Koh Tao, Thailand 🇹🇭
#1366
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Very affordable compared to Western standards; local goods and services are inexpensive, though imported items can be pricier.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Budget bungalows and apartments are affordable; however, prices rise during high season and for beachfront properties.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food offer very cheap and fresh options; imported groceries are more expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91%
Weight: 20
Scooter rentals and local boats are inexpensive; no public buses but transport options are cheap.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and activities like diving; some tourist-oriented activities can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62%
Weight: 10
Limited gyms available; membership costs are moderate but fewer options than in bigger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
73%
Weight: 30
Thai Baht is relatively stable but subject to regional economic fluctuations.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
65%
Weight: 100
Generally decent 4G coverage; some areas have fiber but speeds can be inconsistent, especially during peak hours.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
41%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but connection quality varies; not all are optimized for work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
58%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to nomads but overall infrastructure is limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
67%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche compared to larger Thai cities like Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
93%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Excellent balance with easy access to nature and relaxed lifestyle.
🌳 Environmental Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Generally good air and water quality; some waste management issues due to tourism.
🧼 Cleanliness
63%
Weight: 10
Varies by area; tourist spots are cleaner but some beaches and streets have litter.
🗨️ Language Barrier
52%
Weight: 30
Basic English is common in tourist areas but limited elsewhere; Thai language knowledge helps.
💨 Air Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to island location; occasional haze during burning season inland.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
50%
Weight: 25
Limited schooling and healthcare options; better suited for short stays.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
59%
Weight: 20
Basic clinics available; serious cases require transfer to mainland hospitals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
81%
Weight: 25
Affordable for minor treatments; insurance recommended for emergencies.
🏥 Healthcare
60%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities on the island; adequate for minor issues but limited specialist care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
86%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to October.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
64%
Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes; occasional storms and flooding during monsoon season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
83%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery and beaches; limited urban parks.
❄️ Air Conditioning
77%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and cafes have AC, though some budget places may not.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
56%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise in tourist areas; quieter in less developed parts of the island.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich local Thai culture with strong island traditions and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
65%
Weight: 15
Casual nightlife with beach bars and small clubs; quieter than bigger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
94%
Weight: 15
Excellent for diving, snorkeling, hiking, and beach activities.
🗣️ 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 diving, island hopping, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
43%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly focused on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
82%
Weight: 25
Great local Thai food and seafood; some international options but limited variety.
🧠 Yoga Studios
61%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available; mostly small and informal.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
57%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities more common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
74%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, seafood, and vegetarian options widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
GMT+7 is convenient for Asia and somewhat manageable for Europe; less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
45%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; mostly informal meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Few local remote job opportunities; mostly dependent on global online work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
42%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support services.
🏢 Coworking Quality
39%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic facilities; not comparable to major cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
21%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; island is more tourism-focused.
💳 Local Payment Services
68%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and cash widely used; some digital payment options available.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest but limited local infrastructure or businesses accepting crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
37%
Weight: 30
No airport on Koh Tao; nearest airports are on mainland requiring ferry transfers.
🚇 Public Transit
15%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; transport mainly by scooter or boat taxis.
🚶 Walkability
69%
Weight: 20
Walkable in small towns and beaches but hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
23%
Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; transport mostly via scooter rental or taxis.
🚲 Cycling
54%
Weight: 10
Possible but hilly terrain and traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
40%
Weight: 15
Limited to ferries and buses; no trains or flights directly from island.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
90%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage island-wide; occasional dead zones in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPNs work reliably; no major restrictions on usage.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
67%
Weight: 15
Generally stable but occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and some accommodations.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
74%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; extensions possible but no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
46%
Weight: 30
Thailand tax system can be complex; no special tax benefits for nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions exist; generally safe for personal expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
65%
Weight: 20
Occasional political unrest in Thailand but Koh Tao remains relatively stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
43%
Weight: 15
Difficult for foreigners without work permits; many rely on international accounts.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
38%
Weight: 10
Complex and bureaucratic process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of May 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
61%
Weight: 50
Friendly community but limited infrastructure compared to major nomad hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
40%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; mostly informal gatherings.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on social media and forums; 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
Relatively safe and welcoming; standard precautions advised.
✊ Racial Tolerance
72%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant due to tourism; occasional cultural misunderstandings.