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Koh Phangan, Thailand 🇹🇭
#398 ,

Nomad Score: 69%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Very affordable compared to Western standards; daily expenses including food and transport are low.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79% Weight: 80
Reasonably priced bungalows and apartments, though prices rise during high season and full moon parties.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are cheap and fresh; imported goods are pricier but still affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
88% Weight: 20
Scooter rentals and local transport are inexpensive; island size keeps travel costs low.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72% Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and events, but some tourist activities can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63% Weight: 10
Limited gyms with basic facilities; memberships are moderately priced but not as cheap as local services.
💱 Currency Stability
76% Weight: 30
Thai Baht is relatively stable with moderate fluctuations; generally reliable for budgeting.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
68% Weight: 100
Decent 4G coverage island-wide; fiber internet available in some areas but can be inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54% Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist; options are limited compared to bigger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi but speeds and reliability vary widely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to nomads but overall infrastructure is still developing.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
70% Weight: 100
Popular among nomads seeking a relaxed island vibe, but less so than Koh Samui or Chiang Mai.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good data packages.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89% Weight: 30
Excellent balance with beach lifestyle, yoga, and nature promoting relaxation.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78% Weight: 15
Generally good environment with lush nature, though some areas affected by tourism waste.
🧼 Cleanliness
62% Weight: 10
Varies by area; tourist spots can be littered, but quieter areas are cleaner.
🗨️ Language Barrier
67% Weight: 30
Basic English widely spoken in tourist areas; more limited in local communities.
💨 Air Quality
75% Weight: 15
Good air quality overall, with occasional haze during burning season on the mainland.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
55% Weight: 25
Limited schooling and healthcare options; more suited for short stays.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
60% Weight: 20
Basic clinics available; for serious care, travel to Koh Samui or mainland hospitals is needed.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80% Weight: 25
Affordable for minor treatments; insurance recommended for emergencies.
🏥 Healthcare
62% Weight: 20
Limited local facilities; adequate for minor issues but not comprehensive.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
83% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to October.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
70% Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes; occasional storms and monsoon rains can cause flooding.
🏞️ Green Spaces
86% Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery, forests, and beaches provide ample outdoor space.
❄️ Air Conditioning
74% Weight: 15
Common in accommodations and cafes, but not universal in all local businesses.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32% Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons with consistent tropical heat.
🔊 Noise Pollution
50% Weight: 10
Noise from full moon parties and nightlife can be disruptive in some areas.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
81% Weight: 20
Rich Thai culture with local festivals, temples, and island traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
70% Weight: 15
Vibrant but smaller scale than nearby islands; centered around beach bars and full moon parties.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90% Weight: 15
Excellent for hiking, beaches, waterfalls, and water sports.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78% Weight: 10
Good variety of tours including snorkeling, jungle treks, and cultural visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly small bars and occasional events.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
84% Weight: 25
Strong local Thai cuisine with growing international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
87% Weight: 10
Numerous yoga retreats and studios catering to all levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60% Weight: 15
Basic gyms available; outdoor fitness options popular.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
80% Weight: 15
Abundant fresh fruits, vegetables, and vegetarian/vegan-friendly eateries.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
73% Weight: 20
GMT+7 suits Asian and some European time zones well; less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58% Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occur sporadically.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45% Weight: 20
Few local remote job openings; nomads mostly work for foreign companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support structures.
🏢 Coworking Quality
52% Weight: 30
Basic facilities with some noise and connectivity issues.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
30% Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity; island lifestyle not conducive to tech entrepreneurship.
💳 Local Payment Services
70% Weight: 10
Mobile payments and e-wallets growing but cash remains dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55% Weight: 15
Moderate interest; some local businesses accept crypto but not widespread.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
40% Weight: 30
No airport on the island; nearest airport is Koh Samui, requiring ferry transfer.
🚇 Public Transit
25% Weight: 20
No formal public transit; reliance on scooters and taxis.
🚶 Walkability
55% Weight: 20
Walkable in small villages but distances between key spots often require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
30% Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; taxis and motorbike taxis available.
🚲 Cycling
60% Weight: 10
Popular for short distances; roads can be challenging due to terrain and traffic.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
42% Weight: 15
Limited to ferries and boats; no direct land connections.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
91% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are abundant and affordable, primary mode of transport.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage island-wide; occasional dead zones in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80% Weight: 20
VPNs work reliably; no significant government restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75% Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity; occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58% Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and resorts.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
65% Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; limited long-term digital nomad visa options.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50% Weight: 30
Thailand has moderate tax policies; nomads must understand local regulations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60% Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions; political speech can be sensitive.
🏛️ Political Stability
68% Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political protests occur.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
45% Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires residency and documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
40% Weight: 10
Complex process with bureaucratic hurdles for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
35% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa; relies on tourist or long-stay visas.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
70% Weight: 50
Welcoming community but limited infrastructure compared to major hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50% Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; no large-scale regular events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
62% Weight: 20
Active social media groups but smaller than bigger cities.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
78% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70% Weight: 50
Safe for solo female travelers; cultural norms should be respected.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant; occasional cultural misunderstandings possible.

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