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Fifth Edition, All Rights Reserved © 2015-2017

Update version 5.2 (March, 2017)

No part of this publication or its previous iterations may be produced or transmitted in any form by any
means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the author. This e-book is licensed for your
personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book, please refer people to
hobowithalaptop.com/guides.

If you are running a workshop and would like to get in touch, please let me know via email:
nomadworkshop@hulleman.ca.

The content and information in this book is editorial and/or for entertainment purposes only; it may be false
or incorrect and is not legal advice. I am not responsible or liable for any consequences that are the result of
anything I have written in this book or how you may have interpreted it. If you are injured, arrested,
deported, or anything of this nature –you are personally liable for your own actions.

Cover image by Mark Fischer, licensed under the Creative Commons license agreement. You can find more
of Mark's work here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fischerfotos/7455430142

Cover designed by Michael Hulleman using Piktochart.

Thanks for the push, Jennifer. Without it I’d never have figured out what I’m for.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................7
Hello............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Chiang Mai is Still the Digital Nomad Capital of the World......................................................... 9
What’s Changed?...................................................................................................................................... 11
Getting the Most out of This Guide .................................................................................................... 14
Is This Guide for You? ............................................................................................................................. 18
Background .................................................................................................................................................... 22
My Digital Nomad Origin Story .......................................................................................................... 23
What is a Digital Nomad? ..................................................................................................................... 28
The Allure of Chiang Mai ...................................................................................................................... 29
Cost of Living in Chiang Mai ................................................................................................................ 34
How to Deal with Criticism for Your Choice.................................................................................... 36
Roadworthy Skill Sets ............................................................................................................................. 37
Dealing with the Unpredictability of Living Abroad ...................................................................... 41
Chiang Mai News and Politics ............................................................................................................. 43
The Pros and Cons of Living as a Digital Nomad .......................................................................... 45
Is it legal to be a Digital Nomad? ....................................................................................................... 47
The Best Time of Year to Jump ........................................................................................................... 49
Things to Leave at Home ...................................................................................................................... 52
Customs, Language, Culture, and Setting Expectations .............................................................. 55
Advice for Parents with Young Children .......................................................................................... 57
Advance Preparation................................................................................................................................... 60
Immunizations You Need ...................................................................................................................... 61
How to Save Money on Vaccinations ............................................................................................... 62
Are Your Prescriptions Legal in Thailand? ....................................................................................... 63
 How to Book Cheap Flights .................................................................................................................. 67
Tools to Set Up in Advance .................................................................................................................. 68
What to Pack for Your Journey ........................................................................................................... 77
Find New Project Opportunities in Advance................................................................................... 85
Travel Visas..................................................................................................................................................... 87
Suitable Visa Types ................................................................................................................................. 88
How to Get a Tourist Visa ..................................................................................................................... 90
Stretch Your Tourist Visa ....................................................................................................................... 93
How to Get a Tourist Visa Extension ................................................................................................. 95
How to Get an Education Visa and Learn Thai............................................................................... 97
Border Run vs Visa Run ....................................................................................................................... 100
Border Run from Chiang Mai .............................................................................................................. 101
Visa Run to Vientiane, Laos ................................................................................................................ 102
Arrival and Settling In ............................................................................................................................... 106
Arriving in Bangkok............................................................................................................................... 107
Getting to Chiang Mai........................................................................................................................... 112
Chiang Mai Arrival: Finding a Guest House.................................................................................... 113
How to Set Up Your Prepaid Phone ................................................................................................. 116
How to Get a Thai Bank Account ...................................................................................................... 119
How to Save Money in Thailand ........................................................................................................ 121
Thai Driver’s License Information ..................................................................................................... 129
Where to Rent a Motor Bike .............................................................................................................. 130
Where to Find an Apartment ............................................................................................................. 133
Where to Find Co-Working Spaces ................................................................................................. 137
Where to Find the Night Life ............................................................................................................. 140
Where to Find Health Services .......................................................................................................... 143
Where to Find a Gym ........................................................................................................................... 146
Where to Find Western Food ............................................................................................................ 147
 Where to Find Groceries ..................................................................................................................... 150
Where to Find Family-Friendly Attractions .................................................................................... 152
The Dark Parts ............................................................................................................................................. 156
Digital Nomad Scams ........................................................................................................................... 157
Making (Emergency) Money While You Travel ............................................................................ 162
On Health and Self Destruction ........................................................................................................ 166
Homicide Island ..................................................................................................................................... 174
Resources...................................................................................................................................................... 176
Reading List ..............................................................................................................................................177
Recommended Blogs ........................................................................................................................... 179
Third-Party Courses .............................................................................................................................. 183
Free Extras and Other Resources...................................................................................................... 185
Wrapping it Up ....................................................................................................................................... 188
Introduction
Hello.

Hello there,

My name is Michael Hulleman, and the last time you heard from me was back in 2015
when I launched the original Digital Nomad Escape Plan. Since then, much has changed
and that’s why I’ve decided to dust off this guide and update it with new content, tools,
and advice.

I'm also the lucky person who has the privilege of walking you through the process of
going Nomad. It's a pretty big step and I am honored that you chose me to be your
instructor.
For context, at the time of writing (March 2017) I’m a 35-year-old Canadian citizen from
Burlington, Ontario –a city just outside Toronto in Canada.

I’ve been in the online industry since 1999, and living abroad since 2013. I’ve done
everything from providing creative direction for a jazz festival, Macromedia Flash
animation (we all know how that turned out), and WordPress web design –to assisting with
the sale and planning of quarter-million-dollar ecommerce websites for a development
company that pioneered the ecommerce space back in the early 2000’s. I’ve also been a
TV and film extra –and I’ve even acted in a Swedish music video.

Today I make money online under my travel marketing business, Copyrise. We

specialize in SEO and influencer marketing for hotels, resorts, scuba shops,
yoga studios, restaurants, and other bespoke travel businesses.

We also work with travel bloggers to help them monetize their blog, and hook up with
hotels and resorts for influencer marketing campaigns.

I also have a handful of affiliate marketing websites and I like to write books, both under
my real name as well as a few pen names.

If you’d like to learn more about me professionally, I invite you to connect on Linked In.

Chiang Mai is Still the Digital Nomad Capital of

the World
A primary draw for new nomads heading to Chiang Mai, Thailand is how easy it is to
nurture new creative projects while living well, even on a lean budget. Because it is so
affordable to live in Thailand I've had the luxury of being able to try new things, make
mistakes, and embrace the unexpected.

Living in Chiang Mai kicked off a series of events that led to a whole lot of failures, my
current successes, and even my marriage.

Starting Copyrise isn't something I could have done back home in Toronto, with its higher
cost of living and limited physical access to like-minded individuals.
For a lot of us it's all about having an idea we need better circumstances to incubate and
put into action; circumstances like cheaper rent, friendlier weather, and more people
around with complementary skills or mindset.

Digital Nomad Escape Plan is all about settling into life on the road with the minimal
amount of friction possible.

This guide is not the product of a one person show. It is a compilation of selected
experience from friends, colleagues, and is a collection of personal emails I wrote to friends
and family over the last four years. It's personal.

So if you're tired of the grind, local politics, or living every day like you're on the set of The
Truman Show; this is the fastest way available to pull the ripcord and start a new mobile
lifestyle abroad.

A life that feels more authentic, unscripted, and fits into a carry on.
What’s Changed?
In short order, both the digital nomad community and I have continued to mature,
change, and adapt since I wrote the original version of this guide back in 2015.

There have been positive and negative trends that I wanted to take the opportunity to
highlight, both as a warning to future nomads, and as an inspiration.

When I first wrote Digital Nomad Escape Plan I didn't have much margin for error, but I still
made every mistake in the book (and then some). If it wasn't for my friends, I'd probably
be dead. I was naive, and I misjudged many situations that had lasting consequences
which I didn't fully understand at the time.

The whole point of writing this guide was to help the next generation of nomads avoid the
mistakes of the generation before them. In this final iteration, I hope to make it even easier
than ever to become a happy, healthy nomad.

Now I write to you as a happily married man. As it turns out, finding

love along your journey can be more than fleeting hookups and
bittersweet goodbyes. They were fun for a few years, but I am
staring down 40 and I’ve grown tired of it. The human heart can
only have so many holes punched into it.

I met my wife digitally through freelance opportunities; she was my content manager for a
year when I was an underpaid copywriter for an SEO company, then asked her to be my
virtual assistant for another year before we met in person. Because we knew each other in
a professional capacity for two years and never thought we’d actually meet, we were
always quite honest with each other about our thoughts on life, and all of that other stuff
you’re not supposed to talk about on the job.

When we finally met in the Philippines, everything was natural. I felt like I was coming
home after a long absence, not meeting a woman for the first time. And work is work, it
isn’t online dating. So there were no illusions.

We got married shortly after our first anniversary, started Copyrise (and a number of side
projects) together 10 months ago, and the rest is history.
In recent months there's been a widespread cynicism taking shape. People are pulling out
their pitchforks and calling bullshit on the digital nomad lifestyle.

And rightly so. With more and more new nomads desperate to make an income, scams
and lifestyle design porn have been flooding the web. From “digital nomad accelerator
courses” where a couple guys took your money and ran with it, to courses in the $2,000
range for information you could just have easily picked up in an ebook on Amazon for
twenty bucks. The internet has grown rife with digital nomad scams.

In the first iteration of this book I had eluded to a growing faction of nomads who were
pedaling "lifestyle design porn". I told you what you needed to know to avoid
misinformation so you don't get fucked by a shill, and make a fatal mistake you can't
correct before it's too late. I'm going to expand on some digital nomad scams, although I
am not going to point fingers.

I just don’t think I went far enough to reveal the shitty underbelly of those so desperate to
make it (or peacock around Nimman), that they’ll be the bus that runs other people over.

Chris the Freelancer has an in-depth video about one situation here.

I made this book free in part to destroy the market for digital nomad guru scammers in
Chiang Mai. If you share this, we’re one step closer to smoking them out.

The original iteration of this guide didn’t include any solid tips about how to make money
online, and I’ve decided to change that. Although, the newly expanded “Making
Emergency Money While You Travel” chapter is a far cry from a how-to guide.

The money-making tips I suggest in this new iteration of Digital Nomad Escape Plan
involve trading your time for money –which is less than ideal when you’d like to spend
your time creating awesome life experiences, not glued to a laptop. They’re intended for
beginners to make money fast, regardless of skill. They’re “in case of emergency”, they’re
not intended to be a long-term strategy. You’ll burn out if you trade time for money long-
term while living this lifestyle IMHO.
You won’t get any hype from me –there is nothing passive about a “passive income”. It’s a
lot of work, and I’ll never tell you any different. However, I do know about a lot of short
cuts –the straight line.

Digital Nomad Escape Plan is now the first book in a series that will save you time and set
you up for success, even if you’re a rookie without a savings account. This guide is a
personal endeavor, so I use foul language from time to time. Something I won’t do on
projects that come with a price tag.

The course-based guides that follow this one will help you create a more passive income,
with our first one being about how to monetize your blog. While my career focus today
involves travel bloggers, we include plenty of information for all sorts of niches –from
mommy blogs to health and nutrition blogs.

Creating a passive income involves a lot of time, hard work, and patience. It is not easy.
However, that hard part –the never-ending research phase? I got that covered.

With our help, we’re all the research you’ll need to get started. Our course material will
take you from beginner to passive income, in a flow that feels natural, step-by-step.

You can follow our progress at hobowithalaptop.com/guides.

Tools have come and gone, new and better resources have come onto the scene,
coworking spaces have opened and closed, and I’ve done fucked up in enough ways to
create a few new chapters and move around the content of this book to make it flow more
naturally.

Namely, a new chapter about health. This one will be important for some of you, because
not everyone comes to Chiang Mai in a good state.

Your immunity is incredibly important when your body is being bombarded with a number
of viruses and bacteria it’s never encountered before, and this chapter is aimed at ensuring
you stay healthy with little effort –with a little added focus on people who like to drink.

Now that I’ve set some expectations, let’s get cracking.

Getting the Most out of This Guide
This book will eliminate weeks and months of online research, scanning blogs and forums
so you aren't left with an incomplete or fragmented picture.

No "lifestyle design porn", just everything you need in one place to comfortably slip into
Chiang Mai without running into logistical nightmares.

With this guide at your fingertips, you can be ready to hit the road in a matter of weeks;
only as long as it takes to renew your passport or acquire your Thai visa.

 The best time of year to start

 What skills are ideal for the digital nomad lifestyle
 Creative ways to make emergency money online
 How much your new life is going to cost you
 What tools you should set up in advance
 What immunizations you’ll need (and how to save hundreds of dollars on them)
 Customs, culture, and a little bit about the language
 Where to find an apartment, rent a motorbike, health services, gyms, and groceries
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
 How to get a Thai bank account
 Which online banking tools you should consider using
 What to pack, and what to leave at home
 How to obtain travel visas on the road
 How to book cheap flights
 What to do the minute you arrive, from airport to guest house
 How to set up a Thai cell phone, step-by-step
 How to save money
 How to travel with children
 I also explore the legality of being a digital nomad

 How to handle criticism for your choice to go nomad

 Why Chiang Mai, Thailand is the digital nomad capital of the planet
 How to deal with the unpredictability of living abroad, long-term
  How to avoid digital nomad scams
 Pros and cons of the digital nomad lifestyle
 A few personal stories

You didn’t have to opt-in with an email to get this book. Only those who want the extras
will need to subscribe to the free DNEP newsletter. The form can be found on this page.

I will give you free access to a free swipe file which includes printable checklists, phrase
cards, maps for offline viewing, and an audio book that feels more like a podcast. It’s
recorded “director’s cut” style with commentary which will be released a few weeks after
this is published in its final form. Up until now, I had a text-to-speech audio book, and
while it served a purpose, I plan to really beef up this edition.

All extras will be delivered to your email inbox as they become available.

While this book has a lot of information about Chiang Mai, Thailand as it nears the end;
the truth is that most of the information provided is practical enough to be applied
anywhere. This book cost you nothing, even if you do not go to Chiang Mai —you will
most certainly get your money’s worth.

You may not like banks much these days, but HSBC Bank’s Expat Explorer Survey has
ranked Chiang Mai, Thailand as #1 for Affordability and Quality of Life many years over.

I found two of these reports although I am sure there are many others; you can find them
both here: 2011, 2013 (PDF)

And of course, a simple search on Google will make a really good case for living in Chiang
Mai affordably.

The larger the pool of available information; the more important it becomes to have an
instructor to curate and guide you through it. Too many voices, little or no harmony.
A lot of people play up or over-simplify this lifestyle to make themselves look successful or
push a product, and researching multiple sources for information may create gaps in
understanding.

I thought some folks might appreciate a self-serve, lower cost (free) barrier-to-entry than
any higher-priced “master mind” workshop or one-on-one mentoring.

In contrast to what you might find on the web, this book provides you with a straight line
from one point to another with complete follow through; it is a road map with everything
you need to do during the first 6 to 9 months of your transition into your location
independent lifestyle.

I strongly encourage note taking for three primary reasons:

Yes, we all understand that note taking will help with information retention. A savvy note
taker will most certainly benefit most from this guide. I think that goes without saying for
any learning activity.

However. There is a second reason that is unique to this book in particular.

The second reason why note taking is so incredibly important is because you are heading
to the tropics.

I am on my third laptop (thanks World Nomads!). You never know when nature (or a 7-
year-old with a water bucket on Songkran) may call and wipe out your electronics.

It is wise to plan your entire journey in a good notebook and keep your notes from this
book in it as well.

I recommend a Moleskin notebook because they have a hard cover, an elastic to keep
them closed, optional thicker pages, and a billfold in the back which you can store a
printed copy of the maps I provide you later in the book.

It's easier to pull out a notebook while in transit, in unfriendly weather, or if you don't feel
comfortable advertising that you're packing some theft-worthy electronics.
You may notice the spelling of streets change from this guide, to Google Maps, to
website(s), to Facebook page(s), to physical street signs. This is common. Thailand's
language is phonetic, so any Thai words written in English were basically said in Thai,
sounded out, and the spellings stuck. Plus, I may jump between Canadian and American
English throughout (sorry).

(Hell, some of the businesses or places I suggest may even be closed by the time you find
them –Chiang Mai is constantly changing).

Spelling words based on sounds can create some unpredictable results!

The addresses as they are spelled have been tested on Google Maps at the time of
publishing to ensure that you can search for them on your mobile device, or use the
optional free maps provided via the book resources page on my website.

You will likely notice spelling may even change from one section to another within this
guide, with "Nimmanhaemin" being a common example.

Every time you ask someone a question in a public forum, you owe it to them to do some
thoughtful research first.

You need to remember that being a Digital Nomad is a party you weren't necessarily
invited to, and that a show of resourcefulness will go a long way with online communities
in terms of trust and respect.

Everyone hates a tourist (and they probably see the same questions week in, week out).
Is This Guide for You?
This book is for people who are almost ready to make the jump from home country to
location independent living in another country for the first time --and want to reduce their
margin of error as low as possible while saving hundreds of dollars along the way.

This book is ideal for people who want to know exactly how to relocate and take their first
steps to a lifestyle of perpetual travel, and;

 Already make a minimum income of $999+ USD per month online

 Or are already working towards it with a plan in place
 Or they have enough in their savings account to float for 3 to 12 months

This book will walk you through every mission-critical step (and then some) to ensure a
smooth transition into life as a Digital Nomad in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It’s as thorough as it
gets, and I didn’t do it for the glory –being “that nomad guy” is a fear of mine.

I know others who make a living do it, but it isn’t for me. I’d rather be known for Copyrise,
or as a best-selling author, or a lamp, or smelly gym socks. Maybe a pony, even. But being
a nomad is just a lifestyle for me, it isn’t my occupation, too.

I just want more people to travel –you all vote, you all shape the respective country you’re
from. My aim is to help more people get a global perspective on their own and to help
them find how they and their country fit into the bigger picture. While eating dope street
food and learning to hustle.

If you haven't taken a good look at the Table of Contents yet, go for it. I'll wait :)

I chose Chiang Mai because it is the most popular digital nomad destination for both
beginner and well-traveled nomads.

It is estimated that there are more location independent entrepreneurs per capita in
Chiang Mai over any other tourist destination in the world.

This makes Chiang Mai a special petri-dish of collaboration and innovation with new ideas
being conceptualized and created at coffee shops and co-working spaces around the city
every day.
Chiang Mai is not a beach town and does not come with a lot of the problems that usually
accompany tourist-rich beach towns; less tourist-traps with high prices, and you’re able to
integrate into the daily life of the city much more easily.

Chiang Mai is located in the northern mountainous region of Thailand, however many of
the beaches in southern Thailand are only $60 - $90 USD and an hour-long flight away.

This book is not about how to create any form of passive income. I will provide a few
suggestions on how you can make emergency cash, though. That part wasn’t in the
original iteration of this guide back before it was free. You never know when you’re going
to fall down, so I got you covered.

As I mentioned in the About the Author section, Digital Nomad Escape Plan is now the first
book of a series.

Soon after this guide is released, further course materials and guides will be released to
help you generate an income online and they will be for pay, in partnership with my
company Copyrise.

Monetizing a blog is one of the biggest challenges of going nomad (if that’s your thing),
so it’s the first area my wife and I thought we should cover.

A blog is sort of like an insurance policy, and it’s good to keep one. Article features about
the odd business or product can translate into free accommodation or affiliate revenue.
That’s passive.

You can learn more about them here: hobowithalaptop.com/guides

This book does however make an excellent companion to any other passive income
project you're planning on or are already working on.

If you don't earn a decent income online right now, it isn't the end of the world, although
it may take time to ramp it up.

In the least, you could have enough steady work lined up within a month or two through
sites like Upwork.
Reputation-based contract work portals are a great way to augment an existing income or
serve as your central income.

 For designers, there's TeeSpring

 For teachers, there's VIPKid, Udemy or Skillshare
 For copywriters, there's TextMaster, SEO companies, and ebook writing
 For programmers, there's Upwork, and app store portals
 For internet marketers, there's lead generation, affiliate marketing, and drop
shipping sites

You get the idea; no matter how you make your living online, you never know when your
work or the money it earns you will run out.

You will always need to be a step ahead, know how to attract the right people into your
life, and be serious about getting goals accomplished.

The community itself in Chiang Mai is pretty amazing. We've all learned a lot from each
other's mistakes, and I think it’s safe to say that the movement has matured into the
mainstream.

This book is a road map to get you started in Chiang Mai. If you've been waffling over
where to go for your first jump; I made it easy by choosing for you.

If you think you're too old, you're wrong; I came at 32 and some of the most interesting
nomads I know are in their 60's and they're doing just fine, publishing content online. Few
have good pensions to boast of, that's why they're here.

If you're a woman wondering if Chiang Mai is safe for solo travel, it is (just ask around any
forum on the subject if you need a second opinion).

If you have a family; bring them. There are lots of foreigners in local schools here. I will
help you find a school for your kids, and provide some tips and advice for parents of
young children.

If you make the question of safety an obstacle, or the fear of risk a barrier to entry; you'll
simply never, ever win.
If you hate moving, I say pack lighter. You don't need as much as you think you do. (I only
pack for a week, and I never pack for eventualities –they never happen).

If you're worried about losing friends, you won't. You'll just interact differently.

Jump.

We live in prolific times and making the leap into nomadism has never been easier. I
provide no warranty when I say this; but you cannot fail if you do not stop trying.

You probably wouldn’t be reading this book if you didn’t feel like something was missing.
Traveling well long-term is a learned skill and there’s no time like the present to start
learning.

Worth mention is that I made a lot of suggestions in the first run of Digital Nomad Escape
Plan without using affiliate links, back in 2015.

I was helping good companies make money and even though they offered me a reward, I
didn’t take it. I’m the meat wall between you and a corporation –if it costs you no extra, I
know you’d support a human as a thank-you. I was too concerned with looking like a shill,
but so many readers I’ve spoken to have told me to go for it, so I did.

This time around, I’d like to use affiliate links. I hope you understand that although I am
using them, the message of this book is what is most important to me. I know a lot of
people hate that shit, but the information is sound –you can be the judge of that. Sell out,
nothing.

If you choose to sign up for anything I suggest in this guide I’d be grateful if you used my
affiliate links, but it isn’t expected.

Please keep the pitchforks in the barn. I will not suggest anything to you that isn’t worthy
of your trust, and that’s the honest truth. I wanted to be as straight up with you as
possible.
Background
My Digital Nomad Origin Story
As I write to you now, it’s 2017. Back in 2012 I started a blog on Tumblr called “A Travlr,
Darkly”.

I wrote two posts, and then lost my login information and I’ve never been able to log in
again. Normally I’m pretty good with this sort of stuff, but now these two parts are drifting
around on the web and I can’t touch them.

These are the first of any form of casual writing I’d done in years, and not to be done again
until earlier this year when I started playing with words again. In other words, I was a little
rusty.

Had I kept up “Travlr, Darkly” there’d be no Hobo with a Laptop. Which name do you think
sounds better?

So here they are, a little over five years since they were originally written.

Before there was Copyrise, I worked for a leading web development firm in Toronto. This is
the story of how that ended, and what was going through my mind when I made the
decision to formally go nomad.

12 January 2012

365 days in a year, and I work all of them to some extent. In any given 365 days —I’m
likely to push through $200k – $300k in website projects for one bespoke web
development company; partake in 45 networking events; 2,000 clammy handshakes; 1,800
cups of coffee; date approximately 7 girls 2 of which become somewhat intense however
in the end unfulfilling; relocate 3 times; hit my snooze button approximately 3,000 times
and make just enough money to save exactly $0.

On this particular morning I woke up alone. I didn’t hit snooze once.

I woke up at 3AM and had been staring at the ceiling until 6am before I’d decided to go
into work early. I didn’t think about much other than what I’d like to do if I finally had the
nerve to quit my job, which I’d been fantasizing about since December.
The feeling lingering between me and the ceiling was hard to articulate, though you could
cut it with a knife. It’s almost a non-feeling. Not a numbness, but an exclusion of bliss.
Everything’s fine. Work is going well, my girlfriend keeps me hopeful, I’m working out
again, and I’m on track. I’m doing a little more than getting by, and I lead a very social
lifestyle. I think I’m happy and I always smile on cue without thinking.

I got out of bed and made my way into the kitchen, readied my Bodum and I put the kettle
on. From there I had a shower, and then on to my closet to put on some clothes.

And then it came as suddenly as an aneurism, this lasting unanchored perspective had
snapped into frame. I was finally able to grasp the significance of this chapter in my life as I
stood before my lone, well-worn suit, hanging limp in the closet.

A suit I had wondered for one moment too long, whether it would be the very suit my
parents would bury me in. I suppose it came from the feeling that I’d arrived at some
plateau.

A boring monotonous one where nothing was too hard, too easy, and each day was
another spin in the loop that life had become. I was interested in bigger things, but I was
condemned to an occupation that Bill Hicks would take apart as passionately as he would
a Marketing Executive; a Salesman.

Salesmen get treated like tax collectors no matter how nice everyone is, and it’s hard to tell
an honest one from a shark because of the etiquette. I get treated like a shark. I could offer
someone free cancer therapy and they’d be reluctant because my business card says
“Business Development”. I hated that part of my job the most. Every chance encounter or
pleasant discussion was perceived to be motivated by a sale or a referral once they got
around to asking about what I do.

I got dressed and changed it up. I traded the suit for jeans and a button up shirt, chalking
it up as a bad omen. I missed my bus, and later arrived at the work entrance the same time
my boss did. Weird, because even when I’m late, I’m always early. We were the only two
people in the entire office.

An awkward hello turned into him hunched grimly at an empty desk across from me,
watching me prepare for my week. No conversation just half eye contact and deliberation.
I backed up my contacts and closed my laptop. This is it.

I turned to face him. “Let’s talk, what’s on your mind?”.

My boss doesn’t know I’ve spent any available free time over the last 3 months dreaming
up an escape plan.

He also doesn’t know I was waiting to find the right time to quit copacetically, as to not
lose any banked commissions and have enough time to maneuver the hit to my income.

I didn’t realize how ill prepared I really am, and I certainly couldn’t spend the cycles
thinking about it at the time.

I knew what came next, I’d already read the script on his eyes which were now fixed
squarely on me.

He worked through his monologue nervously, which eventually resulted in my layoff.

Brilliant. Spreadsheet says cuts need to be made. Call it a seniority argument, or pin it to
the fact that he was being admirable as I was the only one without little mouths to feed. I’d
feel better with the latter if I gave a fuck. He just laid off his newest rep with the highest
yield the last fiscal year (other than management with fruitful relationships older than I
am). I trump it up in my mind so it feels like it hurt him more than it hurt me.

I was outta’ there. No escort needed, and I practically laid myself off. I still casually had a
coffee before clearing out my desk, said good morning to the usual lot, and was out
before the guys on my floor got in.

That blissless feeling? Gone. Forced to reanimate, give my head a shake and make good
on the promises I made myself. This new development meant freedom to set my own
rules, and work how, where, and with whom I wanted to. I could feel it in my bones. This
was not a mistake. This was a gut-confirmed fabrication of destiny —and she slapped me
right in the face like any good lover would do when their sweetheart has become stagnant.

I felt that bliss I’d been missing for about an hour before I called my dealer and hit the
liquor store. Where do I even begin to know where to take this?

2 Feb 2012

I planted the seed years ago. I once maintained a web log at age 18 around the time
Google acquired Blogger. It was my first time living away from home, living on my own in
Calgary, Alberta. I had obsessed over words and PSD files listening to early Sigur Ros until
the early morning hours, sharing them online as a way to cope with being alone.

A feeling akin to one I’m burning tonight. In the early days of teaching myself how to use
Photoshop, I remember one design experiment in the midst of long shifts and overtime,
drenched in cut-out filters and typography containing the words “Sleep is for the
homeless” and “You can never go home”.

Back then the cut-out filter was hot shit, and I was an innovator.

Ok, not really; it was the Instagram of yesteryear and I was a know-nothing —but it started
my self-education in design and it was a thrilling period of self-exploration so I have no
regrets.

The statements in that design were a teenage-angst-driven parody of consumer culture

fueled by Postal Service and Boards of Canada. They were prophetic to me and reflected a
lifestyle to which I’d become more familiar with in the years to follow.

Simply put; I figured the life that lay ahead was built on work for the sake of work, and I
wanted none of it.

I thought that the only way to get any sense of inner peace was to be miserable by the
very means to which it was acquired.

With only a small taste of independence at the age of 18, I knew two things for certain:
Homelessness would suck, and don’t fall off the damned hamster wheel. It frustrated the
hell out of me, and although I was creative about making ends meet, I had no idea what
was truly possible with little effort.

Today, I view “homelessness” as a freedom and personal responsibility I think I can handle.

I know it now by other names such as “digital nomad” “homefulness” or “location

independent”. Much less self-deprecating as it rolls off the tongue, however neither offer
additional comfort to a worrisome mother.

Before I came to the occupation from which I was just relieved of, I took pride in making
my numbers from verandas, cafes, parks, and locales out of town. I’d always felt a sense of
privilege with this ability, as so many I’ve discussed my regime with have also had trouble
adjusting to the concept, or saw a decline in productivity if they’d try to follow suit.
I found tools to make it easier to automate my presence and duties, to the point where
people didn’t know when I’d fled town to make time for my personal relationships and
taken a day off.

I’d been reading 4 Hour Work Week sporadically since before my layoff and I had just
finished it. I’d say the most rewarding quality of this book is the absolute unwavering
confirmation that my desires are not those of an insane person. I strongly suggest you pick
it up if you are looking for the same flavor of vindication.

As much as it has renewed my sense of self and sanity in spite of what I now consider
misunderstood choices, it has also illuminated where I’ve grown stagnant. After honest
consideration of many factors that shape my life, I’ve begun cleaning house. It’s funny how
right the poets are and how the things you enjoy about something initially become what
breaks down later.

And so the purge began.

What started with losing my job evolved into giving my roommate notice, picking up my
first passport, breaking up with my (gorgeous and inspiring) career focused girlfriend,
selling everything I own, and creating a set of well-defined goals. In that order.

However, at this point, the only people drinking this location independent lifestyle Kool-
Aid in my circles are the ones working every night with me to engineer our first attempt at
creating a passive income.

This is probably the most volatile component of my now realized strategy, and I’m banking
everything on it.

I feel like a kid again; an open book with everything to gain. On the other side of the coin
I’ve developed a deeper respect for failure, and I’m crossing my fingers and toes this first
shot at a passive income has legs.

The need for change was insatiable, I couldn’t bare it any longer.
What is a Digital Nomad?
A Digital Nomad is a person who leverages telecommunications technologies and online
marketplaces (such as Upwork, TextMaster, TeeSpring, or Udemy) to perform their work
duties and earn money online while generally living in a state of "slow travel".

Of course, not all of us trade time for money –we also have our own businesses, blogs, and
other forms of enterprise. The point is that we usually don’t work in the countries we
physically live in, we work online.

Simply put, digital nomads telecommute to do their job from whatever corner of the world
they choose.

The benefit of living this type of lifestyle allows one to work virtually in a country while
living abroad in another; earning one currency while spending another.

The currencies earned are usually higher value currencies than the ones they spend day to
day. This is called "geo-arbitrage" and it can drastically increase your disposable income --
because after all; it is not what you earn that makes you rich, it is how you live and how
much you save.
The Allure of Chiang Mai
The primary draw for Chiang Mai is how affordable it is to live here, although there is also
a second, and that is the proliferation of digital nomads themselves.

It can get lonely nomading around the world. Most people in my life still don't understand
the concept, so there is something sanity redeeming about surrounding yourself with
people who get it and are doing the same thing. Especially if they’re at the same level you
are. Most of us are at some level of beginner. If we were all more honest with ourselves,
we’d see we’re always beginners, at something, anyway.

Before I paint a rosy picture, let’s get real about Chiang Mai, and Chiang Mai alone (not
the entire community). I’m not here to make it all picture-perfect, I’m here to get you
started and yes –it’s awesome, most of the time.

Many people shit on Chiang Mai on Reddit and other forums because of their own reasons
and I know you’ve done the research; either it’s too mainstream and “I remember when”,
or it’s a complete lack of empathy for the beginners.

Maybe some failed and gave up and poo poo’ed all over the whole thing loudly –or it’s the
legit blame on scammers which does happen (read that one).

Whatever the reason, chalk it up to growing pains which are always hard to watch, but
never take it personally. You won’t find anywhere on earth with as many checks and
balances as Chiang Mai, full stop.

If you picked up this book before you made the leap, you’re looking at beginning
“freshmen year”. You know the drill. But at least you were smart about it –this book didn’t
cost you a penny.

The digital nomad “lifestyle” (gag me with a spoon) is about to get that much more
popular with Trump in office, and us senior nomads need to understand and reconnect
with our former selves all the more. I urge senior nomads to be more supportive of those
starting their journeys –at least they’re doing something about it. The new “bad apples”
hardly outnumber the old ones. We’ve tolerated some long-time stay-puff wanks, too.
We senior nomads allowed the first wave of assholes to attract new assholes because we
didn’t have the wherewithal to point out the scams right in front of us for the last few
years. If the scene sucks, we invited the wrong people to the party in the first place. $2,000
dropship courses, my ass.

All great scenes die off and the baton passes eventually; the Warhol-era Village in the Big
Apple, rave culture, grunge era, Hemingway’s Paris –all dead and replaced with fuck. Does
that mean we shouldn’t quit our jobs and get a passport? Fuck no. We didn’t create
nomadism. We need to hand it off and see what happens next like every other movement.

Regardless of what you’ve heard, Chiang Mai is still the place to be. While of course there
are probably nicer places to be, most digital nomads will agree that Chiang Mai has the
highest concentration of location independent professionals, no contest. And this is why it
is the best place to begin your journey. That, and it’s cheap, hospitable, polite, endearing,
and the locals make it so very welcoming. Truly, no matter what I say later in this guide, the
locals and the nature make it all worthwhile. Amazing people, amazing scenery. If you ever
start to feel different, it’s time to get a move on again. Any “Littlest Hobo” fans out there?

So if your idea of the Promised Land is a safe place to live in the tropics that's teeming
with helpful digital nomads, Chiang Mai is for you. It’s safer than most, but I feel like if I
name places I think it’s safer than, I’ll get trolled.

Passports bleed life experience, and life experiences change votes in our home countries.
Truth be told, that’s my main mission with this book. Global empathy and awareness. You
start to see patterns when you travel. But for the record, I don’t talk politics in this book
unless I’m talking about Thailand.

And of course, these are not the only reasons to live here. Let's elaborate on why Chiang
Mai is the ideal starting point for an aspiring Digital Nomad, shall we?

Chiang Mai's greatest attraction is the high quality of life that is possible with very little.
Although there are many other qualities that make it great; it's got festivals all year 'round,
all the comforts of home, it's safe, and the WIFI speeds are decent.
Ookla’s Net Index is a great place to find out the current average for broadband
connections in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

$1 USD is roughly the equivalent of 33+ Thai baht (on average). Let that soak in for a
moment. So $33 USD is around 1000 Thai baht.

To live like a baller, you will need 1,000 baht per day including rent or guest house costs
although you can get away with less. However, it is not reasonable to think you will be able
to live on less than $20 per day in the beginning.

Eventually you will "think in baht", but for now, let me break it down;

The cost of lodging in Chiang Mai generally ranges from around 4,000 to 20,000
baht per month. That's $122 USD to $615 USD. And if you're paying the latter,
you're living large. In some cases, we're talking full kitchen, swimming pool, gym,
cleaning staff, WIFI, water delivery, and utilities included.

Air conditioning is standard and utilities will cost between 1,000 to 2,000 baht, worst
case.

It is worth mentioning that many apartments in Thailand don't come with a kitchen.
Occasionally you'll find a sink and food preparation counter on your balcony, but
not always. A little strange, but you get used to it pretty quickly. Hot plates and
propane stoves are common, and you can always find a new or a used microwave.

For those on a budget, you will have no difficulty finding excellent Thai meals for 35
to 50 baht. Pad Thai, Khao Soy (my favorite Northern Thai food), Green Curry dishes
and the like are all extremely affordable.

Fresh fruit smoothies and pressed juices can be purchased for 25 baht to 80 baht.

Moving up the food chain somewhat you can find Western meals starting around
80 baht. I'd say most traditional Western dishes are in the area of 100 baht to 200
baht. So you can eat real good for less than the price of a McDonald's "trio" aka
"value meal" (depending where you're from). This pricing also includes Western
style breakfast like ham and eggs, breakfast burritos, and so on.

Much of the exotic local produce is incredibly cheap, and imported produce can
cost a pretty penny. I won't elaborate too much on groceries because you likely
won't have a kitchen and the cost of eating out is almost the same as buying food
at a grocery store and preparing it yourself.

I will elaborate on where you can buy your groceries later in the guide.

Beer drinkers will be in paradise. Large bottle (500ml+) local brews like Singha,
Chang, and Leo can be purchased for 55 baht at your local convenience store, or 80
to 120 baht when you're on the town at a bar or restaurant.

Imported beers and wines cost a little closer to what you're probably already
accustomed to back home. A bottle of wine starts around 300 baht, and large
imported beers start around 85 baht (Heineken) and upwards.

But I gotta’ say this from personal experience; if you’re a thirsty author, or just
someone who likes to drink –look into probiotics (without sugar in them). Drink
every day and you create vitamin B deficiencies and you get angry, even mad, with
or without drinking.

Sounds silly now, but you’ll see. Thai beer, all beer, is full of preservatives and at
that price, it’s a killer. Keep an eye out for a book I’ll publish later with the word
“Belly” in the title. For now, I get into more detail about your health in “The Dark
Parts”.

You can rent a moped-style motorbike for 1,500 to 2,500 baht per month, or 100 to
200 baht per day. Bicycles can be rented for 50 to 100 baht per day.

And if you're planning on staying a year --buy your transportation, don't rent it.
Bikes retain their market value in Thailand. You can use your bike all year 'round
and end up only paying for gas.
Motor bike prices will vary, but you can find one easily for less than 30,000 baht.

You can buy a simple prepaid mobile phone for 1,000 baht or less. A typical phone
plan with data will range from 299 baht to 999 baht with AIS; Thailand's best phone
company to opt for if you intend on traveling to more isolated areas and islands at
some point.

I will also elaborate in detail on how to activate prepaid phone plans later in the
guide.

In Chiang Mai metered taxi cabs are less common, but don't worry. The options
available around town are still incredibly affordable.

A red truck, aka "songthaew", is the cheapest public transportation option around.
Songthaew is Thai for "two rows", referring to the two benches in the back.

You can take a ride across town for a dollar. If you prefer to take a Tuk Tuk, they
cost a little more, and they're sometimes a little shady. I suggest you learn the value
of your trip with a few rides on a red truck before using a Tuk Tuk.

In short, the minimum for a songthaew in town is 20 baht, and tuk tuk's start at 70
baht.

And beware of Tuk Tuk drivers at 2am, gents. They’ll take your ass to a go go bar
where the price of a drink is 2,000 baht. If they take you anywhere, if they claim to
know a good spot –run in, check the menu. Insist. After dark, Tuk Tuk drivers
become real assholes, but they don’t get paid a commission unless you haplessly
buy a drink. In other words, they wait to see if you do. Don’t, and you can at least
get a ride home.
Cost of Living in Chiang Mai
The cost of living like a Digital Nomad for 6 months in Chiang Mai depends on a number
of factors; quality of living, food costs, emergency funds, how much work you already have
lined up, etc.

Everyone has a different opinion on this; how long is a piece of string?

There is no accounting for personal taste: I came on a one-way ticket with $2,000 in my
pocket and small ongoing projects totaling around $1,000 to $2,000 per month.

Airfare (round trip) + Insurance + Startup Expenses + Monthly Expenses + Emergency

fund

"Startup expenses" and "emergency fund" are more of a failsafe than anything. Startup
costs mean paying deposits for a motorbike or an apartment, or to buy a motorbike
outright. I suggest having $2,000 for startup costs.

Emergency funds are for any random medical treatment you may need outside of
insurance coverage (i.e. a lot of insurance doesn't actually cover you riding a motorized
vehicle), if you break something that doesn't belong to you, wake up in a bar bathroom
with a 15,000-baht bill, whatever. I suggest $1,500 in emergency funds.

Insurance for 6 months through WorldNomads.com cost me $500 CAD, rates may vary.

In addition to this, if you're living like there's no tomorrow, you will still find it quite difficult
to spend over $1,200 per month. I personally live on $3,000 per month with my wife and
it's quite comfortable.

Airfare (round trip) + $500 Insurance + $2000 Startup + $6,000 for 6 Months + $1,500
Emergency

That's an incredibly generous and safe estimate that is going to put you somewhere
between $10,000 USD and $12,000 USD to live 6 months in Thailand (like royalty).
I've done it for much less, and most have. When I was struggling I was able to live on $600
per month. If you come with a nice number like that in pocket, you've earned yourself a lot
more security than most arrive to Thailand with.
How to Deal with Criticism for Your Choice
Your decision to live abroad and work from your laptop is in direct opposition to the
choices and values most people hold --therefore not making it good dinner conversation.

Light creates dark, and so it goes; by praising the new lifestyle you seek for its benefits,
you're inadvertently dumping on the lifestyle most people have chosen.

Few to none will be genuinely supportive of your lifestyle choice. People in your life may
approach the topic awkwardly or try to debate the idea out of existence.

Whatever holds them back is irrelevant to your happiness so don't think about it too much.

Don't try to convince them, they outnumber you.

Make arrangements, not debates.

There's no value in creating additional obstacles, so you will have to brush off people who
think you're making a mistake, think you're leaving because you hate them (it happens), or
that you're not very bright.

Their reactions are more telling about how they think than how logical or sound your plans
are.

For younger people; the stigma of living beyond the almighty "gap year" is also a fear
tactic of the unadventurous, and a lot can be accomplished when you're open to new
ideas and in the right environment.

And sorry moms; it doesn't matter where you're from, anyone some place will think it's
scary some other place. The world is what it is, everywhere.

The number of people who have successfully made for themselves a location independent
lifestyle are innumerable. You do not need to defend your goals. You are not abandoning
anyone or anything, you're simply changing how you communicate.

That's about as deep as I go into the mindset of becoming a Digital Nomad. There is no
try, and it's not as big of a deal as you may be making it out to be.
Roadworthy Skill Sets
Just about any skill set or career can be digitized and facilitated online.

Common skill sets that Digital Nomads typically possess can be generally drilled down into
seven factions.

Each have their strengths and weaknesses and will often collaborate with one another to
their mutual benefit.

Travel bloggers, authors, journalists, reviewers of products or places,

copywriters with various specializations from SEO to sales copy, infoproduct creators, and
so on.

They make stuff! Videographers, designers, musicians, podcasters,

photographers, illustrators, animators, and so on.

Often working for brands, they excel at search engine optimization,

pay-per-click advertising, social media management, affiliate marketing, and so on.

Taking affiliate marketing to another level, drop shippers typically

outsource order fulfillment to private companies such as Amazon FBA or other ASEAN
suppliers.

Instructors and teachers who took traditional teaching online to websites like
VIPKid for teaching English by the hour, Skillshare or Udemy to generate a passive income.

They handle a variety of tasks for others, such as audio transcription,

website updates, email outreach, light design work, etc.

People who develop code for mobile applications, HTML5 web-based

applications, WordPress plugins, computer software, or internet-of-things devices just to
name a few.

Related: 9 websites that will teach you to code.

With any of these skill sets, one can either create something to monetize on their own, or
they can trade time for money and use their skills on the clock.
Designers will always have a site like TeeSpring, teachers can turn to teaching websites,
writers have ebooks and TextMaster, programmers can use sites like Upwork or create
their own products for a popular app store, and internet marketers can drive traffic to their
own monetized products or everybody else's.

Before I made my side projects cash positive, I lived on TextMaster.

A traditional day job you telecommute to is not a requirement for having a reliable income
while on the road, and for many it appears to be more of a hindrance when compared to
the prospect of creating a more passive income.

However, in just about every case there are going to be a few constants.

No matter what you do you’re going to have to understand search optimization, how to
write copy that converts, how to leverage and monetize a website, and how to network.

Internet marketing is the skill set that unites us all. Whether you’re marketing yourself on
Upwork, or you’re marketing your own products on Amazon –you’re going to have to
learn the tricks of the trade.

For most people, SEO is an absolute clusterfuck that seems incredibly complicated and it’s
often the last thing on the list of skills we’ll opt to learn.

I think it is important to mention this because search engines are going to algorithmically
decide your fate, no matter what you’re doing.

While I am going to deeply address this in later guides, I wanted to leave you with one
thought; fuck Google. At least at the onset of your journey. There are way more
competitors for any niche on Google than there are in other “walled gardens” –private
websites that have their own search engines.

For example; Pinterest users have more money to burn than those using other search
engines. Pinterest isn’t just for girls, either. That was a big mistake I made back in the
beginning. It’s still quite competitive, but nowhere near Google.
That goes for YouTube, too. And Amazon. And iTunes. And whatever communities you’re
currently using.

Alex and Lauren over at Create and Go are responsible for waking me up to Pinterest, and
they’ve forced me to take it seriously.

We’ve been overhauling all of our Pinterest boards and successfully generating 10x the
traffic we had a month ago, and this is entirely because of a course we took from Create
and Go called Pinterest Traffic Avalanche.

Don’t take my word on it, you can view some of their free videos here to learn more:

1. Laying the Foundations – SEO

2. Creating Viral Pins Step-by-Step for Massive Traffic
3. Pinterest Worthy Content
4. Websites Fail Traffic Cures (aka The Pitch)

Even if you skip Alex and Lauren’s paid course and only watch the videos above, you’ll still
be wiser for doing so.

All things considered, my only solid advice here is to focus on one search engine in the
beginning. Pick one with lower hanging fruit, and really cut your teeth on it.

The SEO tactics you will learn and execute along the way will prove useful for when you
one day take on Google, except smaller search engines will deliver much more reward in a
shorter amount of time.

In a matter of a month you could dominate your niche on Pinterest. Attempting the same
on Google would take a minimum of 9 months, IMHO. And that’s if you know what you’re
doing right off the bat.

If you haven’t made the leap yet, I suggest you give up 3 – 4 hours every week night to
learn what makes a smaller search engine tick –and then exploit it for everything it’s worth.

So you wrote a really great guide about taking photos of bananas? Turn it into an audio
recording and upload it to SoundCloud and iTunes. Make a video preview. Fuck the fear.
You don’t need a fancy intro, either. Get in front of the smartphone camera, and build your
following.
When you do create content, write a content schedule like you’re planning a table of
contents for a book. That way you can repackage everything into slideshows on Slideshare,
email courses, video courses, ebooks –whatever floats your boat.

If you’re going to get into travel blogging, even as a side project –do it right. Because a
single article feature on your website could land you a free week at an all-inclusive resort,
free drinks, scuba lessons –you name it. Which will come in real handy if you need a bit of
an insurance policy should the money ever run out.

Influencer marketing is a booming business in 2017. Trust me, I know.

If you’re a serious travel blogger and you’d like to get a free link from me personally for
SEO purposes, you can visit this page on Hobo with a Laptop and fill out our survey –we’d
be happy to have you write a guest post and appear on our website.
Dealing with the Unpredictability of Living Abroad
Living in Asia can be unpredictable at times. Businesses seem to close randomly, holidays
come out of nowhere effecting the ability to facilitate visa runs or extensions, and the same
dish you eat every day might not taste the same twice.

Life is happening all around you in orderly chaos; the trick is to be able to immerse
yourself into it while shedding a majority of your long held expectations of life.

You don't need thicker skin, you just need to know when to go with the flow and allow
yourself to do so.

In order to overcome the new onslaught of micro-problems that have potential to arise
while trying to maintain a healthy live/work scenario, here are some tips to keep you sane
and focused:

1. Focus on end results, not how you arrive at anything; life in Asia isn't as consistently
timed as it is back home. Things happen when they happen, no matter what
expectations anyone sets.
2. Follow your body; What time zone is your body feeling like? I try to let my body
drive my work hours. Sleepless nights call for a change in schedule and are great
for prospecting new business over the phone. I only try to forcibly regulate my
sleeping pattern when it doesn't feel good anymore, or I need to.
3. Stay healthy and explore new ways to exercise wherever you go for more than a
week.
4. Identify your most important income-generating tasks and do more of that. Force
yourself to drop 1 - 5 tasks that are chewing up your time and have little to zero
monetary reward.
5. Stop multitasking, and block your tasks on a schedule. Don't work from a never
ending list, limit the tasks you set for yourself.
6. Give tasks a clear beginning and end, and document ongoing tasks for their
progress and noteworthy remarks.
7. Keep up on appearances for clients and people of interest; appearing predictable
will convey a greater sense of reliability.
8. Know how much you can handle; I bite off much less than I can chew to ensure I
don't fall back into a stressful work/life balance.
9. Automate as much as you can; James Schramko's Superfast Business Podcast is a
great place to begin. Save time, or ensure important tasks are being done when
you're indisposed.
10. Stay on top of key dates and holidays with timeanddate.com.
11. Travel like it's 1994; shame on those who nerd out on Facebook way too often and
waste away like they did back home. Looking at a screen limits the power of
serendipity in spades.
12. Enjoy yourself; there's no better reminder why you're doing all this than to take a
stroll and do something awesome; whatever that is for you.
13. If you start to pick people apart or complain in your mind, it's time to keep moving.
14. Keep moving.
Chiang Mai News and Politics

See what publications around the world have to say about Chiang Mai, Thailand. Some
links have been taken down from their original sources, so I link to others referencing the
original source:

 24th Best City to Visit in the World, TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice

 Ranked 1st for Affordability and Quality of Life, HSBC Bank Expat Explorer Survey in
2011, 2013 (PDF) –and 24th in 2016 (PDF)
 Top 10 Cities for 2011 - #10, Lonely Planet
 Best City with Festivals, Lonely Planet
 Chiang Mai in Top 25 Cities in the World (2014), Conde Naste Traveler
 And even a classy paper like International Business Times chimed in

If you've been following Thailand in world news recently, you will know about the military
coupe that has been evolving over time throughout the Kingdom.

This account is to provide context, and to let you know what it means for your new life in
Thailand.

This story spans several new sources, and all with their own twist (or Western political bias).
For the most part, the politics in Thailand don't affect most of us foreigners.

Because Thailand is so sensitive to global opinion for the sake of tourism dollars, expats
are generally afforded the luxury of living in a bubble when it comes to political unrest.

In fact, a lower baht value would financially benefit a digital nomad who earns in a higher
value currency.

As for this current military coupe; it's been business as usual for tourists and expats alike
since the summer of 2014.

Of all of the coupes in Thailand's long history with almost 30 coupes attempted since 1912
(I believe this is number 12) —this one is unique. It has been intended to clean house of
corruption, not build it up.
In a nutshell; up until the coupe a family has (some say corruptly) controlled the country
for many years and hurt a lot of innocents. A large majority of Thai locals saw through the
"Coke and Pepsi" of their government and their illusion of choice during last year's
elections, so they simply refused to vote.

The government at the time tried to force the hand of the people, and surprise, violence
broke out.

Any of this sound familiar? Occupy? Anti-nuclear debates of Germany some decades ago?
Ferguson? When I read the news, Thailand seems a lot less frightening than living in the
USA at the time of writing this.

The coup is where things stop sounding familiar when compared to Western problems.

They really are genuinely trying to handle things the best way they know how here in
Thailand without affecting tourists.

The military coup that began in May 2014 resulted in a number of positive changes in
Thailand;

 End of violence in Bangkok and outlying areas

 Began process of accountability within all levels of government with inquiries and
legal proceedings
 Corruption crackdown; From over-charging taxi drivers to illegal businesses
operating on public beaches which forced you to purchase items to bask in the sun
 Proposed alternative energy initiatives and ecological reform
 Endorsed a high-speed rail project linking Thailand with China
 End of government programs not in the public interest
 Re-appropriation of government-owned spaces in Bangkok and opening them to
the public

At this time there is no curfew and has not been for quite some time. The military presence
in Thailand has not been grim. Soldiers have been engaging with tourists and even light-
heartedly posing for selfies.

If you don't want to take my word for it, see what the BBC has to say.

So now you're prepared when people you love and respect suggest you are crazy for
coming to a country that currently is undergoing a form of martial law.
The Pros and Cons of Living as a Digital Nomad
Living life abroad will mean that you will face a wide range of time vampires that you never
knew existed; that is the price you will pay for living a lifestyle that most people envy yet
are too afraid to live.

In order to keep your head up and your spirit high, you'll need to have the right
perspective.

Can you be a patient, methodical, opportunistic, self-motivated hustler?

Do you have a strong sense of purpose, goals, and what you want from life?

