The Best Thai Islands For Digital Nomads To Work And Relax

Digital nomads have the freedom to stay in fantastic places around the world. Thailand is a top holiday destination but it also has a lot to offer those who are there to work and play. Crucially, the cost of living is low and the internet is super-fast.

Check out these paradise island escapes, all within a reasonable travel distance from the capital Bangkok.

Koh Larn

This island is one of the best for beach life and is easily reached from Bangkok. Visitors enjoy the picture-postcard, white sand beaches and blue crystal waters. Plenty of watersports operate from the beaches.

Eating out is easy with lots of good seafood restaurants along the eastern coastline. The island is small and can get busy during holiday periods. Check out the more relaxed pace of life on the beautiful west side of the island during weekends. Choose from a range of accommodation available, from budget to beach hotels.

Getting there from Bangkok: catch the bus from Victory Monument or Ekkamai to Pattaya. Ferries depart regularly from the Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn. Expect the journey to take around 50 minutes. Travel in style by booking a speed boat to Koh Larn but it will cost more.

Koh Samet

Koh Samet is three hours from Bangkok and is a very popular party destination. This is the place to come for a fun-packed few days. It's worth knowing that the island has the least rainfall of all the islands in Thailand, even in the wet season.

Koh Samet has many hotels to choose from as well as lively bars and clubs to kick-back in. Visitors to this island rate the clear waters for snorkelling and the beachside restaurants. There is lots of choice of accommodation on Koh Samet. Stay anywhere from a simple bungalow to a 5-star hotel.

Getting there from Bangkok: catch the bus from Victory Monument or Ekkamai to Ban Phe Pier in Rayong. This takes approximately 3.5 hours. Catch either one of the ferries or a speedboat to Koh Samet. The crossing takes between 15 and 45 minutes.

Koh Lanta

This gorgeous island is a little further afield. Located in southern Thailand it is well worth the trip for the scuba diving and glorious sunsets. Koh Lanta has a chilled vibe and is becoming more popular with visitors.

The main arrival port is Ban Saladan on the north coast. Be sure to go south for the chic hotels of Kantiang Bay. After a busy day, hit the aptly named Relax Bay to catch a famous sunset and recharge those batteries with a beer.

Getting there from Bangkok: as the furthest island from Bangkok, the quickest way to travel is to take a flight to Krabi. The flight takes about three hours. Take a minivan and ferry transfer to Koh Lanta. For travellers on a budget there is an overnight bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi and then take the onward transfer to the island.