There is an abundance of vacation rentals in Thailand, and in Koh Phangan you can find stunning beach villas and bungalows.
Koh Phangan is an all-inclusive island in Thailand, settled between Koh Tao up north and Koh Samui down south. The island is known for the legendary Full Moon Party and incredible beaches! It’s also ideal for remote workers because you get to explore so many different places, food, and have the time of your life with the vibrant party scene, while working comfortably at beautiful villas and vacation rentals.
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You also get the best of peace and serenity here, with nature lovers having fun hiking to the island’s peaks or breathtaking waterfalls. There are many yoga retreats, where you can unwind after a long day’s work or cure a hangover.
You’re probably adding it to your must-visit list with so many beaches, activities, parties, and cultures to explore in Koh Phangan. For those planning on booking tickets and visiting the country, you’re probably wondering: Where are the best places to stay and remote work?
Read on to find out our recommended vacation rentals for remote workers in Koh Phangan!
Recommended Vacation Rentals in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is perfect for those with active lifestyles, who love to party, or just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Many cafes and restaurants offer free WiFi and delicious eats to explore Thai cuisine.
And of course, there are numerous places to live in Koh Phangan, all of which have unique amenities, from private pools to coworking desks. You can rent luxury villas or opt for coliving accommodation, some of which are by the beach or surrounded by tropical jungles. So, where’s it going to be?
We’ll explain the different vacation rentals suitable for remote work below so you can make a choice!
1. Bay Villas
Bay Villas is one of the most beautiful private beachfront villas located on a lush and preserved tropical island. Receive luxury services and amenities with dedicated staff to wait on your every need. You get to have your own private chef, have things delivered, go to the spa, or plan trips around the island!
Besides that, you get to work from your cozy rooms or outdoors with the infinity pool facing the bray of Haad Salad. The villas offer super-fast Internet and working spaces to achieve the luxurious work-life balance in a tropical paradise. Choose between 1, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom villas or suites, whatever your budget is and how many will stay!
2. Bliss Villas
Bliss Villas is a whopping 12,000 square meter secluded land, with only three beachfront pool villas, so you’re assured that you have the place all to yourself. It’s the ultimate tropical island lover’s dream because you’re almost literally on the beach, with the crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and tropical green forests.
Besides the fast WiFi, digital nomads will appreciate the carefree environment and modern-styled villas for their comfort and motivation.
Note that you will be a bit far from tourist attractions and stores, though you will be near a convenience store if you need anything. You can also ask the staff to meet your specific needs and handle the tour planning and transportation for you.
3. Silan Residences
Silan Residences is located on Chaloklum Village, one of Koh Phangan’s oldest villages that have continued spreading its charm and natural wonders for over a century. While the island developed quickly and is open to millions of tourists, the small town feels like it has never changed, and Silan Residences will ensure you feel right at home with their beachfront villas designed with nature in mind.
Besides the comfortable and spacious villas right by the white beaches, you’re also near numerous attractions such as the Malibu Beach Bar, Angthong National Marine Park, Sail Rock Dive Site, local markets, and various restaurants serving up local cuisine. You can rent 1 or 2-bedroom villas with their own fully equipped kitchen, balcony, lounge area, and free WiFi.
Silan Residence Official Website
4. Baan Thamarchat
Baan Thamarchat is another beautiful beachfront property situated in a lush tropical coconut grove. It’s a 3-minute walk from Hin-Kong Lagoon, local and international restaurants, a 7/11 convenience store, and Srithanu.
There are various villas to choose from, from smaller 1-bedroom villas to whole houses fit for groups of up to 30 guests. Each villa is designed with an open style from natural materials and traditional Thai roofs. Moreover, there’s a large family pool by the living area so you can work and enjoy your ‘me time.’
The WiFi connection is fast and stable, and you’ve also got other valuable services, such as food delivery, food, or tour preparation.
Baan Thamarchat Official Website
5. Sunset Hill Resort by Remote & Digital
Remote & Digital is one of the most popular coworking spaces and coliving accommodation in various parts of the world. They cater to digital nomads and startups, ensuring that they offer the most luxurious private rooms and amenities for guests to feel as productive as possible to enjoy their days off and breaks.
When booking a room, you don’t only get a spacious private room with lovely views of the forests and waters. You also gain access to free WiFi, an outdoor pool, an expansive balcony, and a coworking space. Here at Sunset Hill Resort, you get the best sunrise and sunset views surrounded by the mountains and waters.
Sunset Hill Resort by Remote & Digital Official Website
6. La Casa Tropicana by Remote & Digital
If you love Remote & Digital’s coworking spaces and coliving accommodation, but this time wants more of beach life, then La Casa Tropicana is a great choice. All private rooms offer their bathroom and bright, cozy interiors with air conditioning. The WiFi will also reach the rooms, so you won’t have to leave when you need to work on a project.
You’re also right in front of the beach, so let those views and sea breeze motivate you to finish work and run straight outside to soak up some sun and swim!
