Why Multiple Areas?

Many might wonder why I chose to stay in various areas across Thailand. This was my unique approach to finding the perfect digital nomad spot. Rather than committing to one location long-term, I decided to experience each area firsthand. While this meant moving more frequently, it allowed me to deeply understand each neighborhood's unique characteristics and why certain travelers prefer specific areas.


The Accommodation Dilemma

The biggest challenge in trip preparation was choosing accommodation. While many YouTubers recommend finding a place after arrival, this approach felt daunting for my first long-term stay abroad. The prospect of preparing a month's deposit in cash, communicating directly with landlords, and exploring an unfamiliar city on foot to find housing was overwhelming.


Practical Cost Calculations

The cost considerations were also complex. After calculating temporary accommodation expenses, transportation costs, and the time needed to find a suitable place, I concluded that booking in advance from Korea would be more efficient. Especially with a late arrival time around 10 PM, starting a housing search on the first day seemed impractical.


Short-term Stay Strategy

My chosen strategy became 'decide after a short-term stay.' Three days before my trip, I booked an Airbnb for about a week. I selected a place with flexible cancellation policies and good host ratings. Although the room was small with a shared bathroom, starting in a verified accommodation felt more secure.


34 Days Journey

After arriving in Chiang Mai, I actually felt less need for long-term accommodation. Using Airbnb for stays ranging from one day to a week allowed me to naturally understand each area's characteristics. By the time I became familiar with Chiang Mai, I could confidently decide to move to Hua Hin and Bangkok. My 34-day journey was divided as follows:

  • 5 days - Chiang Mai Nimman (Pink)
  • 7 days - Chiang Mai Chang Klan (Blue)
  • 7 days - Chiang Mai Suthep (Green)
  • 1 day - Chiang Mai Old City (Orange)
  • 10 days - Hua Hin Nong Khae
  • 4 days - Bangkok Phetchaburi

Chiang Mai, often called Thailand's second capital, was much larger than expected. Even after staying in four different areas, there were still many places left unexplored. I'll share more about the places I hope to visit next time and those I discovered by chance but couldn't explore due to time constraints.


Platform Security

While Airbnb might be less cost-effective compared to directly renting accommodation, the platform's security was a significant advantage. Most accommodations during my Thai journey were satisfactory, and when I had an unsatisfactory experience with my last accommodation in Bangkok, I could get a refund through Airbnb and even received compensation vouchers. In contrast, I heard that directly rented accommodations have a critical disadvantage: refunds are usually impossible.


My 34 days in Thailand taught me valuable lessons. While choosing to experience multiple areas instead of settling in one place was sometimes inconvenient, it provided precious opportunities to directly experience each area's unique characteristics and trade-offs. Particularly, finding accommodation through the secure platform of Airbnb helped reduce many risks and anxieties that could arise during a first long-term overseas stay. I hope these experiences will help those planning similar journeys in the future.