My vlog style is exploring places by talking with people — asking questions about the town or city, and what they love about it (or not). Places become most interesting when exploring local history, having local conversations, and experiencing daily life — through the eyes of locals, expats, and visitors alike.
I find each place has its own energy.
My travel is inspired by the desire to gain a broader perspective.
The more I travel, the less I know.
Join me for my newest docu-series, where I explore 30 Thai Cities in 30 Days, starting Mar 28, 2026.
Follow along on my journey through 30 Thai cities at The Borderless Office website.
You will find a deeper dive into each video location, along with info about upcoming projects and the full schedule.
theborderlessoffice.com/30-thai-cities-in-30-days/
The Borderless Office
I'm done...
Happy to report that my video series, 30 Thai Cities in 30 Days, has officially been completed.
It could not have ended better.
Saturday night, I arrived in Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, just in time to enjoy the sunset and sample some local nightlife.
For a town of fewer than 40,000 people, Chumphon gets a little loose after dark. And, I enjoyed a couple of Leos.
Chumphon’s history during World War II is fascinating.
Japanese forces were based here from 1941 to 1945, and the settlement was eventually heavily bombed by Allied forces.
Parts of that Japanese village still remain relatively intact and are lived in today.
Chumphon was also connected to another tragic railway story.
Most people know about the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi, but far fewer know about the railway from Chumphon toward Burma, where thousands of forced laborers died during construction.
In recent years, there has even been discussion in Thailand about reopening parts of the line.
While filming, I was also introduced to Chumphon’s local coffee — robusta — which is grown in the province.
Thank you to everyone who followed this journey. Many of you watched, commented, shared advice, suggested places, and encouraged me along the way.
Your support made this series more meaningful.
Now that 30 Thai Cities in 30 Days is complete, what comes next?
It has been a travel whirlwind, and I am looking forward to some downtime.
I am already thinking about a new series: 10 Thai Towns in 10 Days — planning to include some places I missed this time, such as Nan and Ubon Ratchathani. A series in Vietnam may be on the horizon as well.
I will announce an in-person meetup in June, probably in Bangkok.
This Wednesday, April 29, I plan to do a live Q&A, which will be announced on YouTube.
Here is the full series, including today's episode, Chumphon:
30 THAI CITIES IN 30 DAYS
① Ayutthaya
https://youtu.be/3Qylx9UO-Hw
② Kanchanaburi
https://youtu.be/5SGmAWSEv7A
③ Uthai Thani
https://youtu.be/IVmcOQV1VV4
④ Sukhothai
https://youtu.be/GtaPR-aRgcQ
⑤ Phrae
https://youtu.be/urv8JPuqhgY
⑥ Lampang
https://youtu.be/L3Iq3zbK6dA
⑦ Khon Kaen
https://youtu.be/xGMwnNeFZLY
⑧ Udon Thani
https://youtu.be/z2VME4Y5cOE
⑨ Nakhon Phanom
https://youtu.be/hrxLOqsPUiE
⑩ Mukdahan
https://youtu.be/wlh0P7C_oVU
⑪ Roi Et
https://youtu.be/Wbp2_08v5k4
⑫ Buriram
https://youtu.be/kaMcTZqtuiM
⑬ Khao Yai
https://youtu.be/7PU0II9uuUc
⑭ Pattaya
https://youtu.be/nPdy_hGZEg0
⑮ Jomtien
https://youtu.be/-Ugc3noIkeY
⑯ Pratumnak Hill
https://youtu.be/uZ_PHoS5RHg
⑰ Bangkok
https://youtu.be/iX-1WcOU44U
⑱ Surat Thani
https://youtu.be/KrG9rTYBFfM
⑲ Sichon
https://youtu.be/fKlS6uQoHKQ
⑳ Nakhon Si Thammarat
https://youtu.be/yP__-NEkYz0
㉑ Phatthalung
https://youtu.be/_zHyEmNlJsg
㉒ Hat Yai
https://youtu.be/plCsiJ0xOpo
㉓ Songkhla
https://youtu.be/LpgBziUgjg4
㉔ Trang
https://youtu.be/y3HPQKwMkxY
㉕ Koh Lanta
https://youtu.be/PjAgkhpSJAE
㉖ Krabi / Klong Muang
https://youtu.be/GOIxSeaK9Ic
㉗ Turtle Beach
https://youtu.be/E4fvsKk7IvI
㉘ Khao Lak
https://youtu.be/RNMhzwEppW0
㉙ Khao Sok
https://youtu.be/JNbS9wK3PHU
㉚ Chumphon
https://youtu.be/ecWk0S1h2v0
1 month ago | [YT] | 121
View 18 replies
The Borderless Office
I am excited to share today's episode of '30 Thai Cities in 30 Days.'
Every stop of this adventure has taught me something: for Khao Lak, I was not aware of its history with the tsunami and just how devastating it was on the town and the surrounding area.
Some estimates say as many as 10,000 people lost their lives in and around Khao Lak alone. Visiting the memorials and learning more about what happened gave this stop a much deeper meaning and a lesson on just how fragile life can be.
A sincere thank you to Nick and Lochlan for sharing their experiences about living in Khao Lak as expats.
This journey through Thailand is almost coming to an end, which has me feeling grateful for a safe journey (nearly 9,000 kilometers logged), the kind people I have met along the way, and the support of all of you who have tagged along here and watched my videos. Thank you.
My final two stops are Khao Sok (Saturday) and Chumphon (Sunday).
Khao Lak's episode may be viewed at this link:
https://youtu.be/RNMhzwEppW0
1 month ago | [YT] | 135
View 10 replies
The Borderless Office
I made it to Sukhothai.
An interesting place: it is divided into 'the old city' and 'the new city.'
The new city is mostly sleepy and economically depressed, according to locals, who say it never rebounded after the pandemic.
The old city is home to the ruins and is popular with tourists.
Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/GtaPR-aRgcQ
Follow along on 30 Thai Cities in 30 Days here:
theborderlessoffice.com/30-thai-cities-in-30-days/
#sukhothai #thailand #30ThaiCitiesin30Days
1 month ago | [YT] | 51
View 5 replies
The Borderless Office
Uthai Thani town's population is approx. 23,000.
My first impression is two thumbs up. The morning market along the river has a vibe all its own — different from that of other Thai cities.
I stayed in an old Thai schoolhouse, which was worth the stop in itself. Looking forward to a return visit.
Watch Uthai Thani here:
https://youtu.be/IVmcOQV1VV4
Follow my 30 Thai city itinerary here:
theborderlessoffice.com/30-thai-cities-in-30-days/
Video schedule:
① Ayutthaya — Sat, Mar 28
② Kanchanaburi — Sun, Mar 29
③ Uthai Thani — Mon, Mar 30
④ Sukhothai — Tue, Mar 31
⑤ Phrae — Wed, Apr 1
⑥ Lampang — Thu, Apr 2
⑦ Khon Kaen — Fri, Apr 3
⑧ Udon Thani — Sat, Apr 4
⑨ Nakhon Phanom — Sun, Apr 5
⑩ Mukdahan — Mon, Apr 6
⑪ Roi Et — Tue, Apr 7
⑫ Buriram — Wed, Apr 8
⑬ Khao Yai — Thu, Apr 9
⑭ Pattaya — Fri, