Alt_Newsletter #00014 | August Mid-Month

August 21, 2025

Next month sees another great reason to head to Chiang Mai with Cosmo Local residency.

Instead of sitting on your own somewhere grinding away on your project, twelve of you will be setting up camp at Alt_PingRiver and working together to bring your projects to life.

There are still a couple of spots free if you need a bit of expertise and accountability to push you forward. Find out more and book your spot here.

The really big news for most of you at Alt_ is the chance to WIN A TRIP to one of our favorite up-and-coming nomad destinations who are throwing a lot of weight behind attracting you!

Also in today’s Alt_Newsletter:

  • Win a FREE RETURN TRIP to Taiwan

  • We need your vote ✅

  • A new resident is gathering momentum for their business thanks to you guys 🫶

  • Get a deal to stay at Alt_PingRiver at the BEST time

Spilling The Beans

🗳️ VOTE FOR US!!! This is the last week to vote for our proposal so John can present it to the panel at SXSW in Austin next March. Click here to create an account, and then most importantly HERE to vote for our proposal for debate! 🙏

👨‍🚀 Next month is the Cosmo Local residency here at Alt_, but no…it is not an astronaut’s conference! The name Cosmo Local stands for local talent coming together with talent from anywhere, and everywhere, else…the cosmos. We guess it’s possible that might mean Martians too, right?!

Get on the Train to Busan…but without the zombies

Ok, if you’ve not seen the movie then that might be lost on you, but one country on a lot of nomad’s lips at the moment is South Korea.

However, Busan - the second largest city and on the southern tip of the Korean peninsula - isn’t usually the place that gets spoken of.

It’s time to change that, and we’ve partnered with Hoppin Busan, a new workation initiative that will be the best way to experience the city with Korea’s warmest climate and connect with other nomads flooding there.

There are four 2-week programs, all focusing on different themes, and with an all-in coliving/working package:

  • Summertime (already under way!) 18 August - 1 September

  • Asia Excursion 1 - 15 September

  • Startup & Film 15 - 20 September

  • Korean Language 10 - 24 October

Find out more and apply to grab a spot in one of the programs on their website.

See you in September?

We keep going on about how rainy season is actually the best season to be in Chiang Mai, so we’re putting our money where our mouth is.

Book to stay at Alt_PingRiver in September (your stay needs to start before 30th September), and get 10% off your reservation…and a free raincoat, just in case!

Enter code WHATRAIN when you book on our website:

Alt_Stories

“It’s great to get feedback and knowledge from people with more experience in business”

If you’ve seen any pics from Alt_ events or meet ups lately, you will almost certainly have seen Lauren in them. She’s been at Alt_ for less about a month, but makes it her business to be at - or help arrange - every opportunity to meet people.

In fact, she curated a joint party for her and community manager Milla’s birthdays last week that some of you definitely would have been at!

This isn’t some all-out networking tactic, it’s genuine zest for people and connecting with them. Basically, the perfect Alt_ coliver!

We got out of Alt_ChiangMai for a while and took Lauren to one of Chiang Mai’s best markets in Santitham for lunch. We chatted about nomadism, community, and how you are all helping with getting her business off the ground…

Going by your attendance record at Alt_ events, you love being in this community.
Yes I do, but actually I’m naturally introverted! What is great is that you don’t have to be involved with everything. I can retreat to my room or sit and focus on my business without feeling like I have to do everything that is on offer. But, I do do a lot of it!

You’re in the early days of founding your company. Is it helping being at Alt_?
I love being here because of the type of people it attracts – driven, ambitious, entrepreneurial, risk-takers. It’s inspiring to be around people working on their own big ideas. I tried a few other coworking places in Chiang Mai, but none of them had the vibe of Alt_.

It seems to attract more people that are totally dedicated to their business or work. It’s great to be around with more business experience or wellness experience that can give me feedback, or share knowledge.

Is nomadism your future? Do you think it’s sustainable?
Actually, I’ve just signed to move into an apartment here in Chiang Mai! I came here because I remember a friend of mine kept talking about a place he loved when he was a digital nomad, and it was here. I grew up with parents who moved around a lot - Europe and Asia in particular - so am used to being nomadic.

I don’t know about the future, and I might set up a base in the US if my target audience continues to be there, but no plans to yet. Japan is on my list this year - I’ll be at the Alt_Popup!

So, what is the business you are building while at Alt_?
It’s very early, but its a wellness and lifestyle brand, focussing on mental health. I’ve struggled with mental health, been hospitalised, tried medications, and spent time and money finding what works. My goal is to make those resources more accessible, even if it means “tricking” people into better habits.

The first physical product is just launching soon, but where I resonate with John is that the idea is to create a community, or movement rather than business-first. There will be digital and wearable products, but first I want people to feel part of something that will actually help.

Any highlights or favorites in Chiang Mai yet?
Honestly, I’ve not explored much as I’ve been busy with the business and there are so many opportunities to do things at Alt_. I’m obsessed with smoothies and Thai tea, though! You’ll usually see me with multiple drinks at my desk.

This is an opportunity to follow a business that is being founded right in Alt_, before it’s really got started. Follow Lauren and her business, Calmslip, by following her - or supporting her! - at https://www.calmslip.com/.

If you have an Alt_ story to tell, or want to appear here and share your thing with the community, fill in this form.

Taipei here we (or at least one of you!) come…

Book the date…the next digital nomad party is on 30th August. New Destination - Taiwan is our second collaboration with the Taiwan digital nomad community, but this time they are coming strong…

…someone will walk away with a FREE round trip to Taipei.

Hosted by Alt_ in collaboration with Taiwan Digital Nomad Association and other local coworking and coliving spaces at Firefly Factory in central Chiang Mai, this one will be like no other party we’ve held!

Expect immersive 360° experience, with art, music and connections with other nomads. For FREE entry and more information, register below.

Also this month:

The next Alt_Adventures is this Sunday 24th.

Walls That Talk will be a unique walking tour of Chiang Mai that will take in graffiti and street art around the city, and close out with a workshop from local street artists.

You’ll hear about how communities are being revived, see hidden murals and what they stand for, and create your own art too. Sign up here.

Work Smarter, Not Harder is Sean Michael’s next workshop at Alt_PingRiver on 27th August. If you aren’t getting enough done, this is going to be for you. It’s not just another time management spiel, you’ll actually be able to action steps that’ll work for you straight away. Find out more and sign up here.

Don’t forget our regular recurring events such as yoga and breathwork and ice bath sessions - can be found here.

We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at our Taiwan Digital Nomad Party!!

John and the Alt_ team