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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.
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How to get Cheap Insurance in Thailand
How to get Cheap Insurance in Thailand cmbadmin

If your staying or living in Thailand, and require medical treatment, the last thing you want is the Hospital insisting on cash because your overseas Insurance agent can not communicate in Thai. Same thing applies with a motorcycle that gets lost or damaged.   If you make the mistake of using International Insurance policies, when it comes  to making claim you won’t have the benefit of a local Insurance agent by your side, working on your behalf.

For anyone who has lived in Thailand for a while, and has faced the task of attempting to get something done with a Thai business or company (or Hospital) – the benefits of having an English and Thai speaking person who knows how to deal with them needs no sales pitch.  Finding an Insurance agent who can do this for you is the difficult task

In a Nutshell

In a Nutshell

  • Insurance is Cheaper in Thailand
  • Local Agents work hard on your behalf
  • Home and Contents Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Travel Insurance

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thumbs upChiang Mai Buddy Advantage
Our main focus at Chiang Mai Buddy is to source local Thai Business that are either experienced with Western values (and speak English) or is owned by a westerner.  We have done the same with Insurance and found an English speaking agent who not only has access to several Insurance companies (including a couple of international Institutions) to request quotes.  She is also popular among the Burmese working here because she put’s a customers budget and economic assets as a priority.  In other words she is skilled at finding the lowest quotes available.

Types of Expat Insurances that are a must have

1) Life Insurance (~ 10,000 Baht)

If you are a long term resident of Thailand and have married a Thai person (or are a retired couple) Life insurance protects the people who are financially dependent on you. If your spouse, children or other loved ones are likely to face financial hardship if you died, life insurance should be high on your list of required insurance policies.

For most people in the western world Life Insurance is something that is really only needed for the first 25 years of marriage or of your children’s life.  Usually by the end of this time, your kids have left the nest and are earning on their own, and you have made substantiation payments on your house and have savings that your spouse can manage in the event of your death.  But once you come to Thailand, especially if you have married again and settled into a family situation, you are aware that your spouse is usually totally dependent on your financial resources.

Thailand Insurers have developed a range of life insurance products that are designed to protect policy holders and provide future financial security. The added benefit of a Life Insurance policy is that you can attach various other modules to your policy including

A) Life Protection Insurance helps you build financial security for your family. Benefits will help reduce the financial burden arising through unexpected events; the policy reserves a lump sum payment for your family should such an event occur; a great way to express your responsibility, love and care to your family!

B) Medical Coverage

Hospital & Surgical Benefit
Provides reimbursement for medical expenses in case of hospitalization in a licensed hospital as an in-patient (IPD). In addition to life coverage from your basic life insurance policy, planning for medical expenditure is essential to keep you and your family well-protected against possible sicknesses. With Hospital and Surgical module, you are insured to receive prompt and quality medical care should sickness strike. Available up to 80 years old.

Hospital Stay Benefit
Hospital Benefits module provides daily cash benefit to compensate for loss of income in the event of being in business.  A full year of compensation is available

C) Accident Coverage Death by natural causes is one thing, but this is Thailand!  The accident module includes a death by accident and can be either a lump sum, or a death benefit.  Oddly the payout at times of festivals like Songkrang (where death rates are higher by accident) is doubled.

2) Accident Insurance (From 2000 Baht)

Perhaps one of the more important Insurance policies to have (and anytime you drive in a car or motorcycle you are reminded that this is a good idea) is the standard Accident Insurance.  Accident insurance covers you for medical expenses and cash payments for any disability that might incur.  One of the key benefits of having local Thai Insurance for this, is that your agent (at least the one Chiang Mai Buddy uses) will be notified at the time of your accident and personally go to the hospital to immediately take control of what the hospital does and does not do with your treatment.

For example, As with many country’s your blood alcohol level play a part in making any insurance null & void.  A good agent working on your behalf will talk to the Police Officer reporting the accident and request that the hospital staff do not take any blood samples until the next day.  One of the many benefits of obtaining Insurance in Thailand.

A typical Policy will include:

A) Accidental Death
B) Dismemberment: Loss of use of body parts, including limbs cut below the wrist or ankle,
C) Permanent Disability: Impairment preventing you from functioning normally. Permanent Disability is divided into 2 types: Total Temporary Disability and Temporary Permanent Disability.

Common  Modules available to add to your Accident Insurance Policy

D) Family Care Giver: Monthly Family Care Giver is a care benefits or alimony, compensated monthly to a family member. Family members including spouse, children and parents of the insured person. In case of accident where benefits I or II are compensated, the company will make monthly payments to the family member for up to 60 months.
E) Monthly Living Benefit:  Monthly Living Benefit is compensation paid monthly to the insured person on the basis of the dismemberment, loss of sight or Total Permanent Disability.
F) Hospital Cash: Hospital Cash provides coverage in case the insured person is injured through accident and needs medical treatment at hospital.

3) Property Insurance
House 2M = ~4,000 Baht, 16M = ~16,000 Baht,  Car from 6,000 Baht

Same same throughout the world, people want to ensure they are protected from damage and loss to their home and contents, which can include (or Insure separately) your Vehicle. Your home isn’t just any residence. It is a special place that reflects your individuality, your lifestyle preferences and passion. While replacing your household property is relatively inexpensive in Thailand – so too is the cost of Insurance for this.

Like any Home and Contents Insurance, there are many options from the standard Fire protection to All risk coverage options. In is important to note that almost every condo or house lease agreement makes a requirement that this type of insurance is the responsibility of the tenant.  Typical Policies will cover ….

  1. Loss or damage of jewelry and watch as a result of burglary, robbery and gang robbery
  2. Exclusive extension to covered charcoal, bicycle, water pump, air conditioner ,compressor, and satellite
  3. Temporary accommodation and storage
  4. Theft, burglary and robbery
  5. Personal liability

4) Travel Insurance ~1,400 Baht for 60 days

Another policy offered around the world that tends to be cheaper to obtain while in Thailand (especially if you are traveling to other Asian countries).  Travel Insurance is determined by the amount of your valuables and the duration of your travel, and like most policies includes property with module add on’s for medical and accident coverage.

Travel insurance protects you from change or cancellation of flights (no cost to you to get accommodation and another ticket), offers a lump cash if your baggage is lost – and covers you for accidents and misadventures while aboard.

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Obtaining Insurance Price Quotes

Now days people prefer to do their price shopping for quotes online, and Insurance companies make this easy for you by offering to give free quotes.  Although ‘free’ usually means many followup calls and emails from the company as your information goes into their database. I know personally what an annoying experience this is, as I am still called monthly on my Las Vegas phone number (obtained with magicjack, a voice over internet system) for an online Insurance quote I requested in 2005.  The Indian company that the Insurance company uses to harass me, do not delete my number, and the Insurance company says this is beyond their control. The calls keep coming, I am accused of lying about living in Thailand and not needing American Insurance and I am disconnected when I asked to have my number removed.

For those that want to risk this happening (although I am sure it will be Thai speaking people calling you) some of the major Insurance companies websites (in English) are listed below.

Lifestyle Insurance
AIG
AIA
AXA

Difficulties giving a quote for Insurance

Insurance is one of those things that have a hundred different variables.  How much do you want to be covered for? How old are you? How long is the Policy for? Do you want to have added modules of extended coverage etc.

insurance quotes chiang mai

As I am writing this blog now, I have half a dozen brochures from our own Insurance agent all with tables of coverage and cost wondering how on earth I can make this simple and give you the reader an idea of the price.  The image above is the first page of 2 (6 tables) for the options available for Accident Coverage from one of several companies our agent can obtain an Insurance plan from. Our agent deals with 4 or 5 Thai based companies and 3 International Insurance names.

