One is a scholar of deep dive theory, and the other is a practitioner of skill exchange for accommodation. They are each BUIDLing the digital future, together interpreting the most precious freedom asset of choice.
Written by: angelilu, Foresight News
Chiang Mai, an ancient city embraced by lush green mountains, was once just a paradise for backpackers and leisure travelers. However, after waves of digital nomads conducted 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 happening more frequently, USDT top-ups visible on delivery apps, and roadside exchange points possibly offering cryptocurrency exchanges… This small city in northern Thailand has seemingly become one of the gathering places for Web3 practitioners in East Asia.
However, since 2025, with safety concerns arising from the kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Thailand, the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, and the reduction of large Web3 events in Thailand, some in the industry believe that "there are no more people in Web3 in Chiang Mai!" What is the actual situation? How has the Web3 ecosystem in Chiang Mai developed? Does Chiang Mai still hold appeal 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 or the stories of founders of projects that have raised millions of dollars, nor does it trace technological breakthroughs that have changed the industry landscape. Instead, we turn our attention to ordinary practitioners, those who are reshaping their lives with Web3 ideas. Perhaps their stories are closer to reality and more universal and inspiring.
Pursuing a PhD in Chiang Mai, I BUIDL Web3 in my own way
The reason for meeting the first interviewee, Jason, was simple: this is his base, where he spends every day, and the Chiang Mai University library is a great workspace for local digital nomads. It is open to the public, cost-effective, costing only 20 baht (less than 5 RMB) for a day, or 200 baht (about 43 RMB) for an annual pass, with a beautiful environment featuring lush tropical plants outside and a calm space focused on future technology inside.
A few years ago, he was an engineer at a large 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 he has been busy with a major thesis related to AA accounts.
Chiang Mai University is about to start its summer break, but he has chosen not to go back during this holiday and instead continue working on his thesis. When I asked if he felt stressed, he acknowledged that there is definitely pressure, "But sometimes when I get into research, I completely lose track of time," Jason chuckled softly, "Before I know it, it's three or four in the afternoon, and my stomach reminds me I haven't had lunch." In a way, he finds joy in it.
"The tuition for the all-English PhD program is over 200,000 baht a year, but fortunately, the cost of living here is almost negligible." Most of his daily meals are taken care of at the school cafeteria, and his most extravagant choice is occasionally ordering a steak for over 200 baht. He also recommended I try DQ ice cream, which costs only 12 baht for a single scoop, less than 3 RMB. Many prices are much cheaper compared to those in China.
In this relaxed tourist city of Chiang Mai, Jason's life trajectory is surprisingly simple, with the library and his rented apartment forming the entirety of his daily commute. He jokingly calls himself a "voluntary academic prisoner," but the view from his "cell" is excellent. He enjoys the university environment, which allows him to explore Web3 in his own way.
When discussing the price performance of the crypto market, Jason shook his head, his tone clearly calm, "I haven't traded much recently," but then his brow relaxed, "However, from a technical research perspective, I still believe Ethereum is the core innovation community of blockchain, without a doubt." He added, "Despite the various challenges Ethereum faces, it remains the main driver of technological innovation in this industry." This attitude of separating market fluctuations from technical value is the essential difference between researchers and speculators.
As the conversation deepened into his focused research area, Jason's expression gradually became focused, and his words became meticulous and profound. He was not discussing simple technical specifications but exploring fundamental issues of social distribution mechanisms, even mentioning the collaborative model of fungal networks, contemplating the deep connections between money and life values. "The modern definition of 'value' is too narrow; everything is quantified as money. But human creativity, willingness to cooperate, and intrinsic motivation are far more complex. We need a more diverse 'ledger' to record and reward various forms of contribution. These seemingly unrelated fields actually point to the core reason for the existence of Web3."
"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 stays in theoretical exploration but also puts 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 down a vast theory into different small modules, then test, modify, and retest them one by one until a closed loop is formed."
"Recently, I've been testing a 'Play to B to earn' game mechanism," excitement sparkled in his eyes as an experimenter, "and I've already got some preliminary results." He expressed that being able to research topics he is most interested in is a great happiness for him, "For me, this is both work and a core part of life." He paused for a moment, "In an environment like Chiang Mai University, without too much social distraction, thinking becomes purer."
When Jason talked about organizing blockchain events in Chiang Mai, he mentioned that he occasionally participates in events organized by others, but he observed that events themed around trading cryptocurrencies tend to attract more participants. Communication with local Thais is quite limited; they seem reluctant to spend their time on such activities. He sighed softly, "I applied to establish a blockchain association under the college, and the approval process took a whole year."
Exchanging skills for accommodation, Web3 gives me the choice to explore life
Qiu Qiu arrived by motorcycle taxi, and we met at a co-working space. I was taken aback when I first saw her; she was barefoot. Although most indoor places in Chiang Mai require shoes to be removed, it is rare to see someone without shoes at all. Even after we walked outside for ten minutes to a nearby restaurant, she remained barefoot. For her, while this is not the norm, it is a small matter—free and casual.
