How to Find Remote Jobs as an Expat in Thailand

Many expats working for a Thai company, and especially those working as teachers, are now looking to transition to remote work. With the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), it’s much easier to stay in Thailand long term, as they are now allowing visa holders to work for companies abroad. Needless to say, this has led many expats and prospective expats to begin their search for online employment.

So, if you’re already living in Thailand and looking to switch to remote work, or you’re planning to move here on the DTV, this guide is for you.

What’s the New Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)?

The DTV, often referred to as Thailand’s digital nomad visa, is a great opportunity for anyone that is looking to work remotely while living in the country. It’s a five-year visa that allows foreign nationals to work for companies based outside of Thailand. One of the main conditions of this visa is that you must not directly work with Thai businesses or Thai customers.

The financial requirements are pretty steep, though, and this seems like the biggest limiting factor. In order to apply for the DTV, you must show that you have at least 500,000 baht in your bank account (no 401(k)s, trading accounts, etc.). If you can meet all the requirements, however, it’s a great opportunity to live in Thailand legally while working remotely.

What are the Benefits of Working Remotely in Thailand?

Well, the advantages should be pretty obvious.

For one, you get to make your money abroad, but spend it in Thailand (this is sometimes called geoarbitrage). If you’re from the West, then this is going to save you a ton of money, as prices here are significantly lower.

Also, you’ll be able to spend a lot of time in destinations you would typically only be able to visit on vacation. Imagine, for example, being able to stay in Chiang Mai or Bangkok for a month, instead of only a week or two? Technically, you could fly around from destination to destination, spending a month here and there. What’s not to like?

Not to mention all the coworking spaces, the fast internet speeds, and the slower-paced lifestyle. Truth be told, the benefits are so obvious that no one ever bothers talking about the negatives of it.

How to Find Remote Jobs as an Expat in Thailand

Before we begin, I’d like to begin with a caveat. Unless you already have skills that can be used online, finding a remote job will be extremely difficult. Many people find that they have to specifically learn skills just to be able to pull it off (such as coding, copywriting, etc.). That’s what I had to do, and it was not pleasant. But that’s a story for another day. Here are the best ways to find a remote job as an expat in Thailand:

1. Become a Freelancer

Freelancing is probably the easiest way to put yourself on the map, but it will take time to actually become successful. If you’re a teacher, though, you may be able to transition quickly because the skillset is essentially the same.

There are many gigs on Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer that can help you to start generating an income. Just about everything you can think of is there. But keep in mind that these marketplaces have fierce competition, and you will only be successful if you are particularly good at something. Remember, you’re competing on price with the whole world.

That being said, freelancing is very appealing as remote work because it allows you to design your own schedule. It gives you the freedom to choose clients and set your own hours, but it also comes without a safety net. If you don’t have any clients, you’re not earning anything! This can make your life in Thailand doubly stressful, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of freelancing to support yourself.

Having the right tools while freelancing is also important. Software like Banktrack can help you stay on top of your finances by tracking your income and expenses so that you’re prepared for those months when work slows down.

2. Find a Remote Job on Job Boards

If you need some stability, finding a remote job with a foreign company is probably the better choice. Again, you will already need to have the right skills, experience, and a CV to prove it. This is because many, many people are applying to these same jobs. Unfortunately, everyone else wants to work online, too. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

Without further ado, here are some of the most popular job boards for remote work:

• LinkedIn: This is an obvious choice, but it has tons of jobs. Everyone uses LinkedIn these days, and you can easily filter for remote work and look for opportunities worldwide.
• Remote.co: This platform is great because it categorizes the different types of jobs available, which gives the user an idea of what is in demand and what isn’t. For example, there are loads of developer and customer service positions open, but there are much fewer opportunities for, say, editing. You can also filter by your location, skill level, and availability.
• We Work Remotely: This is another huge remote job board. It’s more or less the same as remote.co. There used to be a feature on the site that showed you how many people had already applied for each job, but it seems like they wisely removed that.
• FlexJobs: This one requires you to purchase a subscription, which can be as low as $2.95 for 14 days. Their main selling point is that the jobs are vetted and will not be scams or ads. Personally, I’ve never used it, but many people find it useful.

There are many more job boards that you can find, and if you’re going to take this route, I recommend applying as much as humanly possible. It’s easy to try to rush through them, but make sure you’re doing your best on each one to improve your chances of success.

3. Network with Other Expats and Remote Workers

If you’re already in Thailand, then you might be able to network your way into a job. Luckily, Thailand was a huge digital nomad destination even before the DTV came out, and places like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are brimming with remote workers. Here are a few places that you can find networking events:

• Meetup.com: This is a great website for finding networking opportunities. Simply select the city you’re in and search for “networking,” and you’ll find all kinds of events going. For example, if you search in Bangkok, there are 10 different networking events happening this week!
• Facebook Groups: Facebook groups are an excellent way to network. A simple search on Facebook for “Digital Nomads in Thailand” will show you many different groups that host events. These groups often have thousands of members and several posts per day.
• Reach Out to the People You Already Know: If you’re an expat, then this is a no brainer. You’ll be surprised at how much your friends and acquaintances will want to help you out, especially those who are already working remotely and know what it takes to nail a job.

How to Find Remote Jobs in Thailand: The Bottom Line

With Thailand introducing several long-term visas in the last few years, it looks like they are finally opening up to remote workers. If you’re already living in Thailand as an expat, this is a great time to transition. Though it will take diligence, hard work, and perseverance, finding a remote job can give you the freedom you’ve always dreamed of. The best way to start is by exploring freelancing, using job boards, and networking with other expats, as these are the tried-and-true strategies for nailing down an online job.