Insurance agent chiang mai

Chiang Mai Buddy getting Insurance with a Local Agent

thumbs upChiang Mai Buddy Advantage
Obtaining information about insurance is often complex and difficult. Sure online you are given just a few options, and with a few mouse clicks you are all done. You will clearly not have the range of options (and therefore lower prices) that can be obtained by a custom plan – nor will you have an agent who lives in Chiang Mai who knows how to deal with the various companies who your insurance plan will be paying.
We have found an amazing Insurance Agent, and we are more than happy to arrange an appointment for our customers

[hr]

Summary

Insurance is one of those necessary thing in life that when you are hard pressed economically tend to get avoided or put on the back burner.  Luckily we are in Thailand, and like so many aspects of living here, the cost of getting Insurance is drastically cheaper than from overseas.  In addition as many Expats know, the amount of work that many Thai Businesses do for you for free or for a tiny fee – makes getting insurance an affordable and easy process.

The real difficultly comes from finding an English speaking Insurance agent that will do this for you.  Many people will use high priced western businesses that act as a middle person on your behalf.  The fee they charge to provide this service for you is almost half what your Insurance Premiums turn out to be, but often since the policies and prices are in Thai, you are never quite sure what you are paying for insurance and what is the middle mans commission.

We at Chiang Mai Buddy also act as a middle man, connection service for Insurance (as well as many other services).    If you would like us to do this, just give us a call on the phone or make an appointment to give us an idea of what you would like and we will pass this information on to our agent.

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Hiring a Maid, Cleaner or Housekeeper
Hiring a Maid, Cleaner or Housekeeper 150 150 cmbadmin

How to Hire a Maid, Cleaner or House keeper in Chiang Mai

One of the most common problems new arrivals have when they live in Chiang Mai, is the question of how to hire a Maid, Cleaner or Housekeeper.  Looking at westerner based forums on the topic, does not offer much in the way of useful information, with the most common sage wisdom being “Get a Maid who is referred by another Expat”.  This of course is not much help when you are new and have limited contacts.

Hiring a Maid, Cleaner or Housekeeper in Chiang Mai can be a complex problem, because there are so many options.  Let’s start by defining what combination of options there are, so that you can get a better idea of what you are looking for.

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In a Nutshell

In a Nutshell

Full Time or Part Time
Live In or Live Out
English Speaking Required
Specialty (farang) cooking
Cook-Housekeeper or Cleaner
Know the legal required Holidays
Where to Find your Maid
Condo Cleaner vs Housekeeper

 

thumbs upChiang Mai Buddy Advantage
We have found it difficult to find our customers a reliable English Speaking Cleaning Service in Chiang Mai for Move In/Out Cleaning Services or Regular Cleaning of condos.  So we helped a very smart local Thai person who speaks fantastic English, start her own Cleaning Business.  She is not only smart – she is incredibly hard working and holds herself up to standards that we farang expect. This standard of professionalism far exceeds what we have become used to in hiring Thai cleaning staff.  Click for more

Live In vs Live Out:
Do you want a employee that you provide a free lodgings and food for? Or do you want someone who will come to your place, work and go home.  Generally if you provide a room at your home and provide food, you can reduce the monthly salary by 2000-3000 baht per month.

Full time vs Part time
Having a maid full time means that usually you will be employing them for 6 days a week from approximately 7am-7pm plus or minus a couple of hours. The longer you hire a Cleaner or Maid the more economical the salary becomes from your prospective.

Maid vs House Keeper vs Cleaner
The term maid and house keeper are used interchangeably. In times gone by, the term Maid was for the female and a Male serving in the same role was called a Butler. Now days (and in particular here in Chiang Mai) when you refer to a housekeeper or maid you are talking about a cook-housekeeper.

Cook-Housekeeper:  This type of employee is usually engaged in full time work and does the domestic chores around the house.  Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry, Child Minding, Shopping, gardening and a variety of tasks that was the role of the traditional wife in days long gone.

