The best places to network when living in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has been a base for remote workers for more than a decade. The appeal hasn’t changed much: low costs, good food, fast internet, and a mountain on the edge of town.

What surprises most newcomers is how easy it is to feel alone here. There are thousands of people like you, but they’re all behind laptops. Meeting them takes a little effort.

These are the places where that effort pays off.

Coworking spaces

A coworking space is the easiest place to meet people, because you’ll see the same faces every day. Most offer day passes, so try a few before you pay monthly.

Space	Area	Why go	Day pass
Yellow Coworking	Nimman	The most social. Large space, weekend “Yellow Connect” events, strong tech and crypto crowd	about ฿430
Punspace	Old City (two branches)	One of Chiang Mai’s original coworking spaces. Quieter, focused, 24/7 for members	about ฿290
Nim Space	Nimman	Open 24/7, good for odd time zones	about ฿300
The Social Club	Nimman	Coworking with coliving upstairs	about ฿200
Alt_PingRiver	Riverside, near Wat Ket	Coworking and coliving by the Ping River	about ฿220
Smart&Start	Wua Lai	Budget option south of the Old City	about ฿180

Prices change often. Check each space’s own page before you go.

CAMP, on the top floor of Maya mall in Nimman, deserves a mention too. It isn’t a paid coworking space: you buy food or a drink and get Wi-Fi time in return. It’s packed with students and young freelancers, and it’s a relaxed place to start a conversation.

One warning: the original Punspace in Nimman closed during the pandemic. Many old blog posts still send people there.

Meetups and regular events

Coworking gets you familiar faces. Events turn them into friends.

• Chiang Mai Professionals, Expats and Digital Nomads is the most active group on Meetup, with thousands of members. It runs weekend brunches, game nights and a writing club. New people show up every week.
• Nomad Summit is the big one: a conference for location-independent workers, held every January. The 2027 edition is announced for 15 to 24 January 2027. If you’re planning a Chiang Mai stay, time it around this.
• Chiang Mai Toastmasters has met since 2006, on the first and third Thursday of each month at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Dentistry. Visitors are free. It’s a good way to meet long-term residents, not just people passing through.
• Language exchanges run most weeks, usually in cafés or bars. You’ll meet Thai students as well as foreigners, which is rarer than it should be.

The long-running Chiang Mai Digital Nomads group on Facebook is where people post events, rooms and questions. Search it before you ask. Your question has almost certainly been answered.

Coliving

If you want a ready-made social life, coliving is the shortcut. You get a private room, shared kitchens and workspaces, and housemates who also work online.

The Social Club, Alt_PingRiver and Hub53 all combine coworking with living space. They cost more than renting your own condo, but the first month is much less lonely.

Where to stay

• Nimman is the nomad centre: cafés, coworking, malls and nightlife. It’s convenient and a little expensive.
• The Old City is quieter, more traditional and full of temples. It suits people who want to walk everywhere.
• Santitham, just north of the Old City, is cheaper and more local, with good street food.

When to go, and when to avoid

Chiang Mai’s burning season runs roughly from February to April. Farmers burn fields across northern Thailand, and smoke fills the valley.

It isn’t a small issue. In 2026, Chiang Mai was ranked among the most polluted cities in the world several times in March and early April, and the province declared a disaster zone in early April.

If you have asthma or plan to stay long term, leave during those months. November to January is the best time: dry, cool and clear.

Thailand visa for Pakistani passport holders

This is where plans often fall apart, so sort it first.

• There’s no visa on arrival for Pakistani passport holders. You need a visa before you travel.
• Since 1 January 2025, Pakistanis apply through Thailand’s official e-Visa website. You must be in Pakistan while you apply, and the application is handled by the Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate-General in Karachi.
• Processing takes about 14 working days after the fee is paid. Print the e-Visa before you fly.

For longer stays, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) was built for remote workers:

• valid for five years, multiple entry
• up to 180 days per entry, extendable once
• you need to show at least ฿500,000 in funds
• the fee is ฿10,000

The e-Visa system lists non-immigrant visas for Pakistani applicants. Check the DTV option on thaievisa.go.th before you plan around it.

The work permit rule

A DTV lets you work remotely for employers or clients outside Thailand. It doesn’t let you work for Thai companies or take Thai clients.

Working in Thailand without a work permit can mean a fine of up to ฿50,000 and deportation. If a Chiang Mai business offers you work, ask about the permit before you say yes.

Make the first move

The hardest part of networking in Chiang Mai is the first week. Go to one event, say yes to one coffee, and use the same coworking space for a while.

By the end of the month, you’ll probably know more people here than you do at home.

And when you need a break from the laptop, Bali is a short flight away. A Balinese massage above the river in Ubud is a good reset.

If you’re weighing up other long-stay bases, our guide on how Pakistanis can travel abroad and build a career covers teaching, remote work and working holidays.