Thailand is up there as one of the best destinations for remote work, and for a good reason. The beautiful scenery, convenient transport, remote working privileges and schemes, and low prices make it the go-to place for digital nomads from all around the world. If you’re considering Thailand as an option for a stop for a month or so, Koh Samui can make for an excellent place to work remotely. Continue reading to find out why.
Guide to Koh Samui
Here are the main things that make Koh Samui the dream destination for remote work:
The People
Located in Chumphon Archipelago, Koh Samui is the second-largest island in Thailand. Easily accessible by ferry or flight, Koh Samui is a hub for digital nomads primarily because of its affordable accommodation and excellent quality of life.
Just like with other Thai provinces, Koh Samui boasts diversity. Besides the Thai people, you’ll also find Chinese and Muslim communities—not to mention migrants from across the world—peacefully coexisting. This is mainly due to the locals’ warm and hospitable nature. The Thai people believe in the concept of Sanook, which entails making every aspect of life fun—they rarely sweat the small stuff and often look for a silver lining, even on the days when things aren’t quite rosy.
Thai people are very hardworking but also believe in rewarding oneself after a hard day’s work. As such, you will find them indulging in after-work activities such as bar hopping, karaoke nights, and even night shopping. Other virtues that are ingrained in the locals are kindness and respect. So don’t be surprised when thai people randomly pay for your drinks or offer you a free ride to your destination.
But however friendly the Thai people are, it’s still vital that you exercise caution when visiting a new country. Be extra careful in areas like Chaweng, where there have been a few reports of pickpocketing and drink-spiking incidents.
The Beautiful Beaches
Koh Samui has some of the best beaches with the finest sand. Add this to the coconut trees lining up the shores and the Azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand, and their appeal as tropical heaven only grows stronger.
While some of the beaches in Koh Samui are busier and louder due to the hundreds of visitors that frequent them every other day, most offer quiet and tranquility. Whether you are looking for a place to immerse yourself in work as the cool breeze soothes your skin or want a relaxing corner to sunbathe after finishing your work, Koh Samui won’t disappoint. Some of the best beaches to visit in Koh Samui are
- Silver beach: Sitting on the east side of Koh Samui is Silver beach. This beach is a hub for several fun activities, including snorkeling, Thai massages, and sea kayaking. Its emerald waters are also great for swimming. The silver beach is perfect for people looking for a calm getaway.
- Lipa Noi Beach: Suppose you’re seeking the perfect place to catch a sunset in Koh Samui, Lipa Noi beach is that place for you. Here, you’ll not only see the beautiful rays of the sun engulf the sky as the sun sets, but the reflection of the sun on the beach will give you an illusion of walking on perfect pink sand.
- Maenam Beach: While Maenam is one of the most affordable beaches in Koh Samui, that doesn’t mean it isn’t luxurious. Besides the fancy resorts surrounding it, the several getaways and pagodas delineating Maenam add to its appeal.
- Chaweng Beach: Chaweng is Koh Samui’s largest beach. It is known for its soft white sand and its glistening waters. Given the popularity of this beach, it’s always crowded and buzzing with activity. As such, if you’re looking for a lively beach with lots of activities, Chewang beach is the place to go.
Restaurants and Cafés From Where to Work
Koh Samui offers a vast range of cafes and restaurants where remote workers can immerse themselves in their work. Some of the best locations to work include:
- Mawin Café: Located on Lamai beach street, this café has floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to soak up the beautiful scenery while you work. Mawin café has large common desks for those who don’t mind working around other people as well as private single-seater desks for those who want some privacy. This café has relatively fast Wi-Fi, even though the connectivity may be choppy during peak hours.
- Mantra Work Lounge: With airy spaces, straw-colored furnishings, and great ambiance, the Mantra work lounge is an ideal place for getting some work done. To top it off, Mantra work lounge offers reliable Wi-Fi connectivity and spectacular views of the lagoon. The lounge is also sufficiently stocked with snacks and drinks. During work breaks, you can wind down in front of the billiard table or television in the lounge.
