Nimmanhaemin, Chiang Mai
For decades, Chiang Mai is home to a number of expats. They highly consider this place for its unique vibe. They can enjoy city living without the hustle and bustle of the city. Nimmanhaemin is where the highest concentration of expats is. With a low cost of living, expats have the freedom to choose from a wide variety of accommodation ranging from affordable apartments to posh homes.
The Nimman has a good percentage of digital nomads and most of them frequent the many co-working spaces and coffee shops in the city. The highly accessible city has great job opportunities for NGOs, digital professionals, and career professionals.
Hua Hin
Three hours down the coast from Bangkok, Hua Hin is known as the capital residents’ holiday playground, even the King of Thailand’s summer palace is located here. Lively markets, excellent dining, beachside location, and home to some of the best golf courses in Thailand, Hua Hin has become home to tons of retiree expats looking to live out their golden years at low costs and with high standards. For younger expats, while the city is rather sleepy during the week, everything becomes far livelier upon the arrival of Bangkok weekenders.
Pak Nam Pran
The small neighbourhood of Pak Nam Pran is a blossoming region location in Pranburi Province of Southern Thailand already has an established expat community. While still small, the community is slowly attracting younger expats who are investing on the tourism and development of Pak Nam Pran.
Many of the locals join in community activities such as farmers’ markets, organic communal gardens, and artisan trade. Receiving great support from the local government, the locals of Pak Nam Pran enjoy low cost of living.
Rayong
Image: Pun Foto Gallery
The neighbourhood has a growing expat community. Retirees often choose to live in Rayong for its superb beach living. This peaceful city is just a two and a half hour drive from Bangkok and offers the best accommodations. Retirees can choose from sprouting condo developments dotting the coast.
Pattaya
Any established resident in Thailand may be reluctant to live in Pattaya, as the coastal city has been linked to prostitution. Pattaya is going through a sort of Renaissance, however, complete with the introduction of world-class cuisine, a more family-friendly vibe, and a strong contingent of nearly 40,000 expats that have established an efficient infrastructure over time. Pattaya is also known to have one of the strongest LGBTQ communities in Thailand.