Can you adjust to situations quickly and compassionately?

Do you have decision making skills, planning skills, and the discipline to abide by them?

Are you able to tough it out if your laptop dies right before your bank card gets jammed in
a machine at the Laos border during a visa run? (That probably won't happen, but it
happened to me).

If you answered yes to most of these, you'll fare much better when we look at the
following pros and cons of living life on the road.

In reality, for every pro (glass half full) there is a con (glass half empty) so be mindful of
how you perceive these pros and cons.

Do not let an over-eagerness force you to skim over hidden complexities and take them
head on.

 Work from anywhere! (You're pretty much homeless!)

 Make your own schedule! (Crappy routine at best, responsible for your own
success, and liable for your own failures)
 Short work days! (Added pressure on executing the 80/20 rule effectively)
 Choose to live anywhere you want in the world! (Struggle with visa requirements,
time zones, generally meet clients face-to-face less often)
 Make new connections! (Have less time or 'presence' for existing friends and family)
 Unlimited earning potential! (Financial security is less predictable)
 Finally time to start that side project! (Remove time from proven, repeatable
income)
 Hooray, palm trees and wanderlust! (Deal with periodic loneliness, unpredictable
weather and infrastructure challenges)
 Cheaper cost of living! (Cost benefits only while you're living statically in one place,
travel can be expensive)
Is it legal to be a Digital Nomad?
Since a visa does not exist that clearly defines our activities, I'd like to suggest some
common sense in terms of keeping all of us out of government scrutiny until proper visas
may or may not one day be created —not just in Thailand, but around the world.

Don't talk too much about being a digital nomad on websites where you showcase your
commercial projects like say, a personal or corporate portfolio. Being a Digital Nomad is a
lifestyle, not a job title. Anyone who needs to over-sell this lifestyle alongside another
product, probably has a weak product.

Don't rent or create an office. Keep it casual. An office is a version of hell that you wanted
to leave behind and without the proper permits, it's illegal.

Don't put stickers that say "XYZ Niche Event, Chiang Mai" on your laptop. A niche event in
Chiang Mai that charges for entry is a business and it may be an illegally operating
business. No point in tangling yourself up in that noise.

Resist the urge to stand up and yell "I got my first sale!" at all times.

We must make the effort to get proper double or triple entry visas.

Avoid sharing earnings reports in videos or on websites that clearly state where you
currently live and for how long you've lived there. Same goes for online forums that are
open to the public.

Don't advertise/brag/spam or post tasks you would like to outsource in local forums that
are open to the public, that’s what Upwork and Fiverr are for. If you'd like to use Facebook
with a pseudonym, register your account for Indonesia. Indonesian people only have one
name, not a first and last name, so Facebook allows them to get away with one word
names.

I'm going to help you get a local bank account later in the guide, but if you get one, don't
use it for all of your financials; your financial information is best kept in a bank account
from your own country for your privacy.

Focus on passive income.

Avoid crowded co-working spaces - Spread out, work at home once and awhile.

The last "rule" is suggested because recently a Pirate Bay co-founder named Hans Neij aka
Tiamo was picked up and arrested doing a visa run between Chiang Mai and Laos.

If you don't know who you're sitting next to (for example, someone running an illegal
gambling website, or facilitating copyright infringement), then you will also not know when
it will be time for the law to call upon them.

Sharpen those networking skills and know your neighbor before working regularly with
them so you understand the risks that may come with doing so.

You can read about the Tiamo bust on BBC News here.

Nomading around with your laptop won't get you into any trouble if you keep it discreet,
respect the visa process by acquiring double or triple-entry visas, and stay out of trouble.
The Best Time of Year to Jump
There is really only one time of year that I suggest not coming to Chiang Mai for your first
time around, and that's burning season.

Every year, sporadically from mid-February to mid-April, the city of Chiang Mai is engulfed
in smog created by local rice farmers who are cleaning off previous crops, weeds, and
weed seeds from their fields with fire. Sure beats using chemicals, but it can be incredibly
unpleasant for allergy sufferers and people sensitive to smoke in the surrounding area. It is
not ideal to experience Chiang Mai for the first time through watery eyes.
Chiang Mai is located in Thailand's northern regions where rice farming is one of the main
economic contributors. Burning season starts off with watery eyes and a reduced view of
the surrounding mountains, and occasionally progress to extremes like obstructing your
view less than 100 feet in front of you and forcing you to keep windows closed during the
day.

Some years, farmers make a solid effort to do a controlled burn that has less effect on
surrounding areas, sometimes not.

Most people in good health will consider it an annoyance, but not a detriment to their
health. Others who are more sensitive to air pollution may want to head south to beach
country for a few weeks.

Many Digital Nomads temporarily migrate south or to neighboring countries during

burning season and welcome the opportunity. A lot of people plan small Exodus' and rent
a place together down south for a month.

My favorites in Thailand are Ao Nang, Krabi, and some of the quieter islands like Koh
Lanta. The cost of a flight to Krabi is under $90 and within hours you can go from smog to
beach.

A small price to pay for living in Chiang Mai; 11 months out of the year isn't so bad for a
culture that prides itself on location independence.
Once you're here and understand what the air quality is like from one season to another,
you may find this tool useful. The pollution indices and color codes available on this
website follow the EPA graduation, as defined by AirNow. They've also got an app in every
major app store.

To put it into context, the pollution in Chiang Mai during burning season is much lower
than areas north of the city and in neighboring countries.

Unless you arrive in advance of these peak tourist holidays, I wouldn't recommend winging
it and arriving without reservations booked well ahead. Demand for accommodation
increases dramatically, and so do prices. I've met my fair share of backpackers passing
through, scrambling to find a place to stay. Not a good scene.

Christmas and New Year's Eve for Westerners

Chinese New Year celebrations for Chinese Tourists

Thai New Year celebrations "Songkran"

NomadList will provide you with some background for when to go, as well as providing
new options for where to go after you’re more comfortable with your new life as a nomad.
After Chiang Mai, the world is your playground. Some say it’s not the most accurate, so
cross-reference information between sources.

You can find all of Thailand's public holidays on Time and Date.
Things to Leave at Home
When we get into actionable information later in this guide we will look at what you need
to bring to Chiang Mai for an extended journey in Thailand.

To provide a little bit of context in advance I thought I would set some expectations in
regard to traveler-friendly items which are available nationwide at 7-Eleven locations.

Thailand has surpassed 8,000 7-Eleven locations, outpacing the entire United States and
following only behind Japan (who has more than 2x the store locations of Thailand).

Knowing what you can find at a 7-Eleven in advance will reduce the amount of baggage
you will need to bring on your trip --it is possible to take a one-way flight to Thailand with
nothing more than a carry on.

Few retail operations in Thailand are equipped to consistently break larger 1000
baht bills, however 7-Eleven makes it a point to be able to accomplish this with
every single purchase. Even if you buy a 5-baht pack of gum, they will happily
convert that large bill into smaller bills. And of course, there are a number of bank
machines outside store locations which accept bank cards from all over the world.

Each 7-Eleven location traditionally has about 4 to 6 feet of rack space for personal
electronics.

Voltage adapters, camera memory cards, USB keys, protective waterproof phone
cases, mobile rechargeable speakers, $20 cell phones, SIM cards, and mobile
airtime vouchers. They even have DVRs behind the counter, and occasionally will
carry USB device battery backups.

Many beach-side 7-Eleven locations are sure to stock sandals, beach towels, kid's
beach toys, and various forms of sun protection such as lotions, sunglasses and hats
on their shelves.
Around the official Thai New Year's Songkran Festival (April 13 - 15), 7-Eleven will
also stock an elaborate collection of quality squirt-guns, too.

7-Eleven carries a wide range of medicines and personal care items from cosmetics
and remover to skin creams and laundry detergent.

Small caveat; A majority of skin creams for both men and women have skin
bleaching qualities and the local condoms are often too small for Westerners. The
smaller condoms fit too snugly and are likely to break, so you will need to do a little
research.

To overcome these caveats; look for skin creams without bleaching agents, and
observe condom sizes on packaging.

Western condom sizes are typically small (52mm), average (54mm) and large
(56mm), and in Thailand these sizes range from 45mm to 49mm.

Some brands sold in larger Western sizes 45mm - 56mm are Bodyguard, Playboy,
Durex Avanti Bare, Trojan Supra, and 69 brand. Experiment with a few of these to
find the right fit.

In addition to lightening your pack, you will also likely rely on 7-Eleven frequently
for the following common products and services:

7-Eleven has got one of the widest selections of spirits in Thailand, second only to
hard-to-find bottle stores and European grocers like Makro, Rimping, and the like.
Most popular Western spirits are available, as well as several local brands.

Beer, wine, and hard liquor are all available at every store, even in predominantly
Muslim areas.

They've also got ice, cups, and a bottle-opener near the check-out. Alcohol is only
sold from 12pm to 2pm, and again at 5pm to midnight. Times change during
government holidays, elections, and Buddhist holidays.
Many 7-Eleven locations will also allow you to purchase bus tickets for select routes.
Chiang Mai's Arcade bus station is a little way out and the ride can cost you
anywhere from 60 to 120 baht for one way, so be sure to ask your local 7-Eleven if
they sell bus tickets, it could come in handy for a border run.

Worth mention is that you can purchase Green Bus tickets on their website.

Most utility bills in Thailand come with a barcode that can be scanned and added to
your other purchases easily at a 7-Eleven. Yes, really. If you thought living in
Thailand would feel a little like Blade Runner, this is exactly the kind of stuff I'm sure
you were looking for.

In addition to that you can also pay for your Air Asia flights at 7-Eleven. If your
booking is over a week away you’ve got 24 hours to pay for your plane ticket at the
cash register. If it’s the same week, it may be less time —but still equally amazing.

7-Eleven also has a rewards program. If you're ever handed little stamps, save them.
They're worth 1 - 3 baht on your next purchase.
Customs, Language, Culture, and Setting
Expectations
For brevity, I'll explain what customs and social conventions exist, and not why they exist;

 Don't touch the heads of kids, adults, or anyone; the head is sacred in religious
circles
 Don't touch people with feet, point with feet, etc. Feet are dirty and it's disrespectful
 Cover up at temples or other religious areas; Ladies are required to show no skin on
shoulders, bellies, thighs, and men should wear shirts
 No kissing in public, nothing beyond holding hands
 Don't touch monks and keep a distance from them (especially women)
 Stand for the national anthem before movies at the theater and in town
 Treat everyone you encounter with respect, especially women, and "ladyboys" too
(Many of them are quite able to kick your ass)
 Never get visibly upset
 Don't play the hero; "saving face" is a complicated cultural aspect of life in Asia and
getting involved in someone else's quarrel may get you in serious trouble
 No selfies with pictures of the King, and no trash talk of any Government official,
elected or otherwise –that’s jail time

Most of these are a no-brainer, but on this end, I still see a need to mention them.
Westerners often push their liberal dress code on the rest of the world when they’re new –
not recommended here.

If you're planning to stick around awhile, you may opt to learn the Thai language. It will
enrich your experience and it isn't as difficult as you imagine.

Prices written in Thai are often lower, communication with locals can often save time and
money while enriching your travel, and generally making your life easier over all. No
matter the visa, I strongly suggest learning the Thai language when in Thailand.

While there are a number of Thai language course options, I suggest going with a private
school that will also take care of your ED visa.

Free resources for learning the Thai language can be found here.
For the most part, Thailand has main roads and then a number of "soi" or "moo" that stem
off of them. So for example, if you live on Nimmanahaeminda Rd soi 12, you live on the
12th street that stems off of Nimmanahaeminda Rd. It seems a little tricky and silly at first,
but if you say "Nimmanahaeminda Rd street 12" no-one will know what you're talking
about, so get used to using the word "soi" in a sentence.

If you'd like to ship anything back home, there's a UPS-style post office in the lower floor
of Maya Mall near the exit in the food court.

This private postal outlet is right next door to Rimping, and the address for Maya Mall and
Rimping will appear on a series of maps later available for free download through the
Resource page at the back of the guide.

I also suggest some very handy tools for sending or forwarding mail in the Tools section.

I was not really sure where on earth to mention this, but orange juice is naturally sweeter
in Thailand and will throw you when you first drink it. Pumpkin and other foods taste
different as well!
Advice for Parents with Young Children
The Digital Nomad lifestyle is not exclusive to young single folks, and I'm pleased to report
that parents of little humans have options, too.

Chiang Mai is incredibly family-friendly and there are a number of young families thriving
here. Every Digital Nomad family you will encounter will all sing the same song; it has a
positive effect on family relationships and the kids turn out to be well rounded and able to
adapt to change easily. In other words, it enhances their development —it isn't
detrimental.

The concept of "home" is transferred from a brick and mortar building to “home is where
the Teddy Bear is”, or “where mommy and daddy are”.

One particular blog post that stands out to me in terms of mindset is from the Upwork
blog entitled "How to be a Digital Nomad When You Have Family".

Canadian Digital Nomad Liisa Vexler had this advice to give to parents considering the
leap into living life as a Digital Nomad;

Many countries have schools that will accept children of expats. You can
easily seek out areas in the country of your choice that will accept kids for shorter periods
of time.

There's no point in sitting around and thinking about becoming a

Digital Nomad for too long. You just need to do it. Make a list of what you need to do to
get to that point of freedom.

As far as work goes, you can be whatever you want to

be if you believe that's what you are. "I did that with medical writing," Liisa says. "You have
a lot of skills you don't know you have —you have to identify those skills and make
yourself an expert."

When Liisa was asked about how supportive her family was about her lifestyle, she told
Upwork blog writer Brennan Gamwell; "When we talk, they tell me, 'You guys are really
living life to the fullest". You can find the full blog post here.
Tropical MBA also has a great Podcast episode entitled "TMBA 277: How Does Location
Independence Affect Relationships and Families?" and it is a solid 40-minute interview with
Becky and Paul who are parents of 3 young kids.

In this podcast, Becky describes a time while living in Chiang Mai where her son required a
medical procedure. She speaks highly of the care her son received from Chiang Mai Ram
Hospital and discusses the experience at length. You can find that episode here.

Another podcast episode on the same blog is an interview with David and Carrie to learn
how they've managed the location independent lifestyle with two young boys. This
episode is entitled "TMBA 183: What is the Best Place for Location Independent Families?".

Their interview discusses insurance and health care, in addition to mindset, costs, and a
number of tips for parents ranging from what to take with you to how they found reliable
babysitters. At around 30:00 they talk about their medical experience in Chiang Mai,
Thailand.

"It's like a four-star hotel, and they happen to be treating you for something" - Carrie
McKeegan

You can find that podcast here.

In that TMBA podcast, Carrie McKeegan from Greenback Tax Services says she welcomes
questions about bringing a family to Asia, and you can find her contact information within
the podcast episode.

Here are a few key tips from a spread of Digital Nomad moms and dads that I've
encountered along the road;

 Buy any plastic items which come into contact with food or children's mouths (like
baby bottles, soothers, certain toys, plastic containers) in your home country; Many
plastic items for sale in Asia contain traces of lead and/or leech harmful chemicals
 Don't over pack; there are a lot of safe ways to entertain your kids wherever you
are, and over time your kids won't need to be coddled or constantly entertained
like they may have back home
  Scope out Chiang Mai Ram Hospital immediately, don't wait for an emergency -
Make sure they carry all of the medications your child needs, ask about
vaccinations, etc. so your child can stay on cycle with kids back home in developed
countries, while staying current with whatever additional vaccinations they need to
live safely in Asia
 International schools can be quite costly while local bilingual schools can also
provide excellent education and care for your children at a greatly reduced cost
 Bring one central "comfort item" for your child, instead of the whole toy box (and
don’t lose it!)
 Kids don't have life expectations; Don't worry, they won't feel like they're missing
anything and you shouldn't either

Here are a handful of schools to get you started; the one at the top of the list is a school
that a personal friend of mine took his children to. It's a quality school and is much more
affordable than the international schools I list after it.

264/1, Chang Klan Road, Nong Hoi, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can view information on Thai Visa here.

158/1 Moo 3 Hangdong-Samoeng Rd., T. Banpong, A. Hang Dong, Chiang Mai

You can find more information here.

234 Moo 3, T. Huay Sai, A. Mae Rim, Chiang Mai

You can find more information here.

Later in this book I will also make some suggestions for sightseeing destinations and many
of them will be kid-friendly.
Advance Preparation
Immunizations You Need
In addition to routine immunizations for your country, it is also advised that you undergo
the following immunizations before you enter Thailand:

 Hepatitis A ($65)
 Hepatitis B ($40)
 Typhoid ($45)
 Japanese Encephalitis ($230)
 Malaria (Prices subject to change)
 Rabies ($210)
 Yellow Fever ($150)
 Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio ($45)

These prices are based on vaccination cost in Canada, so you may find that vaccines are
cheaper or more expensive in your own country.

And it's a lot of money. Almost $1,000 for needles.

How to Save Money on Vaccinations
I did my vaccinations a little differently. I got the top 3 (Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid) in Canada
and paid Canadian prices. When I made a comment about costs for the lesser probable
diseases, my medical practitioner let me know informally that she is aware of a number of
seasoned travelers who get the same vaccines at drastically lower costs in the countries
they visit. Same vaccines.

So I looked around and the price list for the remaining vaccines now looks more like this:

 Japanese Encephalitis ($35 - $65)

 Rabies ($13)
 Yellow Fever ($40)
 Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio ($22)

And some additional vaccine prices while I'm at it:

 HPV (Gardasil) ($81)

 Typhoid ($11)
 Cholera ($19)
 Influenza ($12)

These prices are approximate, but you get the idea. It may be in your best interest to
explore getting some of your vaccines after arrival at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital. I'll provide
the address later.
Are Your Prescriptions Legal in Thailand?
Have you ever stopped to consider whether the drugs prescribed by your doctor legally
back home are legal in countries that you travel to?

This chapter is for those who require medications prescribed by their doctor to function.
People who decide to settle down for any period of time in Thailand are rarely aware that
treating conditions such as extreme pain, extreme anxiety or panic attacks will require a
little bit of advance planning and a basic understanding of Thai drug laws.

Not every drug that is legal with a prescription in your home country is legal in Thailand,
and you will need to carry a prescription with you at all times especially on a visa/border
run.

I provide this information as "hear-say" and editorial. This book does not contain legal
advice, or health advice, and I am not responsible for any consequences that may occur as
a result of reading this book.

 The name and address of the patient

 The identified medical condition
 The name of the medications and the reason that those medications were
prescribed for the patient's treatment
 The posology and total amount of medications prescribed
 The name, address, and license number of the prescribing physician

Drug/narcotic classifications vary from one country to another which can get a little
confusing. Let's look at Thailand's narcotic categories;

I. Heroin, amphetamines (ecstasy), methamphetamines ("yabba" and "Ice")

II. Morphine, codeine, methadone, opium and medicinal opium, ketamine, cocaine
III. Medicinal drugs which legally contain Category II ingredients
IV. Chemicals used to make Category I and II narcotics, like anhydride and acetyl chloride
V. Marijuana, the Kratom plant, hallucinogenic mushroom
  Drugs classified as narcotics that are available with a prescription in most
Westernized countries are generally prohibited in Thailand; meaning that Thailand's
Category II drugs can only be legally carried by a foreigner with a prescription
 The reason for this is because they have a high potential for abuse and are
generally dispensed with a number of restrictions, even in countries where they are
legal
 These drugs may be considered highly addictive, highly sedative, have appeal for
recreational use, fuel the black market, and can potentially be used to cause others
harm
 For example; benzodiazepines (ben-zo-dee-az-eh-peen) sold under brand names
such as Xanax or Valium became illegal in Thailand back in 2013 due to their
widespread use as a date rape drug

It is possible to acquire your prescribed medications in Thailand; however traditional legal

methods may prove difficult.

 Pharmacies are not legally allowed to sell any of these drugs to any person from
any country, regardless of your prescription or doctor's note (How do they know it's
legitimate? For your privacy your medical records are not shared with other
countries)
 Hospitals are the only place where you can acquire prescription drugs that are
otherwise illegal in Thailand, however they are only permitted to sell you 10 pills at
one time
 If you are carrying any prohibited drug in Thailand without a prescription you could
be taken to jail, bribed/extorted by police, or worse
 Public online forums are monitored for discussions surrounding the illegal
acquirement of these drugs in Thailand
 Popular destinations for young tourists such as the Full Moon Party are heavily
watched by uniformed and undercover Thai police looking for drug use and
transactions
 Travelers with a handful of medications which are prohibited in Thailand are
required to carry a permit issued by Thailand's own Food and Drug Administration
and are legally permitted to carry a 30 day prescribed usage (I have never met
anyone who has bothered with this permit as this permit is for the heavier
prescription drugs)
  Travelers carrying medications containing Thailand's Category II narcotics are
required to declare the medications they are carrying into/out of Thailand; again,
these drugs include Morphine, codeine, methadone, opium and medicinal opium,
ketamine, cocaine
 The most common drug prosecutions in Thailand involve street methamphetamines
(like "ice" or "yabba" and marijuana)
 Penalties generally range from 1 to 10 years for possession of illegal
methamphetamines and drug traffickers of this sort may face the death penalty,
however there is no death penalty involving marijuana

Stock up on medications before you arrive, and after arrival only carry a short supply on
your person at any given time.

I have been told by some older expats here in Thailand that they are able to receive their
prescriptions shipped from their home countries as long as the medications are all in the
pharmacy packaging, sealed, and are clearly labeled with the prescription information I
listed earlier.

 Do not buy drugs on the street, ever

 Expect to pay at least 30 baht per pill for common prescribed medications
 There is a Thai version of Xanax called "Interdrug"; yet shoddy drug manufacturing
could translate into irregular doses and cause harm or be far too weak to help you
 Stick with blister packs of generic or name brand drugs you are familiar with
 You must carry a prescription for your medications and not carry more than a 30-
day supply when you go on a visa/border run

I strongly suggest that you do not take recreational drugs in Thailand, however if you
choose to take any drug whether it be manufactured or grown; do not do so unless you've
settled in and you're comfortable with your surroundings.

I say this because there are places that openly consume recreational drugs, but it does not
mean you're safe. All recreational drugs including magic mushrooms and marijuana are
illegal in Thailand. The dirtier the drug, the harder the consequence.
If you are at a full moon party, do not purchase methamphetamines or any other street
drugs from locals. Recent events, attention, and scrutiny from the international community
have forced Thailand to increase its undercover operations.

If you have any desire to come to Thailand to get fucked up, I suggest that after watching
The Beach for the 12th time, watch Broke Down Palace, too.
How to Book Cheap Flights
In order to hop from one country to another for the lowest possible price, all it takes is
some a/b testing and about 15 - 30 minutes.

I suggest using SkyScanner for flight booking, however you may have a personal favorite
of your own already. This trick works on just about every travel website.

Clear your cache --that means everything since the beginning of time. Cookies,
history, cache, everything.

Before searching for a flight, adjust country / location settings. Explore costs for
different neighboring countries to your desired destination. You may need to reset the
website language after choosing a country near your destination from the drop-down on
the top right of their website homepage.

Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Consider browsing anonymously through the TOR Network, Incognito or Privacy

Mode, or trying a VPN in some of your tests. There is no hard lined combination that
works every single time, so be creative.

Clearing your cache and searching from another country whether by VPN or by website
location settings can have a positive effect on the cost of your flight booking.

Your browser shares a lot of information about you to websites you visit, and your online
explorations may put you in a higher cost bracket when it comes to buying airfare.

It is cheaper to pick up a flight to Chiang Mai after you arrive at either Bangkok airport
than it is to book your connecting flight to Chiang Mai from Bangkok in advance.

You could save around $200 - $400 just by booking your flight to Chiang Mai from
Bangkok in person in Bangkok, right at the airport. You can get a flight to Chiang Mai from
Bangkok for as low as $50.
Tools to Set Up in Advance
Before you go, some to-do list items are universal; Unlock your smart phone, backup
important data to the cloud, set up banking (with or without a giving someone power of
attorney are a joint cardholder), make copies of all important ID’s, flight details, doctor’s
notes, and so on. Bring copies with you and leave some at home.

I also suggest travelling with a utility bill that’s in your name, and a bank statement that
have been mailed to your home, back in your home country. You never know when you’ll
need “proof of address” to sign up for something.

These tools are pretty relative to whatever you might be doing in Chiang Mai. I’ll focus on
both day-to-day tools first, and then deliver a high-level overview of a few tools that might
help you make an income in a pinch. Affiliate links will follow.

World Nomads is an established “nomad-friendly” insurance company. They’re

international, and you can renew your insurance or file a claim online from wherever you
are.

They cover things like “adventure activities”, riding a motor bike, last minute hospital visits,
and even trip cancellations –this is unique, most insurance companies won’t, or the
deductible isn’t worth it.

I’ve personally had to make a claim for my first laptop death and they made it easy. (And
so did the tattoo shop in Ao Nang, Krabi who let me borrow their computer –the whole
process took about 5 minutes).

Set the date, and buy insurance online right after you pick up a plane ticket.

You can check out World Nomads here.

To keep track of expenses across multiple currencies, download Trip Wallet or Trail Wallet.

In order to send and receive money, pay bills, or invoice customers, there are a number of
great solutions available.
I strongly suggest setting up an account with these services prior to getting on a plane, as
you may require proof of address back home –hard to do in Thailand!

Because everyone has different needs, I will list them in order of popularity, and you can
take it from there.

Payoneer is a PayPal killer: Get a physical MasterCard prepaid debit card that you
can have shipped to an alternative shipping address –great if you lose your wallet
abroad, or if you’re a Canadian and can’t get (or don’t want) PayPal’s debit card.
Lower fees in most cases, sometimes no fee at all.

Plus, they really help with geoarbitrage – receive local bank transfers from your
international customers, as if you had a local bank account. View their site to learn
more.

With this link you get .

Transferwise gives you the actual exchange rate, has the lowest minimum transfer
requirement, and fastest turnaround I’ve ever experienced. Your most ideal solution
in case of emergencies, and you can send money via Facebook Messenger.

You can learn more about Transferwise here.

By far, Stripe is the most popular among developers and drop shippers due to its
robust API/merchant integrations that are available. I personally don’t use it at this
time, but I know it has a cult-like following.

You can learn more about Stripe here.

With Currency Fair you can either send money instantly, or choose your exchange
rate and wait for it. It’s a unique approach and a reliable alternative to Transferwise.

You can learn more about Currency Fair here.

 Everyone dislikes PayPal, and so do I. I’ve used them for years, and I’m still forced to
more than I’d like –IMHO they like to randomly freeze accounts and bully their
clients, but for many, they are a required evil.

