The Stay or Leave of Web3 Digital Nomads in Chiang Mai

One is a scholar of deep dive theory, and the other is a practitioner of ability exchange accommodation. They are each BUIDL-ing the digital future, jointly interpreting the most precious free asset of choice.

Written by: angelilu, Foresight News

Chiang Mai, this ancient city embraced by lush green mountains, was once just a paradise for backpackers and leisure travelers. However, as waves of digital nomads conduct in-depth explorations, Chiang Mai, which has long topped the list of digital nomad-friendly places, is slowly attracting digital nomads from the Web3 field. A silent transformation is quietly occurring, with Web3 activities becoming increasingly frequent. You can see USDT recharge options on food delivery apps, and roadside exchange points may offer cryptocurrency exchanges... This small city in Northern Thailand has evidently become one of the gathering places for Web3 practitioners in East Asia.

However, since 2025, with the growing safety concerns following the kidnapping of Chinese actors in Thailand, the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, and the decrease in large Web3 events in Thailand, some in the industry believe that "Web3 is already gone in Chiang Mai!" What is the actual situation? How has the Web3 ecosystem in Chiang Mai developed? Does Chiang Mai still hold attraction for the Web3 community? What stories are hidden here? And can Chiang Mai's experience be replicated elsewhere?

With these questions in mind, I had in-depth conversations with two Web3 practitioners residing in Chiang Mai to learn their stories and the story of Chiang Mai. Therefore, this article does not focus on well-known figures in the Web3 field, nor does it tell the stories of founders of projects that have raised millions of dollars, nor does it trace back to the technological breakthroughs that have changed the industry landscape. Instead, we turn our attention to those ordinary practitioners, those who are reshaping their lives with Web3 concepts. Perhaps their stories are closer to reality and more universal and inspiring.

Studying for a PhD in Chiang Mai, I BUIDL Web3 in my own way.

When I met the first interviewee, Jason, the hot season in Chiang Mai had already begun, and the sun was baking the streets. However, when I stepped into the Chiang Mai University library, I was greeted by the cool air conditioning. By the time we met, I noticed he was dressed in long sleeves and long pants, as if he were separated from the outside world by two seasons. "The library's air conditioning is too strong; I've gotten used to it," he explained with a smile, "Besides, long clothes can also protect against the sun."

The reason for meeting Jason here is very simple: this is his base, where he spends every day. The Chiang Mai University Library is a great working space for local digital nomads; it is open to the public, very cost-effective, costing only 20 baht (less than 5 RMB) for a day's stay, and 200 baht (about 43 RMB) for an annual pass. The environment is also very beautiful, with lush tropical plants outside the window and a calm space focused on future technology inside.

A few years ago, he was an engineer at a major domestic company, but now he has chosen to pursue a PhD in blockchain technology in Chiang Mai and is actively involved in several Web3 developer communities, such as PlanckerDAO. He mentioned that he has been busy with his thesis lately, which is related to research on AA accounts.

Chiang Mai University is about to start summer vacation, but this holiday he chose not to go back, but to continue working on his thesis. I asked him if he felt stressed, and his answer was that there was definitely pressure, "But sometimes when I get into my research, I completely lose track of time," Jason said with a soft laugh, "Before I know it, it's already three or four in the afternoon, and my stomach reminds me that I haven't had lunch yet." To some extent, he enjoys it.

"The tuition for the full English PhD program is over 200,000 Thai Baht a year, but the cost of living here is almost negligible." Most of his daily meals are taken care of at the school cafeteria, and the most extravagant choice is just occasionally ordering a steak that costs over 200 Baht. He also recommended that I try DQ ice cream, which is only 12 Baht for a single scoop, less than 3 RMB. Many prices are much cheaper compared to domestic ones.

In the leisurely tourist city of Chiang Mai, Jason's life path is surprisingly simple, with the library and his rented apartment forming the entirety of his daily route. He jokingly calls himself a "voluntary academic prisoner," but the "cell" has a great view. He enjoys the university environment, which allows him to leisurely explore Web3 in his own way.

When it comes to the price performance of the crypto market, Jason shook his head, his tone clearly calm, "There has been very little trading recently," but he quickly relaxed his brow, "However, from a technical research perspective, I still believe that Ethereum is the most core innovative community in blockchain, bar none." He added, "Although Ethereum faces various challenges, it remains the main driver of technological innovation in this industry." This attitude of separating market fluctuations from technological value is precisely the essential difference between researchers and speculators.

