Chiang Mai has once again gained international recognition after Forbes magazine named it one of the world's eight leading destinations for digital nomads and creators in 2026.
The top eight list also includes Medellín, Cape Town, Lisbon, Da Nang and three cities in the US: Austin, Asheville and Miami.
According to Forbes, digital nomads are increasingly becoming "digital entrepreneurs", placing greater emphasis on destinations that offer strong business ecosystems, networking opportunities and income-generation potential, rather than simply cheap living costs and good weather.
Chiang Mai stands out for its modern co-working spaces, vibrant café culture and comprehensive infrastructure.
The ranking aligns closely with Chiang Mai's vision as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) city.