- Horizon Café Samui: This café in Nathon specializes in tea and coffee even though it also offers a wide range of vegan products. While Horizon Café has excellent Wi-Fi connectivity, it can get quite crowded and noisy. As such, it may not be ideal if you are looking for a tranquil working environment.
- Coffee Way Lamai: Primely located on Lamai beach, Coffee Way Lamai provides a conducive working environment. Apart from its affordable eats, it also offers a decent Wi-Fi connection.
- Vikasa Life Café: This café offers a delightfully tranquil ambiance and has great Wi-Fi to complete your work efficiently. If you’re looking for a classy working place in Koh Samui, Vikasa life is for you. However, you will need to dig deeper into your pocket to enjoy its amenities.
The Areas to be Based At
Koh Samui has different neighboring that you can explore before deciding where to live. Each of its neighborhoods is unique and offers different amenities. Before deciding where to live, it’s essential to research the different neighborhoods to ensure they have all the amenities and offer a conducive environment for your way of living. Some places to consider include:
- Lamai: Lamai is home to one of the largest and most spectacular beaches in Koh Samui, and so is one of the most populous neighborhoods. With a weekly farmer’s market, it has several restaurants and bars where you can unwind after a long day. However, it tends to be expensive, and Friday nights tend to be noisy, with loud music playing from the bars.
- Chaweng: Famous for being a party zone, Chaweng may not be the ideal place to live if you are traveling with your family. Even so, Chaweng is excellent if you want to be in the thick of the action—it is packed with bars and restaurants and often has somewhat rowdy beach parties. The traffic in the area can also be bad.
- Cheong Mon: offering the perfect blend of convenience and tranquillity, Cheong mon is home to an amazing white sand beach that offers laid-back and chill vibes that residents find captivating. While it may appear a little secluded, Cheong Mon is a very comfortable and safe place to live.
- Fisherman’s Village: The Fisherman’s Village is another great place to live in Koh Samui. It is beset with rustic-style buildings, trendy restaurants, boutique stores, and hotels. This area offers peace and quiet during the day and brims with activities during the night. Every Friday, this place transforms into the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street, where shoppers from all over the island come to buy various items.
Delightful Dining Choices
Koh Samui’s dining choices have something for everyone—meat enthusiasts, vegans, food snobs, and picky children can eat happily on Samui. So whether you want seafood, beef, pork, chicken, vegetarian or vegan options, you can be sure that you can get something that will excite your taste buds. The staple food on this island includes red curry, green curry, massaman curry, panang curry, papaya salad, green mango salad, sticky rice, stir fries, and more.
Wellness Pursuits Aplenty
You can keep fit while staying in Koh Sumai in a number of ways, including hiking around the Thai Gulf. However, the main fitness activities on this island are Muay Thai and Yoga.
Transportation Means
Getting around Koh Samui is relatively easy, thanks to the modest yet adequate transportation options. Given that the island is 25 kilometers long and 211 kilometers wide, most journeys around the island are pretty short. Some great options include taking a taxi, renting a bicycle, or boarding songthaews (pickup taxis). However, renting a scooter would be the best way to go if you want to fully explore the island using a cost-effective means of transport.
Things to Explore
While most people visit Koh Samui because of its breathtaking beaches, there are more activities and equally amazing places you can explore while on this island. For instance, you can visit Buddhist temples such as Wat Plai Laem, Secret Budha, Phra Yai temple, and Big Budha temple to immerse yourself in their art and learn about their religion. Alternatively, you can visit and even swim in waterfalls such as Hin Lat waterfall, Namuand waterfall, and Na Mueang waterfall. You can also tour Ang Thong National marine park, kayak in Koh Taen, hike elephant rock, or take a day trip to a full moon party at Ko Phagan.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Koh Samui
Just because Koh Samui is a blissful tropical island doesn’t mean it is ideal for visiting all year round. The perfect time to visit Koh Samui is between December and February when the weather is most settled. During this period, the island is suitable for whatever trip you have in mind. Koh Samui is an ideal location for any digital nomad looking for a tranquil workplace. You can enjoy the sandy beaches, indulge in the local delicacies, immerse yourself in the unique Thai culture, taste the island’s exhilarating nightlife, engage in water sporting activities, and more.