You can learn more about PayPal here.

Coins.ph is a little-known gem and ideal for quick hops to the Philippines; it’s got a
great app, works with Bitcoin, extremely low fees, has a virtual Visa debit card for
making purchases, can be used or signed-up for internationally, provides cash-back
on most purchases or bill payments, can be topped up at 7-11 in the Philippines or
by Bitcoin, allows card-less withdrawals at Philippines Security Bank ATM machines,
and is recognized by major international ecommerce brands even though it’s a
Philippines-based company.

You can learn more about Coins here.

Some websites in Thailand are censored, and regionalized content from around the world
may not be viewable from your location. In any case, your internet traffic could be
manipulated or recorded whenever you go online.

A VPN is a great security tool, and it will allow you to browse the internet from another
location. Viewing content from another location virtually will quite often allow you to view
regionalized content from another region. A VPN is just another layer of security when it
comes to internet browsing, however it is not a complete security solution.

A VPN is also great for Digital Nomads that may or may not be informing their clients or
employers that they are taking their home-based operation to the tropics!

At a browser level, I use ZenMate, which is a browser plugin available for every
popular web browser that will make it appear that you are viewing the web from
another location. Locations include the United States, Canada, Germany,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, China, and others. It’s a great, lightweight solution for
watching regionalized online TV, banking, etc. Check out ZenMate here.
 Some of the popular VPN services suggested to me by fellow nomads include:

 Hide My Ass
 TunnelBear
 Private Internet Access

There are a handful of browser plugins I use daily, in addition to ZenMate. They’re less
travel-centric, but equally useful no matter what you’re doing.

Boomerang allows you to configure Gmail to send emails at set times throughout
the day in another time zone, creating the illusion that you’re working the same
hours as everyone else. When dealing with businesses in my home country, I
typically check email once per day, after I am finished my work for the day and
before I head out.

Check out Boomerang here.

Discoverly is a great tool for learning a little more about who you are
corresponding with. It pulls together information from recipient social accounts and
displays them as an easy-to-read baseball card style fact card on the right hand
side of your browser.

Comes in real handy when sending cold emails to people with names that suit
either gender like Chris or Taylor!

I used to love and endorse Rapportive for this type of service, however at this time
Discoverly is a cut above. Discoverly also works on Angel List, Linked In, Facebook,
Twitter, and Crunchbase, too.

Check out Discoverly here.

Your life back home is far from over; credit card bills, client correspondence, incoming
checks, and other mail will continue to come your way.

If you’ve got a trusted friend or relative who can pick up your mail, a post office box may
be sufficient.

Personally, I don’t feel comfortable mailing letters from Thailand to my home

country. I’ve received mail no problem, although it took two months to arrive and it
was just a couple photos (nothing with monetary value).

If you’d like to use a reliable mail service located in the US to mail out a letter to
anywhere in the world starting at around $1.50 USD, try Mail a Letter.

Simply use their WYSIWYG editor or upload your letter digitally and they will mail it
from their office within 1 business day. Your letter will arrive a lot faster and you’ll
avoid the two months of nail biting while you wait to hear if your mail reached its
recipient.

Check out Mail-a-Letter here.

PO Box Zone is like a PO Box on steroids. It has everything you’d expect from a PO
Box, with additional services such as letter scanning and forward –all via a handy
online interface. Scanned mails can also be easily updated to your Dropbox or any
other cloud service.

Check out PO Box Zone here.

If your correspondence is more sensitive in nature (i.e. financial information) or

you’re might have a higher volume of incoming mail and need more support, I
recommend creating an account with US-based Earth Class Mail.

Earth Class Mail is a mail forwarding service that can open and scan mail contents
on request so you can access it from wherever you are.
 They will also cash checks for you, allow unlimited registered users, ship items to
wherever in the world you are, provide storage, and will securely shred items at
request.

Check out Earth Class Mail here.

Shipito is another great service that will allow you to shop in the USA and have your
packages forwarded to wherever you are. Just beware of duty fees at the Thai
border, they’re pretty random.

You can check out Shipito here.

If you’re not going to use Earth Class Mail, you might want to empower a trusted friend or
relative with the ability to cash checks and deposit money into an account you share.

This is great for business purposes, and even better in emergencies. You can do this by
either giving someone Power of Attorney or making them a second card holder on an
account before you go.

So, what’s the plan? Coming home to tie up loose ends is expensive, so if you think you’re
going to want to have a business license in the future, pick one up now.

If you don’t use your business license, you typically don’t need to file taxes for it. And if
you’re looking at getting into drop shipping, you’ll need one.

Otherwise, most of us make money as sole proprietors under a certain amount and that
doesn’t require a license. Some opportunities do. Plan ahead!

It is possible in many cases to port existing phone numbers over to VOIP solutions, and
offer a consistent experience with clients after you relocate.
 Download Fongo onto your smartphone –as a Canadian, I get a free local number,
free unlimited local incoming and outgoing calls, and customizable voicemail. I use
this for all of my business-related stuff, and it’s the number I post on my website(s).

Check out Fongo here.

Get a Skype In number in your home country, voicemail, and call forwarding to your
Thai cell phone number. I used to use Skype with a NYC number, but Fongo suits
my needs much better because Skype doesn’t offer Canadian numbers.

Check out Skype here.

Grasshopper is favored by my friends in the drop shipping community because of

its advanced features and ease of use. Port your existing number, get a vanity toll-
free or local number, forward calls, add department/employee extensions, send
texts, and have voicemails transcribed and sent to your email.

Grasshopper destroys Skype in terms of features; it’s per-minute cost is a bit higher,
but the monthly fee is lower for what you’re getting. The lowest-priced package
includes a toll-free number, unlimited extensions, voicemail, call forwarding,
screening, etc. for $12/month, and 6 cents per minute.

You can learn more about Grasshopper here.

There’s a million productivity lists on the web already, so I’ll just chime in with a few that I
use on a regular basis. And since everyone knows what Asana, Trello, Basecamp, and
Evernote are, I figure I’ll save the e-ink.

Piktochart is like Canva, except they have a flat rate for unlimited use in addition to
their free offering. No more paying $1 per image –either pay $29 per month, or
$250 per year flat. I use it for most of our Pinterest images, and snazzy infographics
like this one.
 You can find Piktochart here.

I mentioned Viddyoze earlier in this guide in the “make emergency money” section.
Viddyoze is like Canva for video and costs $67 one-time for a commercial license
(unlimited renderings) and an additional $37 per month for unlimited access to
their premium template marketplace called the Template Club.

It’s pretty rad. You can view some demo videos here, buy a license here, and then
opt for the Template Club here.

I’ve talked a lot about Pinterest in this update, so it’s only natural I include one of
the best Pinterest automation tools I’ve used to date.

Board Booster uses the native Pinterest user-interface to automate your pins and
keep engagement (and click-throughs to your website) coming. Automate pins, re-
pins, and set custom criteria with this simple tool.

You can learn more about Board Booster here.

Another “runner-up” to Board Booster worth checking out is called Tailwind, which
also works for Instagram –you can learn more about here.

There are a number of apps which are popular in Asia among locals and/or nomads. Feel
free to explore each, as you’ll likely wind up meeting someone who suggests connecting
on Line or Viber. And Tinder is popular in Asia, too. Who knew?

Most importantly, your central asset while on the road is your data. Make sure everything
is backed up in the cloud, on an external hard drive in your pack, and consider leaving an
external hard drive back home for those memories that date back to before you made
your exit. I also suggest diversifying your data across cloud solutions.

No links provided for the following mobile applications because they span different
platforms; instead you can search for them in your app store of choice for more
information.
 Evernote – Store everything
 Google Translate –Translate everything
 Google Maps –Find everything
 Google Adsense –Track ad revenue
 PayPal –Get ripped off daily
 Coins.ph –Neato app, works with Bitcoin
 YouTube –Cat videos!
 Duolingo –Learn most languages
 Air Bnb –Find a place to crash, get $20 free at signup with this link

 Box
 Dropbox
 iCloud
 Google Drive
 MEGA Cloud Storage

 Sherpa –Quick visa information

 Skyscanner –Compare flights
 FlightAware –Live tracking of flights
 QuakeFeed –Earthquake monitoring, you never know
 Grab –Asia’s Uber competitor

 Fongo –Cheap/free VOIP

 Skype –The classic
 Viber –It’s purple!

 Slack –Join my Slack channel

 Line –Asia’s version of What’s App
 Viber –It’s purple!
 WhatsApp –Because it’s popular
 BoOola –Chat just for travelers
What to Pack for Your Journey
Deciding what to bring with you is the hardest part of going Nomad, and I know this
handbook caters to a wide variety of people from young Millennials to retiring Baby
Boomers. I am going to cover the bones; your travel necessities.

Do not worry about forgetting anything, and do not become overly obsessed with your
packing list. Do not pack for eventualities or “just in case” situations.

Despite my own previous fascination with scouring the web for digital nomad packing lists
(Google search link), the truth is that most "must-have" travel accessories aren't, and you
could survive just as easily and affordably if you were born yesterday and sent to Thailand
without anything but the clothes on your back and your passport. Affiliate links will follow.

I've been able to travel with nothing but a carry on for years, and I still re-evaluate my
belongings before every relocation in a vain attempt to reduce the load. With a few
exceptions, you can pack for a week of travel and work it out after the fact –although my
list covers things for all walks of life so you might want to omit some things.

Those wheeled suitcases don't bode well in Southeast Asia due to high pedestrian traffic
and uneven, obstacle-course like "sidewalks". Using bulky suitcases obligate you to find a
place to check-in right after your arrival, whereas a good backpack will allow you to rove
around town and settle in before deciding where to hang your head for the night.

The key to remember is to disregard anything you do not need when you want to move
somewhere. There are groups on Facebook to trade goods between those arriving and
those leaving which are great for this.

Less is more, and spending less on "stuff" (aka "filler") will free up hard earned cash for
select, authentic, quality items that will last longer, can be repaired, carry a lifetime
warranty, leave a lasting impression, etc.

As mentioned previously, 7-Eleven carries just about every toiletry, personal care, or
hygiene item you may need while in Thailand so I only included items you need during
transit in this list.
And if you're going to bring any "refillable" items --a best example being a razor-- don't. A
lot of the products available back home are different from those in Thailand and may not
be compatible.

Lastly, carry a nylon dry bag in case you need to carry smelly items or get caught in the
rain (or a Songkran soaker parade) and keep all of your papers in an easily accessible
place, separate from other belongings.

 Only use a carry-on, never check your luggage (unless you brought a blender!)
 Don't carry items you rarely use and can acquire on the ground for cheap (i.e.
raincoat, basic medicines)
 Carry a nylon water-proof bag to protect specific items from getting wet

Below you’ll find everything you need for your journey, and then some. I’ve used affiliate
links, but please don’t think for one minute that I added anything to this list for the sake of
a commission. It takes years to build a reputation, and only one wrong product placement
to lose it forever.

When the updated swipe file comes out (the free stuff I mentioned that you can get for
signing up for my mailing list) I will include a generic packing list to make this easier for
you.

I selected two backpacks for this line item, however I only use (and am in love with) the
first option.

The second option is presented because it looks like a great product, and was actually
developed by Nomads, for Nomads through a Kickstarter campaign some years ago.

The Osprey Farpoint 70 is a little large for my needs, and I keep it 2/3 full at all
times, except for when I visit home. That 1/3 of space will be great for gifts for
nieces and nephews.
This pack meets several key requirements I think all of you may need to consider
when making your backpack purchase(s).

The Osprey Farpoint's ability to open "clam shell" style allows for non-linear access
to your items. Simply put, no first-in-first-out nonsense, digging through your bag
at inconvenient times, etc. You can open part of the bag, or you can peel back the
entire top flap of the bag for equal access to objects anywhere within it.

The Osprey Farpoint also comes with a detachable day pack which I use every day,
only using the larger portion of the pack for relocations.

The day pack will fit a laptop (from a Mac Air to a bulky Lenovo), assorted
electronics, journals, maps, books, change of clothes, shoes, etc.

You can also detach the day pack from the face of the Osprey Farpoint and strap it
to the front of your body while still being connected to the central pack on your
back. This is great for crowded areas when you don't want your laptop packed out
of your peripheral vision.

Osprey packs a lifetime warranty with each of its backpack models, which to me,
says a lot. It's one less thing to worry about. They sell Osprey bags at Maya Mall in
Chiang Mai, too. It's quite likely you could arrange a swap in an emergency if you
call Osprey directly. If not, ship it back and they'll replace it.

Technically, the 70-liter Osprey Farpoint shouldn't be an acceptable carry on.

Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. However, I've been able to get away with it on every flight
I've taken this bag on in over 2 years. The reason? It can transform into a duffel bag.

All of the bulky straps and be tucked away easily behind a giant flap that is hidden
at the bottom of the bag. Once the straps are out of the way and you use the side
handle with the flap side out, the bag appears much more streamlined and fits
easily into the overhead compartment.
 Your only obstacle is weight, but I've also been lucky in that my bag has never been
weighed, and I can squeeze it into the metal cage used to determine carry-on size
allowance. The trick is to act like the bag is really light and hide your wincing!

If you're concerned about not being able to pull off using the Farpoint 70 as a
carry-on, you and I could both easily get away with using a Farpoint 55.

A bag I do not use, but one I respect and thinking of giving a shot now that I live
fulltime in Asia as I married a local in the Philippines and my travel time away from
home base is shorter.

The Minaal 35 liter pack is engineered to be the ultimate carry on and also looks a
little more "flash packer" --meaning it's easy on the eyes, and is a high quality pack.

It too is a clamshell bag, allows you to zip away straps, fits all major airline carry-on
dimensions, and also comes with a slide-on rain cover. Electronics stored within it
are also housed in a suspended sleeve, so not matter which way it hits the ground,
your gear won't pay the ultimate price.

No day pack though, so for now, I will stick with my Osprey.

I keep all of my important documents inside a wallet inside a waterproof toiletry style bag.
If I required any medications, I'd keep them there with copies made of their prescriptions,
too.

Worth mention is that I have two wallets; one for all of my needs on the road, and a light-
weight standard wallet for when I go out.

My larger wallet is a "#balla" wallet, also designed by Nomads for Nomads (Terry Lin). It
can easily store a number of cards, currencies, passport and you can store your Departure
Card without folding it.

The #balla wallet is now called the Baller wallet, and you can pick one up here.
Some items I keep together in my documents bag include;

 Boarding pass
 Passport
 Copies: Passport, cards, ID, itinerary
 Thailand Departure card
 Cash in 2 or 3 different currencies (lately Kip, USD, and Thai baht)
 SIM cards for every country I visit
 Extra passport photos
 Bank cards and credit cards
 Rabbit subway pass for when in Bangkok
 ID from home country such as Driver's License, Health Card, etc.
 2 pieces of mail to my home address in Canada; utility bill and bank statement for
new account verification purposes (i.e. Payoneer signup)

Many long-distance flights (on Etihad, for instance) will provide you with sleep masks,
toothbrushes, toothpaste, and so on. This list is for anyone who doesn't want to chance it;

 Toothbrush
 Toothpaste
 Floss
 Eye mask
 Inflatable neck pillow
 Cologne
 Antiperspirant
 Condoms
 Gravol (for stomach issues or as a sleep aid)
 Wahl electric beard trimmer
 Earplugs
 Travel towel (microfiber)
 Nail clippers (once had to leave them behind at airport security)

Smart phones free up a lot of space. Travelers can eliminate additional items like a
portable WIFI hotspot, MP3 player, and video player with a good smart phone.
Ensure that your smart phone is unlocked to work with any carrier and can tether its data
connection to your laptop by cable or wirelessly via WIFI or Bluetooth.

It is now legal to be able to unlock your smartphone in the USA and Canada. Unlocking
means allowing the phone to work with any carrier, "jail breaking" is something else
entirely.

When I came to Thailand, my Canadian carrier had a steep cancellation fee so I gave my
phone away to a friend and had them resume my contract. I picked up a used phone in
Bangkok at MBK, but you can pick one up anywhere.

They sell cheap burners at 7-Eleven, although smart phones and all other electronics are
generally the same price in Thailand as they are back home –sometimes more. This caught
me off guard, I figured they’d be cheaper; only the knock-offs are, unfortunately.

 Smart phone (Get your phone unlocked by your carrier in advance!)

 Mac Air (dropping Apple for a Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition with Ubuntu)
 Additional portable LCD monitor
 External hard drive
 3x 128 GB USB stick, 1 with my operating system on it for quick reformats
 Portable speaker with built-in battery (also available at 7-Eleven)
 Kindle ebook reader
 Earphones
 GoPro Hero 5 with watertight case
 USB rechargeable battery pack / power bank
 Next purchase: Hover Camera Passport Drone

Special Note for Udemy Instructors, Podcasters, and other Media Producers: While there
are a handful of recording studios in Chiang Mai, it might be best to pack your own
additional recording gear or tablet you use as a teleprompter.

In hindsight, I learned that when it comes to clothing you could arrive with two sets of
clothing and pick up the rest on arrival for the most part. Dress shirts can be custom made
for cheap, and t-shirts, flip-flops, shorts, swim shorts, etc. can all be purchased after you
settle in on a need-to-wear basis. Big C has some pretty alright leather sandals with great
support for $10.
However, if winging it was your thing, you wouldn't be reading this travel guide! Today,
this is what I carry and it’s a bit excessive;

 1 pair of socks
 3 pairs of shorts
 3 pair swim shorts for the pool or working out
 1 pair pants/jeans to travel in
 5 t-shirts
 7 underwear
 1 belt
 1 medium weight sweater

I strongly suggest that anything which is normally cotton --make it Merino wool. Merino
wool pulls moisture away from the body in ways cotton never could, it reduces or
eliminates odors naturally, regulates temperature (warms you in cold, cools you in heat),
and it retains its shape much better than cotton. Merino is also stain and UV resistant, so it
ages gracefully. Anything you purchase in Merino wool will outlive its cotton competitor by
many years.

So that means Merino wool is ideal for t-shirts, socks, and underwear. Some popular
Merino brands include Icebreaker, ExOfficio, Patagonia, and Ibex.

For stylish pants, I strongly recommend Bluffs. They are incredibly durable, wrinkle-free
even after being balled up in a bag for 2 weeks, quick-drying, machine washable, and very
breathable which makes them ideal for warmer climates. If you choose to only bring one
pair of pants, these are ideal for work or pleasure.

 Notebooks
 Pen
 Pencil
 Dry-erase marker for windows and the fridge
 Colored pencils
 Pencil sharpener
 Water canteen (for water refill stations)
I brought shoes with me, however I picked up my sandals in Pai. There's a really great
street vendor that sells flip-flops in Pai that are made completely out of comfortable yet
durable rubber. Just about every vendor sells flip-flops, so you could likely skip packing
them initially.

I now own three pairs of footwear;

 Blundstone boots for travel, inclement weather, and travel in dangerous places
 Jogging shoes that double as "water shoes"
 Quality rubber/leather flip-flop sandals

I love my Blundstone boots because they come with a two-year extended manufacturer's
warranty and they slip on without laces that can wear and break. The road is long and
dirty; these boots are easily cleaned and more comfortable than a pair of Doc Martens.
Find New Project Opportunities in Advance
There are a whole lot of Digital Nomads in Chiang Mai right now. Some of them came
prepared, others didn't, and many have decided to rearrange their careers out here --or
go in a completely new direction altogether.

As a result of this eclectic mix of people under a wide range of circumstances, you've got
yourself some opportunities to set yourself up in advance.

When you're back home you are likely living a low-risk life, working the same job every
day, earning Western money and hoarding it away for your trip. Good.

This affords you a unique opportunity that I've rarely seen anyone post in a group or
leverage to date: Meet people online in advance, learn about their pain points, and offer to
help.

It sounds pretty simple, but so few people do this. They come here expecting to start from
scratch when they may not need to.

For example; if you're a programmer, find someone who needs some help. Offer to help
others before you get on a plane so you have something to setup and work towards in
advance. Hell, they might even hook you up with an apartment or be your roommate.
Nothing beats doing something you love, and having like-minded people around.
Seriously. Imagine that morning cup of coffee talking about your passion project. I do it
every day; it’s fun, exciting, and purposeful.

1. You make friends much easier.

2. You could create a sustainable income in advance.

3. You could trade your specialized skills for equity.

That last point is really, really important for some people. I'd say that computer
programmers are probably the nomad faction that could benefit from this sort of
arrangement the most. Eeee. Ok, I take that back –internet marketers with a track record
(proof) could, too.

It's easier for some to make friends online before meeting, and everyone needs a
developer or internet marketer with some experience under their belt. Lots of Sean
Parker's and "idea people" out this way. Find one you work well with and hold on tight.

Try posting in a group or forum and keep it simple;

"Hi, I'm a programmer heading to Chiang Mai in June 2018. I am really good at x, y, z. I am
looking for a project that I can begin now so I am all set and won't be a needy nomad. I
am offering x hours per week for a share of equity. Let's talk –oh, and I’ll need help getting
a pad".

No matter what you're into, there's a great opportunity to make friends in advance, so give
it a try. Introducing yourself with a question like that instead of "Where can I find an
apartment?" will earn you some respect. Show us the money.

And then there’s Angel List, Remote|OK, and Remotive; not every job available is a remote
nomad-friendly gig on Angel List, but it works.

We get the same questions every day, so trying this method will allow you to stand out
from the pack and demonstrate that you're not just another Digital Nomad Fanboy or Girl.
You're the real deal. Most people just circle the runway.
Travel Visas
Suitable Visa Types
Once you've acquired your passport, you will need to select the appropriate visa. There are
5 primary visas available to foreigners:

 Tourist Visa (TR)

 Education Visa (ED)
 Business Visa (B)
 Dependent Visa (O)
 Retirement Visa (O-A)

There are really only two visa designations you will need to consider to start out as a
Digital Nomad and they are: Tourist (TR) or Education (ED).

Can you handle the commitment of learning either the Thai language or self-defense in
Chiang Mai, or is a commitment like this not ideal for you at this time?

If it's a commitment to learn a language or Muay Thai classes you want, get an education
visa and feel free to jump ahead in the book.

If you need to keep your head down and focus on your income (i.e. no education visa),
please continue to the chapter called "How to Get a Tourist Visa".

If you would like to learn about retiring in Thailand (over 50), I suggest you take a look at
this.

You cannot get a Thai visa in Thailand. A visa exempt stamp you get on arrival if you come
without a Tourist visa is not a visa, it's simply a waiver. If you're from a country that is
eligible for an "on arrival" visa stamp, this is what you get. But it isn't a visa.

Important note on staying longer than your visa legally allows:

If you depart Thailand after the "admitted until" stamp in your passport, each day you are
in Thailand past this date will require you to pay a fine of 500 baht per day. The maximum
is 25,000 baht and consequences vary to a slap on the wrist to being deported. Keep an
eye on your stamps and no matter which visa you choose --be sure to set calendar events
in your smart phone.

If you give up your passport for a bike rental, make a calendar alert on your phone.

This is for most of the people who are reading this –you’re likely going to get a Tourist
Visa.

You should be able to get a Double-Entry or Triple Entry Tourist Visa in your home
country, and that will buy you a lot more time before you need to start making border
runs and visa runs.

You can no longer get a double-entry outside your home country, in most cases. Not
getting one before you leave your own country is such a wasted opportunity. That means
a visa run to Laos, at the time of writing, will only get you a Single Entry visa.

If you plan on being here 3 weeks+ pick up a Double Entry (or even a Triple Entry) visa in
your home country. It could save you some serious hassles later, should anything
unexpected happen.

I’m a big fan of Sherpa and their blog; their app boasts always-up-to-date visa
requirements and information, and they can also simplify visa acquisition.

For example, you can watch a video that demonstrates how they can help you apply for a
Vietnam visa in 30 seconds here.

From their website; “Sherpa’s mobile apps make it easy to sort out travel documentation.
Select your passport(s), and see your travel visa and vaccination requirements at a glance.
You can even apply for a visa from your phone. Focus on the beach, not the bureaucracy.”

There’s a small fee for the service, but anything that simplifies the visa process (and
prevents you from getting deported) is worthwhile.

You can find their website here.

How to Get a Tourist Visa
The best tourist visa one can get is the one with the longest validity, the lowest risk, and
the least responsibility. In this case that's a "Triple Entry" Tourist visa.

Some countries are not able to pick up a Triple Entry Tourist visa in their home country, in
which case I suggest picking up a Double Entry Tourist visa.

To find out if your country even has a Thai consulate/embassy and discover what visas you
are eligible for, you can view the updated list at thaiembassy.org.

The price varies for each country, and a sample of 3 consulates around the globe state the
cost per-entry for a Thai Tourist visa is $40 in United States and Canada, $45 in Australia,
and £25 in England. (UK information here).

1. On Arrival Visa (15 to 30 days)

2. Double Entry (4 months)

3. Triple Entry (6 months)

In the past, travelers would simply leave and come back repeatedly, obtaining many "on
arrival" visas in a row however that is no longer a guarantee.

If you’re going to risk it and do back-to-back border runs, get an extension at Chiang Mai
Immigration in between (and don’t slack on the wardrobe, it goes a long way).

I lived in Thailand for about 3 years on my last go before heading to the Philippines and
then a short visit to Canada. I also had several over-stays. I got an extension every time my
visa was about to expire.

Think about that –3 years. Some people I’ve met in Laos complain they can’t get two visas
back to back.
How did I do this? I made myself look like “the right kind of tourist”. Appearance goes a
long way.

Shave, wear nice shoes, and a nice button-up shirt. Be incredibly friendly. Be a model
citizen if only for five minutes and ignore the amount of slack in the wardrobe department
others around you are doing. Your visa is your challenge, and no one else’s.

It is up to the Immigration department and border patrol whether you’re allowed to stay
longer, so I respected the law. I just threw in a little social engineering.

Thai authorities are clamping down on long-term visitors and have indicated that the
correct route for longer stays (30+ days) would be to obtain a proper Tourist visa in a
neighboring country if you don't already have one before you arrive. And if you already
live in Chiang Mai, the best place to get a Single-Entry Tourist visa is in Vientiane, Laos.

So, if you intend to stay longer than 30 days, buy your visa in advance, in your home
country if you are eligible.

If you do not purchase a proper Double or Triple Entry Thai Tourist visa in advance in your
home country, it is suggested that you get a proper Single Entry tourist visa in Vientiane
during the first 15 to 30 days of your visit.