As the conversation delved into his focused research direction, Jason's expression became more focused, and his words became more thoughtful and profound. He is not discussing simple technical specifications, but exploring the fundamental problems of social distribution mechanisms, and even talking about the collaborative model of fungal networks, thinking about the deep connection between money and the value of life. "The definition of 'value' in modern society is too narrow, and everything is quantified as money. But human creativity, willingness to cooperate, and intrinsic motivation are far more complex than that. We need a more diverse 'ledger' to record and reward all forms of contributions. These seemingly unrelated areas actually point to the core reason for Web3's existence."

"I firmly believe that Web3 represents the future that humanity desires," his voice was calm yet filled with conviction, "perhaps my personal power is limited, but taking a small step forward is still worthwhile." He not only stayed in theoretical exploration but also put ideas into practice by participating in various hackathons. "When theory is too grand, it’s easy to get lost in concepts. My approach is to break a vast theory down into different smaller segments, then test, modify, and retest each one until a closed loop is formed."

"Recently, I have been testing a 'Play to B to earn' game mechanism," he said, his eyes sparkling with the excitement of an experimenter, "and I have already obtained preliminary results." He expressed that being able to research the topics he is most interested in is a great happiness for him, "For me, this is both work and the core part of life." He paused for a moment, "In an environment like Chiang Mai University, without too much social interference, thinking becomes more pure."

Jason mentioned that when organizing blockchain events in Chiang Mai, he occasionally participates in activities held by others, but he has observed that events themed around trading cryptocurrencies tend to attract more participants. Communication with the local Thai people is quite limited; they seem unwilling to spend their time on such activities. He sighed, "I applied to establish a blockchain association under the academy, and the approval process took a whole year."

Exchange ability for accommodation, Web3 gives me the choice for life exploration.

Qiu Qiu came over by motorcycle, and we agreed to meet at a shared office space. When I first saw her, I was stunned; she actually came barefoot. Although most indoor places in Chiang Mai require you to take off your shoes, it’s still rare to see someone not wearing shoes at all. Even after we walked for ten minutes outside to a nearby restaurant, she was still barefoot. For her, although this isn’t the norm, it’s a small matter, free and easy-going.

This meeting was purely a coincidence. I was attracted by her shared digital nomad lifestyle while scrolling through Xiaohongshu, and after contacting her, I realized I had already added her as a friend. So, we sat down in a co-working space on the edge of the ancient city.

She has been in Chiang Mai for about a year, and then used Chiang Mai as a base to attend various Web3 events. What attracts me the most is that she said since entering the Web3 industry, she has never paid rent herself! This makes me even more curious about her Web3 experience.

Her Web3 journey began in the summer of 2022 at the Wamao Summer in Dali. That year, she was still stuck in a cubicle at a traditional company in Shenzhen, living a nine-to-six life, but she knew that was not the life she wanted. She was in a deep exploration phase, "To be honest, I wasn't really sure what to do at that time. I was considering self-media, big data, and Web3, and I even applied for a working holiday visa to New Zealand, wanting to travel abroad to find a direction." She said, "At that time, I even took leave to attend 'Wamao Summer' in Dali because I didn't know what Web3 was."

The event site in Dali left a deep impression on her, allowing her to see a new collaborative model where people spontaneously discussed projects on the grass, strangers teamed up to develop prototypes within hours, and there was no rigid corporate hierarchy, yet it was full of creativity, seeming to be a prototype of the kind of work style or life she desired.

She resolutely returned to quit her job, and Web3 became her final choice. After deciding to enter the industry, she faced new questions, "That scene is so appealing to me, but the question is—how do I make a living in this circle?"

Qiu Qiu did not beautify her experiences. "I was broke," she said with a smile, "for a while I washed dishes in a bar to save money, listening intently to others discussing projects, hoping to find an opportunity." When she first got into Web3, she also encountered common obstacles, "I didn't understand many terms, I tried to grab airdrops for a few months and found it wasn't right for me. I don't know what I can do in Web3."

