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Daily Life in Chiang Mai

Living in the Digital Nomad Capital of Asia

Chiang Mai has earned global recognition as the "digital nomad capital of Asia" in 2025, offering exceptional infrastructure combined with affordable living costs and a relaxed lifestyle. The city provides world-class internet speeds (100-300+ Mbps in cafes), convenient transportation options, and all the modern amenities expats need while maintaining its unique cultural charm.

💡 Quick Daily Life Facts:

• Scooter rental: From ฿100-250/day for easy city navigation
• Fiber internet: ฿600-1,200/month (200-500 Mbps)
• Utilities: ฿2,000-4,000/month total (electricity, water, internet)
• Songthaews (red trucks): ฿30 flat rate within city

Transportation Options

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Songthaews (Red Trucks)

฿30 flat rate

The iconic red trucks of Chiang Mai operate as shared taxis throughout the city. Simply flag one down, tell the driver your destination, hop in the back, and pay when you get off.

Flat ฿30 rate within city center

Shared transport with locals

Flag down anywhere on route

Negotiate price for outside city

Most authentic local experience

Pro Tip

If heading outside the old city or city center, negotiate the price before getting in. Rates may increase to ฿50-100 depending on distance.

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Grab & Ride-Hailing Apps

From ฿20

Grab, Bolt, LineMan, and InDrive offer various transport options throughout Chiang Mai. Extremely cost-effective with short wait times, these apps have transformed getting around the city.

Motorcycle taxis from ฿20

Cars and vans available

English-language apps

See price before booking

Track your driver

Cashless payment options

Pro Tip

You can get across the old town on a motorcycle taxi for as little as ฿20, depending on demand and time of day. Perfect for quick trips.

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Scooter Rental

฿100-250/day

Renting a scooter is the most popular option for expats and digital nomads in Chiang Mai. Provides complete freedom to explore the city and surrounding areas at your own pace.

Basic scooters: ฿100-250/day

Larger bikes: ฿800+/day

Discounts for multi-day rentals

Available throughout city

Freedom to explore mountains

Park anywhere easily

Pro Tip

Rent for multiple days to get better rates (often ฿150/day for week-long rentals). Always wear a helmet - police checkpoints are common!

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Tuk-Tuks

฿100-200

The iconic three-wheeled vehicles are mainly used by tourists. While fun and photogenic, they're less economical than other options for regular use.

Tourist-friendly

Covers short distances

Always negotiate price first

Fun experience

Good for groups

Pro Tip

Always negotiate the price before getting in. Expect to pay ฿100-200 for short trips within the old city. Songthaews and Grab are usually cheaper.

Internet & Mobile Connectivity

AIS

Recommended

Widest network coverage in Thailand with 95% nationwide reach and 99% in major cities. Best all-around choice for reliable signal everywhere.

95% nationwide coverage

Best for rural areas and travel

5G available in Chiang Mai

Available at 7-Eleven, airport

Fiber internet options for homes

TrueMove H

Excellent coverage in cities with fastest speeds. Often reaches 100-200 Mbps in Bangkok and 100Mbps in Chiang Mai.

Fastest 5G speeds in cities

100Mbps+ in Chiang Mai

Great for city dwellers

Available at airport

Merged with dtac (2023)

DTAC

Good coverage with competitive pricing. Merged with TrueMove H parent company in 2023 but maintains separate branding.

Competitive pricing

Good city coverage

Available at convenience stores

Shared infrastructure with True

Home Internet Options

200 Mbps

AIS Fiber

฿550-600/mo

300 Mbps

TrueMove Fiber

฿700-800/mo

500 Mbps

Premium Fiber

฿1,000-1,200/mo

Digital Nomad Paradise: Cafes and coworking spaces offer 100-300+ Mbps, making Chiang Mai ideal for remote work.

Where to Buy SIM Cards

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Chiang Mai Airport

TrueMove H and AIS counters available immediately upon arrival. Convenient but slightly more expensive than city shops.

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Convenience Stores

7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Tesco Lotus sell SIM cards from all major operators. Best value option with widespread availability.

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eSIM Online

Buy Thailand eSIM online before arrival. Instant delivery via email in 5-15 minutes. Most convenient option for 2025.

Utilities & Monthly Costs

Electricity

฿4-5/kWh

Government-controlled unit rate

Light AC use (Nov-Jan)฿1,800-2,500

Moderate AC use฿3,000-5,000

Heavy AC (Mar-May, older units)฿8,000+

Tip: AC is the biggest cost factor. Newer homes with efficient units can save you ฿3,000-5,000/month during hot season.

Water & Internet

Water฿100-250

Exceptionally affordable. Average household uses around ฿100-250/month for all water needs.

High-Speed Internet฿600-1,200

Fiber internet 200-500 Mbps. Costs roughly ฿550-600 for basic plans, up to ฿1,200 for premium speeds.

Total Monthly Utilities Budget

Minimal AC Use

฿2,000-2,500

Electricity ฿1,500 + Water ฿150 + Internet ฿600

Moderate AC Use

฿4,000-5,000

Electricity ฿3,500 + Water ฿200 + Internet ฿800

Heavy AC Use

฿9,000+

Electricity ฿8,000+ + Water ฿250 + Internet ฿1,000

Daily Conveniences & Services

🏪Convenience Stores

7-Eleven stores on nearly every corner (over 200 in Chiang Mai), open 24/7 with everything from snacks to basic medicines and phone top-ups.

•7-Eleven, Family Mart, Tesco Express everywhere

•Pay bills and top up phones

•ATMs inside most locations

•Basic groceries and ready meals

🛒Shopping & Markets

Mix of traditional markets, modern malls, and Western-style supermarkets offering everything expats need.

•Maya Mall, Central Festival - Western products

•Rimping, Tops - expat-friendly supermarkets

•Weekend markets for local produce

•Makro, Big C for bulk buying

🚕Delivery Services

Food delivery apps and services make life incredibly convenient, with most restaurants and shops available for delivery.

•GrabFood, FoodPanda, LineMan for food

•Lalamove for package delivery

•Most restaurants deliver directly

•Grocery delivery from major stores

🏦Banking & ATMs

All major Thai banks have branches and ATMs throughout Chiang Mai. English-speaking staff common in main branches.

•Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, SCB, Krungsri

•ATMs everywhere (฿150-250 foreign card fee)

•Mobile banking apps in English

•Currency exchange at good rates

🧺Laundry Services

Affordable laundry services throughout the city, both self-service and full-service options.

•Wash & fold: ฿40-60/kg

•Self-service laundromats

•Many condos have free machines

•Pickup/delivery services available

💊Pharmacies

Pharmacies everywhere with many medications available over-the-counter that require prescriptions in Western countries.

•Boots, Watson's chains

•Local pharmacies on every street

•English-speaking pharmacists

•Much cheaper than Western prices

Ready to Start Your Chiang Mai Life?

Get personalized assistance with setting up utilities, finding the best internet plans, renting a scooter, and navigating daily life in Chiang Mai.