Cleaner:  A cleaner is more likely to be a part time employee and will engage in cleaning duties which may sometimes include doing your dishes.  A cleaner will generally not do laundry or ironing or other domestic chores of a housekeeper.  They are there to clean – not be your maid.

Things to know when hiring a Maid

Hiring staff in a new country with a new culture is complicated. Farangs previous expectations of western work ethic, a lack of understanding of the culture, the sexpat who is looking for a girlfriend but employs a maid – are among some of the several issues that creates confusion in information about employing a maid.  Lets examine some of the things you are likely to face

1) How Much to Pay a Maid?

Maid Cleaning Service chiang maiSome long time residents of Chiang Mai will give you their ‘expertise’ of how to get the best value for money.  They will offer such titbit gems like, “You can pay a Bernese maid 100 baht a day, a Thai maybe 150-200”; then warn that you have to be careful they are often lazy (on their phones) or will steal from you.

I am hoping that most readers of this article will appreciate that a person who has a property large enough that they require a maid, yet make the conscience decision to pay someone $3-6 for a days work – is not someone who advice should be taken seriously.

Pricing is often a difficult choice. Generally you can take the following as a guideline

1) Non English speaking Maid live In 8,000-10,000 baht a month
2) Non English speaking Maid live Out 10,000-12,000 baht a month
3) English speaking Maid live In 10,000-12,000 baht a month
4) English speaking Maid live Out 12,000+ baht a month

If your maid speaks English, and has extra skills such as cooking western or specialty foods, ability to pay bills and balance budgets then you will pay more for these skills.

Entitlements

All domestic employees in Thailand are entitled to one day off per week, and no fewer than 13 public holidays per year, as well as sick leave.Another important thing to be aware of is that Thais typically get a 13 month payment as a bonus at the end of each year.  Maids and Housekeepers must get overtime for extra hours and working on entitled days off and holidays.

2) Thai Maids are Lazy!

Many people ready and willing to give their advice in forums will often point out that Thai people are lazy.  In many cases Thai people will also say the same thing.  So lets get a bit of perspective here.

Thai Mindset
You are employing someone almost always from a rural and farming background, probably with an extremely limited amount of formal education. And you are employing someone whose language has a limited use of  past, present and future tense.  The Thai mindset does not only not hold the same importance to a system of ‘time management’ we have in the west – more often than not, there is no conscious perception of the concept.

If your expectations are that your Thai Maid should have the same set of values and work ethic, as where you are from – you will constantly be disappointed.  It is you who is in a different country, with a different culture and set of values.  It is your responsibility to adapt to the country you are living in.

Cellphones/Family
For Thai people family is extremely important.  You maybe employing a younger person who has left children in the rural areas with their grandparents, or an older person who is valued and revered by their extended family.  Thai people will want and desire to stay in contact with their family (and friends).  Not having an understanding of this and (again) expecting the Thai people to behave and believe the same way you do – is setting yourself up for more disappointment.

3) Where to Find your Maids

You should first be aware of why you are wanting your Maid or Housekeeper.  For many Expats, the inability to speak Thai Language can make difficult tasks of the simplest of intentions. Having an English speaking Maid that can act as interpreter for both communication and understanding Thai culture will greatly increase the quality of life experience here. For many people they want the comforts of home – which means cooking in the style you grew up with.  Obtaining these things in addition to someone who just cleans up after you will require more pay and more effort to find and interview.

