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Analytics
Koh Samui, Thailand 🇹🇭
#391
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Nomad Score:
71%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
81%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western standards, with low prices for food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
73%
Weight: 80
Varies widely; budget options are plentiful but beachfront and luxury villas can be pricey.
🍎 Food & Groceries
87%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food offer very affordable and fresh options; imported goods cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Scooter rentals and local transport are inexpensive; taxis and private transfers cost more but still affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
79%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and activities, though tourist hotspots can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
70%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but prices vary; some upscale gyms can be expensive compared to local standards.
💱 Currency Stability
68%
Weight: 30
Thai Baht is relatively stable but can be influenced by regional economic factors.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
74%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 30-50 Mbps; fiber available in some areas but occasional outages occur.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces compared to bigger cities; some quality options exist.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to nomads with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
69%
Weight: 100
Growing but still less popular than Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Relaxed island lifestyle supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
71%
Weight: 15
Generally good natural environment but some areas suffer from waste management issues.
🧼 Cleanliness
63%
Weight: 10
Public areas can be littered; beaches and tourist spots better maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
58%
Weight: 30
Basic English widely spoken in tourist areas; less so in rural parts.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, though occasional haze from regional fires can occur.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and relaxed lifestyle; limited schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Decent private clinics and hospitals; complex cases require travel to mainland.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
72%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor to moderate health issues; emergency care is available but limited.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
83%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from September to December.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Low earthquake risk; occasional tropical storms and flooding during monsoon season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and jungle areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations and public places.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
35%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation; mostly hot and humid with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
Tourist areas can be noisy, especially at night; quieter inland.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
84%
Weight: 20
Rich Thai culture with festivals, temples, and local traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
71%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars and beach clubs, though quieter than Bangkok or Phuket.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for beaches, hiking, waterfalls, and water sports.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Thai language schools available but limited compared to major cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
82%
Weight: 10
Wide range of tours including island hopping, snorkeling, and cultural excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly bars and small cinemas.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
88%
Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful local cuisine with many street food options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
75%
Weight: 10
Several reputable yoga studios and retreats available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
68%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available; fewer specialized facilities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and vegetarian options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
GMT+7 is convenient for Asia and somewhat manageable for Europe; less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
62%
Weight: 25
Smaller digital nomad community limits networking compared to bigger hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most remote jobs come from outside Thailand.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Growing but still small freelance community.
🏢 Coworking Quality
60%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities; not as polished as larger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
40%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity on the island.
💳 Local Payment Services
72%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and e-wallets like TrueMoney widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest; some local crypto communities but limited mainstream adoption.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
65%
Weight: 30
Samui Airport connects to Bangkok and some international destinations; limited direct flights.
🚇 Public Transit
30%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; reliance on taxis and scooters.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
Walkable in small town centers but limited sidewalks and infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
45%
Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; taxis and motorbike taxis dominate.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Possible but limited cycling infrastructure; traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Ferries connect to mainland; buses and flights available but require planning.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
90%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are abundant and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage island-wide; 5G limited but expanding.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
VPNs work well; no major restrictions on usage.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in tourist areas but often slow and insecure.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; longer stays require extensions or special visas.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Complex tax regulations for foreigners; no special digital nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions; political speech can be sensitive.
🏛️ Political Stability
70%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political unrest in Thailand mainland.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners without residency; requires documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45%
Weight: 10
Complex and bureaucratic process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
60%
Weight: 35
Thailand offers special visas but not specifically tailored for nomads on Koh Samui.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Friendly community and infrastructure but less developed than major hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; smaller scale than larger cities.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
65%
Weight: 20
Moderate online presence with Facebook groups and forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
79%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
72%
Weight: 50
Respectful culture; some caution advised at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant; some occasional cultural misunderstandings.