Highlights:
- Rural area further south with spacious, often luxurious homes
- Beautiful countryside and mountain views
- Growing number of upscale amenities and farm cafes
Best for: Wealthy expats or retirees seeking a quiet, high-end rural lifestyle
Transportation: Car necessary due to distance from the city and rural setting
Cost of living: Spacious homes range from ฿10,000-20,000/month, with low overall living costs if relying on local markets.
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Nam Phrae lies further south of Hang Dong, about 30 minutes from the city center. It’s accessed via the Chiang Mai-Hot Road, which continues south towards Doi Inthanon.
This area has long been known for its beautiful countryside and spacious properties. In recent years, it’s started to attract more attention from expats and wealthy Thais looking for a quieter, more rural lifestyle.
Nam Phrae still feels quite far out of town, maintaining a distinctly rural vibe. It’s peaceful and green, with a landscape dotted with small farms, orchards, and the occasional luxury villa. Traffic is minimal here, replaced by the sounds of nature.
Housing in Nam Phrae tends towards the high end. You’ll find large, often luxurious homes set on expansive plots of land. Many properties boast stunning mountain views and resort-like amenities.
As for Western conveniences, Nam Phrae is still catching up. While there’s a growing number of expat-oriented cafes and restaurants, you’ll likely need to head into Hang Dong or the city for major shopping. However, we have a feeling it’s going to get more boujie – there will likely be more development of amenities to serve all these fancy homes in the next few years. Or you know, maybe not. Maybe it will maintain this vaguely genteel farm feel for years to come.
Expat-friendly Amenities in Nam Phrae:
- International Schools: Panyaden International School, with more options in nearby Hang Dong.
- Supermarkets: Options available in Hang Dong, about 15-20 minute drive.
- Hospitals & Clinics: Hang Dong Hospital, about 15-20 minute drive.
- Parks & Playgrounds: Options available in Hang Dong, about 15-20 minute drive.
