Forum
Analytics
Koh Samui, Thailand 🇹🇭
#391
,
Nomad Score:
69%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western standards, with low prices for food and services, though slightly higher than mainland Thailand due to island location.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Accommodation ranges from budget bungalows to mid-range apartments; prices are higher than mainland Thailand but still affordable for many digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
84%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable and high quality; imported goods and western groceries are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Scooter rentals are cheap and common; taxis and songthaews are affordable but less frequent.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and activities, though some tourist-oriented entertainment can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
68%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but fewer than in major cities; prices are moderate.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Thai Baht is relatively stable with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
73%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 30-50 Mbps; fiber available in some areas but occasional outages occur.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
56%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces compared to Bangkok or Chiang Mai; some cafes double as work-friendly spots.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and a relaxed atmosphere suitable for work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
71%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to digital nomads with power outlets and good WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
64%
Weight: 100
Popular but less crowded than Chiang Mai or Bangkok; attracts nomads seeking a beach lifestyle.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
92%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
87%
Weight: 30
Excellent balance with access to beaches, nature, and relaxed lifestyle.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Generally good environment but some areas suffer from waste management issues.
🧼 Cleanliness
62%
Weight: 10
Varies by area; tourist spots are cleaner, some local areas less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
54%
Weight: 30
Basic English is common in tourist areas, but less so in local communities.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional haze during burning season but less severe than northern Thailand.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and relaxed lifestyle but limited schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Decent clinics and hospitals available; for serious care, travel to mainland or Bangkok recommended.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
71%
Weight: 20
Basic to moderate healthcare services available; emergency and specialized care limited on the island.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
89%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from September to December.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes; occasional tropical storms and flooding during monsoon season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
82%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural green spaces, beaches, and jungle areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
85%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations and public places.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
Tourist areas can be noisy, especially at night; quieter in residential zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich Thai culture with local festivals and traditions; tourist influence is strong.
🌃 Nightlife
63%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife with bars and beach parties; less intense than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for beaches, hiking, waterfalls, and water sports.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
80%
Weight: 10
Many tours available including island hopping, snorkeling, and cultural tours.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly bars, small cinemas, and spas.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
86%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options from street food to international cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
74%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers present but fewer than in larger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
GMT+7; convenient for Asia and Europe but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58%
Weight: 25
Smaller digital nomad community limits networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly dependent on global online opportunities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
52%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; more informal and less structured.
🏢 Coworking Quality
54%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic facilities; not as professional as in major cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
30%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem on the island.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and e-wallets growing but cash still dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest; limited local infrastructure.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Samui Airport connects to Bangkok and some international destinations; limited direct flights.
🚇 Public Transit
35%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; reliance on taxis and songthaews.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
Walkable in some tourist areas but generally requires transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
42%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of ride-sharing apps; mostly taxis and scooter rentals.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Possible but limited bike lanes; hilly terrain in some areas.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Ferries connect to mainland; limited bus services.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
90%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage island-wide; 5G limited but expanding.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; occasional throttling reported.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; longer stays require extensions or special visas.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Thailand has moderate tax rates; complex for foreigners without local income.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions; criticism of monarchy and politics sensitive.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political unrest in the country.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires local documentation; can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
48%
Weight: 10
Complex process with restrictions for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
62%
Weight: 35
Thailand offers special visas for long-term stays but not fully tailored for digital nomads yet.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Friendly environment with community but limited infrastructure compared to bigger cities.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
53%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; smaller community limits frequency.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Moderate online presence; active Facebook groups and forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
75%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and nomads; petty crime exists but violent crime rare.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers; cultural norms should be respected.
✊ Racial Tolerance
68%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional discrimination reported.