Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Valencia

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 5,680,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 834,000
Official language(s) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - May, September - November November - April March - June, September, October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1560 $1549 $974 $1976
Rent $616 $618 $274 $869
Groceries $191 $129 $169 $146
Dining out $168 $269 $108 $292
Cafe $45 $32 $45 $42
Coworking space $127 $151 $95 $152
Mobile internet $23 $27 $11 $16
Public transportation $32 $55 $60 $38
Taxis $19 $21 $20 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $10 $30
Sport and cultural events $46 $19 $8 $73
Museums and sights $21 $15 $8 $44
Nightlife $50 $43 $62 $66
Gym $96 $36 $41 $34
Yoga $98 $56 $55 $87
Massage $11 $30 $10 $45
SIM card options AIS MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Grab Uber, Bolt Grab Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow