Weekend Escapes from Bangkok for Remote Workers

Living in a vibrant city like Bangkok is exciting, but sometimes it can be exhausting. When you begin to feel that way, take it as a sign to reset in a more relaxed environment. No more than two hours from the Thai capital, you can explore everything from the island to the countryside for a weekend escape from Bangkok.

If you work remotely, you have the freedom to travel anywhere, whenever you want, so make use of that and take weekend escapes from Bangkok to other parts of Thailand. As you are on your own schedule, you can even extend these stays to get a better feel for the area and unwind from the chaos of Bangkok. As one of Southeast Asia’s biggest cities, it’s a great base to have for digital nomads, as it’s not far from many places in Thailand, providing easy access to travel elsewhere when you’re feeling overwhelmed or have an urge for adventure. 

Experience island life in Koh Samet and Phuket, or take in the beauty of nature during a stay in Chiang Mai. I have put together a guide of weekend escapes from Bangkok to help you decide where to take your next trip in Thailand. 

Work by the pool, the beach, a coworking space, or with views of the countryside in Thailand.

Weekend Escapes from Bangkok: Koh Samet

Just a two-hour car journey from Bangkok, plus a 20-minute speedboat, Koh Samet is the closest island getaway. This hidden gem is a secluded, small island not often visited by many tourists, and it’s a tranquil paradise away from the bustling city. 

How to get there?

Located in the Rayong province, it’s easily accessible, whether you hire a car, use a Grab taxi, or catch a bus from Ekkamai station. The cheapest option is to use the bus booked through 12GoAsia. Once you get to the harbour, you can choose to go to Koh Samet by ferry or speed boat. This package is all included in the 12GoAsia deal, costing between 300 - 450 THB in total. 

A Grab taxi from Bangkok Sukhumvit centre to the harbour will cost around 1,960 THB, which is also a great deal, especially if you are sharing with friends. However, you will need to book the ferry or speedboat separately, which can be done on arrival at the harbour or through 12GoAsia. 

Koh Samet is only a 2 hour drive from Bangkok.

Where to Stay?

There are many beaches around Koh Samet island, some are quite secluded and don’t have much around, so choosing the location to stay depends on whether you want to immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere or tranquillity for your weekend escape from Bangkok.

Sai Kaew Beach

The main town in Koh Samet is Na Dan, where you’ll find your 7/11’s, markets, beach clubs, restaurants, fire shows, and the only ATM on the island. It also has one of the most beautiful beaches in Koh Samet, Sai Kaew. 

Picture white pearl sand, crystal clear water, a modern beach club and classic Thai beach front restaurants. This location attracts a lot of families, as it’s convenient; however, it’s also a great base to see more of the island, and it’s close to the harbour. You also still experience tranquillity, as Koh Samet never gets busy or overpopulated with tourists. 

Sai Kaew Beach is at the heart of Koh Samet, but still feels like a tranquil paradise.

Ao Prao Beach

This place is paradise, nestled amongst tropical palm trees and hillside greenery. Ao Prao Beach stretches far and wide, making it seem like you have the whole beach to yourself. There are a few resorts and restaurants by the beach, but these are very limited, as this area is much more private and secluded than Sai Kaew beach. As Koh Samet is small, if you hire a motorbike, Sai Kaew is still accessible, taking only a 20-minute ride from here.

Ao Prao Beach almost feels like a private area with limited resorts and restaurants.

Where to Work?

If you’re extending your weekend escape from Bangkok or just want to catch up on emails, you’ll need to find a cafe spot in Koh Samet. As it’s a small island, there are no coworking spaces. However, there are plenty of cafes with beautiful views, which makes working a whole lot more enjoyable. 

Brown Cabin Chocolate Cafe

Finding a productive and comfortable cafe is essential when on the go. Brown Cabin Chocolate Cafe in Koh Samet provides outdoor and indoor settings with air conditioning. Situated among the lush tropical woods and rose garden, this hidden cafe is one of the most Instagrammable spots on the island, making it a modern option for a working space. Its unique selling point is its chocolate; however, they also serve coffees, herbal tea and desserts.

A great cafe for remote working with beautiful views, and the option of sitting indoors or outdoors.

Winks Beach Club

A modern space set on Sai Kaew Beach, Winks Beach Club is comfortable with free Wi-Fi and delicious food. They have indoor, outdoor, beachfront seating and even tables higher up that are hidden away from the chaos. No matter where you sit yourself here, your view is the beach. It’s a bit more expensive than other restaurants and cafes on the island, but it’s well worth it, as you can stay here all day long, then head to the beach after.

