I was reading a story about a British national being stuck in Thailand with a medical bill of £100,000 and thought it was a case of another tourist ruing their lack of travel insurance. After reading the article I came to see the person involved had been living and working in Thailand since 2014. He was working online as a social media consultant. I think this case highlights some of the dangers of being a digital nomad in Thailand.
Whilst illness and accidents can happen to tourists, expats or digital nomads I feel it’s prudent to highlight the problems digital nomads face as they often don’t act or prepare for being in Thailand in the same way a tourist or expat would.
Digital Nomads in Thailand
So many digital nomads come here to live and work whether that be for a few weeks or perhaps for years. Personally I’ve got nothing against digital nomads. If you want to do that kind of work and can accept the risks then no problems. There are a fair few people, mainly expats, here in Thailand who don’t like digital nomads though. This might be due to the lack of paying tax or just the general perceived lifestyle of digital nomads.
Thailand is a great place to work but as I said there are a few key differences between expats and digital nomads which should be pointed out.
Not Paying into Social Security / No Insurance
If you’re working here in Thailand as a digital nomad then the likelihood is that you wont have a work permit. This means you won’t be paying into the Thai social security system which is the safety net which many expats would rely on to cover them in medical emergencies. Sure you would have to pay some costs and be treated in a government hospital but the price would be much lower than having to pay as a foreigner outside the system.
To be honest I wouldn’t recommend relying on the Thai social security system for any expat here but at least it is something you can have as a back up. Most expats who are working here via a company will also have some form of private insurance which covers them and perhaps their dependents.
I’m sure some digital nomads do take out travel insurance. However, it is clear to see from the number of stories of foreigners in financial trouble in Thailand that some don’t. I’m not sure why someone would travel without insurance these days. If you can afford the fare to fly to Thailand then you can afford an insurance policy. Take a look at this article on moneysupermarket.com on travel insurance.
It’s also worth noting that some travel insurance policies don’t cover people for using motorbikes or other extreme activities. This is worth noting for everyone who lives or visits Thailand.
Visa Problems
Most people legally living and working in Thailand find the visa renewal process stressful. Imagine having to do visa runs every month or so. There is the chance that you will not be allowed back into Thailand if the authorities believe you are working without a work permit. You’ll lose your belongings in Thailand and there is a chance you’ll be blacklisted from coming back into the country.
The Good Guys In Bad Guys Out campaign is going strong still. If you decide to just stay here after your visa then you won’t get a slap on the wrist but a large fine and no invite to come back to Thailand anytime soon.
There are talks of a digital nomad visa and indeed some companies do offer to help digital nomads get legal but the financial requirements may be difficult for some.
Nobody to Fight Your Corner
Perhaps you have a Thai partner or friends but in many cases digital nomads will be left on their own to deal with issues.
When it comes to going to immigration you’ll do everything by yourself. If you have a problem with the police you’ll not have an office to call and sort out the problem. If you do end up in the hospital then you may find yourself alone.
Of course it’s possible to find friends here but there are times where, if you can’t speak Thai, you’ll be struggling. Most expats here will have stories of how their Thai colleagues, a partner or immigration agency has helped them in a tough situation. Personally life would be a lot tougher for me here without the support I get from my company. It wouldn’t be impossible to do all these things myself but life would be much more stressful!
Cost of Living
Sure there are digital nomads who present themselves as living the dream on a low cost. The problem is that money issues here in Thailand are made more complicated, and expensive, by being a digital nomad.
You might not pay tax or social security but you’ll struggle to open a Thai bank account, will have to pay for visas and visa runs and have to pay withdrawal fees at ATMs.
I’ve read a fair few articles by digital nomads about the cost of living here and while it may be possible for them it might not be possible for you. If you come with the idea that you can live well on $1,000 a month then you might be in for a shock. I make over double that and struggle some months and I don’t do anything extravagant. I’d just say make sure you have enough savings to get by and know when the right time is to quit and head back home.
Thai / Expat Opinions on Digital Nomads
As I said previously I’ve no issue with digital nomads, live and let live I say. I’ve enjoyed living and working here and wouldn’t resent anyone who decides to do the same. The problem is there are a few people in Thailand who don’t respect digital nomads. I’m certainly not saying they will put you in physical danger but you might get the odd negative comment or read articles which aren’t always positive.
I guess a lot of people read about digital nomads from websites where the author paints pictures of working a few hours a day and then hitting the beach, trekking or washing elephants. They make it seem like a holiday and that they are taking advantage of people to sell their products by painting a false picture of how Thailand could be for you.
Thai people are, in general, very friendly and helpful. Thailand is a great country to live and work in. You will mostly have positive experiences here and be treated well by people.
You're Responsible For You
I guess the final thing to say is that you’re responsible for your decisions and actions here. If you decide not to have insurance and you get sick you’re putting yourself in danger. Should you not have the correct paperwork and get kicked out you can’t blame anyone else. If you believe hype from certain articles about the ease of living in a new country and things go wrong then you need to realize that you didn’t research well enough.
You’re responsible for making the most of the opportunity too. Come to Thailand but be safe and aware of what life is really like here.