This meeting was purely coincidental. I was attracted by her shared digital nomad lifestyle on Xiaohongshu, and after contacting her, I realized I had already added her as a friend. Thus, 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, using it as a base to attend various Web3 events. What intrigued me the most was her statement that since entering the Web3 industry, she has never paid rent! This made me even more curious about her Web3 journey.
Her Web3 journey began in the summer of 2022 at the Wa Cat event 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 was completely unsure of what to do at that time. I was considering self-media, big data, Web3, and even applied for a working holiday visa in New Zealand, hoping to wander abroad to find direction." She said, "I even took leave to attend the 'Wa Cat Summer' in Dali because I didn't know what Web3 was."
The event in Dali left a deep impression on her, showing her a new collaborative model where people discussed projects impromptu on the grass, strangers formed teams to develop prototypes within hours, without a rigid company structure, yet full of creativity—it seemed to be a prototype of the kind of work or life she desired.
She resolutely returned and quit her job, and Web3 became her final choice. After deciding to enter the field, she faced a new problem, "That scene was so attractive to me, but the question was—how do I support myself in this circle?"
Qiu Qiu did not embellish her experience. "I was broke," she laughed, "For a while, I washed dishes in a bar to save money, listening in on others discussing projects, hoping to find opportunities." When she first got into Web3, she encountered common obstacles, "I didn't understand many terms, and after trying airdrops for a few months, I realized it wasn't for me. I didn't know what I could do in Web3."
The turning point perhaps came when she joined one DAO after another, all of which were permissionless; anyone could join. She made a simple decision: if she didn't understand, she would ask, and if she could help, she would. "I joined many community groups, and whenever I saw someone needed help, I would step up, starting out doing everything for free." Qiu Qiu adjusted her sitting posture, "In Dali, I helped organize a hackathon, which earned me free accommodation. Since then, I found this model is quite common in Web3, and there are such opportunities and needs in different cities." One event after another, from organizing co-living to coordinating hackathon competitions, she gradually built up her network and experience, eventually landing a full-time job in developer relations, allowing her to continue exploring Web3 more stably.
She believes this is like PoW, where people earn their "rewards" based on their contributions, a form of compensation that is not solely measured in money.
In her exploration of the Web3 field, she also does not limit herself, organizing events, writing articles, operating communities, and connecting developers—wherever she is needed, she goes. She said that although sometimes she also helps for free, in another place, it might yield unexpected returns.
Chiang Mai became her landing 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 exchange labor on a farm for skills like learning 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—it was the kind of life she had longed for while feeling trapped in a cubicle.
"Moreover, with the long-term hackathons in Chiang Mai, such as muChiangMai, Pop-Up City, and Shanhaiwu, I naturally got involved," she sighed. "Look at this city: the cost of living is low, it's always summer, and organizing long-term co-living activities is simply perfect. Although it's quite difficult to hold a large summit for a day, very few people come to Chiang Mai for a big summit; perhaps Bangkok is more suitable."
When it comes to community, Qiu Qiu has mixed feelings. "I love it because the community gives me a sense of belonging and countless opportunities," her eyes lit up. "The most magical thing about Web3 is that one person can also be a community. By continuously connecting people and creating value, you become a node, a micro-community."
"The hate is more about the frustration of unfulfilled potential. Decentralized communities like DAOs sometimes lack efficiency in collaboration, but this has taught me one thing: learning to interact with the community is an art, and you need to find a balance for mutual benefit. True community building requires sustained passion and action."
Now, Qiu Qiu is the manager of a digital nomad space, becoming a "liaison" in the Chiang Mai Web3 circle. "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 has exchanged her skills for the most precious thing—freedom of choice.
Summary
This small exploration in Chiang Mai gave me a profound understanding of their stories. Whether it's the scholar-type Jason or the practitioner Qiu Qiu, their starting points and methods differ, but they have both 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 provides them with immeasurable freedom, and most importantly, they both possess the most precious asset of "choice," allowing them to decide their next steps based on their inner voice rather than external pressures, actively creating rather than 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 retain Web3 people; on the contrary, the greatest charm of Chiang Mai is "the freedom of choice"! Overall, Chiang Mai remains a good choice for digital nomads in terms of living environment, with low living costs (a cup of specialty coffee costs less than 15 RMB), stable and fast internet, and a perpetually warm summer, coupled with Thailand's relatively lenient long-term visa policies for foreigners, forming an advantage in infrastructure. When you step into those co-working spaces hidden in the alleys of the ancient city, you will discover a deeper allure—an intangible atmosphere woven with openness and freedom, perfectly aligning with the values of Web3.
Although some friends who have been stationed here have chosen to leave, new Web3 practitioners are still "flowing in." This personnel turnover 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 within the entire digital nomad community, not specifically referring to Web3 practitioners, reflecting the natural evolution of the digital nomad community rather than a decline in the Web3 industry.
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