The best way to find such a person is through word-of-mouth referrals, from others in the Expat community who know of a maid looking for work or extra hours, your landlord, the internet or using a domestic help agency.  Unfortunately the English speaking services that have Maids looking for work are scarce in Chiang Mai (If you own one or know of any, please add the details in a comment)

Website Agencies
greataupair.com

4) Interviewing your Maid or Housekeeper

You should of course interview your potential Maid, making it clear they understand what their duties will be.  Be aware of …

Do you require cooking (if so, what kinds of cuisine?)
Childcare
Bill Payments
Laundry
Cleaning
Interpreter
Grocery Shopping
Live in or Live Out
Regular Working Hours
Overtime Rates
Food Allowance
Annual Bonus Payment date

[hr]

Rent or Lease Condo House Chiang Mai
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How to Lease a Condo or Rent a House in Chiang Mai
How to Lease a Condo or Rent a House in Chiang Mai 538 218 cmbadmin

If you are coming to Thailand to live for six months or more – chances are you will want to lease or rent a condo or house and get greater value over living in monthly accommodation.  Condos and houses are more luxurious than the standard apartment, usually fully furnished and come with all the mod cons of your home country – only much much cheaper.  Assuming you have decided you want to rent or lease your own condo or house – lets look at how to go about this.

OK. first let’s make a distinction in what is an Apartment VS what is a Condo.  (I assume you know what a house is)

Apartment: In Thailand this refers to a monthly accommodation complex that you rent on a monthly basis. All the units in the complex are usually owned by the same person or company and standardized to look the same. Most can be rented on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Apartments generally come equip with a bed, a TV, a writing desk and a closet. Some will have basic kitchens and the more elaborate have separate bedrooms and kitchens.

Condo: In Thailand this refers to a unit that is individually owned within a condominium complex.  Condos usually have larger areas, and are fully furnished including a bathroom and kitchen.  While it is possible to rent a Condo for 3 months, more typical is a minimum 6 month lease, with a discount in price for longer term rentals.

[hr]

In a Nutshell

In a Nutshell

  • Condo for single people and inner city life
  • House for couples and families or the quiet peaceful in nature living
  • Prices range from 6000-25,000 baht (see below for examples)
  • Leasing provides cheaper and better than Serviced Apartments (6 months+)
  • Plenty of both Houses and Condos available
  • Location is Important for lifestyle
  • Real Estate Agents are free for you to use
  • Best deals come from Thai owners who do not speak English
  • Read the Lease contract and understand the ‘odd’ bits

Availability of Condo’s and Houses for Rent and Lease in Chiang Mai

Over the last 5 years there has been an increasing number of newly constructed buildings aimed at foreigners.  This includes both luxury condos and gated communities of houses.  These complexes more and more are being constructed with gyms, swimming pools, community areas, convenience stores and a few restaurants located within the facility or close by. Many of the newer communities fill the 49% foreigner owned quota (everything must be 51% Thai owned) and while Thais own the majority they are able to rent to westerners.  One of the benefits of living among other westerners is the formation of housing associations that ‘motivate’ owners and property managers into taking action on maintenance.

There are of course older places, that are available for cheaper rent.  These places (both homes and condo’s) usually lack the western kitchens and features that you are used too, and have fewer westerners living there. . While these cheaper places are available this article will assume you can afford the US$250 to get the basic luxury accommodation option.

With the massive amount of building taking place over the last few years, and older places being remodeled, there is an abundance of both Condominiums and Houses available

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Location, Location, Location

accommodation locations chiang mai
There are 3 areas in Chiang Mai where the majority of new arrivals tend to populate, depending on their specific requirements, but mostly because of the number of other expats living in the local community.  Obviously there are Expats spread around the city, many choosing to live in the more remote areas, (because they like solitary living or moved in with a Thai person); and sometimes because they want the peace and quiet.

Nimman Area
The Nimman area is located to the east of the old city, and is a thriving and more upmarket area of town.  This is the prime location chosen by the digital nomad community and has many better quality condos occupied by expats.  Close to everything, including 3 shopping malls and many supermarkets the Nimmanhemin (Nimman) area and it’s surroundings is an inner city type vibe.  Mostly Condo’s in this part of town, many new developments finishing each month waiting and ready for lease or purchase.

