Patong, Phuket, Thailand

Like many people amid an ongoing pandemic, I’m trying to figure out my life. After almost exactly a year in Chiangmai, my relationship hit a point where I needed to physically remove myself from Chiangmai and take a breather elsewhere. As such, I have moved to Patong, Phuket, in southern Thailand. I’m not sure how long I will be here, or if this was the right decision, but it’s where I am now and I’ll spend the next few weeks sorting out what I want, and ultimately deciding what is best for me.

I have an Airbnb here, about 500 meters from the beach and located close to the central street. The apartment complex I’m staying in has a gym, but I found a better one — though more expensive than any I have seen before in Thailand. But that’s Phuket — expensive. It’s a tourist destination, and among the best in the world, and as such, things here are pricey. Alcohol, food, souvenirs, condos — it all costs a lot more than Chiangmai.

I miss my motorbike and my friends up north, but I felt static — like my life was in a constant state of repetitiveness. And while I do enjoy a good routine, where things are stable and easy, my relationship was everything but that. Yes, I’m spending money here in Phuket that I otherwise would be able to save had I stayed in Chiangmai, but I believe that being here for a few weeks is what I need.

I’ve also never worked while traveling. Sometimes I might have a few small things to do for one job (such as when I was in Europe in 2020), but this is the first time I’ve had 4 jobs and not been settled somewhere. I’ll get used to it, I’m sure, but it’s nice knowing that after I finish work at 4pm, I can head down to the beach or go walk around. Sure, I could have walked around Chiangmai, but it’s nice being somewhere I haven’t been before. That sense of “exploring the unknown” was something I think I missed having been in Chiangmai for so long.

My current visa is “pinned” to Chiangmai, meaning I physically need to go to Chiangmai immigration every 3 months to “check in” so even if I were to move somewhere long-term, I’d need to fly back four times a year. My condo in Chiangmai finishes in June. My plan is to find a new place in Chiangmai, and use that as my central hub. I’ll continue with my jobs, but my idea is to do 2-3 month sprints in different places around Thailand, working remotely but without needing to bring my entire life with me. Yes, I’ll be paying double rent (both in Chiangmai and wherever I travel to), but with the cost of living so cheap here, I think that’s manageable, and also a good way for me to travel while also continuing with my work responsibilities.

For now, I’m enjoying Phuket and excited to learn more about Patong — especially where to get good, cheap Thai food. Life comes at you fast, so don’t be scared to pull the trigger. Though it may seem drastic, sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed.