Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan has quietly become one of Thailand's most popular islands for remote workers, despite its full moon party reputation. Away from Haad Rin, the island is green, slow and heavily oriented towards yoga, meditation, ecstatic dance and healthy food. It suits nomads who care more about community and wellbeing than about nightlife or shopping malls, and who are happy on a scooter.

Srithanu on the west coast is the centre of the wellness scene, with Beachub on Zen Beach offering open-air and air-conditioned desks for roughly 4,200 to 4,500 baht a month. Inner Space, near Srithanu inside a resort, has fibre and 24-hour access, while Coworking Space H24 in Thong Sala is the most office-like option on the island. Hin Kong sits between the two and is often cheaper, and Ban Tai in the south is handy for the pier and Thong Sala's markets.

Internet has improved a great deal, and the better coworking spaces offer fibre fast enough for video calls, though home connections vary from bungalow to bungalow and short power cuts happen, so test before signing anything. Bungalows and simple one-bedrooms in Srithanu and Hin Kong cost around 10,000 to 18,000 baht a month, and a comfortable month overall is usually 1,300 to 1,600 US dollars. There is no airport; most people fly to Koh Samui and take a 30-minute boat. Being on the Gulf side, the island has its wettest weather from October to December, and January to April is the sweet spot.

Scooter accidents are common and roads in the hills are steep and poorly lit. Healthcare is basic, so anything serious means a boat to Samui. Rentals fill quickly in peak months and around the moon parties, and the spiritual scene is not to everyone's taste. Ferries can also be cancelled when the sea is rough, which matters if you have a flight to catch.