Countries that currently qualify for a Tourist visa on arrival to Thailand:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America,
Vietnam. (Visit thaiembassy.org for the most recent and up-to-date information).
The benefit of purchasing a proper Double or Triple Entry Tourist visa are:

1. Less visits to the border.

2. You reduce the risk of being turned away at the border during a "border run" like
people who string together multiple "visa on arrival".

It is mandatory to leave the country and end one of your "entries" every sixty days, and
then re-enter the Kingdom of Thailand to begin a new "entry".

Be sure to verify these requirements with the Thai embassy in your home country, these
are from the Canadian Thai Embassy:

1. Passport, travel document or certificate of identity with validity not less than 6 months
(Damaged, invalid or altered passports will not be accepted).

2. Visa application form completely filled out with applicant's signature.

3. Recent 2" x 2" photograph of the applicant (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat
or from vending machine will not be accepted).

4. A copy of round-trip ticket or itinerary (I was able to do this with a one-way ticket in
Canada, and with no ticket for anything in Vientiane).

In Vientiane, a Single Entry Thai Tourist (TR) Visa is 1,000 baht per entry.
Stretch Your Tourist Visa
A Double or Triple Entry Tourist visa require you to do a border run every 60 days. A
double entry is valid for 120 days (4 months) and a triple entry is valid for 180 days (6
months).

However, if you go to a local Immigration office and pay 1,900 baht before a scheduled
border run, you can extend each entry an additional 30 days.

Ideally, you're maximizing a 6-month Tourist visa and turning it into a 9-month Tourist
visa.

So let's recap.

To get the most out of a Tourist visa for Thailand, follow this schedule as closely as
possible:

Enter Thailand on Triple Entry Visa acquired in your home country.

After 60 days in Thailand, purchase 30-day extension for 1,900 baht.

After extension expires, do border run.

After 60 days in Thailand, purchase 30-day extension for 1,900 baht.

After extension expires, do border run.

After 60 days in Thailand, purchase 30-day extension for 1,900 baht.

After extension expires, go to Vientiane, Laos for a new Single Entry Visa run.

In total, you're looking at about $350 - $400 in visa fees and transport over a 9-month
period to keep your passport shipshape.

Not every country is qualified for a Triple Entry Tourist Visa. In these cases, I suggest
obtaining a Double Entry visa in your home country prior to arrival, which you can stretch
from 4 months to 6 months if you use the extension strategy above.
When traveling on a Tourist visa, make sure you've always got a minimum of $2,000 USD
in the bank within easy reach at all times.

Officials are required to do random spot-checks to ensure you have access to 20,000 baht
at any given time, or 40,000 baht per family.

I've never been asked, but here’s where that wardrobe counts –I look money. I’ve seen
people hungover at the border wearing dirty, smelly clothes get asked for proof of what’s
in their bank account, and the panic on their faces is palpable.

The 20,000 – 40,000 baht required by the government is less than I suggest having access
to because you never know when you're going to find yourself in a tight situation.

Providing proof of funds is usually done with a bank machine statement, right there at the
border.
How to Get a Tourist Visa Extension
Getting a Tourist visa exemption is simple, although time-consuming. It isn't very fun, so
let's keep this chapter short and sweet for brevity.

You already know that getting an extension is a great way to dodge a visa run or a border
run for another 30 days, and you know that staying over the date on your stamp will run
you 500 baht per day.

1. Go to Immigration before 8 am (at the latest) and bring a pen, your passport, departure
card, and a business card with the address of wherever you're staying with you (guest
house, resort, apartment complex, etc.). Dress up a little, try to look like the "kind of tourist
Thailand wants". You can pick up everything else you need like photocopies and photos on
site.

Photo by Nick Conneff

If you're taking notes, here's the address for Chiang Mai's Immigration Department which
relocated to Promenada Resort Mall on July 20, 2015:

Chiang Mai 192 - 193 Tumbon Tasala, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50000

You can view the mall website here, and the Chiang Mai Immigration website here.

2. Pick up a number from Immigration employee who is front and center in the waiting
room, or standing outside.

3. Pick up necessary forms from the front desk inside immigration, look for the one that
says "Tourist Visa Extension".

4. Get photos taken at the nearby photo center, or be prepared and get them done in
advance.

5. Fill out your form, both sides, affix photo, grab a coffee.

6. When your number is called and you're going up for the first time; have 1,900 baht in
hand, your completed forms, and passport with departure card ready to go.

7. Sit back down, wait some more.

8. Now they'll call you by your mispronounced name and nationality about 15 - 45 minutes
later, so listen carefully from wherever you landed.

And that's it. No matter where you wake up, just be on time and have your passport and
cash ready —the rest is easy.
How to Get an Education Visa and Learn Thai
If you are open to learning the Thai language you may want to consider an education visa
(ED visa). You can set it up in advance, or arrive on a tourist visa and then visit your school
in person to work out your ED visa requirements and enroll. (Most people prefer the
latter). Private language schools can help you obtain your education visa and enroll you in
a Thai language course with one fee so instead of getting into the minutiae, I figured I'd
provide you with an all-in-one solution.

Educational visas have been abused in the past, and as a result

Thai Immigration will feel you out when you report to them. They will speak to you in Thai,
and not being able to communicate the basics will get your visa revoked --it's not a good
scene. If you go this route, please be sure to make a solid effort to learn the language.
Flexible schedules are available.

The following four private language schools are based in Chiang Mai:

Address: 6/4-5 Nimmanhaemin Rd. Suthep, Mueng, Chiang Mai

Tel: 053-400-980 -1

You can visit their website here.

Address: 86/2 Kaewnawarat Rd. T. Watkate, A. Muang Chiang Mai

Tel: 053-266-295 -6, 081-885-4144

You can visit their website here, and learn about their TEFL program here.

Address: 12 Huay Kaew Rd., Tambol Chang Puek, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai

Tel: 053-405-3934

You can visit their website here.

 3 hours per day for 15 days’ group class for 4,500 baht. Also great if you're on a
Tourist visa and want to learn the language anyway, however they do offer an ED
visa as well.

Located at Pantip Plaza near the food court - 152/1 Chang Klan Road Chiang Mai

You can visit their website here.

1. Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months.

2. Visa application form completely filled out.

3. Recent passport photo of the applicant.

4. Recommendation letter addressed to the Consulate.

5. Letter of acceptance from the concerned academic institute/organization.

6. For those wishing to study in a Private institution, an official letter from the Ministry of
Education of Thailand, or other sub-authorities concerned, approving the enrollment of
foreign students and a copy of registration certificate of the concerned academic institute
are required.

7. Academic record and the Student ID (if you are already studying).

8. For those wishing to attend seminar, or training session, or internship, a

recommendation letter from the concerned organization addressed to the Consulate is
also required.

Consular officers do reserve the right to request additional documents as they deem them
necessary.

The validity of a visa is 3 months. Extension of the Visa is done every 90 days and may
(almost certainly) will require a verbal or written test. These sort of extensions have a
tendency to gobble up an entire day so dress comfortably.
If you think self-defense would be a more enriching attribute of Thai culture to learn
about, you might appreciate this little-known gem. Few people are aware that an
Education (ED) visa can be granted for other select private courses, such as self-defense.

Hand to Hand Combat School is operated in Chiang Mai by Jongjet "Jet" Pungsai and
qualifies students for an Education (ED) visa in Thailand.

Jet is a member of the Royal Thai Army Military Police, and bodyguard for celebrities and
government officials nationwide.

Personally, I can’t wait to contact Jet for Muay Thai.

I’ve suggested him since day one and the guy is way understated. When the next dark
alley, or asshole with bad intentions springs, you’ll be much better prepared. The language
is good for a time, but learning to defend yourself is for life.

Keep Jet in the back of your mind. I have no affiliation; we’ve only spoken once back in
2015. But even then, I knew I’d knock on his door one day.

Consider arriving on a Tourist visa and then meeting with Jet to sign up for a course and
obtain an ED visa.

Address: 63/15 Tambon Watket Ampure, Mueng Chiang Mai

You can visit his website here.

Border Run vs Visa Run
These terms get flung around all the time, and there is a difference.

It is when a traveler needs to leave the country and return; you can literally walk out of
Thailand, and back in again. A border run can typically be done in a single day, while
others may like to make a trip or a holiday out of it. It's about 5 hours from Chiang Mai to
the Myanmar border (Mae Sai).

All of the bus operators know what you’re up to, so just say “I need to do a border run, I
don’t need a new visa –just border crossing” and boom. You’re good.

If a traveler has the suggested Double or Triple Entry visa, a border run is just about
starting another entry and resetting the clock of 60 days to your extension, 90 days until
your next border run.

A visa run is when you are picking up a new visa in a neighboring country, not a visa
exemption stamp on arrival. Vientiane, Laos is the most conveniently placed Thai embassy
for people in Chiang Mai that will allow foreigners to get a proper Single Entry Tourist Visa
for Thailand. They used to do Double Entry Visas –not anymore. So I strongly suggest you
get a Double Entry Visa for Thailand in your home country before you arrive, because
they’re a pain in the ass for newbies.

A Double Entry visa can be stretched from 4 months to last 6 months, so you will not need
to visit Vientiane for 6 months past your arrival.

All buses and airplanes are skin-numbingly cold. They also use cold air to
reduce window fogging. Bring a sweater and wear comfortable pants --trust me, you'll
appreciate this little nugget down the line.
Border Run from Chiang Mai
Fill out the departure card you got on arrival, book round trip tickets to Mae
Sai with Green Bus, keep 500 baht aside for entry into Myanmar + spending money. Most
7-11 employees will know how to do this at the cashier terminal. No shit, you can book
them at a 7-11, few know this. If your local 7-11 staff are confused by your request and can’t
accomplish this, just go to a travel company.

Mae Sai is the closest border town to Chiang Mai in terms of a border run. It borders on
Myanmar, and is a 5-hour drive from Chiang Mai.

Bus tickets are available through Green Bus at participating 7-Eleven locations, Arcade Bus
Terminal 3, and online here.

Once you arrive at Mae Sai bus station, hop on a local 15 baht songthaew (green or red
bus) or tuk-tuk and ask to be taken to the border. It is about a 20-minute ride to the
border, and plan to be at the border for two hours. In all, plan for 4 to 6 hours between
drop off in Mae Sai to departure from Mae Sai with Green Bus.

People have been turned away if they repeat visa-on-arrival (15 to 30

days) too many times in a row. People who have a proper Double or Triple Entry have
nothing to worry about. In the least, save yourself the trip in the first place and go to
Immigration to get an extension once in between border runs.
Visa Run to Vientiane, Laos
A visa run from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos can be done via bus and/or
airplane.

Before your visa runs out, go to Thailand Immigration in Chiang Mai once,
extend it once (more on that, later). After that, you’re in visa run territory.

It is approximately 300 km to the Thai border town of Nong Khai from Chiang
Mai, and the roads wind around small villages, deep cliffs, and mountains.

Bus services traditionally take an entire night of travel (12 hours), so you don't
see much. Airplanes take about an hour or so of flight, and an hour on the bus from the
airport in Udon Thani, to the border town of Nong Khai. Fly. Trust me, you’re not a snob
and the cost is close to a bus, considering your food costs for that amount of time.

There are many bus services which can get you

back and forth like VIP Bus Services which you can find at the Arcade Bus Terminal 3 in
Chiang Mai.

However, the bus option is usually the budget option, so let's go for real value: a van
service facilitated by Aya Service.

Including a shuttle service to pick you up and drop you off from your place of residence,
Aya Service will cost between 1,500 baht and 1,900 baht for a return trip.

When you purchase your ticket you can arrange each way of your round trip around your
schedule, and if you have any delays with the Thai embassy you can call in or email then to
post-pone your return to Thailand.

Flying will cost about a little more than taking the bus, but offers 12:1 time
(and misery) savings so it is the obvious choice for seasoned Digital Nomads.

Typically Nok Airways have a great deal on airfare, and you fly from Chiang Mai's CNX
airport to Udon Thani's UTH airport in about an hour. From there you take a ride to Nong
Khai, cross the border and catch another songthaew into Vientiane which is another 30
minutes.
 Sometimes you’ll arrive at the border later than permitted
to leave Thailand, as they close down the office in the evening. I stayed at Nalumon
Apartment (guest house), although there’s about 40+ other nearby hotels and guest
houses to choose from.

There’s also a Thailand Immigration building on the left side of the nearby highway,
headed in the direction away from the border (and walking distance to/from the border),
just in case.

Getting a visa for Thailand can only happen outside Thailand, so that
means going to another country –in this case, Laos. In order to go into Laos, you will also
require a visa for Laos as well. So your trip will wind up with a full-page Laos visa sticker,
and a full-page Thailand visa sticker. A Tourist visa for Laos is $42 USD (for Canadians)
upon entry. Bring USD for this. I always carry a little USD in my wallet, never know.

Americans and Europeans pay $35, Swedes pay $31, Chinese pay $20 –there’s little reason
or rhyme. Additional Laos visa pricing can be found here or on your Sherpa app.

Bring spare photos for the border crossing into Laos, three to be
on the safe side. Laos is less picky about photo quality, so just about any standard
passport photo will suffice.

The currency in Laos is "kip" and 1,000 kip is equal to 4 or 5 baht. Prepare
to feel like a millionaire. However, kip is virtually impossible to convert into another
currency once you leave Laos, so leave time to exchange your funds at the border crossing
back into Nong Khai, Thailand. If you remember to do this, you've got me beat.

Travelers holding passports from the following countries are not

eligible for Laos Visas on Arrival, and must obtain their visas at Lao Embassies or Lao
Consulates abroad before entering Laos:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana,

Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Jordan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya),
Mozambique, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Suriname,
Syria (Syrian Arab republic), Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Zambia, Zimbabwe. (Visit
thaiembassy.org for the most recent and up-to-date information).
 The application process for obtaining a Single Entry Thai Tourist Visa at the
Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos will take two days. Double Entry Thai Tourist Visas
are no longer an option.

There are plenty of them around the city, although I always stay near
the river as there are a number of cafes and expats in the area. It’s a great neighborhood
to make the best of a forced excursion. There are also a few bicycle rental shops in the
area, the distance isn’t too bad and it’s a scenic ride to get your visa.

I suggest that you plan on being in Laos one extra night so you can spend your first day
figuring out where to rent a bicycle and locate the immigration department. I’ve walked it
from the river many times, and ridden a bicycle many times. Riding a bicycle takes about
20 – 30 minutes, walking I’d say plan for an hour and a half to be safe.

Be wary of Laos taxis and Tuk Tuks –they’re often more corrupt. The usual rule always
applies; turn the meter on. Except the ones in Laos are much pushier –and the nicer they
are, the higher the margin on your transaction.

Yes, you will be dropping off your visa overnight. It’s normal, it’s
standard, and it’s the only way you’re going to get your visa so don’t get passport
separation anxiety.

Passport drop-off is only available in the MORNING of day one. Passport pick-up is only
available in the AFTERNOON of day two. Don’t sleep in on day one, be there for 10am,
latest. 8:30am at the earliest.

Please note that there are two Embassy locations, one is consular. Most Google Map
searches will tell you to go to this incorrect address: Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue,
Xaysettha, Vientiane Capital

No.15 Ban
Ponesinuan, Bourichane Road, Vientiane Capital. For more information, go here.
On the morning of day one, you pay 1,000 baht for your Single Entry Tourist visa and drop
off your passport, filled out forms, and photos. This price is obviously subject to change
just like everything else in Asia, so I suggest you bring a minimum of 15,000 baht with you
for all measure of emergency. I once had my bank card eaten by an ATM at 7-11 in Nong
Khai, extra cash is key.

If people outside the embassy with clipboards approach you to “help” you get a visa, tell
them no. They charge you to do something you can totally do on your own.

At the Thai embassy you will also need passport photos, but
they can do them for you on the spot and only cost 100 baht. They are a little pickier, so I
suggest doing photos at the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos. The trick is to pick up
your number first, and then go upstairs to get photos taken. Where a button up shirt,
gents. Ladies, no spaghetti straps.

Your passport will be ready the following day in the afternoon, and once again you’ll need
to pick up a number.

Every time I go, it’s a slightly different process for passport pickup –sometimes it’s at the
outdoor kiosks from day 1, other times it was in the building to the left of the kiosks. Follow
the hive, you’ll be fine.

Arrive at 12:30pm (doors open at 1pm), or no later than 2pm on the day you pick up your
visa/passport.
Arrival and Settling In
Arriving in Bangkok
When you book your flight to Bangkok, your Bangkok arrival time is more important than
the time of day you depart your home country.

Services in Bangkok run all day and night, however it is simply unpleasant to arrive at 2am,
exhausted, and obligated to lug around baggage into a town full of bustling nightlife
revelers.

Depending on your mood and whether you're alone, your arrival can be a huge cold-
footed moment, full of anxiety and "first-world post-partum".

If you've never seen a palm tree before or you've never left your home country, you might
even cry, or curse the day you arrived. I've met some brave Nomads from every age group
who weren't afraid to admit it.

A great blog post on the subject was written by Kevin Cole who I had the pleasure of
meeting in Ao Nang, Krabi a few years back. His website is down now, so I guess it’s
immortalized in this book.

From Kevin Cole’s Perform Destiny blog;

"I laid in that bed and cried intermittently. My room was quiet and stuffy. We had no air
conditioning. My mind raced hard. I felt like I had made a huge fucking mistake for coming
here. It got too real too fast. My brain came up with a million excuses to leave. Truth be
told, I very seriously considered coming back to the US. I went so far as looking up flights
to come home and pricing them out. But I didn't. I owe so much to my parents. I told them
I was planning on coming home and they told me "to give it a few days." They were right. I
got to a hotel and was able to clear my head. Now I'm on the other side of that tough
night and it feels amazing."

The original post to this used to be found here.

Additionally, a great video about the emotional obstacles of going Nomad can be found
on the About Wings blog, "Don't watch this, Mum".
So my first piece of advice is informal; take your time. Don't rush. If you need to stop for a
few days, please do so. Don't fret over any single thing, because everything will be just
fine. One day turned into 2 weeks for me at a Khao San Road guest house. It happens.

All that deprogramming will take a toll. Belittle the struggle, mock it. It’s minor compared
to what comes next. Avoid posting on Facebook during your first two weeks in Asia. You’ll
regret it.

When you arrive in Bangkok you've got a new choose-your-own-adventure fork in the
road; Head straight to Chiang Mai and get it over with, or stick around Bangkok and take
in the sights.

I put off travel to Chiang Mai and got settled into Thailand while in Ao Nang, Krabi instead.
It was a good experience; one I do not regret. I made connections, and I lived in a quiet
kick ass resort (if you visit, let Wanna or Oscar know I sent you; they’re amazing and went
above and beyond to help me get settled in –I convinced them to get fiber CAT internet).

Ao Nang Beach, Krabi

I had it made in Ao Nang. And then the laptop died, the money ran out and the post-
partum sunk in. Chiang Mai was a good change.
Putting off Chiang Mai delayed my stability and the factors that allowed me to reach my
passive income potential. However, the ocean did me good. So it’s a draw, for myself
personally.

And back to your own fork in the road.

If you want to head to Chiang Mai immediately from Bangkok, no guest house, no 30+
min taxi to the city, no bright lights –head over to the departures section of the one of two
Bangkok airports you've arrived in and purchase a ticket to Chiang Mai for the next
available flight. If money is tight, don’t book the trip from BKK to CMX as a connecting
flight, do it in person.

Make sure the ticket is departing from the Bangkok airport you're standing in. Bangkok's
two airports are somewhat far apart.

The main international airport is called Suvarnabhumi Airport, and most domestic flights fly
in and out of Don Mueang Airport.

As I said before, buying a connecting flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is generally
cheaper when you're on the ground in Thailand than it is online in your home country. So
go see what's available and take it from there. A few hundred-dollar connection can be
reduced to $80 or less.

Play with your initial booking if you don’t believe me. Browse a flight cost from your home
country to BKK, and then one from your home country to CMX –if the price difference is
beyond $80 USD and you can’t afford it, don’t do it. Book it with boots on the ground.
Take that chance.

If you succeed in getting a ticket right away for Chiang Mai, take a walk around the airport
arrivals area and look for kiosks giving away free SIM cards for your unlocked phone. It's a
friendly service that True (and AIS?) offer to new guests to the country, although if it isn't
free then skip it and pick your SIM card up at 7-Eleven when you settle in.

Later in this guide I help you set up an AIS SIM card, because they have better plans and
perform better than their competitors in rural areas.
If you do choose to head into Bangkok, here is your Arrival Checklist:

 Book your flight to Chiang Mai for a convenient time in person before you leave the
airport ($80 or less)
 Look around to see if there are any True or AIS booths giving away cell phone SIM
cards for free (in my two years here, they've always given True mobile SIM cards
away at the airport)
 Find a taxi in their designated area
 Head to Khao San Road
 Book a room at any one of the guest houses on the strip
 Head to the 7-Eleven on the same street, pick up your basics
 Drop off your purchases at your guest house
 Go for a walk

That seems pretty easy, doesn't it? If you're able to find the SIM card folks at the airport,
get them to help you set it up (although instructions are on the package in English). If the
booth is unattended, grab some extra cards for new friends or emergencies!

A cab ride from the airport to Khao San Road is around 400 baht at most. It is one of the
most expensive cab rides you will ever take in Thailand aside from visa runs and border
crossings.

Cabs will be much cheaper after Bangkok, but this ride's got traffic and toll routes. The cost
is around 200 baht to 250 baht on the meter, plus a 50-baht airport surcharge and
another 65 baht for toll fees. The government has been cracking down on taxi fares, so
you shouldn't have to haggle anymore --hooray for the current military coup. Just make
sure they turn on the meter, but don't be rude about it.

Tell them to turn on that meter, or you walk. When it comes to turning on the meter, be
firm. If they remotely argue, fuck them. You’re meat now, get used to it.

Khao San Road is a short street with many, many businesses and guest houses. If you're
not arriving in Thailand during any one of the three New Year's celebrations (Western,
Chinese, Thai), or any of the other key festivals, you will be ok without booking a guest
house in advance.
When I was on Khao San Road last (2016) there was two 7-Elevens that I recall, so you
shouldn't have any problem finding one. They’re both a tight squeeze of a store and may
be lacking some items such as portable speakers, but it will carry with it all of the main
necessities I had mentioned earlier.

I'd say your top priority would be to pick up a SIM card if you haven't already, and
subscribe to a data plan for all of your Googlings.

One of the two 7-Eleven locations (middle of the stretch) also had a real old-school
espresso machine, and I was able to get real coffee for 25 baht. Thailand loves its instant
coffee, so this is sort of noteworthy!

If for any reason you have trouble finding a guest house, ask around. I'm not listing any
here but I assure you I am not leaving you high and dry. If you're a worrier, you can search
Booking.com, pay the additional online booking costs and book in advance.

I once made a travel buddy simply because I admired her resourcefulness with a map and
paid her a compliment for it. Everyone is "on". Prepare yourself to get your mind blown by
travelers on a regular basis.
Getting to Chiang Mai
Heading back to the airport from the city of Bangkok is almost as easy as it was to leave it.

You know the fare now, and you know the destination. Show your ticket/itinerary to the
metered taxi driver, verify the address of the airport to its corresponding airport code. And
this is no time to cut it close.

Foreign person in a foreign land, so make the trip count --don't be late. Give yourself an
hour and a half to get to the airport and arrive 2 hours early for your flight.
Chiang Mai Arrival: Finding a Guest House
Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, you'll need to find a guest house before you go off
exploring, and Chiang Mai quite rarely has a shortage. You may also want to consider
checking Airbnb instead of the more traditional hotel booking channels. But first, let's look
at your Chiang Mai arrival check list. Affiliate link warning in effect.

 Head to Thapae Gate area and check-in to a guest house

 Setup your mobile phone if you have not done so
 Rent a motor bike or bicycle
 Find an apartment

Now that we know what we need to do, let's jump into finding a guest house. From here,
the rest of this guide will cover the rest of your Chiang Mai arrival check list and then
some.

Hop into a taxi, Tuk Tuk, or Songthaew (red truck) and ask to be dropped at Thapae Gate
(pronounced Tah-Pay-Gate). I have phrase cards in the free extras if you need help, print
them in advance to be totally protected.

I am suggesting this because you likely don't have a guest house reservation. Thapae Gate
is easy to find, and it's surrounded with a number of guest houses in every direction. Of
course, if you have reservations, show the driver on a map where you're headed.

Agree to the cost of your ride in advance or make sure they have their meter running, and
anything over 250 baht to get anywhere between the airport and the east end of the Old
City is paying way too much.

Thapae Gate is on the East side of the moat, and the moat encapsulates the Old City of
Chiang Mai. This area is home to a number of night markets, so I figured you may
appreciate starting here instead of jumping directly into the neighborhood you will find an
apartment in later.
If you're standing on the steps of McDonalds, you're on the outside of the moat. Ironically,
if you are standing in front of Burger King, you're on the inside of the moat.

It will take you awhile to learn the moat, and to learn when you're inside it or outside it.
Thus the McDonalds/Burger King reference --so we're on the same page.

If you're in front of McDonalds: Leave McDonalds, cross the street, across the (likely empty
during the day) market area, walk into the Old City to Burger King, and head right (North)
for one or two blocks, and then hang a left. You are now surrounded by guest houses
which line the side streets for several blocks.

Take a stroll through this part of the city. Within a mere twenty minutes you will pass many
guest houses, so be my guest and break away if it feels right.

However, if you don't find any decent guest houses, here are a handful of failsafe options.

Here are 3 guest house suggestions I have either stayed at or been referred to. They're
simple but effective, and have rooms large enough for small families.

17/1 Rachapakinai Rd. Soi 1, Chiang Mai

Kikie's is clean and kitschy, and ideal for younger folks between the ages of 18 and 35.
Some rooms also have a queen sized bed and a single bed all in the same room with
mosquito netting; great for small families.

Kikie's Guest House is located near the inside of the top right of the square Old City, along
a small side road (called Ratchaphakhinai 1 Alley), near the Wat Chiang Man temple.

The owner Kikie is awesome, she knows about this book, and she knows me. She will set
you up, or at least allow you to drop your bag safely while you look around for another
solution if they're full.

Say hi for me, will ya? She was also a really great human and great to have a chat with
about things to see and do. You can check availability here.
30-1 Moonmuang Rd. Soi 6, Chiang Mai

Another guest house in the area is called Viraporn's Place, and was owned by Paul and
Viraporn –although it turns out they sold it just before my 2017 guide update. This also
means it might change names again.