The turning point may have come from her joining one DAO organization after another, all of which are permissionless, and anyone who wants to join can. She made a simple decision: if she didn't understand, she would ask; if she could help, she would. "I joined many community groups, and when I saw someone needed help, I would take the initiative. At first, it was all free work." Qiuxiu adjusted her sitting posture, "When I was in Dali, I helped organize a hackathon, which resulted in free accommodation. Since then, I found this model very common in Web3, and there are similar opportunities and needs even in different cities." One event after another, from organizing co-living to coordinating hackathon competitions, she gradually accumulated connections and experience, ultimately landing a full-time job in developer relations, allowing her to continue exploring Web3 more steadily.

She believes this is similar to PoW, where people receive their "rewards" based on their level of contribution, a reward that is not solely measured in monetary terms.

In the exploration of the Web3 space, she similarly does not set limits for herself, organizing events, writing articles, operating communities, and connecting with developers, going wherever she is needed. She said that although sometimes she helps for free, in another place it might bring her unexpected rewards.

Chiang Mai became her stopping point purely by chance. She had once helped a friend for free while exploring self-media, and later saw a sustainable ecological project organized in Chiang Mai in the friend's video, which immediately attracted her. People could work on the farm in exchange for learning skills like English and meditation. When she arrived in Chiang Mai, she felt no discomfort or fear of being abroad; instead, it felt like home. There was so much to explore here, so much freedom, the kind of life she had longed for when she felt trapped in a cubicle.

"In addition to the long-term hackathons in Chiang Mai, such as muChiangMai, Pop-Up City, and Shanhaiwu events, I naturally got involved." She sighed, "Look at this city, the cost of living is low, it's always summer, organizing long-term co-living activities is simply perfect, although it's quite difficult to hold a large-scale summit for a day, very few people would travel to Chiang Mai for a big summit; perhaps Bangkok is more suitable."

When it comes to the community, Qiuyou feels both love and hate. "The love is because the community gives me a sense of belonging and countless opportunities," her eyes lit up, "The most magical part of Web3 is that one person can also be a community. By continuously connecting people and creating value, you become a node, a micro-community."

"Most of the hate comes from the disappointment of not being able to forge iron into steel. Decentralized communities like DAOs do sometimes lack efficiency in collaboration, but this has taught me one thing: learning to interact with the community is an art, and it’s essential to find a balance that benefits all. True community building requires sustained passion and action."

Now, Qiu Qiu is the organizer of a digital nomad space, becoming a "connector" in the Chiang Mai Web3 community. "To be honest, most of the Web3 people here are short-term visitors, coming and going," she observed, "but everyone leaves something behind and takes something away."

In Web3, she exchanged her abilities for the most precious thing - the freedom to choose.

Summary

This small exploration in Chiang Mai gave me a deep understanding of their stories. Whether it is the scholar-type Jason or the practical Qiuqiu, their starting points and methods are different, but both have found their rhythm and place in this slow-paced city. The balance between freedom and uncertainty is a common theme in these two stories. The life of digital nomads has given them immeasurable freedom, and most importantly, they both possess the "right to choose," which is the most precious asset, allowing them to decide their next steps based on their inner voice rather than external pressure, creating actively instead of passively accepting.

At the same time, it has given me a clearer understanding of the Web3 ecosystem here. It's not that Chiang Mai lacks the "charm" to attract Web3 people; on the contrary, the greatest charm of Chiang Mai is the "freedom of choice" it offers! Overall, Chiang Mai remains a great choice for digital nomads in terms of living environment, with a low cost of living (a cup of specialty coffee is less than 15 RMB), stable and fast internet, and a perpetually warm summer. Additionally, Thailand's relatively lenient long-term visa policy for foreigners provides infrastructural advantages. When you step into those co-working spaces hidden in the alleys of the old city, you'll discover a deeper allure—an intangible atmosphere woven with openness and freedom, which perfectly aligns with the values of Web3.

Although some stationed friends are choosing to leave gradually, new Web3 practitioners are still "flowing in." This personnel replacement precisely reflects the essence of digital nomad culture: a lifestyle of free movement, migrating according to seasons and personal plans. It is worth noting that this "migration wave" is occurring across the entire digital nomad community, not specifically referring to Web3 practitioners, reflecting the natural turnover of the digital nomad community rather than a decline in the Web3 industry.