La Casa Tropicana by Remote & Digital Official Website
7. Kupu Kupu
For those who want to splurge and enjoy the ultimate luxury treatment during your digital nomad journey, then Kupu Kupu Phangan is the retreat you deserve. This luxury resort offers a complete getaway with beachfront accommodation, surrounded by tropical greeneries, and fantastic service to ensure your needs are met.
You’ll be away from the noisy and crowded full moon parties and get to have the beach all on your own. Furthermore, you’ll be near various activities and attractions via car, such as the Phantip Night Food Market, Wat Pho Temple, and Than Sadet Waterfall Nation Park!
Kupu Kupu Phangan Official Website
8. Santhiya Resort and Spa
Santhiya Resort and Spa offer larger villas suitable for families and groups of friends for those who want the luxury resort-style treatment but with much bigger accommodation options. We consider this vacation rental a gem because you stay in 18 acres of tropical landscape, getting away from all the noise and crowds.
Furthermore, all rooms are located on the cliff to take in the views of the greens and waters. Get to explore the different parts of the humongous resort through the free shuttle service, where you can taste the various restaurants, visit the different pools, head to the waterfalls or lagoon, and hit the gym or libraries (perfect for digital nomads). Don’t worry; the WiFi is free and accessible throughout the entire resort!
Santhiya Resort and Spa Official Website
9. The Treehouse, Hin Kong
The Treehouse is a unique accommodation, though it isn’t exactly placed atop a tree! Everyone loves this restored beachfront home designed with the balance of modern style and vintage grace. Why the Treehouse? Because it’s built around a massive 100-year-old tree.
From here, you won’t only get the rest and escape you need, but fantastic sunrise and sunset views, whether by the balcony or beach. Furthermore, there is free WiFi, and you’re located nearby many iconic restaurants, convenient stores, yoga facilities, and other shops!
10. Shangrila Villa, Sri Thanu
Get a taste of peace and serenity, finding your zen in the Shangrila Villa. This entire villa is all yours, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms suitable for six guests. We appreciate its luxury Asian architecture. You genuinely feel like you’re in a sanctuary away from it all, filled with lush greeneries, a refreshing pool, and a fully open living area and kitchen.
You will be near yoga centers and 200 meters from the beach, great for those who want authentic island life with trendy vibes. Besides the WiFi for digital nomads, there are many conveniences as you’re near groceries, laundromats, restaurants, and a spa.
Shangrila Villa Koh Phangan Business Site
Visa to Koh Phangan as a Remote Worker
Thai government is planning to start issuing visas for digital nomads for up to 10 years, but at this moment, there is no specific visa for remote workers in Thailand.
Fortunately, many nationalities visiting as tourists qualify for a 30-day stay without a visa. If your country is part of the visa exemption, you can extend your stay for 45 days twice, so you get to stay for a total of 120 days. You can visit the nearest Thai immigration office or border immigration office. Each extension is $57, or 1,900 baht.
In Koh Phangan, the closest immigration offices are in Surat Thani and Koh Samui. If you know you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for the first extension when arriving in Thailand. Foreign nationalities cannot stay longer than the allocated time they were given within 6 months unless they hold a more permanent visa type.
You can inquire about your long-term visa options and applications in your country’s Thai Embassy. If you’re in Thailand, you can visit the closest immigration office, which may still require you to perform a border run.
Transportation in Koh Phangan
The moment you arrive in the Thong Sala Pier, you’ll likely be bombarded with moto-taxis! They all have set rates for the various towns, so just make sure they have their rate cards to avoid getting scammed. If you have a lot of luggage or don’t feel like riding a motorbike, you can take pickup truck taxis or arrange a pickup from your accommodation for more privacy.
Moto-taxis can cost between $1.60 to $16, while pickup truck taxis can cost as low as $3. It depends on where you’re going and how many people are riding for pickup truck taxis.
Most of the time, people prefer renting motorbikes, which cost $6-9 a day, while gas costs $1.30 to $2 a liter. It’s an economical choice when visiting father beaches and staying for the long term.
Internet Connection in Koh Phangan
Internet is a crucial feature every remote worker needs to accomplish work remotely. Fortunately, Koh Phangan is home to strong 4G data signals in the urban centers, so you can purchase a SIM card and use your mobile data to work anytime and anywhere, regardless of the WiFi connection. There are unlimited data packages available, cost-effective and reliable, costing about $13 to $57 a month.
That said, you can expect fast WiFi in many coworking spaces and vacation rentals. Some cafes, restaurants, and specific vacation rentals may not have the most consistent WiFi, but that’s why we recommend getting a sim with an unlimited data package for backup.
Wrapping It Up
We have tackled Thailand vacation rentals, focusing on the bigger cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the like. But one thing we didn’t delve deeper into is Koh Phangan. This is one of the cities that deserves an article of its own because of the many different vacation rentals and unique features it offers.
You won’t run out of vacation rentals here because the island is aware and wants to accommodate the many digital nomads who head to the area for a combination of parties, zen, and adventure! While the WiFi connection in some areas may be spotty or slow, you can still make do and invest in backup mobile data to enjoy and work wherever you go.
If you’d like to explore more of what Thailand offers, check out our blog posts Vacation Rentals for Remote Work in Thailand, and Vacation Rentals for Remote Work in Chiang-Mai, too!