It used to be called CM Blue House, and if you love a good location, it’s the place to start.
If you Google either Viraporn's Place or CM Blue House, you'll find it.

Viraporn's Place is a little costlier (barely), but much larger, spacious, quiet, relaxing, and
has a cafe/bar. This guest house is suitable for all ages, however if you'd like a little more
pampering and a swimming pool, you'll probably want to go with the next option.

You can check availability at Viraporn’s Place here.

Both Kikie’s and Viraporn’s are within a couple blocks of one another, and both are close
to some really amazing street markets.

109 Bumrungrad Road, Tombon Watkate, Muang, Nawarat, Chiang Mai

If you would like to avoid the bustle of the Old City and class it up a little more (yet still on
a budget), check out Eco Resort.

I do not know these folks personally, however it's been highly recommended to me by a
travel blogger who used to live in my apartment building. The photos online put my
previous suggestions to shame and it's got a pool, however, it is a little out of town in the
opposite direction you'll be going when you look for an apartment.

You can check availability for Eco Resort here.

So if all went alright, you've now got a place to lay your head. See, I got you —safe and
sound!
How to Set Up Your Prepaid Phone
To save you a whole bunch of confusion, sifting through websites written in Thai, and trial-
and-error I will give you exact directions on how to setup your unlocked mobile phone for
use in Thailand with AIS. I will help you implement a voice/data pre-paid plan by entering
their unique prepaid plan codes.

Cell phone carriers have been tasked by the government to facilitate the collection of
personal details (name, passport number, nationality, etc.) to obtain a mobile phone
number.

 Incoming calls are typically free (even for a while after you let your plan expire)
 Text messages are usually not included with the cost, so use a chat app
 Data plans are "unlimited"; top speed until a certain amount of usage, and then
capped at Edge speeds from there on in
 Some plans also include unlimited city-wide WIFI with your purchase and will SMS
you with your login information after you purchase your plan

AIS has better reach, data speeds, and performs better than other competitors in rural
areas. CAMP in Maya Mall also uses AIS WIFI, and is your best WIFI option in terms of a
coworking space (that likely won’t close like the infamous Coffee Monster did) which is why
I am focusing strictly on them.

Lastly, as you know most phone plans are subject to change, however as of March 2017
they're working just fine.

First, turn your phone off, insert your SIM, and power up. Once your phone boots up you
will need to put credit onto your phone before you can activate a plan. If you are asked for
a SIM security code, the default is 0000.

Let's look at plans first, then refill codes, and then finally plan codes.
Once you've selected a plan, you can purchase balance refill vouchers from 7-Eleven. They
come in different denominations so you may need to use more than one voucher before
activating a plan.

To add the credit voucher dial *120* then the 16-digit code on your voucher, the # sign
and press <Call/Send>.

For example: *120*1234567898765432# SEND

After that, your balance will appear on screen. Repeat with another voucher if needed until
you have enough to activate your plan.

You can also check your balance on-screen anytime by entering *121#.

This one is simple! All you need to do to activate an AIS prepaid plan is type the code that
corresponds with your plan above.

For example; If you'd like the to activate the plan with 500 outgoing minutes, 3 GB high-
speed data (unlimited after that 3 GB runs out, just slower) then type in the following code;

*777*54# SEND
And you're finished!

Before your plan expires, AIS will send you an SMS message informing you the day and
exact time your next month will try to activate. This makes it easy to ensure you've topped
up your balance prior. If you miss your window and it gives up, no worries --just re-enter
your plan code after your next refill.
How to Get a Thai Bank Account
Personally, I’m a big fan of Payoneer for international banking. They provide an innovative
way to transfer your funds internationally, and you don’t need to create a bank account in
every country you visit. Instead, you can use their prepaid MasterCard, and they destroy
PayPal in terms of fees, features, and support.

You can learn more about Payoneer here, or you can keep reading to figure out how to
get a Thai bank account.

 No ATM withdrawal fees

 No conversion rate fees
 Combined with PayPal, it's the easiest way to transfer spending money in and out of
the country

Getting an account is simple although if you don't succeed the first time, try, try again. It's
like phoning a call center; sometimes you need to try another representative. It is possible
to acquire a bank account with the following paperwork although I was turned away on my
first attempt.

Requirements to get a bank account at Bangkok Bank on a Tourist visa:

1. An identity card issued by a government institution or university such as: Your driver's
license, Passport, Foreign Identification Card, University Student/Professor Card.

2. A letter of recommendation from Embassy, International Organization, Customer's

home bank to Bangkok Bank via the SWIFT message, a person acceptable to Bangkok
Bank (such as BBL staff, customer, government officer, company executive, private firms),
or home country institutions (such as pension receipt).

3. Other documents showing your name such as: Bank Statement, lease agreement, utility
bill, documents showing owners of a fixed asset or Condominium Sale/Purchase
Agreement.

The key: Utility bill, which is easy to get when you get yourself an apartment.
 Minimum 500-baht deposit
 Calculated interest paid every 6 months
 Dormant accounts with less than 2,000 baht suffer additional monthly fees
 Be1st Visa debit card can shop online, pay bills, withdraw cash, and has greater
security features
How to Save Money in Thailand
As if it wasn’t cheap enough to live in Chiang Mai, there are a number of ways you can
further reduce your cost of living.

You can view an infographic of this information here.

If you’re paying over 8 baht per kWh unit for your electricity, you’re paying too much. In
fact, 8 baht per unit may be too expensive by some people’s standards as it is.

1 kilowatt is 1,000 watts, and the price per kilowatt unit is billed by the hour (thus “kWh”).

The average 12,000 BTU air conditioner uses around 1,200 watts per hour which is 1.2 kWh.

If you ran your 12,000 BTU air conditioner for 24 hours per day for 30 days at 8 baht per
unit, you would have to pay 864 baht for your air conditioning alone, on top of the costs
to run your other appliances. At the time of writing, that’s almost $27 USD. That isn’t
cheap.

In addition to that, Thailand runs primarily on coal and in my opinion it doesn’t matter how
much you pay —that’s a carbon foot print that you’re leaving behind for my nephews and
nieces. Not cool.

Buying water in single bottles from the shop every day can get expensive and
environmentally destructive. It’s easy to look around and blame Thais for the trash or how
they burn plastic –but it was our Western thinking that created the globalized supply chain,
designed the packaging and rammed it down their throats. Least we can do is stop adding
to the litter.

While a relatively new concept in some Western cities, Thailand has had time to build its
massive network of water bottle refilling stations. These public appliances purify water
through reverse osmosis and dispense clean drinking water for 1 baht per liter.

It’s more ethical than buying water from a foreign company like Nestle, it’s better for the
environment (less plastic waste), they’re usually more convenient, and putting your coins in
these machines helps the local economy. You can buy a great water canteen here.
 Former activist cause of mine: School the Bottle

You can also upgrade to water delivery service, where larger keg-sized containers are
available, just ask around at your apartment.

You can also skip the gym membership and save around 60 baht per workout with 2 5L
water jugs filled with tap water! Refilling the same plastic bottle longer than a week for
drinking water isn't advised, so you can add to their lifespan and stay in shape at the same
time.
Laundry service in Thailand is generally quite cheap and it’s easy to take for granted. And
even still, you could save upwards of 30 baht to 40 baht per kilogram of laundry if you
were to do it yourself. In my experience, everything dries pretty quickly.

I also tend to leave laundry detergent next to the bathroom sink to clean underwear and t-
shirts as I go. Most of my clothes are Merino wool and dry relatively faster than cotton.

Lastly, you can make your clothes last longer by sticking them in the freezer over night to
kill the germs and bacteria that make them funk, and avoid cleaning them too often
altogether. This is ideal for denim.

Traveling overnight on a bus or a train will allow you to sleep through the journey and
save money on a room for the night. Throw in a “second class” seat and you’re reducing
travel costs even more.

I could suggest couchsurfing.com as a great way to save money on lodging, but there’s an
even better way; house sitting. Instead of getting a couch, get a whole home. You can find
out more about how it works at Trusted House Sitters.

Other options include Trampolinn, and House Sitting World (Facebook).

Tuk Tuks and Songthaews can add up after a while, so if you find that you’re spending
more the 150 baht per day on rides you may want to consider renting a motorbike instead.

If you are staying longer than 6 months, purchasing a motorbike is a good investment. You
can pick up a 2 year-old 125 cc Honda Click for under 30,000 baht and they really hold
their resale value. When it’s time to head home, you can resell your motorbike and pay
little more than fuel costs for your entire time in Thailand.
Western food is often overpriced and the quality isn’t what you remembered, so unless
you’re feeling homesick and it’s a special occasion –skip eating imported Western food.

Smaller apartments in Thai neighborhoods often lack some of the Western home comforts
like hot showers or proper kitchens but they’re pretty alright in terms of living a more
minimalist existence. Some come as cheap as 2,000 baht per month, all in.

Most expenses we incur as foreigners are because of Western comforts and idealized
thinking –living as an authentic local can free up a lot of money if we’re willing to cut back
and readjust our comfort zone.

It took a couple years of resisting it, but today I bucket shower daily and I prefer it –even
though I have a shower head and hot water.

Restaurants can get costly after a while, and there’s so much amazing street food all
around you. No need to pay the overhead that comes with an uncomfortable seat and
freezing cold air conditioning when you’re on a budget. I’ve gone weeks without walking
into a “real” restaurant and I don’t miss it.

Why is it that so many people go to another country to experience the culture and then
hide out in expensive Western glass palaces and eat recipes from Western food franchises?
Because if it isn’t for nostalgia’s sake, I’m lost.

There is no better way to watch a city awaken than by waking up to an espresso at 6am
and a bowl of bone soup in an alley somewhere in South East Asia.

While traveling I generally carry two wallets; a larger one I leave back in my room with the
bulk of my cash in it, and then a second smaller, lighter one I take with me everywhere I
go.
A two-wallet system allows me to take out larger amounts at the bank machine so I can
make less frequent withdrawals and pay less fees but without losing everything if I get
robbed or my wallet goes missing.

Payoneer is your lowest-cost international banking option, and Transferwise is your lowest-
cost money transfer option. I suggest you create an account with both of these services
before you board a plan for Thailand.

And then beyond that, you can get a local Thai bank account —withdrawals are free.

It's a big world, so look for banks with little or no international withdrawal fees. For
everything else, there’s Payoneer with its prepaid MasterCard.

I definitely can't keep up with bank options for every nationality, but Germans might want
to check out DkB, Americans will want to pick up a Charles Schwab bank account, and for
most other folks there’s a special HSBC Bank account for expats as long as you keep a
specific minimum balance.

Typically, people do not haggle over the cost of prepared food but it is common place to
haggle over prices at the many markets throughout Chiang Mai.

You’re viewed as a giant ATM by many, so don’t give in too easily; just keep it playful and
if you’re not satisfied with the price they offer politely decline and start to walk away –if
they were going to drop the price, this is when they’ll do it.

No, really. It’s not customary in Thailand and unless you’re at a top-drawer Western
establishment or a tourist trap, tipping is very rarely expected. Some folks will even hand it
right back to you because they don’t take handouts.

Just be nice to people instead, and exercise this suggestion at your own discretion.

When was the last time you reviewed the going rate for your services? The last
programmer I challenged to double his rate got more work.
He was able to work less, choose projects thoughtfully (not desperately), and double down
when he wanted to move around.

Don’t ask people in your field for advice on your rate, call an agency and ask what their
hourly rate is for what you do —or some sort of organization that does what you do. In my
experience, programmers are afraid of money. No one knows everything, learn as you go.

Hell, forget the phone call and just start by raising your rate by $10/hr. and see what
happens.

Thai police are really good at extor.. er.. —serving you fines randomly, or en masse in
sweeping campaigns in tourist areas.

They generally target foreigners who are riding motorbikes without a license (from your
home country, local, or international), without a helmet, or for dropping cigarette butts on
the ground.

Fines start around 500 baht and depend on the day, season, IQ, and astrological sign of
your fine issuing police officer.

Do not think about how much money you’re saving with every purchase over its
associated cost in your home country –this is a sure-fire way to go broke faster than
anticipated.

Instead, keep track of your money and the average cost of items you purchase often. This
will help bring you closer to the day you are able to finally “think in baht”.

I strongly suggest downloading either or for your smartphone –

these apps are indispensable for budgeting across different currencies.

Hire your house cleaner to pick up your groceries for you, and you’ll always get the best
price.
You might need a local friend to help you write your shopping list in Thai, but it’s worth
the trouble.

Remember the “two-tier” Thai pricing I mentioned earlier? Well now it’s not you asking the
price of those mangosteens. Asking your cleaning lady to pick up groceries is convenient
and pays for itself and then some. (It’s also great for finding those rarer items).

Usually you’re paying for time so it doesn’t matter whether it’s for cleaning or for picking
up groceries. Most cleaners are down for getting groceries, and it sure beats cleaning. It’s
sort of like calling a cab company back home to pick up something from the store; it isn’t
always an advertised service but there’s no harm in asking.

You’re surrounded by awesomeness everywhere, all over the place and back again. If
you’re broke, surely you can find a place to sit down with some good friends for a drink
without paying bar drink costs.

If you’re real hard up, you can always check yourself in to the Doi Suthep Vipassana
Meditation Center, high atop Doi Suthep with a great view of the city. The cost is an
undefined donation.

And I’m mostly kidding about taking a meditation course to get a free place to stay (and
some small basic meals) –I’d suggest this to anyone looking to unplug for a while and
become more acclimated to the local culture as well.

While cotton tee shirts don’t fare so well in the tropics and I have previously suggested
Merino Wool, I also suggest wearing darker colors like navy blue, black, brown, and so on
(especially if you’re sloppy with chopsticks or wear a lot of antiperspirant).

A friend visiting America once came back to Chiang Mai and surprised me with my favorite
white V-neck tees I used to wear every day back home —they lasted 4 washes before I
tossed them.
Air Asia currently has a ridiculously low-priced prepaid flight ticket to anywhere in the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. If you’ve been meaning to travel around Asia but
have been restricted by your budget: Not anymore.

In order to learn more about their ASEAN-wide promotion, visit their website.
Thai Driver’s License Information
If you're prepared with an International Driver's License --wonderful. If you're not, no
worries. You can rent a motor bike with your local driver's license from back home.

On one hand; 99% of the people I meet here rent motorbikes without ever being asked to
produce a local driver's license from back home at either bike shop or police checkpoints.

It is assumed you have one. I'm also talking about a hand full of people who count time in
Thailand in the decades.

Legally speaking if you'd like to ride that motor bike longer than 60 days in Thailand, you
require a Thai driver's license by law. However, I am told that this time frame resets with
your visa. Leave the country, clock is reset.

Yes, you can get yourself a Thai driver's license as a foreigner.

I've never met anyone who's encountered any trouble while driving a motorbike in
Thailand without a local Thai driver's license past 60 days in Thailand.

However, there still is a small chance you will get a nice fine for doing so, and a Thai
driver's license would make a pretty great memento of your life in Thailand, wouldn't you
agree?

You can also rent a car without a Thai driver's license. However, for long term Thai living (if
you’re an actual resident on a long-term visa such as a Retirement Visa), or if you would
like to purchase a car, you will need a Thai driver's license.

If you'd like to learn more about getting a driver's license down the road, please visit
Chiang Mai Buddy's article on the subject.

So few opt to get a Thai driver's license, I figured I would save my breath and leave it to
the professionals.
Where to Rent a Motor Bike
Generally speaking, you can rent semi-automatic moped-style motorbikes for 150 baht per
day, automatic motorbikes for 200 baht per day, and full-on motorcycle "big bikes" for
1,500 baht per day. The longer the contract, the better the deal. Monthly rates start at
2,000 baht per month.

Every bike rental shop you rent from will request your passport as insurance that you will
return the bike, so make a photocopy beforehand. It isn't exactly legal practice in your
home country and if it makes you uncomfortable doing so, ask them if you can pay a
deposit instead.

At this stage, you're in the Old City, so an Old City bike rental shop is what you're currently
looking for. However, later on when you switch neighborhoods you'll likely want to change
bike rentals –so I am going to give you a handful of bike rental shop locations to keep this
evergreen.

2 Rajvithi Road

Open 9am to 5:30pm

Mr. Beer has some higher-end bikes in the neighborhood of 650cc, but his specialty
is in automatic moped-style motorbikes. He doesn't have a website, however he's
located between Zoe's and Bamboo Cafe --nice and close to where you currently
are. I've rented from him before, he's a reasonable man.

17 Ratchmamanka Road

Open 9am to 5:30pm

You can find their website here.

Bikes and prices range from Honda Click Auto 110cc at 200 baht per day, to the
flashy Kawasaki Versys 650cc big bike at 1,800 baht per day. I have not rented from
Tony's, but I've walked by it enough to know he's got a lot of business, good quality
bikes, and seems trustworthy.

333/11 Ping Doi

24 hours/day

You can find their website here, and their Facebook page here.

I am told by my friend James that Red Ride is the most affordable place to pick up a
reliable motorbike or big bike, and the big bikes are well maintained. The owner of
the shop even special ordered a helmet for his giant head to ensure safety.

161 Huay Kaew Road, Soi Chang Khain

You can find their website here.

Vanessa's Motorbike Hire is quite popular, with high quality bikes that get cheaper
to rent the longer you rent them. Any rental 3 days or longer can save you 50 baht
per day, and monthly rentals range from 2,000 baht to 3,000 baht per month.

18 Sermsuk Road

Open 9:30am to 5:30pm

You can find their website here.

Operated by a friendly foreigner, Mango Bike Rental has a wide range of bikes at
reasonable prices; semi-auto motorbikes from 150 baht per day, and auto bikes for
200 baht per day. Monthly costs range from 2,300 baht to 2,500 baht per month.
And right before publishing this book I learned that Mango will only request a
photocopy of your passport and not hold your actual passport like most other
Thailand-based bike rental shops do.
If you intend on living in Thailand long-term you can cut costs dramatically by buying a
motorbike and then selling it before you leave. In Thailand motorbikes and cars retain their
resale value much more than back home, wherever that might be.

If you're staying for 3 months+ buy a used bike for 10,000 to 30,000 baht instead. You can
find used bike deals in the following Facebook groups, just make sure your bike comes
with a proper Green Book;

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2ndhandchiangmai

https://www.facebook.com/groups/512883258737603
Where to Find an Apartment
There are countless apartment options available in Chiang Mai, here are a handful of
apartments to begin your search with.

Nimmanahaeminda Road (aka Nimman, or Nimmanhaemin) and its surrounding area is

the best place to live in Chiang Mai if you're a digital nomad. It's a slightly newer
neighborhood, it's clean, lots to do, is located near Immigration and the airport, and it has
everything a Westerner needs to feel at home.

The locals which live in this neighborhood are a little more "hi-so" (high society) and you'll
see some nice sports cars from time to time.

The average cost is 6,000 baht to 14,000 baht per month, although if you're looking for
deals, they are out there.

Whether you'd like to be a little more frugal in the beginning or jump right into living
lavishly, there are options here for any budget. Each of these suggestions are either from
my own experience, or the experience of a fellow Nomad. No cold suggestions, however
conditions or pricing may change with demand and popularity.

I recommend visiting each place in person and taking a week or two to make the right
choice. Calling around can prove difficult when you're not able to use your hands and play
charades while speaking.

Also worth mention that there are a number of really lush yet affordable lofts tucked
above businesses, so keep your eyes peeled.

These are merely suggestions for first-time nomads –not everyone likes to live in the
“Nimman bubble” forever. After a while, find another, less Westernized neighborhood to
explore and live in. You’ll be glad you did.

Close to Wat Chet Yot

6,000 baht to 8,000 baht per month + utilities

My favorite first choice (especially when recording video!) because it is as quiet as it
is brand new. These air-conditioned apartments come fully furnished and include a
small kitchen with a refrigerator.

Currently they don't have a website, although their Facebook page has some
decent photos and contact information. You can view their Facebook page here.

Nimmanahaeminda Road Soi 15, Suthep Muang Chiang Mai

4,000 baht to 8,000 baht per month + utilities

Boonyama is strategically located on Nimmanhaemin Rd. Soi 15 and is incredibly

affordable. It isn't The Ritz, but it's ideal for single backpackers who are
bootstrapping and starting out their journey with little margin for error. Some units
have kitchens, some don't, some have corner bay windows, and others have
average balconies. This building puts function over fashion, and will serve you well if
you aren't the picky sort and don't mind living in a place that needs a paint job.
Internet access is around 350 baht per month. No website.

Maekuamoong Road

6,000 baht to 9,000 baht per month + utilities

These air-conditioned apartments are somewhat basic and a little more "Thai style",
with a tiny kitchen area and a sink on their balcony (which is not uncommon here).
The balconies are massive, and the price range varies based on their
size/configuration. It's also got a pool which requires 500 baht per month to access
it, or 60 baht per day --small price to pay. No website.

36 Morakot Rd., T.Chang Phuak, A. Muang, Chiang Mai

6,000 baht per month + utilities

Fresh, modern, and equipped with a great view, View Doi Mansion suites come with
a desk, king sized bed, dining table, great internet connection (included), TV, good
sized balcony with sink, and local laundry facilities. You can view their web page
here.

45/38, Moo.5, Super highway Road, T. Changperk, A. Muang Chiang Mai

9,000 baht to 25,000 baht per month, 2 bedroom apartments up to 27,000 baht per
month

Green Hill Place has a number of different air conditioned options and
configurations, from standard room to a larger suite with a small kitchenette. It's
got a gym, swimming pool, business facilities, convenience store, water delivery and
is all quite new and open. Cleaning service available for 300 baht to 900 baht per
week depending on the size of your suite. You can view their web page here.

Soi 10, Nimmanahaeminda Road, Suthep, Chiang Mai

11,000 - 14,000 baht per month + utilities

There are a few "Hillside" condos in Chiang Mai spread around the city. Hillside
Condos’ 2 and 3 are located directly on Nimmanhaemin Rd, surrounded by co-
working spaces and restaurants in the heart of Nimmanhaemin. This location also
has a fitness center, laundry service, and apartments come equipped with a kitchen.
You can find rental information here.

50/24 Huay Kaew Rd., Muang, Chiang Mai

14,000 baht per month + utilities

Hillside Condo is in between two popular shopping destinations; Maya Mall and
Kad Suan Huay Kaew Shopping Center, and is only 10 minutes from
Nimmanhaemin Rd. Apartments here have air-conditioning, a kitchen with
refrigerator, and the building has an excellent swimming pool. Internet access is an
additional 700 baht per month. You can view their website here.
7 Ratchpruak Rd., Huay Kaew, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Chiang Mai

6,000 baht to 36,000 baht per month

Apartment residences in the junction of Huay Kaew and Santitham equipped with
wireless internet, cable television, laundry, restaurant, coffee shop. Clean, good
location. You can view their website here.

10 Soi. Plubplung T.Changhuak District Muang Chiang Mai

5,250 baht to 20,000 baht per month

Sakulchai Place has a swimming pool, fitness room, patio, restaurant, and it's pretty
darn comfortable. You can view their website here.

Soi 12 Nimmanahaeminda Road, Chiang Mai

54,000 baht per month

If you're a little more financially comfortable and have no objection to paying

similar rent costs as you did back home (and live really well) Kantary Hills is for you.
I didn't want every option on my list to be a "value option" because not everyone
reading this guide is looking for one.

Living in one of Kantary Hills' fully furnished apartments is like living in a hotel; pool,
sauna, business facilities, daily cleaning service, decent buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, and
each apartment comes with a small living room and a kitchenette. Book a serviced
apartment here.
Where to Find Co-Working Spaces
Chiang Mai has a rich supply of co-working spaces and more are opening every single day
in corners all throughout the city, so take your time and explore them all over your first
couple of months.

This is a pretty sizable list as it is, with most of them all in the Nimmanhaemin area. All
locations vetted by myself and friends of mine.

In addition to these co-working spaces, you may benefit by knowing there is a post
office in the Maya Food Court (near the exit beside Rimping) and you can photocopy and
fax from Tesco Lotus Express on Nimmanhaemin (corner of soi 6). Photocopies are 2 baht
per A4 page, and fax services start at 40 baht.

Chiang Mai is consistently changing and I can’t guarantee that all of these
locations will still have the same name, or even be standing by the time you arrive. I
debated putting them in because it isn’t “evergreen” content, but I figured the benefits
outweigh the drawbacks.

5th floor, MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center - Corner of Huay Kaew Road and Super
Highway (after-hours access via Elevator)

You can view their Facebook page here.

Best known for:

 Spacious, modern open concept design

 The view
 Plugs at every table, plenty of seating
 Small library, meeting rooms
 AIS WIFI available for free with AIS unlimited WIFI option with your phone
plan competes with CAMP's own WIFI (so you could technically work here
completely free)

Location 1: Siri Mangkalajarn Road Lane 11, Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai
Location 2: Rachadamnoen Road Soi 4, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can view their website here.

Best known for:

 Memberships available (only 24h for members)

 Popular with programmers
 Quiet workspace
 Picnic tables, coffee machine, refrigerators for member use

1/1 Muang Samut Rd, Changmoi Subdistrict, Muang District, Chiang Mai

You can view their website here.

Best known for:

 Government sponsored, lowest membership fees in town

 Amazing English design library, from architecture to graphics and marketing
 Global magazine collection, all the mags you subscribed to back home (or
wanted to)
 DVD collection, free use of viewing room
 PC and iMacs for public use; kept me working when my laptop died so I
could cover the unexpected expense (never give up!)
 Expositions and events with speakers from around the world

Wang Sing Kam Road Pa Tan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here.

Best known for:

 A little off the beaten track, along the Ping River near the Superhighway
 Not strictly a co-working space, laid back cafe
 You can hire a kayak. No, really!
  Dart board
 Fax machine

Room 301, Kantary Terrace, Nimmanhaemin Soi 12, Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here.

Best known for:

 Meeting room rentals

 New members promoted on their Facebook page, very community driven
 Great location, loft environment

87/9 Tung Hotel Road, Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can view their website here.

Best known for:

 Fixed desks; you can rent your own desk and no-one else uses it
 Meeting rooms, projectors available
 Event space

Soi 7, Nimmanhaemin Rd., Suthep, Muang Chiang Mai

You can find more information here.

Best known for:

 Cakes, proper French pastries, great coffee

 Great meeting place, chilled out kitschy vibe
 Second floor is usually quiet, great place to get work done
Where to Find the Night Life
This chapter is for the night owls, movers and shakers in the class. Chiang Mai has a rich
night life that spans the entire city —there's always something unreal going on and the
opportunities are many.

