Koh Phangan, Thailand 🇹🇭
#398
,
Nomad Score:
68%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to Western standards; affordable food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Affordable bungalows and apartments available, though prices rise during peak tourist seasons.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods cost more but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
83%
Weight: 20
Scooter rentals and local boats are cheap; limited public transport but overall low cost.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
76%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and events, though some tourist-oriented activities can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62%
Weight: 10
Gyms exist but are limited; prices are moderate but fewer options than in bigger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
71%
Weight: 30
Thai Baht is relatively stable but can fluctuate due to regional economic factors.
💻 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, mostly small and basic; not as developed as in major cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to nomads but limited compared to larger Thai cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Popular among niche nomad groups, especially those seeking a relaxed island vibe.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
84%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Excellent balance with a laid-back lifestyle and plenty of leisure options.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Generally good natural environment; some areas affected by tourism-related waste.
🧼 Cleanliness
67%
Weight: 10
Varies by area; tourist spots can be littered, but quieter parts are cleaner.
🗨️ Language Barrier
59%
Weight: 30
Basic English widely spoken in tourist areas; more limited in local communities.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to island location; occasional haze during burning season.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Limited facilities for families; more suited for singles and couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
63%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; for serious issues, travel to Koh Samui or mainland needed.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Affordable basic healthcare and clinics; private care more costly but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
65%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities on the island; adequate for minor issues but limited emergency services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
89%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to October.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
64%
Weight: 10
Low earthquake risk; occasional storms and flooding during monsoon season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
82%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery, forests, and beaches offering plenty of outdoor spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
71%
Weight: 15
Common in accommodations and cafes but not universal; some budget places lack AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation aside from wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
59%
Weight: 10
Varies by area; party zones can be noisy, quieter in residential parts.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
77%
Weight: 20
Rich Thai culture with local festivals and traditions; island has a mix of locals and expats.
🌃 Nightlife
68%
Weight: 15
Vibrant but small-scale nightlife focused on beach bars and parties, especially during Full Moon events.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for hiking, beaches, snorkeling, and nature exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
51%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals and expats.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good variety of tours including boat trips, waterfalls, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
56%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly small bars and cafes.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
83%
Weight: 25
Strong local Thai cuisine presence with growing international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
79%
Weight: 10
Several well-regarded yoga retreats and studios catering to tourists and nomads.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; some outdoor fitness options available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
GMT+7 timezone suitable for working with Asia and parts of Europe; less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occasionally organized.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
48%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most nomads rely on remote work from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support infrastructure.
🏢 Coworking Quality
52%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities; not highly developed.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
31%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity; island more focused on tourism than tech entrepreneurship.
💳 Local Payment Services
64%
Weight: 10
Cash dominant; mobile payments growing but not widespread.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
43%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption; some interest among expats but no major local infrastructure.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
57%
Weight: 30
No airport on the island; nearest is Koh Samui Airport with limited international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
39%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit; reliance on scooters, taxis, and boats.
🚶 Walkability
61%
Weight: 20
Walkable in small village areas; longer distances require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
28%
Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; taxis and motorbike taxis available.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Possible but hilly terrain and traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Limited to ferries and boats; no direct land connections.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
86%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals widely available and affordable; primary mode of transport.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage island-wide; 5G limited or unavailable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
69%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms; generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
67%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; longer stays require extensions or special visas.
📊 Tax Friendliness
49%
Weight: 30
Thailand has moderate tax policies; nomads need to manage tax residency carefully.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
58%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions; political speech sensitive but daily life unaffected.
🏛️ Political Stability
63%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political unrest in Thailand mainland.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
42%
Weight: 15
Difficult for foreigners without long-term visas; requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45%
Weight: 10
Complex procedures and restrictions for foreigners; bureaucratic hurdles exist.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
37%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa; rely on tourist or long-stay visas.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Friendly community and environment but limited infrastructure compared to major hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
53%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events; less frequent than in larger cities.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
61%
Weight: 20
Active online groups but smaller scale than major nomad destinations.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
74%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
68%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly; cultural norms require some caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant; diverse mix of tourists and expats.