack for relocations.

The day pack will fit a laptop (from a Mac Air to a bulky Lenovo), assorted electronics, journals, maps, books, change of clothes, shoes, etc.

You can also detach the day pack from the face of the Osprey Farpoint and strap it to the front of your body while still being connected to the central pack on your back. This is great for crowded areas when you don’t want your laptop packed out of your peripheral vision.

Warranty

Osprey packs a lifetime warranty with each of its backpack models, which to me, says a lot. It’s one less thing to worry about. They sell Osprey bags at Maya Mall in Chiang Mai, too. It’s quite likely you could arrange a swap in an emergency if you call Osprey directly. If not, ship it back and they’ll replace it.

Great Carry On

Technically, the 70 litre Osprey Farpoint shouldn’t be an acceptable carry on. Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone. However, I’ve been able to get away with it on every flight I’ve taken this bag on in over 2 years. The reason? It can transform into a duffel bag.

All of the bulky straps and be tucked away easily behind a giant flap that is hidden at the bottom of the bag. Once the straps are out of the way and you use the side handle with the flap side out, the bag appears much more streamlined and fits easily into the overhead compartment.

Your only obstacle is weight, but I’ve also been lucky in that my bag has never been weighed, and I can squeeze it into the metal cage used to determine carry-on size allowance. The trick is to act like the bag is really light and hide your wincing!

If you’re concerned about not being able to pull off using the Farpoint 70 as a carry-on, you and I could both easily get away with using a Farpoint 55.

Option 2: Minaal Carry On
http://www.minaal.com

A bag I do not use, but one I respect. The Minaal 35 litre pack is engineered to be the ultimate carry on and also looks a little more “flash packer” –meaning it’s easy on the eyes is a high quality pack.

It too is a clamshell bag, allows you to zip away straps, fits all major airline carry-on dimensions, and also comes with a slide-on rain cover. Electronics stored within it are also housed in a suspended sleeve, so not matter which way it hits the ground, your gear won’t pay the ultimate price.

No day pack though, so for now, I will stick with my Osprey.

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2) Paperwork

I keep all of my important documents inside a wallet inside a waterproof toiletry style bag. If I required any medications, I’d keep them there with copies made of their prescriptions, too.

Worth mention is that I have two wallets; one for all of my needs on the road, and a light-weight standard wallet for when I go out.

My larger wallet is a “#balla” wallet, also designed by Nomads for Nomads. It can easily store a number of cards, currencies, passport and you can store your Departure Card without folding it.

The #balla wallet is now called the Baller wallet, and you can pick one up at http://ballerleather.com

Some items I keep together in my documents bag include;

  • Boarding pass
  • Passport
  • Copies: Passport, cards, ID, itinerary
  • Thailand Departure card
  • Cash in 2 or 3 different currencies (lately Kip, USD, and Thai baht)
  • SIM cards for every country I visit
  • Extra passport photos
  • Bank cards and credit cards Subway tokens for when in Bangkok
  • ID from home country such as Driver’s License, Health Card, etc.

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3) Toiletries

Many long-distance flights (on Etihad, for instance) will provide you with sleep masks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and so on. This list is for anyone who doesn’t want to chance it;

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Eye mask
  • Inflatable neck pillow
  • Cologne
  • Anti-perspirant
  • Condoms
  • Gravol (for stomach issues or as a sleep aid)
  • Electric beard trimmer (which I tossed after 6 months in favor of a beard)
  • Earplugs
  • Travel towel (microfiber)
  • Nail clippers (once had to leave them behind at airport security)

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4) Electronics

Smart phones free up a lot of space. Travelers can eliminate additional items like a portable WIFI hotspot, MP3 player, and video player with a good smart phone.

Ensure that your smart phone is unlocked to work with any carrier and can tether its data connection to your laptop by cable or wirelessly via WIFI or Bluetooth.

It is now legal to be able to unlock your smartphone in the USA. Unlocking means allowing the phone to work with any carrier, “jail breaking” is something else entirely.

When I came to Thailand, my carrier had a steep cancellation fee so I gave my phone away to a friend and had them resume my contract. I picked up a used phone in Bangkok at MBK, but you can pick one up anywhere. They sell cheap burners at 7-Eleven, although smart phones and all other electronics are generally the same price in Thailand as they are back home.

  • Smart phone (Get your phone unlocked by your carrier in advance!)
  • Mac Air
  • External hard drive
  • USB stick
  • Portable speaker with built-in battery (also available at 7-Eleven)
  • Kindle ebook reader
  • Earphones
  • GoPro camera with watertight case
  • USB rechargeable battery pack

Special Note for Udemy Instructors, Podcasters, and other Media Producers: While there are a handful of recording studios in Chiang Mai, it might be best to pack your own additional recording gear or tablet you use as a teleprompter.

A coworking space called Coffee Monster does have a mic and a recording room that you can use, just add your laptop. I’ll get to Coffee Monster, later.

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5) Clothes

In hindsight, I learned that when it comes to clothing you could arrive with two sets of clothing and pick up the rest on arrival for the most part. Dress shirts can be custom made for cheap, and t-shirts, flip-flops, shorts, swim shorts, etc can all be purchased after you settle in on a need-to-wear basis.

However if winging it was your thing, you wouldn’t be reading this travel guide! Today, this is what I carry;

1 pair of socks
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair swim shorts for the pool or working out
1 pair pants to travel in
1 pair dress pants
5 t-shirts
1 dress shirt
3 pairs of underwear
1 leather belt
1 medium weight sweater

I strongly suggest that anything that is normally cotton –make it Merino wool. Merino wool pulls moisture away from the body in ways cotton never could, it reduces or eliminates odours naturally, regulates temperature (warms you in cold, cools you in heat), and it retains its shape much better than cotton. Merino is also stain and UV resistant, so it ages gracefully. Anything you purchase in Merino wool will outlive its cotton competitor by many, many times.

So that means Merino wool is ideal for t-shirts, socks, and underwear. Some popular Merino brands include Icebreaker, ExOfficio, Patagonia, and Ibex.

For stylish pants, I strongly recommend Bluffs by Bluffworks for similar reasons as Merino wool products. They are incredibly durable, wrinkle-free even after being balled up in a bag for 2 weeks, quick-drying, machine washable, and very breathable which makes them ideal for warmer climates. If you choose to only bring one pair of pants, these are ideal for work or pleasure.

You can find your pair of Bluffs here: http://shop.bluffworks.com

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5) Other Stuff

  • Notebooks
  • Pen
  • Pencil
  • Colored pencils
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Water canteen (for water refill stations)

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6) Footwear

I brought shoes with me, however I picked up my sandals in Pai. There’s a really great street vendor that sells flip-flops in Pai that are made completely out of comfortable yet durable rubber. Just about every vendor sells flip-flops, so you could likely skip packing them initially.

I now own three pairs of footwear;

Blundstone boots for travel or inclement weather
Jogging shoes that double as “water shoes”
Quality rubber flip-flop sandals

I love my Blundstone boots because they come with a two-year extended manufacturer’s warranty and they slip on without laces that can wear and break. The road is long and dirty; these boots are easily cleaned and more comfortable than a pair of Doc Martens.