These suggestions are only a starting point; once you get settled into the city you'll meet
people and discover new attractions that are 100% your own speed. And again, business
names and addresses change –so no promises everything will be how I describe it when
you arrive.

Nimmanahaeminda Road Lane 11, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can view their website here.

A Nimmanhaemin staple, Beer Republic has an extensive list of international beers and
good quality pub fare. You can usually catch whatever game is making the rounds on their
televisions and overall it's a great pub atmosphere.

40/12 Ratvithi Rd T. Sriphum, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can find them on TripAdvisor here.

Oh, Zoe's. This old-city venue is composed of a cluster of bars and there's something for
everyone; live music in the flavors of heavy rock, punk, ska, and reggae —and a fully
electronic dance pop mainstream dance floor and seating area.

Zoe's is where expats, tourists and locals collide, and it can be somewhat unpredictable
because of this. It's where everyone starts out, though.

91/1-2, Si Phum Road, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai

You can find them on TripAdvisor here.

Most people stumble upon this one by accident at first, and then are absolutely blown
away by the talent that plays here. Definitely one of the most authentic jazz experiences
you will find in Thailand, bar none.

Chang Klan Rd Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District

The Loi Kroh area is all go-go girly bars and street markets. Just outside Thapae Gate, this
neighborhood is your front door to the gritty underbelly of the Thailand you'll find in the
movies. Just be careful, watch your wallet, and mind your business!

18 Sodsueksa Road Chang Phueak, Muang Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here.

Not so much of a pub atmosphere and more of a Thai go-go bar, Oxide always has
something interesting on the go. From live music to bikini fashion parties and cosplay
nights, there's always something going on.

Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can find them on TripAdvisor here.

With a mostly Thai demographic, Warm Up plays all popular music mixed in with a lot of
home grown sound. They've got a dance floor and massive lounge with leather couches
and a patio area. It's full of beautiful people, it's fresh, and it's popular with nomads.

Warm Up starts closing down between 1am - 2am, and that's when people head over to
Fabrique.

226 Wichayanont Rd., Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here.

A nightclub located just past the lobby of the President Hotel, they've got two indoor
lounging areas and one outdoors. In different rooms a live DJ will play hip-hop, electro
and trance, and/or there will be a live local band.

This club may feel more akin to what you're used to back home. It's more about the
outdoor lounge area than it is the not-so-great music they play inside.

Nimmanahaeminda Soi 6 Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai

You can find them on TripAdvisor here.

Infinity is another hi-so (high society) dance club that comes with all of the regular features
you expect from a posher club venue and plays a range of house music and a lot of local
sound. It's one of the newest clubs in town and attracts a lot of nice to look at people, it's
mostly Thai, and you can get a little dressed up for this one. It gets its name from the
decorative infinity “pool” out front.

There’s another “Infinity” in the Loi Kroh area, although this one is closer to home if you
live in the Nimman area.
Where to Find Health Services
In this section we will cover a key Chiang Mai hospital, a really great English-speaking
medical clinic, gym facilities, acupuncture, and chiropractic services.

There are services like this all over the city, so I selected these options based on how many
times I have seen them referred to within the Chiang Mai Digital Nomad community.
Another factor in choosing these resources included how "English friendly" the
organization was.

8 Boonreungrit Rd., A.Muang Chiang Mai

Tel. 66-53-920300 Fax. 66-53-224880

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital has a number of specializations as well as being your best bet
for standard blood tests, health checkups, and STD tests.

Some of Chiang Mai Ram Hospital's specializations include;

 Cardiac treatment for adults and children

 Stroke treatment
 Oncology, Cancer treatment
 Gastrointestinal treatment
 Diabetes treatment
 Allergy treatment
 Neurological treatment
 Psychiatry
 Varicose vein treatment
 Ear, nose, throat treatment
 Gynecology
 Dental

Chiang Mai Ram provides world-class health services and is also a Medical Tourism
destination. You can find information online here.
275 M.6 Chiangmai-Hangdong Road Tambon MeaHia, Muang District Chiang Mai

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 08.30-19.30

Saturday 8.30 - 13.00 Closed on Sunday

Tel & Fax: 053-804405 Clinic Mobile: 08-27668672

You can find their website here.

Referred by many Digital Nomads for Dr. Morgan's excellent English skills and professional
ability, HCMC can help you with;

 Blood sugar monitoring

 Blood tests
 Injection and IV drip
 Wound dressing
 Complete medical checkup
 Vaccinations
 X-Ray

316/1 Chiang Mai - Lamphun Road, Tambol Watkate, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai

Hours: 9:00 to 16:00

You can find more information here.

Best known for:

 English speaking Foreigner, Dr. Philip Parry

 Great service for every physiology (athletic, large, thin, fragile)
21 Ratchamanka Rd. Muang Chiang Mai

You can view their website here.

Best known for:

 Speaks many languages

 Knowledgeable practitioner

Nimmanhaemin Soi 1, Chiang Mai

Mon - Sun: 09:00 to 20:00

Best known for:

 Full mouth cleaning and polishing: 600 baht - 1,000 baht

 Root canal: 4,000 baht - 8,000 baht
 Full gold crown: 18,000 baht (just to give you an idea, regular crowns start at 7,000
baht)
Where to Find a Gym
Chiang Mai has an active fitness community with just about anything you may be looking
for. Membership pricing and information at fitness facilities change often, so please visit
each website or location to learn more. Here are a few gyms to get you started.

Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai

Near Nimman, you can visit their Facebook page here.

63/15 Tambon Watket Ampure, Mueng Chiang Mai

I mentioned this school in the Education Visa section of this book, you can visit their
website here.

48/1 Un Ari Soi 1, Mueang Chiang Mai

You can visit their website here.

Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel 6th floor, Muang Chiang Mai

You can visit their Facebook page here.

Photharam Rd. soi 9 Last house on the right, Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here –only 60 baht per day.

Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here.

Where to Find Western Food
You won't know the area right away, so here are some great staples to keep in your
notebook to get you through your initial discovery period.

Here are a few select restaurants I personally enjoy when I'm looking for some Western
food. Each of these selections were also chosen because of the variety of options in their
immediate area, so there’s lots to discover next door to them, too.

Food Truck, usually around TESCO Express on Nimmanhaemin –you can view their website
here to find out where they’re at these days.

Best known for:

 On the incredibly short list of quality burger joints in Thailand, this one's number
one
 Pulled pork sammich that bites back!
 Expect to pay 100 baht to 200 baht per person

Nimmanhaemin Rd, middle of Soi 13. You can view their Facebook page here.

Best known for:

 One of the best places to find sushi in Chiang Mai

 Excellent menu, selection, and location (and a sweet loft apartment upstairs that
could be for rent!)
 Expect to pay 100 baht to 300 baht per person
In a run-down little hole in the wall (left side, beside 7-11) Nimmanhaemin Road, soi 10,
Suthep, Chiang Mai. You can find it on FourSquare here.

Best known for:

 All you need to know; Pork potato curry and tea leaf salad, hold the rice
 Excellent food all around, vegetarian options, place needs a coat of paint though
 I eat here 1 to 3 times per day when I'm in the neighborhood, I'm biased

Nimmanahaeminda Road, soi 15 (formerly Bar Fry)

You can visit their website here.

Best known for:

 Great quality of food, plenty of tasty treats!

 Small, quaint location, great for dates

Soi 1 Kaeo Nawarat Soi 3/2, Chiang Mai

You can view them on TripAdvisor here, just in case they move again –they’ve moved
more than once in the last year or so!

Best known for:

 Reasonable Western food prices (Western food always costs more)

 Bakery; pastries, cookies, cakes
 Perfect for Sunday Brunch
 Best breakfast burrito, ever

Right beside Mr. Beer Bike Rentals; 2 Rajvithi Road, Chiang Mai

You can find them on TripAdvisor here.

Best known for:

  Thailand tends to pass off hot dog wieners as breakfast sausages --a crime by any
measure; Bamboo has English sausages on the menu, served with proper
British/American breakfast
 Great atmosphere
 Priced very reasonably for Western food
 The old British guys sitting around the front; one of them is likely a co-owner so say
hello and thank him for having some of the best breakfast choices in Chiang Mai!

24-24/1, Ratwithi Road., Amphor Muang, Chiang Mai

Best known for:

 Right down the street from Bamboo Cafe, massive beer list
 Quality Irish/English grub, especially great if you’re a fan of meat pies
 Back garden, great for a nice night out with a significant other

14 Nimmanhaemin Rd. Soi 11, Chiang Mai

You can view their Facebook page here.

Best known for:

 Pricey; however, the pizza is priced well and it's awesome

 Beautiful garden, great place to meet with a group of friends
 Great for dates

Floor B1, Maya Shopping Mall Huay Kaew Road, T. Suthep Chiang Mai

Best known for:

 Excellent Thai food options, low prices

 Clean, well lit area
 Rimping's restaurant side has a 59-baht breakfast which includes orange juice and
coffee until 11am (hot dog wiener "sausage", though)
Where to Find Groceries
After a while, you’ll find a number of cheap and local markets, but for now I’ve compiled a
list of grocery stores to get you off to a good start.

Floor B1, Maya Shopping Mall Huay Kaew Road, T. Suthep Chiang Mai

Best known for:

 Upscale grocery store, many Western foods that are typically hard to find
 Good wine and cheese selection
 Good vitamin selection *at other stores* on the same floor, like Saw Palmetto,
Spirulina, Astaxanthin, B Complex, Co-Q10, high EPA/DHA Fish Oil, Reishi
Mushroom

Kad Saun Kaew Mall (aka Central) - 99/4 Moo 2 Huay Kaew Rd., Tumbol Suthep, Amphur
Muang, Chiang Mai

Best known for:

 A touch less upscale from Rimping, better selection

 Inside the mall known as the "cheap mall", “80’s mall”, or "older mall"
 This shopping center is known for bargains in general

433/4-5 Moo 7, Mae Hia, Muang, Hangdong, Chiang Mai

Best known for:

 A "real" grocery store, full selection

 Out of the way
 Best prices
Don't want to leave your home? Here are the best options for delivery in Chiang Mai!

Tel. 089 954 9931

You can view their Facebook page here.

Best known for:

 You did read "bread delivery service" correctly, and it's some high quality loaf!
 Minimum orders for delivery: 100 baht
 Deliver Monday to Saturday in the afternoon from 3pm to 6:30pm, order before
4am for same day delivery
 Check out their Facebook page for their price list; at this time some fresh baked
bread loaves are as little as 50 baht

Tel. 084 608 6661-2

You can view their website here.

Best known for:

 Reliable, sets accurate time expectations most of the time

 Reasonably priced, recommended by many different people I know personally
 English-friendly staff
 Food delivery from restaurants, convenience stores (cigarettes, alcohol, condoms
and other goodies), and a great Western food/restaurant selection on their website
Where to Find Family-Friendly Attractions
A small handful of family-friendly sights to get you started! Be sure to check out these
attractions on Booking.com to get more information. Affiliate links will follow.

Please note that these attractions will not be on the companion map download, and you
can find the address and hours of operation for each on their website or on Trip Advisor.

3D Art Museum; step inside 3D art installations and take plenty of photos;
a great way to spice up your social photo feeds a little.

You can view their website here.

They're all over town —there's plenty around

Kikie's Guesthouse mentioned earlier in this guide. Kikie’s is also a family-friendly guest
house that features rooms with both a single and double bed, mosquito nets, clean large
bathrooms, etc.

Make a day of visiting each unique Wat, and be sure to venture up to Doi Suthep —here's
a great post to show you around from Never Ending Voyage, you can read it here.

With highlights like the Tiger Show, Digital Safari, Children

World, Tiger World, and the Jaguar Trail Zone there's something for everyone. (Not sure
about the ethics of this one, whether animals are drugged up).

You can view their website here.

A haven for elephants who have been previously mistreated, this

ethical elephant park puts you side by side with elephants —not riding on their back.

You can view their website here.

: Thailand's highest mountain and not to be missed, bring a sweater because

it gets cold up there.

You can find them on TripAdvisor here.

 Choose your own adventure with the
best Chiang Mai attractions list around.

You can view it here.

Yi Peng and Loi Krathong are two coinciding festivals where Thailand is lit up with
hundreds of thousands of lanterns all throughout the night.

"Yee Peng" sky lanterns are innumerable along the night sky in the north (Chiang Mai) and
Loi Krathong floating lanterns generally in the South as I've experienced in Ao Nang, Krabi.

These celebrations take place once per year on the evening of the full moon of the 12th
month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, and in Western calendars this usually falls in
November.

You can read more about these festivals here.

Most important of Thai holidays, the entire city erupts into a 4-day
water fight to celebrate the new lunar year of the Siam calendar.

You can find out more about Songkran Festival here.

These destinations are a little riskier for parents with little ones, so I suggest leaving
toddlers at home. These places are suitable for young adults and mature-behaving kids
from 9 and up.

Chiang Mai Quarry requires a little explanation. It's epically beautiful

and great for swimming, it takes a little while to get there, and Songthaew drivers won't
understand you if you ask for a lift, so renting a bike is almost a prerequisite.

You can read more about it here.

Chiang Mai Quarry - Image by KamrenB Photography

Chiang Mai quarry is on private land, and there are no lifeguards. (Life in Thailand includes
some of the best attributes of life before the 1990's, this may not be the most suitable for
babies or young kids).

Chiang Mai quarry is outside of my map collection so you can find it on Google Maps. I
strongly recommend checking it out; the quarry makes for a great place to break away
from the gym and be social with others. (I usually invite people on a Facebook group if I
am planning a trip for both safety and for making friends).

You can find the quarry on Google Maps here.

Pai is a hip little village in the mountains outside of Chiang Mai. It isn't
that far off, however what should be a simple 1-hour ride is more like 3 hours because of
all the Wyle E. Coyote style twists and turns. Don't fiddle with your mobile phone too much
if you're susceptible to motion sickness.

You can read a blog post about it here.

If you're planning to visit Pai for a few days, make it a week or two. Trust me, you'll
appreciate how laid back it is and how beautiful all of the surroundings are. Lots of stuff to
do; hiking, big wats, swimming, joy rides, and water falls).

While you're there, breakfast is a toss-up between Cafe d' tiste or Boomelicious Cafe. Both
have excellent coffee and great food options. I'd usually eat at Boom (unless I craved a
burger, then it was Cafe d'tiste), and then have a coffee and let my mind meander a little
while at Cafe d'tiste.

Find a watering hole (drinks) near the river and you'll likely find fire tossers from the local
circus school and a good bunch of people to pass the Dutchie time with.
The Dark Parts
Digital Nomad Scams
When it comes to being a digital nomad, I can get you to where you want to go
geographically, but you may decide to brush up on existing skills or learn some new ones.

And in any gold rush, the one's making the most money are the ones selling the shovels.

Before I criticize a small group of digital nomad scam artists I want to make something
clear. I’m non-partisan in this raging cynicism.

It is important to note that not all infoproducts, ecourses, and blogs about this lifestyle are
promoting a lie –although yes, there’s plenty of shills out there in nomad land. All nomads
have personal failures, and just because they don’t blog about their failures all the time it
doesn’t make them dishonest.

Monthly income reports are getting long in the tooth, Photoshop exists, and people will
never stop falling for lifestyle design porn.

Everyone is putting a majority of the blame on the ‘gurus’; both sides need to give their
heads a shake. Snake oil has always existed — and it seems the “everyone gets a trophy”
generation isn’t entirely cut out for it. I think the blame falls in large part on the people
drinking the Kool-Aid, stroking the egos and growing the bank of all the fools on top. Not
entirely, but caveat emptor. Am I “victim blaming?” Was Darwin?

Paying for some kind of skill upgrade will help you fast track, as long as you do your
research. Personally, I’d only spend money on something that taught me a core money-
making skill like affiliate marketing, search optimization, or software/web development.

I wouldn’t pay much for a “how to become a digital nomad” course or guide; I think the
cost of this book is high enough (it only cost you the time to read it). And yet I can still see
it being ripped and turned into an online course for $197.

This guide is now free for all, paid for by the carefully selected affiliate links within it. The
“final edition” isn’t always so final, and if there are incremental updates you can find them
here.
Bottom line, if you buy a course for $1,000 and up about how to be a nomad from a
person that only knows how to teach people how to be a nomad –that failure is on you.

Try browsing with images turned off, do your research, ask the right questions, and maybe
you won’t fall for a scam.

Here are a few tips for wading through a deep blue sea of infoproducts, and how to
differentiate a snake oil salesman from the genuine article.

For social proof, many will pull out their income reports and yet so many income reports
used as social proof fall short.

If you're familiar with Pat Flynn's Smart Passive Income Podcast –the man is as honest as
they come with his income reports. Clear, concise; an ideal example of income reporting.

What's the point of using an income report if you're not going to give people the goods?
An income report as social proof isn't a bold move at all, unless it's done transparently.
Here are some things to consider;

 A bank balance or proof of a deposit is not an income report

 Does it clearly state the gross profit and expenses?
 Is each revenue stream articulated (i.e. product across multiple platforms,
marketplaces, websites, assets)?
 i.e. If someone states they make $10,000 per month drop shipping, how many drop
shipping websites do they have and do they provide URLs, ever?

A solid income report doesn't create more questions than it answers. And being a digital
nomad doesn’t make you good at everything. You can’t just put on a white jacket and call
yourself a doctor.

Be mindful of dream peddlers who make more money as an affiliate for an infoproduct
than they do actually using the skills taught in the infoproduct. Do they practice what they
preach?

Take a long hard look at the expenses vs revenue; are they stumbling through their own
income project foolishly or do they know their stuff?
How often do they switch it up? Have they done any one thing long enough to get so
good at it they’re worth the bazillion dollars they’re charging you?

Having a good look at the pitch of an infoproduct and its creator's background will put
you closer to the real thing, and help you avoid having to get too familiar with anyone's
return policy.

Lifestyle design porn is anything that promotes a happy-go-lucky, always be crushin' it,
laptops on the beach and selfies –bullshit way of looking at location independence.

If you are investigating a new money-making skill, what's the emphasis on in the pitch for
the infoproduct? The benefits of the skill, or the lifestyle it says it will create?

Lifestyle focus can sometimes be misdirection –of course lifestyle is a huge benefit, but it’s
long game. What’s the short game?

Avoid lifestyle design porn at all costs; chances are you'd learn a lot more from someone
who seems boring and isn't pedaling a dream.

If you catch yourself brushing over hidden complexities with rose colored glasses; make it
a point to call yourself out for it. There are some mistakes you can't afford the time to
make twice.

Even this very book needs to be viewed through the same level of scrutiny. I wrote this
book with a focus to ensure it isn't pedaling a dream or a skill. Unless you consider
knowing your way around a city a skill. I call it geography.

When you're done reading this book ask yourself if I delivered on my promise of making it
easy to get from point a to b. If you think I’ve delivered, please leave a book review on
GoodReads, I'd sincerely appreciate your feedback.

When you’re experimenting with a new idea or taking the leap into writing for the first
time, you’ll likely want to have a second set of eyes on your work.

Whether it’s an offer of free proofreading in a Facebook group, or that new nomad friend
you made over a beer the night before –it’s best to keep your fresh ideas to people you
know and trust. It’s important to understand the difference between a casual acquaintance
and a solid friendship.

Over the years I’ve heard a lot of stories, from mild suspicion that another person
“borrowed” concepts from their work to blatant plagiarism. All in all, it’s a time vampire to
deal with both emotionally and figuratively when someone scoops and spins your work
and then puts their name on it.

Avoid the heap on, and try asking the right questions when you want to explore the
efficacy of an idea instead of laying it on someone’s doorstep in its entirety and then
asking what they think.

This one emphasizes the importance of your email list.

Much less a scam, but equally frustrating –some nomads are incredibly competitive and
equally desperate. So much so that they’ll try to stifle your product launch because they
have a competing product.

If you’re going to invest your time in a Facebook group or any other online community,
get to know the moderators. While they might appreciate the value you bring to their
community on a daily basis, that free offer for your product or service may not go over so
well. (Their group may just be about lead generation, and many won’t be transparent
about that fact –your contributions might just be adding value to someone else’s den of
pitch).

I’m not talking about spam; I’m talking about chatter around your offering that you’re not
the one initiating.

As with most Amazon Kindle KDP book launches, I offered this book for free for a week
(back when I used to charge for it) to put it in the hands of people who’d give it an honest
review. A few friends of mine had mentioned this on two prominent online digital nomad
communities only to be threatened with a ban for sharing the link. The latter had a 20-
page guide to Chiang Mai on sale for $19.99 at the time and didn’t take kindly to a free
185+ page competitor.

Following that, a negative review that made false claims stating key information present in
this book was missing kept appearing and disappearing on its Amazon product page.
After repeatedly responding to their review referencing quotes and page numbers that
contained the information the reviewer claimed was missing, they eventually gave up and
deleted their review when they saw they were doing more good than harm.

A few weeks after that I was the lucky recipient of 10,000 newsletter subscriptions on every
topic imaginable from across the interwebs. I assume all of these occurrences were
unrelated, and a few of the points above about infoproducts offended some sensitive
egos.

It’s petty, but it happens.

This is another reason why building your email list is important. Launches can be left to
those who genuinely value what you offer, and you don’t need to pander to strangers.

The moral of the story is to not become a shitty nomad as in these examples. Everyone has
it hard, and being supportive of anyone taking a serious shot at something will build that
karmic piggy bank.

Always give more than you take, and the community will stand for you and back you up.
People are always sensitive to a sell, just like on Reddit. So keep it real, and always focus
on what’s in it for the people you serve with your product launches.

“Sell” benefits, but don’t oversell the lifestyle.

The majority of Chiang Mai digital nomads are epic humans, unequivocally –but there is
still that group that never mentally graduated high school and it’s best to steer clear.

There are plenty of nomads out there who aren’t what they seem. They aren’t doing as
well as they boast, and they will lie, cheat, and steal out of their own desperation. It’s a
tough life, this is your test.

Avoid those who puff themselves up to appear as ambassadors and thought leaders when
all they did was memorize Tim Ferris’ “become an expert” chapter in the original 4 Hour
Workweek. Some people are just too good to be true and it’s up to you to figure that out
on your own.

It is what it is.
Making (Emergency) Money While You Travel
Sometimes you’re going to fall on your face, and you’re going to need somewhat quick
ways to make money online. These are not passive income strategies and you’ll need to be
a little resourceful to pull it off –but they’re doable.

This list if for that one morning you wake up and realize you don’t have enough baht in
your wallet to live out the month. Everybody finds themselves there, sometime. A few
affiliate links will follow.

– Copywriting saved my life a couple times. On average, I earned .033

USD per word, and the work was constant. To date, my wife (formerly my VA) and I have
filled gaps between projects with TextMaster, and we’ve made about $10k USD since I
opened my account.

In order to get paid, the minimum threshold for a withdrawal is about $55 USD. That’s
about 3 – 4 articles. It takes a few days to process, but it’s quick money.

TextMaster is a lot better than websites like iWriter because on iWriter your clients have
the option to reject your work without explanation, take it, and not pay you. On
TextMaster, you get paid if your client disappears or doesn’t approve your work after 7
business days.

Rates on iWriter are a joke, too, and it attracts shitty clients who don’t respect you or your
craft –and they usually work for equally shitty SEO companies that flood the web with
garbage content.

Other websites that friends have had success with include;

 TextBroker.com
 Contently.net
 Skyword.com

There are plenty of websites that offer money for surveys, and they’re a great way to stave
off the anxiety of having no other options available to you.
If you choose to sign up for any of these, I recommend doing so with a VPN to ensure you
get to the right page –for example, some survey websites won’t display for you if you’re
not physically in a Western country. These options are best used by Americans, or
accessed via a US VPN location; try to click a few links without a VPN to see what I mean.

 Pinecone Research
 Harris Poll Online
 American Consumer Survey
 InboxDollars
 SwagBucks
 SaySo for Good (donates part to charity, works in the Tropics currently)
 Panda Research

- At various points in this book I’ve mentioned teaching, and I’ve heard the
best things about VIPKid. It pays well, and it’s reliable. If you’ve ever taught English before,
I suggest you give it a shot.

If you don’t meet the criteria for VIPKid, consider TakeLessons.com (less stringent) or
explore Facebook groups and do a Google search for people overseas interested in having
someone teach English via Skype.

I strongly advise you keep it digital and out-of-country –working under the table in
Thailand is stealing jobs from people who did do the right paper work, got the right visa,
or they were born there. All frowned upon by the Immigration Dept.

– The Upwork link to the left is pointing to thousands of Virtual Assistant gigs,
many of which pay $10 USD per hour, and if you can read, write, and use the internet –
chances are there’s something there for you, and the better-than-Fiverr wage will help
compensate for Upwork’s horribly expensive fees.

Even if you’re just starting out on Upwork and have zero reviews, mentioning (or
emphasizing) your nationality, age, or education will go far.

Most VAs come from the third-world, and Westerners go through them like water. Often
they’ll be willing to take a risk on you if you’re from a Western country. Disclaimer: It is
what it is, I’m not trying to slight anyone who isn’t from the West. It just is. And even if
you’re not, give it a go and exceed expectations to get some ratings under your belt.

– Clarity is a great app for people who were masters of their trade back home in
their respective careers. Or really good at speaking to other people and helping them
solve a problem.

Clarity is an app that you put on your phone, write a bio, and choose your per-minute rate.
After that, you’re in the database and people can schedule paid calls with you. Whether it’s
tech, or you want to be an overnight lifestyle (read: digital nomad) “life consultant” –it’s
your choice to make. There’s an “other” section –leverage it.

At the end of the day, everyone is an expert at something.

– This one may be morally questionable to

some, but if it’s life or death, it’s life or death. Staying high atop Doi Suthep at this
meditation center requires a donation, but the rental charge of your pad on Airbnb.com
should make up for it.

Every ebook launch requires a high quality photorealistic 3D image of said book. There are
tools online for this, and they’re either crap, or they have an annoying watermark on them.
Some people pay as much as $25 to avoid a watermark.

If you watch this video, you will notice that this $9 collection of 9 PSD files is incredibly
easy to edit –just double click on a smart object, paste a flat cover image, hit save, and
Photoshop does all the work.

My suggestion? Resell custom 3D book images as a service on Fiverr, and do low-res for
$5, high-res for $10, and commercial use license for $15 each. You’ll make your money
back x10 in a single day, so it’s a great way to spend your last $9.
Hold that dial if you’re not a video editor, this one’s easier than the 3D book cover.

