A few years back, I packed my laptop, booked a one-way ticket, and moved to Bangkok.
Like a lot of people, I’d been fed that glossy Instagram version of the “digital nomad lifestyle”—iced lattes in hip cafés, rooftop pools, and a schedule that screamed freedom.
And look, I’m not here to completely tear that image apart. Bangkok is an incredible city. It’s energetic, cheap compared to the West, and it has everything from street food that costs pocket change to luxury malls that rival anything in New York or London.
But living the digital nomad life there? It’s not quite the effortless dream the influencers sell you.
Recently I’ve been reflecting on that experience, especially the time I spent living near Sukhumvit. And honestly—while there were some unforgettable highs, there were also plenty of challenges I wish I’d known before jumping in.
Here’s the truth no one tells you.
1. The heat and humidity will drain you
It’s easy to romanticize working in a café while wearing linen shirts and sipping coconut water.
Reality check: Bangkok is hot. Not “summer in Europe” hot—more like “permanent sauna” hot. Step outside for five minutes and you’ll be sweating through your clothes.
I thought I’d just “get used to it.” But when you’re carrying a laptop, trying to find decent Wi-Fi, and moving between cafés, the heat quickly becomes exhausting. Even short walks felt like mini missions.
This might sound like a small thing, but it affects productivity. You either end up hiding in air-conditioned malls (which, by the way, are temples of consumerism) or you’re stuck in your apartment more than you expected.
2. Wi-Fi is good… until it isn’t
Bangkok’s Wi-Fi is fast compared to many other places in Southeast Asia. Most cafés advertise “free Wi-Fi” like it’s part of the furniture.
But here’s the catch: it’s not always reliable. I can’t count how many times I was mid-Zoom call when the connection dropped, or I had to sprint to another café because the one I’d settled into suddenly had an outage.
If your work requires consistent, professional-grade internet, you’ll probably need a backup plan—like paying for a coworking space or tethering off your phone’s data. Both work, but they add to your costs (and frustration).
3. The cost of living isn’t as cheap as you think
Yes, street food can be ridiculously affordable. A plate of pad kra pao for $1.50? Amazing.
But if you want anything resembling your “Western” lifestyle—say, a decent apartment near Sukhumvit, a gym membership, and the occasional brunch—it adds up quickly.
When I first moved, I thought I’d be living large for half the cost of home. The truth? Living comfortably in Bangkok isn’t that cheap anymore.
The influencers who say you can “live like a king for $1,000 a month” are either exaggerating or cutting a lot of corners.
4. The distractions are real
Bangkok is one of the most stimulating cities in the world. The nightlife, the food scene, the endless events—it’s all right there, every night of the week.
And while that sounds fun (and it is), it’s also a major productivity killer. I can’t tell you how many times I’d planned to “just grab dinner with friends” and ended up in a 1 a.m. tuk-tuk ride home.
If you’re serious about your work, you need discipline. Otherwise, Bangkok will eat your focus alive. The city is designed for stimulation and spending. It’s the opposite of a minimalist retreat.
5. Loneliness hits harder than you expect
This one surprised me the most. Bangkok is crowded, yes. There are thousands of expats, travelers, and nomads.
But that doesn’t automatically mean connection.
I met plenty of people, but the relationships often felt transient. People were always coming or going. Friends I made one week would be on a flight to Bali the next. Building something stable, something deeper, was much harder than I thought.
It reminded me of a lesson from Buddhism: attachment brings suffering, especially when impermanence is guaranteed. And Bangkok is full of impermanence. It taught me to enjoy connections without clinging to them—but it also made me crave stability in ways I hadn’t before.
6. The romanticized “work from cafés” life gets old
On Instagram, you see digital nomads with MacBooks, flat whites, and minimalist desks. What you don’t see are the crowded cafés, the loud blenders, the fight for power outlets, or the staff giving you side-eyes for sitting there five hours after buying one drink.
Sure, it’s fun at first. But eventually, I realized I was spending too much energy finding “the perfect spot” rather than just… working.
That’s when coworking spaces started to make more sense. But again, they aren’t free—and some are just as noisy as cafés, only with more MacBooks.
7. You still carry yourself with you
This was the biggest lesson I learned. Moving to Bangkok didn’t magically make me more productive, happier, or fulfilled.
For a while, I thought a change of scenery would fix everything—my work routines, my stress, my restlessness.
But here’s the truth: wherever you go, you bring yourself with you. The same habits, the same thought patterns, the same procrastination.
Bangkok amplified that lesson for me. With so many distractions and so few external rules, you’re forced to face your own self-discipline (or lack thereof).
That can be a gift, but it’s also confronting.
Final words
Do I regret living the digital nomad life in Bangkok? Not at all.
It gave me experiences I’ll never forget: eating street food under neon lights, working from rooftops with views of the skyline, and learning to navigate a city that never slows down.
But here’s the thing: it wasn’t the dream the influencers promised. It was messy, sweaty, distracting, and at times, lonely.
If you’re considering it, go in with open eyes. Bangkok is incredible—but it won’t do the work for you. The city won’t hand you focus, discipline, or fulfillment. That’s your responsibility.
And maybe that’s the real lesson. The digital nomad life isn’t about where you are—it’s about how you show up, wherever you happen to be.
