Chiang Mai named one of the world’s top 8 cities for digital nomads and creators by Forbes

 | Wed 27 May 2026 14:00 ICT

Forbes has ranked Chiang Mai among the eight best cities in the world for digital nomads and creators in 2026, placing it alongside Medellín, Cape Town, Lisbon, Bali, Mexico City, Tokyo and Berlin.

According to the Forbes report, the digital nomad profile has shifted in 2026 toward what it describes as the “digital entrepreneur” — a remote worker who prioritises not just affordability and climate, but a high-functioning urban ecosystem that supports business growth, income generation and professional networking. Chiang Mai earned its spot on the strength of its modern co-working infrastructure, thriving café culture and comprehensive amenities that make location-independent work both practical and productive.

The recognition aligns with the city’s broader positioning as a MICE destination, following the MICE City Summit 2026. Chiang Mai’s development strategy centres on Creative Capital — leveraging cultural identity and creative industry as economic drivers — with the MICE sector seen as a vehicle for scaling this vision through three strategic priorities: establishing Chiang Mai as a hub for international conferences in technology and creative industries; promoting a festival economy that blends Lanna cultural heritage and soft power with digital innovation; and developing the city into a Global Association Hub capable of attracting international professional and academic organisations.

The Forbes ranking is being welcomed as further evidence of Chiang Mai’s readiness as a living creative city, and adds momentum to the city’s preparations to host the MICE City Summit 2027.