A modern and comfortable beach club located on Sai Kaew Beach.

Remote Worker Tip

As Koh Samet is a small island, there are not a lot of working spaces that are comfortable and efficient. When taking a weekend escape from Bangkok, this is something to prepare for. You may need to catch up with work from your hotel room, or if your hotel has a restaurant, locate yourself here. I am a big believer in winding down, but as digital nomads, we also like to get work done. If you’re taking the bus to Koh Samet, use this time to do some work and head into your trip in switch-off mode.

Weekend Escapes from Bangkok: Chiang Mai

The main city in the north of Thailand, Chiang Mai, is favoured by digital nomads for its beautiful nature, countryside, local atmosphere, affordability and tranquillity. Drive up into the mountains and discover waterfalls, visit elephants and temples, or stay in Nimman, by the riverside, to immerse yourself in shopping, restaurants and night markets. 

How to get there?

The easiest route is taking a quick flight. However, the most scenic and adventurous route is travelling by Thailand’s sleeper trains. A flight from Bangkok takes one hour and costs as little as 1,300 THB from Suvarnabhumi airport — pretty cheap and easy! 

The sleeper train is popular with backpackers or tourists. It’s a little less luxurious, but it’s an experience ticked off your list. Leave from Bangkok at 8pm and arrive in Chiang Mai at 8:30am. I found the sleeper train a great way to take some time out, relax, catch up with work, listen to music and enjoy the views. The chairs are transformed into bunk beds two hours into your journey, allowing you to get a decent sleep in comfort.

Booked through the 12GoAsia app, the sleeper train will cost 370 THB. If you’re only taking a weekend escape from Bangkok instead of a long-term holiday to Chiang Mai, a flight will be the quickest option. 

Chiang Mai is renowned for its natural beauty and historical culture.

Where to Stay?

When choosing where to stay in Chiang Mai, Nimman and the Old City are two of the top areas for digital nomads. Nimman is the modern hub, packed with cafés, coworking spaces, boutique shops, and nightlife — perfect if you want a vibrant, work-friendly environment with plenty of amenities at your doorstep. The Old City, on the other hand, offers a more traditional Chiang Mai experience, with historic temples, quiet streets, and charming guesthouses. It’s ideal if you prefer a slower pace, cultural immersion, and easy access to markets and scenic spots. Both areas provide a good balance of comfort, convenience, and connectivity, making them excellent bases for remote workers looking for a weekend escape from Bangkok.

Nimman

A modern neighbourhood for digital nomads in Chiang Mai, Nimman is renowned for its cafes, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and nightlife. This area is a short 10-minute drive from Chiang Mai’s Old City, making it easily accessible. Alternatively, you can also walk from the historic Chiang Mai Town to Nimman in 30 minutes.

The restaurant and cafe scene in Nimman is thriving.

Old City

Chiang Mai’s Old City is a popular base for digital nomads due to its affordability, rich culture and vibrant community, though it’s more tourist-oriented than Nimman. It offers affordable food options, budget accommodation, and easy access to temples and markets. The Old City provides a charming, central, and lively atmosphere for those looking for a traditional and cultural experience.

Chiang Mai's Old City is the perfect base for digital nomads who want to experience tradition and culture.

Where to Work?

Chiang Mai is a hub for digital nomads, so there are many coworking spaces and comfortable cafes designed for working. Whether you’re seeking a cafe with views of the hills or a coworking space that allows you to connect with other digital nomads, Chiang Mai has it all, and you won’t need to worry about finding the correct spot on your weekend escape from Bangkok.

Yellow Coworking Space

Located in the heart of Chiang Mai, Yellow Coworking Space is a spacious, community-driven hub designed for collaboration and connection. The space features a variety of seating options, meeting rooms, soundproof booths, a fully equipped YouTube studio, and the on-site Yellow Cafe, known for its excellent coffee and snacks. Regular Friday night drinks encourage networking among remote workers, which is great if you’re taking a weekend escape from Bangkok alone. It’s a comfortable coworking space with air conditioning, private lockers, showers, a lush garden, and international power sockets.

You won't be lost when finding coworking spaces in Chiang Mai.

Artisan Cafe

A popular hotspot for digital nomads, Artisan Cafe in Chiang Mai offers a variety of seating options, including big tables, sofas, comfortable chairs, and indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a rustic cafe with a calming atmosphere, serving great coffee, hot chocolate, matcha, and smoothies at an affordable price.

Artisan Cafe is the perfect spot for productive work.

Remote Worker Tip

Chiang Mai has one of Southeast Asia’s most welcoming digital nomad communities. Join a coworking space event, a meetup, or a Friday drinks session — it’s a great way to connect with other remote workers and find new friends. 

Weekend Escapes from Bangkok: Phuket

One of Thailand’s major tourist destinations, Phuket is a beach lover's paradise and the biggest island in the country. It takes roughly two hours to get from one side to the other, making it still accessible if you’re travelling by bike or car. Phuket has over 30 beaches and over 10 shopping malls, making it a great combination if you’re looking for a city beach vibe during your weekend escape from Bangkok. 

How to get there?

From Bangkok, you can take a direct flight to Phuket for as little as 900 THB. Flying with Air Asia, Bangkok Airways or Thai Lion Air, the flight only takes one hour from Bangkok’s smaller airport, Don Mueang — making Phuket an accessible and convenient destination for weekend escapes from Bangkok. 

If you're ever craving a beach, Phuket is a quick weekend escape from Bangkok.

Where to Stay?

Phuket has many hotels, villas, hostels and even condos you can rent short-term. However, the most important decision is whether to stay in the south, north or centre of the island. This will depend on preferences such as convenience, relaxation, fitness, nightlife, and beaches. Some areas are much busier and overcrowded by tourists, but have a lot going on, including Patong and Kathu. However, other areas still have many things to do, just a little less busy, such as Rawai and Nai Harn.

Rawai

A village on the southern tip of Phuket, Rawai is renowned for its fishing port and seafood markets. Surrounded by different beaches, including Rawai, Nai Harn, Nui, and Ao Sane, it offers a more local atmosphere and is a popular destination for gym goers, as it’s not too far from Fitness Street in Chalong. However, tourists often flock here as it’s a convenient departure point for boat trips to nearby islands. There are many cafes, restaurants, beach clubs and supermarkets here, but it's further out the way, taking more than 30 minutes to reach Phuket centre.

Kathu

In central Phuket, Kathu is a convenient place as it's located between the town centre, Patong and Kamala Beach, but has a more relaxed, quiet ambience, so you can still experience the hustle of Phuket and the tranquillity at the same time. It’s renowned for its lush greenery and natural beauty, with golf courses, waterfalls, and hiking adventures. 

Kathu is surrounded by lush greenery.

Where to Work?

A weekend escape from Bangkok deserves a good workspace — especially when the view inspires your best ideas. In Phuket, working remotely doesn’t mean being stuck indoors. From a cliffside café overlooking the Andaman Sea to a sleek coworking space designed for digital nomads, you’ll find the perfect balance between productivity and paradise.

Summore Day

This cafe is what a digital nomad's dreams are made of. Set on top of a cliff, beside the beach with breathtaking views of the turquoise ocean, with four different dining areas, indoors and outdoors, comfortable seating, good Wi-Fi and refreshing drinks. Start your day in the main cafe area, sitting against cushioned seating or a chair with a strong backrest, working away on your laptop, with a spot of brunch. When you're becoming restless, have a walk outside and take in the ocean breeze, or sit at the highest point of the cafe on bean bags, reading a book with a spectacular view of Nai Harn Beach.

Enjoy beautiful views of the ocean while you work from this Phuket cafe.

Selina

This beachfront hotel is a haven for remote workers and digital nomads looking for weekend escapes from Bangkok. Not only does it have a beautiful coworking space, but it also offers activities, day trips, and yoga classes to everyone. The coworking space at Selina is the best I have experienced in Thailand; it makes that dream of working by the beach a reality. You can purchase a monthly pass for 4,000 THB, or a daily pass for 350 THB, and visit as you please, as it's open 24/7. The office features a fridge, microwave, water dispenser and coffee and tea, making it the perfect place to work all day. You can bring your own food, or eat at the restaurant next door, where you'll receive 10% off for being a member of the coworking space. It's a peaceful and comfortable environment with rattan decor, large tables, plug sockets, meeting rooms and an outdoor area to work from or simply enjoy a dip in the pool and views of the beach. For me, this is the perfect working spot away from the city, giving me the chance to embrace island life. There's nothing quite like soaking up the sun by the pool during your lunch break.

Work by the beach in a comfortable, boho setting at Selina.

Remote Worker Tip

Enjoy your weekend escape from Bangkok. Phuket is much more relaxed, so make the most of unwinding and don’t feel guilty for slowing down here. Sometimes, your most productive work comes after permitting yourself to disconnect for a few hours. Surrounding yourself in a different environment can also spark creativity, as you see a new way of living.