Chiang Mai, Thailand ๐น๐ญ
#389
18.788277, 98.98588
Nomad Score:
79%
Essentials
| ๐๏ธ City | A historic city in northern Thailand, known for its beautiful temples and vibrant culture. |
| ๐ฅ Population | Approximately 1.2 million people. |
| ๐ป Internet Speed | Average speeds of 50 - 100 Mbps available in many regions. |
| ๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 THB โ 0.028 USD; ATMs are widely available, and most accept international cards. |
| ๐ฐ Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| ๐ Power | 220V, 50Hz, ๐ Type A/B/CC sockets. |
| ๐ถ SIM Card | AIS, TrueMove, and DTAC are popular choices with good coverage. |
| ๐ณ Banking for Expats | Kbank, SCB, and Bangkok Bank; services available in English. |
| ๐ Accommodation | Options range from hostels (e.g., The Living Place) to luxury hotels (e.g., Shangri-La Hotel). |
| ๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, but cash is still widely used. |
| ๐ Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and local options like The Cozy House are available. |
| ๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Stamps Backpackers and Green Tiger House. |
Working and Networking
| ๐ข Best Coworking Space | Punspace is a highly regarded coworking space with multiple locations. |
| โ Best Cafe for Work | % Arabica in Nimmanhaemin; excellent coffee and a relaxed atmosphere. |
| ๐ผ Networking Events | Chiang Mai Digital Nomads meet-ups via Facebook groups and Meetup.com. |
| ๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | Regular gatherings at venues like The Hangout and Chiang Mai Expats Club. |
Transportation
| ๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular and convenient ride-hailing app. |
| ๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Many shops in the Old City offer scooter rentals starting from 150 THB/day. |
| ๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is around 800 km away in Phuket; accessible via a short flight. |
| โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Thai VietJet and Bangkok Airways operate regularly from Chiang Mai. |
| โ๏ธ Top International Airline | Thai Airways offers direct international flights to multiple destinations. |
| ๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Access to the main highway network connecting to Bangkok and other regions. |
| ๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Chiang Mai Railway Station for train services to Bangkok and beyond. |
| ๐ Public Transport Passes | No standardized public transportation pass; local buses and songthaews are common. |
| โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Buses and minivans available for travel to nearby cities such as Pai and Chiang Rai. |
Health and Wellness
| ๐ฅ Best Hospital | Chiang Mai Ram Hospital is a well-regarded private facility with English-speaking staff. |
| ๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in Chiang Mai and The Yoga Tree are popular for classes and workshops. |
| ๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First, Gold's Gym, and local options like The Chiang Mai Gym. |
| ๐งบ Laundry Services | Many self-service laundromats and full-service options throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| ๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | FoodPanda and GrabFood are widely used for food delivery. |
| ๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Khao Soi, a delicious coconut curry noodle soup unique to northern Thailand. |
| ๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | May Kaidee and Anchan serve great vegan dishes. |
| ๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Ristr8to serves award-winning coffee and desserts in Nimmanhaemin. |
| ๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Nimman Market and Warorot Market for local goods and produce. |
| ๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee operate extensively in Thailand. |
| ๐ Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh for grocery delivery services. |
| ๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | Nimmanhaemin and the Old City offer a variety of nightlife options. |
| ๐ป Local Brewery | Beer Lab and Chiang Mai Beer are popular local breweries. |
| ๐ท Wine Bars | Wine Connection is a well-known wine bar chain in Thailand. |
| ๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Wua Lai Road Night Market is famous for its street food variety. |
| ๐ Popular International Cuisine | Gastronomy and Pizzeria Da Michele offer tasty international options. |
Culture and Attractions
| ๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Tha Phae Gate are must-visit. |
| ๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre serves as a great cultural hub. |
| ๐ฐ Historical Sites | Old City temples such as Wat Chedi Luang. |
| ๐ Religious Sites | Wat Phra Singh and Wat U Mong are popular among locals and tourists. |
| ๐ Annual Events | Yi Peng Lantern Festival in November is a spectacular event. |
| ๐จ Cultural Districts | Nimmanhaemin is known for cafes, art galleries, and lifestyle shops. |
| ๐ญ Theater Venues | The Chiang Mai University Art Center for local performances. |
| ๐๏ธ Local Markets | The Sunday Walking Street Market and Night Bazaar for shopping. |
| ๐ผ Music Scene | The Riverside Bar & Restaurant features live music sessions. |
| ๐จ Street Art | The Old City showcases vibrant street art at various locations. |
| ๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Baipai Thai Cooking School offers immersive cooking experiences. |
| ๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Gallery Seescape and Art in Paradise are notable art venues. |
| ๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | The old city walls of Chiang Mai showcase historical architecture. |
| ๐ด Local Heritage | Cultural traditions include Songkran (Thai New Year) and Loy Krathong. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| ๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Doi Suthep-Pui National Park offers breathtaking views and hiking trails. |
| ๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Chiang Mai National Museum is near Doi Inthanon National Park. |
| ๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | The scenic path around the Old City is great for exploring on foot or by bike. |
| ๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Doi Suthep viewpoint offers panoramic views of the city. |
| ๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Doi Inthanon is renowned for its biodiversity and birdwatching opportunities. |
| ๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Doi Suthep park in the evenings; respect local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| ๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | Thailand Post and courier services like DHL operate efficiently in Chiang Mai. |
| ๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Panda Mobile and IT Hub for device repairs and tech support. |
| ๐ Table Tennis Spots | Nimmanhaemin neighborhood has community centers with table tennis facilities. |
| ๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | The Chiang Mai Language School offers Thai language courses. |
| ๐ Libraries & Study Spots | Chiang Mai University Library is a great place to study. |
| ๐๏ธ Community Centers | The YMCA in Chiang Mai offers various community activities and classes. |
| ๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | The Chill Gaming Cafe has numerous gaming setups for enthusiasts. |
| ๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos are available within Chiang Mai; the nearest are in Bangkok. |
Business
| ๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. เธฟ75,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = เธฟ3,000,000) |
| ๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. เธฟ35,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = เธฟ1,400,000) |
| ๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. เธฟ85,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = เธฟ5,100,000) |
| ๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. เธฟ45,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = เธฟ2,700,000) |
| ๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. เธฟ80,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = เธฟ6,400,000) |
| ๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. เธฟ50,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = เธฟ4,000,000) |
| ๐ผ Corporate Tax | 20%. |
| ๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | 10%. |
| ๐ฆ Tax System | Territorial tax system where only income sourced in Thailand is taxed. |
| ๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35%. |
| ๐งพ VAT | 7%. |
| ๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, apply to foreign entities. |
| ๐ Property Tax | Based on the appraised value of the property. |
| ๐ Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 2% of the sale price. |