Chiang Mai, Thailand Early 2020 Nomading Update

In my last post I briefly laid out some costs for my first excursion to Thailand commencing January 14, 2020.

Now I’ll add some precision, such that people have a decent idea of what the costs to do this might be—the aim being to definitely not live in squalor like the grunge hippies do, but to live frugally in a way that really enhances the experience.

THE FLIGHT

Back this summer when I went to Warsaw to speak at a conference, then to Spain for a week of hiking, the schedule was tight, so I couldn’t afford flights with multiple stops and layovers. So, total cost was pricey. Not this time.

China Eastern Airlines – SFO –> TAO –> KMG –> CNX

That’s San Fran to Qingdao (no plane change) to Kunming (plane change and 9hr layover) to Chiang Mai. The total price: $344. Beyond the price, and in spite of the total trip time of about 31 hours, is that departure and arrival are very ideal. I leave San Fran at a nice noon:30 and Arrive in Chiang Mai at a perfect 10:00 am.

In terms of booking sites, I used to use Price Line a lot—not to negotiate offers but instant book. Now, I find I use Kayak a lot, where they check all the major booking sites for you (including Price Line). In this case the actual booking was done by FareScan.

THE CONFERENCE

Nomad Summit Chiang Mai 2020. This is the creation of a well-known Digital Nomad, JohnnyFD. I was impressed when referred to his nomadic blog a week or so ago. Every month he gives a meticulous and transparent report down to the penny of what he spent and what he made. One month I looked at, his total expenses were about $1,500, but he made $9-10K.

I believe this sort of lifestyle is exceptionally motivational to always be spending less to far less than what you build online in terms of income streams. You’re not depleting your bank, and every month you deposit more than you withdraw, you’re extending your staying power for a style of living you never want to stop.

I believe it will be a hefty advantage to begin this at a conference where I can take in a ton of useful, actionable information while meeting others in all stages of this way of living, from old hands to the newbies like me.

In terms of cost, the published fees are $300 for back of the room seating with no table, $400 for seating at a table in the front half, and a hefty price for front row seating. I was just going to go for the $300. When I went to purchase, I see I’m in the early bird window. So, that lowest level was $140 and the level with table seating, $180. So I went with that.

THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

The Nomad Summit will be held at the Shangri-La property. Nice, but $121 per night is too much to withdraw. So, using a booking site called Agoda, I was able to book a room at the Maninarakorn Hotel for 5 nights at a total cost of $125, 1/5th the cost.

It’s a short walk to the Summit and has tons of 4 to 5-star reviews.

THE AFTER SUMMIT ACCOMMODATIONS

So, that only accounts for the first 5 days and I plan to spend about 2 months in Thailand (30-day entry Visa, 30-day renewal for a $60 fee). So, I’ve planned thusly.

I scoured AirBNB for rentals in Nimmanhaemin (Nimman for short), which is Chiang Mai central for expats and nomads. Initially, I want to network and learn as much as I can, like a job every day.

While there is lots of stuff available for around $300 per month, I chose a condo unit that came out to $580 for 31 days.

My musts are clean and relatively modern (unless it’s bungalow style), AC, WiFi included. Nice to have is refrigerator, mini kitchen, flat screen TV (for the Roku Stick I’ll be carrying), and swimming pool onsite.

TOTAL

$344 – Flight

$180 – Summit

$125 – Hotel for Summit

$580 – Condo for 31 nights

$60 – Visa renewal

$1,289 – TOTAL for the first 5 weeks, a monthly average of $1,030.

But consider that this includes the flight, the conference, and higher than normal lodging cost for the first 5 mights. The flight in is always going to increase first month’s expenses. I’ll be interested to see what month two comes to.

WHAT’S NEXT?

After that first 5 weeks in Chiang Mai, I plan to spend the three remaining weeks revisiting old stomping grounds from the late 1980s and early 90s.

That list includes Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samet.

From there, I’m probably going to spend another two months in Vietnam (Saigon, Phan Thiet), perhaps with an excursion to Laos and Cambodia.

Then, get out by mid-May when the weather becomes unbearable and head to Eastern Europe and Mediterranean. I was in Poland last July and the weather was fantastic. I plan to hang out in various places for six months. Lots of time to plan the next legs in a different region of the planet.

Updates to follow.