If you’ve ever viewed a video of mine (that was produced after April 2017), you’ll know they
have dynamic intros. I use an online tool called Viddyoze that’s basically Canva, but for
video animation and cost $67 one-time, and $37 per month for the unlimited “Template
Club” (which is optional).

Some people complain that having to upgrade to the Template Club makes it a “scam” –
but a one-time cost for cloud-based software doesn’t make sense for a business. I don’t
blame them for having a $37/month upsell, however I do think they should consider
setting that expectation from the get-go.

If I am ever in a jam again, I am going to sell customized video intros on websites like
Fiverr or Upwork. Each render takes a few minutes, and it would be easy to come up with
more than enough to cover its costs –plus using it in my own videos will only help
conversions and up the professionalism a few notches.

When I hired Oshin, my first VA, I had 1 month plus 5 days to pay her a salary of $600 USD.
And that was a $200+ USD raise over what her previous SEO employer paid her when she
was my content manager.

I gave her all of the work I did have –and I had time to find more freelance work on top of
that because she freed up my time to look for it.

One month was enough time to earn back what I owed her, and enough for me to live on
while I started Copyrise. It took my darkest days to give me the clarity that ensured I pulled
this off.

My point? Always keep an eye out for a good VA from the Philippines before you get
fucked –and then be ready to pull the trigger when the timing is right. Just know what
you’re doing, and don’t risk someone else’s livelihood in the process.
On Health and Self Destruction
Everyone has a reason why they go nomad –and the words we mouth in public about
“getting tired of the nine-to-five” are only the tip of the iceberg. The whole truth often
doesn’t look so pretty on a travel blog, nor does it attract sponsored posts.

The reality is, a lot of digital nomads have two things in common.

Whenever I meet a new friend who I feel comfortable being around, I’m always curious
what they can do, and why they’re here.

A “glitch” is not a negative personality trait at all –if anything, it can be a source of
strength.

For me, it’s more of a playful approach to why they got on a plane in the first place.

I recognized early on that those able to make the leap and leave so much behind either
have an open mind or a bit of a death wish, and strong independent skills that unlock
doors other people keep closed. Earlier in the book I referred to them as roadworthy skill
sets.

And the longer some have been away since their last visit home, the bigger the glitch.

Something that hurt them, bad.

Takes one to know one I guess.

That isn’t to say we all have scars. Some people are just light, and good for them. But for
those carrying a hole under their ribs, our health is often the price of admission we pay for
the struggle. The older you get, the more this will resonate with you.

For some it was the death of a close friend, a car accident, a gut-wrenching divorce, a
string of brutality, a cancer victory that scared them to life –or worse, a fight they’re in the
process of losing. I’ve met people with every one of these scars, and some of them aren’t
breathing anymore.

Or it was Trump in the White House.

Whatever your poison, it’s pushing you onto a plane and it made you pick up this book.
And it made you fearless.

There’s always a calibration period; a distillation of sorts. Our heartaches in life can make
us reckless, fall apart and put ourselves back together, discarding the leftover pieces.

For me it took years.

I turned to cheap beer, women, Camel Whites, and Rasta bars because of decades-old
family problems and a posthumous voicemail message I received months too late, from an
old friend who kissed a train.

I drank myself into oblivion, buried my little sufferings between the thighs of strangers, and
destroyed friendships. And it started a chain reaction for my health that almost killed me.

We all distill differently.

When it’s over, we either come around, learn, adapt, and mature –or we become bitter,
passive, arrogant, or all of the above. Some don’t survive the pursuit.

During this time of transformation, you need to be mindful of your health, relationships,
and the frailty of others. At one point or another in your life, these things are all you’ve
got.

Me and Death, we’re tight. We dated for about a year and a half before I broke it off
amicably.

Mysterious health problems reduced me to 140 pounds, even in spite of the 5-6 whole
roasted chickens I’d eat per day.

I ate everything in sight and I was disappearing faster than Marty McFly in a Polaroid
picture.
I was scared I couldn’t stop it. I avoided going out. I refused to go home to Canada, and I
put myself into debt with hospital bills in Bangkok. There was a dozen suspected causes,
but nothing conclusive.

My immunity took a total dump; at one time or another over the course of a year or so, I
had parasites, ringworm, skin fungus, chronic candida, ear infections, eye infections,
irritable bowel syndrome, intense neck pain, light sensitivity, headaches, rapid hair loss,
intense mood swings, and cold sweats where the mattress was unusable for days
afterwards. And that’s just what I remember.

Needless to say, it did my head in. My boat was taking on water, and I had no choice but
to accept it.

My body was fighting something, and it fought hard. Alcohol most certainly played a
central role, but it wasn’t the meat and potatoes. The whole binge-drinking thing is stupid,
I know, but it happens to the best of us.

It wasn’t cancer, HIV, TB, dengue, malaria, kidney failure, liver damage, meningitis, or any
of the usual Southeast Asian health problems –I got checked for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. And I
didn’t touch hard drugs.

I did eventually go home to Canada after I made improvement and I did it for my Lady,
but only after we started Copyrise, met in person, became romantic, fell in love, and I
secured our engagement. Had I retreated, none of that would have happened. Doctors in
Canada found nothing other than my stark vitamin B deficiency.

I had never been more productive than when I faced death.

 Today, I’m back to 99%. I’m healthy and without
medication. I’m not a doctor, so there’s no merit in
tossing around blind guesses. But I did take antibiotics
and ketoconazole before it got really bad, and I have a
feeling these drugs sent my immune system in a
tailspin. They hand it out like candy in Thailand.

The list below could be longer, but that’s a story for

another book. If you sign up for my mailing list that is
currently on this page, I’ll let you know when or if it
comes out.

I’ve only included the key things that I made part of my daily regimen below, and I believe
this is how I got better over time.

When the dark parts dissipate, you’ll be glad you took care of your health as best you
could. These health suggestions are basic, easy to follow, and in order of importance.
Affiliate link warning in effect.

If you don’t make it really easy to consume your fresh fruits and vegetables, you never will.
A bit of spirulina or frozen spinach cubes you can pick up at Big C won’t overpower the
mango and coconut oil in a smoothie.

Buy a fancy tote bag to go with it, and wrap it in newspaper for every flight because you’ll
have to check it before you board. It’s the only luggage I can’t keep in a carry on.

I bought a Philips mini-blender in Asia (Bangkok), so I didn’t need to pick up a voltage

adapter. The Magic Bullet seems like it might be ideal for some of you, but it’s far too small
IMHO.

This one’s probably the hardest one on the list to procure, but it’ll mitigate much of the
threats and damage your body will endure while traveling –probiotics are your army of
good bacteria, ready to go to war for your precious meat sack.
The best sources are from supplements, kefir, or fermented foods. I’ve been lucky enough
to find them in a pharmacy that lines the wall of the lower food court at Maya Mall near
Rimping.

Just avoid marketing bullshit when it comes to probiotics –anything loaded with sugar, like
yogurt or those little bottled drinks in 7-11 (Yakult?) won’t help you. If you consume yogurt,
go Greek and sugar free. Kefir is the most potent, and pretty damned tasty in a smoothie.

Probiotics will boost your immunity against diseases, viruses, diarrhea, parasites, yeast
infections, fungal infections, eczema flare-ups, and ear aches, among other things.

Keep in mind you’re always sweating which is a prime condition for fungal infections like
ringworm and chronic candida –a waxy film on your skin that is invisible to others but
grody for you to walk around with. It’s the same film that’s responsible for dandruff and
hair loss, gents. Yes, probiotics prevent hair loss, too.

Probiotics will also preserve your beach abs –especially if you go Paleo and give up foods
like bread, rice, peanuts, soy, and sugar.

Most people have a belly from bloat caused by eating foods that either kill off the healthy
bacteria in your gut, cause inflammation (peanuts), or feed the monsters like bad bacteria
or over-cultivation of yeast. Even eating preservative-laden foods like hot dogs
(preservatives) will make you bloat, hard.

If you do find yourself with a waxy film on your skin, use shampoo with
ketoconazole such as Nizoral like it’s a body wash + shampoo 2-in-1, and scrub with those
fancy shower gloves or a porous stone (they sell them in Asia for bathing). Do not take
ketoconazole in pill form, it will do much, much more damage than good.

Probiotics will also prevent mood swings after a drinking binge (along with vitamin B). Your
moods usually start in the belly. Your gut flora is connected to every system in your body,
and if you don’t keep it healthy you’ll feel as moody as a baby with a diaper rash –in your
brains.

Lastly, they’re one of the few supplements that can’t withstand an airport scanner.
I bought these amazing probiotics in Canada and by the time I got through all my
connecting flights and back to Asia, they didn’t work. You’ll know if they work, because
you’ll be able to clear a room for a few weeks after you start taking them. You’ll figure it
out.

Please don’t take my word on probiotics –I’d much rather prefer you own this one. If you
research anything in this chapter, I implore you to research probiotics and their effect on
your immunity, and your mood –and that’s not a disclaimer, I know what you’re going to
find even if you use your own trusted sources. They’re important.

I put it in everything from smoothies to curries, and I put it on my skin daily.

It takes 2-3 days for it to get rid of the heat rash you get on your butt after sitting in a
coworking space for too long (looking at you, pale people), prevents yeast infections or
itching in your nether regions, is great for shaving and as aftershave, will prevent hair loss
if you soak your scalp in it from time to time, and it mitigates damage from the sun. Just
apply, leave on for five minutes, towel off.

Consuming it regularly in food or just a couple table spoons per day will also prevent
parasites and eczema flare-ups. It’s readily available all over the tropics, too –but here’s a
link, anyway.

After a couple months of self-sabotage, I noticed my ring finger and pinky fingers, arms,
smaller toes and my extremities in general got numb and tingly easily. During sleep, I
needed to roll over often because I kept getting numb.

This was due to a severe vitamin B deficiency caused by alcohol and too many noodles
(malnutrition). In my case, it was vitamin B1.

Beer and eating poorly (preservatives) rob your body of vitamin B, and that can lead to
some real problems.

Vitamin B is responsible for the creation of red blood cells, hormones, improving your
energy levels and mood, regulating your nervous system, supporting your immunity,
preventing kidney disease, and a host of other things you ignore when you’re on a mission
of self-destruction. Take your vitamin B daily.
If you’re not a “supplement person” –wait until you’re deficient then, no sarcasm. When
you feel like you’re numb all the time, pop a B complex for 3 days in a row and if you feel
better, it isn’t psychosomatic. You can’t placebo your red blood cells to grow.

Lastly, I horde Jack Fruit when it’s in season because it’s an amazing fruit, and full of
vitamin B.

This one is for the men. Who said this whole list had to be depressing? I just wanted to
make sure you’re not sleeping.

Choline is found in broccoli, part of the vitamin B family, and is useful for your nerve
function, sexual performance, metabolism, brain development, and it’s great to take an
hour before lifting weights.

It’s easy to neglect your vegetables while you’re on the road, and if you’re a man feeling a
little light under the belt these days, it’s likely because your body is lacking in choline. A
head of broccoli before a night out will go a long way.

For its health benefits, I’m talking about ACV that wasn’t pasteurized. It’s fermented and it
feeds the good bacteria in your body while killing the evil kinds, and really stretches out
the probiotics I mentioned earlier. It also fights diabetes by lowering blood sugar, makes
you feel full, and lowers your risk of heart disease.

It’s also amazing for your skin, which you’ll probably be showing off a lot more in the
tropics.

You’ll know you found the right one if the label says it still contains “the mother”, it’s
“organic”, and it looks cloudy. I suggest Bragg’s, but there’s some nice imports from New
Zealand in Thailand which I can’t remember the name of.

Readily available in the Philippines, I found it harder to find in Chiang Mai. Check out
Rimping or boutique grocery shops for this one.
All the grocery store locations I mention here can be found later in this guide.

As a disclaimer, I can’t make any health claims without telling you that “these statements
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any information in this
guide is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease”.

Of course, IMHO these are the same ass hats allowing bleach in your food, not regulating
vitamins, killing your good gut bacteria, and making you miserable enough to stay in one
place. So, fuck people like that.
Homicide Island
You will probably take the occasional island getaway from Chiang Mai, so I thought I’d
mention Koh Tao.

The island has built itself a reputation for being the final destination of many foreigners
over the last few decades. My guess –tourism has rubbed some locals the wrong way.

There are so many islands to visit that it’s easy to skip Koh Tao, which is a popular hotspot
for scuba diving Europeans because of mainstream travel guides published about the
country.

Too many deaths, questionable suicides, or missing persons in the news to call it a
coincidence; I won’t step foot there, never have.

It was in Western media that there’s a handful of villains there whose local (read:
Thai) kids go Springbreakers on foreigners because they can, followed by Burmese frame-
jobs. I won’t form any arguments one way or the other because I wasn’t there, and to
comply with Thai defamation laws –and it really is a great country I’d like to visit again
regardless.

Highly-publicized mysterious deaths I am familiar with are those of David Miller, Hannah
Witheridge, and Jean-François Louet. At the time of writing, there’s a missing Russian
expat named Valentina Novozhyonova currently making front page news around the
globe.

Some will say it’s my loss to not visit Koh Tao, or I am being paranoid –so as with anything
in this guide, I leave it to you to decide for yourself. I hope the trolls can humor me on this
one as this book is for absolute beginners.

I lived in Bangkok for about a year and I loved it; others might say Koh Tao is safer than
Bangkok. Once you’re acclimated to Thailand, you’ll be in a better position to decide for
yourself.
I suggest you check out ThaiVisa.com and sign up for the newsletter or pick up the app to
see how interesting the Thai media perspective is, where reading between the lines is
where you’ll find the meat of any article.

To help you explore your options I (affiliate) link to hotels below, however there are some
really amazing Airbnb options in and around the islands, too.

If it’s cold beer, white sand, and the occasional pick up you’re after I suggest the quiet Koh
Lanta. If you’re looking for the best Full Moon Party in Thailand, organize a trip to Koh Pha
Ngan (aka Koh Phangan).

Other islands that I really enjoyed include; Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Chang, Koh Lipe, the
Similan Islands, and Koh Samui.
Resources
Reading List
There are a number of books that have either influenced myself, or people I’ve met along
my path that I thought I’d highlight here. These books relate to mindset, personal
experience, and necessary skills. Once again, affiliate links below.

I didn’t want to give you a year of reading –just a few essentials.

And of course, if you haven’t read 4 Hour Workweek, I think now is the time (although I’d
be flattered greatly if you’ve read this guide first). While you may not appreciate every
single aspect of Tim’s book, it is a bible of sorts, for most modern nomads and it comes up
in discussion a lot.

A handful of books to get you over yourself, and mentally prepare you for the drastic
changes ahead. I’ve read all but one of these books and they helped me cope with my
own negative attitudes and those around me, get out of a rut, or leverage skills and
experience I already had for a higher quality of life.

 Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

 The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and
Change the World
 A Thousand New Beginnings: Tales of Solo Female Travel Through Southeast Asia
 Gorilla Mindset: How to Control Your Thoughts and Emotions and Live Life on Your
Terms
 How to Become a Modern Viking: A Man's Guide To Unleashing The Warrior Within
 Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life

These books are highly rated and useful from the get-go. Worth mention is that I really
enjoy just about anything Mish Slade writes and I suggest checking out her other work;
she’s a great inspiration for both my career and my life on the road. I’ve listed two of her
books here at the top of the list.

 Travel While You Work: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Business from Anywhere
 Travel Like a Pro: Road-Tested Tips for Digital Nomads and Frequent Travelers
 How to Travel the World on $50 a Day
 Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose
 The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and
Create a New Future
 The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do
About It
 Job Escape Plan: The 7 Steps to Build a Home Business, Quit your Job and Enjoy the
Freedom
 International House Sitting: How to Travel The World And Stay Anywhere, For FREE
 Rework by Seth Godin
Recommended Blogs
As the community continues to grow, a wealth of information about becoming a digital
nomad is becoming available online. Every nomad has that first blog that woke them up,
got in their head, and convinced them to take the leap for the first time.

For me it was Cody McKibben and the original Thrilling Heroics, for my wife it was I am
Aileen. Whatever your flavor, there is a nomad out there you can learn from.

Hobo is a travel lifestyle blog that is a collaboration with fellow travel bloggers and digital
nomads. At the time of writing we are just undergoing a website redesign and moving
forward with our community-driven focus.

Learn travel hacks, how to monetize your blog, and how to position yourself as an
influencer.

You can view our blog here and apply to write a guest post here.

My first exposure to location independence came from this blog penned by Cody
McKibben, and I think he may have even coined the term "digital nomad". The man helped
to reinvigorate the expat community into what it is today, and his main locations of choice
are Ao Nang (Krabi) and Chiang Mai.

You can view his blog here.

Aileen will show you that you don’t have to be from a Western country to be a successful
digital nomad. Aileen is from the Philippines, she’s made a name for herself, and she’s
assembled a lot of valuable resources that she shares with the world on her blog.

You can view her blog here.

Pat Flynn is a really nice guy who turned a layoff into a passive income opportunity. Real
down to earth advice for internet entrepreneurs. Great podcast, too. (Pat's not a nomad,
but his flavor of wisdom is popular in the community).

You can view his blog here.

I can’t get enough of this guy –he’s a never-ending resource of helpful information, and
he’s part of my regular reading regimen. His blog has so much valuable information in it;
you’ll learn everything from how to make money online to how to deal with depression.
And don’t be surprised if you bump into this AppSumo, BuzzSumo, SumoMe founder
around Thailand, I once sat at the next table at a soup place in Ao Nang.

You can view his blog here.

I’ve mentioned Mish Slade already in this guide –she’s and her partner Rob are excellent
human beings and are some the best writers I’ve seen in the digital nomad community.
They have been nomads for quite a while, and also run a clever copywriting company
called Mortified Cow. I highly recommend their newsletter to see what I am talking about.

You can view their blog here.

An excellent travel blog by friend, former neighbor, and travel blogger extraordinaire
Sabrina Iovino. She is an influencer who makes ends meet by blogging, fulltime –and she’s
even leveraged cat sitting to get a free and paid accommodation in a Hong Kong
skyscraper –she’s a great inspiration.

The link below is about how she is able to afford living in a state of constant travel.

You can view her blog here.

James Schramko’s an all-around awesome person who knows his business, is great at
leveraging tools to grow and automate it, and he's got a couple great podcasts; Superfast
Business, and the on again off again Freedom Ocean (my favorite of the two).

You can view his blog here.

A blog and podcast by well-known long-time nomads Dan and Ian, creators of the
Dynamite Circle (The DC) which is an excellent for-pay forum for serious online
professionals, only.

You can view their blog here.

An incredibly informational and inspiring blog by fellow nomad Sean Kim. Definitely worth
hours of reading!

You can view his blog here.

A family travel portal with profiles for all sorts of nomad families and a forum; posts with
valuable tips from a diverse range of contributors will be sure to help any aspiring nomad
family get on their way.

You can view this website here.

Quirky globetrotter, friend, former neighbor, and travel blogger. Encouraging people to
follow their dreams is her mission! A decent website example to see how one might
monetize a blog.

You can view her blog here.

Podcaster, vlogger, blogger, and freelance web developer –Chris is a really nice guy with
plenty of information to share with his followers.

You can view his blog here.

Alejandro Nuñez is a former neighbor, travel blogger, author, and all around great guy –
Alejandro maintains a Spanish-language blog where he helps aspiring nomads learn how
to make money online and travel long-term.

You can view his blog here.

Internet marketing is an integral part of any digital nomad’s success and this resource
offers a wide range of helpful information from affiliate marketing to internet marketing.

You can view their blog here.

Another non-nomad website, but they sure could be! Shelley and Heather are great
resources if you're looking to make a passive income with Kindle ebooks - check out their
newsletter!

You can view their website here.

Copyrise works with travel bloggers for influencer marketing campaigns with hotels,
resorts, and other bespoke travel businesses. These are a small handful of them that we’ve
recently approached, in no specific order. If you’d like to get on our blogroll, please visit
copyrise.com/bloggers.

 Travel Monkey  Siniciliya

 Backpack Me  Voyager
 The Lavish Nomad  Mindful Mermaid
 On the QT
Third-Party Courses
In order to learn the skills necessary to live comfortably (instead of just surviving) you’re
going to have to upgrade your thinking.

Free information is killing us. While I do believe that information should be kept in the
public trust in principle, the internet has created an avalanche of information and it’s
getting increasingly difficult to weed out substantial information from the chaff.

There are countless reasons why I prefer to pay for my education:

 As a beginner, you can’t tell good free information from bad free information
 Taking courses are a faster way to develop new skills (and become cash positive)
 When information providers are paid, they offer better support
 Time is money –time spent making mistakes has a price tag
 Refunds are kryptonite for course-makers and you usually get more than you pay
for
 Most courses have a money-back guarantee, eliminating risk

With this in mind, here are my top course suggestions. I’ve taken some of these courses
myself, and friends have taken others. Not one of these courses is being suggested
without an actual referral by someone I know and trust. Affiliate links will follow.

Brett Whiteside from LTFWG is a really down to earth guy that I met in Chiang Mai, and his
incredibly intuitive (and affordable) language program makes learning Thai easy.

His program is ideal for those who don’t have time to go to one of the actual language
schools I mentioned earlier in the guide, yet still really want to learn the language. I’ve only
heard great things about this course, and he’s dominating the Thai language space
because of his reputation for providing quality learning tools.

You can learn more about this course here.

This course is revered by many as one of the best ways to learn how to validate, execute,
and make your first $1,000 USD from a business idea. The course can be completed in 60
days and is ideal for wantrepreneurs who would like to create a digital product, physical
product, brand themselves (become an influencer), or consult.

This course comes from the wisdom of Noah Kagan, the gentleman who created products
we all know and love, such as SumoMe, AppSumo, BuzzSumo, and Mint.com’s marketing
tactics, among others.

You can learn more about this course here.

Learn how to build and launch your first e-course, courtesy of Tommy Griffith –the SEO
Project Manager at Airbnb and previous SEO Manager at PayPal.

Tommy will tell you what to teach, tools you should use, and how you are going to make
money. He also throws in two months of unlimited course-creation consulting which to me
is worth it, all on its own.

You can learn more about this course here.

I mentioned this one earlier in the guide because it’s a course I took recently and it blew
my mind. Taking on Google –something I’ve done for a while with my Travel SEO
company—is a real pain in the ass if you need traffic very fast, and you’re running out of
time, money, patience, or all of the above.

Pinterest can potentially generate a lot of traffic to your online business in short order, all
while you slowly build up your Google rank and become cash positive. You do not need to
rank on Google to become successful –and that feels really great to say.

Free course videos:

1. Laying the Foundations – SEO

2. Creating Viral Pins Step-by-Step for Massive Traffic
3. Pinterest Worthy Content
4. Websites Fail Traffic Cures (aka The Pitch)

After viewing their free videos, you can learn more about their course here.
Free Extras and Other Resources
In order to receive your additional companion downloads and resources available for
Digital Nomad Escape Plan, simply visit this link and sign up for our special Digital Nomad
Escape Plan newsletter.

Your first email will come with all available extras, followed by regular updates.

You will receive:

 Printable checklists to help you start your journey

 Printable maps that will show you where to find an apartment, coworking spaces,
gyms, health services, grocery stores, and restaurants listed in this guide
 Printable Thai-language phrase cards to make it easy to communicate basic needs
 Director’s Cut-style audio book for Digital Nomad Escape Plan
 Monthly updates to help you monetize your blog, keep healthy, and connect with
other nomads

are also invited to join my Slack channel to arrange link-building guest

posts, like-for-like (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), find blog monetization and SEO tips, make
connections, discover tools, and make connections.

It’s my experience that Slack channels are a lot more functional than all-purpose Facebook
groups. The Slack channel will eventually be part of paid courses I’ll be offering, so fill out
our questionnaire and get in for free/cheap while you can.

You can find out more about the Slack channel here.

Here are a few places I’ll always be online, feel free to connect.

 Website – Hobo with a Laptop

 Website – Copyrise
 Linked In
 Twitter – Personal
 Twitter – Hobo with a Laptop
 Twitter – Copyrise
  Facebook – Hobo with a Laptop
 Facebook – Copyrise
 Instagram – Hobo with a Laptop
 Instagram – Copyrise
 Pinterest – Hobo with a Laptop
 Pinterest – Copyrise
 Slideshare – Hobo with a Laptop
 Slideshare – Copyrise

Just a few extra resources I wasn’t quite sure where to place!

Always keep track of local holidays –you never know when a Thai holiday will creep
up on you and mess up your visa run schedule or affect your pay day.

You can visit Time and Date here.

Paying for education is probably going to land you with a better learning
experience, however sometimes free is better than nothing.

You can find free Thai language resources here.

There are a number of crowd-sourced Google Maps I’ve found over the years that
will show you plenty of hidden gems around Chiang Mai. These maps were curated
by the digital nomad community at large, so I can’t guarantee they’ll always be up
to date.

 Shopping Destinations
 Activities
 Night Life
 Cafes and Juice Bars
 Important Locations
A great resource that’s curated and updated regularly that will cover just about
anything I may have left out of this book.

Nomad Links has current information related coliving, travel guides, software, tools,
gear, discounts, coupons, careers, courses, coworking spaces, visas and even
income tax.

You can find Nomad Links here.

Wrapping it Up
Since I published this guide back in 2015, I’ve met some amazing people and I’d like to
keep that up. Please feel free to keep in touch over the contact links I provided earlier.

I also invite you to share this guide with your friends, and/or link them to
hobowithalaptop.com/guides.

It’s been quite a journey. When Digital Nomad Escape Plan first came out in 2015, it only
had roughly 31,000 words (and a really ugly cover).

Today, the edition you’re currently reading has a word count that surpasses 46,000.

I’ve tossed around the notion that this will likely be the final update to the book, but truth
be told, I said that last update and the update before that. I can’t seem to put it down.

If I keep getting reviews for this book, that will likely be reason enough to keep updating it.
Reviews tell me that the message isn’t lost on the interwebs, and it’s still relevant.

If you think this book is worthy of a review, I’d love for you to review it on Goodreads or
your website, as it is no longer available on the Amazon Kindle marketplace.
Reviews are the lifeblood of encouragement for any author, and I’d really appreciate what
you have to say about the information contained within this guide.

These reviews were taken from the now defunct Amazon product page. I removed Digital
Nomad Escape Plan from Amazon on March 27, 2017.
If you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting out, I’d also like to invite you to write a guest
post for Hobo with a Laptop. You can do so by filling out our questionnaire here.