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After a whirlwind trip to Bangkok, I ventured north to Chiang Mai. I’ve been told for years that it’s a destination I ‘have’ to go to. And after just a couple of days, I got why everyone loves it so much and why, actually, it is a really great destination for digital nomads and remote workers. There's something magical about a place where you can work from a coworking space in the morning, and by the afternoon, find yourself in a beautiful temple or in a cafe by a reservoir.

Where to work in Chiang Mai

The city is absolutely brimming with fantastic spots to work from, but here are my tried-and-tested favourites:

Yellow Coworking Space: located in a beautiful green space in the Nimman neighbourhood, Yellow is great for for those days when I need to put my head down and get some deep work done. It has areas for all kinds of worker to choose from, whether you want some space to yourself in a booth, or need a quieter area upstairs. And! There’s a rest/nap area… isn’t that what dreams are made of?!

CAMP (Creative and Meeting Place): based at the top of Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center, CAMP was one of my absolute favourite discoveries during my visit. While it can get busy (especially in the evenings with students), the 24/7 opening hours make it perfect for those late-night working sessions or early morning calls with clients in different time zones. The internet wasn’t always super strong, however for a working lunch to get some emails done or some social posted, it was perfect (and they have a treehouse area)!

Cccc: for a change of scenery, and a great iced coffee, I highly recommend grabbing a table here. It’s one of the few places I found where there is no minimum to pay by card (which for me is a plus), and there are zero distractions.

Roast8ry Lab: there are a couple of different Roast8ry branches, and it seemed to be a popular spot most times of the day. If you’re looking for an indoor-outdoor vibe, this may be for you - but keep in mind that it gets warm super fast and when it rains, it pours, and the last thing you want is for your tech to get damaged!

TCDC (Thailand Creative and Design Center): I first discovered TCDC in Bangkok, and loved it! Turns out there’s another, smaller, one in Chiang Mai! It’s a beautiful space for creatives where you find different resources from different creative industries, exhibitions from local artists and businesses and of course an open space to work. You can bring coffee and water inside, but that’s it, so there’s also a cute little cafe downstairs to enjoy a break looking over a little garden area.

Sway: a cute little rooftop cafe, there were limited plugs, but it was the perfect place to start the day with a coffee and some emails before heading either inside to the AC or on to one of the many coworking spaces in the area.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai

I felt like Nimman is a great place to begin your digital nomad journey. It's packed with coworking spaces, cafes, and modern condos with fast internet (honestly I loved working from my apartment). However, it is very possibly a bit removed from the authentic experience of Chiang Mai - and also under the flight path from CNX airport.

For those seeking more character, the Old City is brilliant. Yes, the buildings are older and you might sacrifice some modern conveniences, but being surrounded by temples and traditional markets makes up for it. And for longer stays, I've heard great things about the Santitham area. It's a bit more local, with lower prices, but still just a quick scooter ride from all the action.

Other things to do in Chiang Mai

To be completely honest, I didn’t actually experience as much of Chiang Mai as I could have during this trip. I was more focussed on generally resting and getting some work done. But there is SO much to do, and for every kind of visitor. From different cultural activities and sites in town to excursions out into the mountains and wellness experiences. You won’t be stuck for choice, let’s just say that!

Overall, what I enjoyed most about Chiang Mai is how it manages to be both a productive work environment and a cultural wonderland. The city operates at a pace that allows you to actually enjoy life while getting work done. Unlike the constant buzz of Bangkok, there's a gentler rhythme here that I find incredibly conducive to creativity and focus.

Whether you're here for a few weeks or settling in for months, Chiang Mai has a way of making you feel at home. The combination of more affordable living, excellent infrastructure, and rich cultural experiences makes it an ideal base for digital nomads looking to find their groove in Southeast Asia.

Have you worked remotely from Chiang Mai? I'd love to hear about your favourite spots in the comments below!

Han x