Hang Dong Area
The Hang Dong area is located just a 10 minute drive from the Old City and the Nimman area.  This area is popular with retiring expats because of the many Moo Baans (gated community developments) and rural vibe.  Beautiful housing developments with lakes, club houses and gyms are located here, along with many large home improvement stores.

Chang Kang Area
The Chang Kang area is located close to the Ping River, which has long been a favorite location for western styled restaurants and night life. It is also close to the red light district, and the tourist oriented Night Bizzare market.  This area of town is populated by many single men, and has a much larger local population that speaks English.

Obviously there are many other places where you can choose to live, The areas above are just a guide, but it is suggested that before you commit to a long term lease, you spend a month or so in a monthly apartment closer to the main city and then explore the various areas.

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How much does it cost to Lease a Condo in Chiang Mai?

A 30 sq.m Condo with kitchen and modern amenities will start at around 6000 baht (US$180), increasing in size to 45 sq.m you are looking in the 9000-12000 baht range. (US$270-360) per month.  Larger 80-120 sq.m 2 bedrooms places are around 18000-25000 baht (US$549-760).  One of the first things many new arrivals notice (especially from America) is how small the condos are here compared to where they are from.  You very quickly adapt and begin to enjoy the smaller units, with less cleaning required, ease of getting around from kitchen to bathroom etc.  Price will often depend on the extra facilities of the condo, Gyms, Pools, Massage and location will all add to the price.

chiang mai condo penthouse

A 2 bedroom 100 sq.m Condo with style will cost about 20,000 per month

Chiang Mai Condo

45 sq.m modern unit will cost between 10,000-12,000 baht per month

Chiang Mai Condo for rent

A Condo like this will be about 8000 baht per month

The Advantages of Renting a Condo

Renting a condo or an apartment in Chiang Mai will provide you with greater access to amenities and better security.  Most complexes will have electronic key cards, security guards and CCTV monitoring, it can be difficult for visitors to reach you without arranging to meet them in the lobby.  Condo’s will often also have gyms, shops, pools either inside the complex or located close by to service the people living there.

Living in a condo provides a greater social life, with the opportunity to bump into and get to know the other 50-500 tenets living there (depending on the size). Staff at Condominiums will often help you with bills or letters that you do not understand in Thai, and are used to dealing with westerners and any of the little and niggling complaints we might have.

Condos can be leased for shorter periods of time (3 months plus) with the price in rent going down the longer you stay.  For example a 12,000 baht a month place for 3 months, might be 11,000 for 6 months and 10,000 for the year.  Condos are usually located in the heart of the action, just a short walk to your local community and the activities you will spend the majority of your day doing.

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How much does it cost to Rent a House in Chiang Mai?

Houses are available in the inner suburbs and city itself, and these tend to be older (often Thai style) and can start from as low as 5000 baht maybe 8000 baht for a two bedroom.  The further out you go the bigger and newer the houses become with more western features. Many expats decide that they want to rent a house in a Moo Baan (gated community) which are usually located in the Hang Dong and surrounding areas.  Older styled houses are found closer to the city areas (and also outside the city) which are smaller and basic sometimes with a yard, but usually close to the neighbors.

lease house chiang mai

A newer 3-4 bedroom house can be found as low as 9,000 baht but generally 15,000 plus

Rent House in Chiang Mai

Older styled houses, 1-2 bedrooms can be found from 8000 baht

The Advantages of Renting a House

Renting houses in Chiang Mai is a better value for money often for the same price as an inner city condo you can get a 3 bedroom house with gardens, patios, and if located in a Moo Baan, community pools, gyms and club rooms. The city is only 10-15 minutes away and usually you have tropical scenery around to view.

The house offers you space!, either for yourself and your family or if you decide to get a live in maid or home help.  Many come fully furnished, others do not, and you will be expected to take out a longer term lease (most are yearly).

Living in a house allows you to potter around in the gardens, and not sacrifice having to live in a minimalist style (you can fit more ‘stuff’ in a bigger house compared to a Condo).

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