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If there’s one country digital nomads are flocking to this year, it’s Thailand, a tropical Southeast Asian gem famous for its beautiful beaches, paradise archipelagos, laid-back lifestyle and indigenous tradition.
The reasons for this are well known and have been mentioned a number of times on Travel Off Path: the people are friendly, the weather is nice and warm all year round, the cultural wealth is a big plus, and overall it’s a bargain. an agreement.
Yeah, yeah, we all get it.
Nevertheless, there is one island in particular that has done everything it can to make nomads feel welcome and that, unlike other Asian hotspots, does not present visa hurdles that make it impossible for them to stay longer: on the contrary.
Trendy in 2024 Phuket is fast becoming the continent’s top ‘workcation’ destination, openly challenging Bali’s decade-long rule, and if we were you, we wouldn’t delay this one:
Clubber-filled Phuket has more to offer than you might think
Over the years, Phuket may have earned a reputation as Thailand’s party capital and weekend getaway for its boisterous nightlife and vibrant social scene, but it has so much more to offer regular visitors than nightclubs and hostel-hosted parties.
For starters, it’s not just an island – and the largest in Thailand at that – but an entire province consisting of most of the country and 32 smaller islands: it has everything from overdeveloped tourist zones to remote places and untouched nature, and it doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how diverse it is.
Are you the social type who likes to surround yourself with like-minded people, be a short walk from shops and work-friendly cafes, and have plenty of options to entertain yourself after sunset? Phuket town is where you should be:
Home to a sizable Chinese minority and a growing community of Western expats, the province’s multicultural capital is best known for its abundance of coworking spaces and its picturesque Old Town, characterized by Portuguese-inspired buildings.
Want to beat the tourist crowds instead? Kataa relaxing beach town bordered by lush vegetation, or perhaps, Koh Yao Yaia lesser-known island just a 20-minute boat ride from Phuket, where a limited number of hotels and guesthouses are located are top recommendations.
Of course, Phuket’s majestic nature is a huge draw for big city refugees: whether it’s the white sandy beaches in Phi Phi, or the hiking trails that lead deep into the heart of the jungle of Khao Phra Teaw, nomads have plenty of attractions to keep them busy during a long-term stay.
Besides offering a varied tourist offer, Phuket meets almost all requirements Nomad list checklist.
Phuket is a top destination Nomad list
According to previous visitors who worked remotely from the island, it is budget-friendly, at an average of $1,874 per month, significantly more expensive than other destinations in Thailand such as remarkably affordable Chiang Mai, but still lower than average western prices.
Nomads have also reported that Phuket guests enjoy high-speed internet, more specifically 59 Mbps, although that may vary depending on where in the province they stay. The service seems to be more stable and reliable in larger settlements such as Phuket City, Chalong or Patong Town.
Phuket is also very ‘fun’, with its numerous bar districts and varied entertainment for adults, not to mention the level of urban safety, which is rated ‘good’ by nomads: violent crimes do not actually exist, and apart from occasional pickpocketing, foreigners are not overly concerned about security.
The temperature is another huge bonus: with the exception of the monsoon season, which brings heavy rainfall between July and October, you’re likely to experience long hours of sunshine every day in Phuket if you’re at work.
Right now it’s a ‘perfect’ 84.2°F, making Phuket the ideal temporary home base during winter. This brings us to our third point, and probably the most relevant yet.
Phuket wants you To stay longer
Phuket officials want that you to stay longer and take the time to explore the sunny island, and instead of empty promises they have announced an online visa extension program aimed at visitors who want to stay longer in the province longer than 30 days.
Currently, US passport holders only get one month in Phuket, and in all of Thailand, when traveling as tourists.
Thailand does have a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) that nomads can apply for if they decide to live in the country long-term, but the truth is that the majority of them are country hoppers at heart and it it is unlikely that they will continue to live in one country. destination for more than three consecutive months.
Even then, 30 days is hardly enough time to explore everything the main island has to offer, let alone all the beautiful paradise islets and pristine archipelagos off the coast.
And let’s face it: DNVs can be incredibly complicated for first-time applicants, and the strict financial requirements usually make them ineligible Anyway.
Fellow nomads, the ancient Thai gods (aka Frequently Asked Questions) have heard our prayers, and now it is possible to apply for a tourist visa extension online while staying in Phuket, without bureaucratic visits to the nearest immigration office.
Called ‘E extension‘ the platform allows nomads, or any visitor interested in staying longer, to submit their documents and schedule appointments online, from the comfort of their Airbnb or hostel, and only present themselves before the authorities when it time to receive the visa extension stamp.
An extension normally gives you an additional 30 days of stay in Thailand, for a total of 60 days.
More information about Phuket – en why it steals the hearts of nomads – here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
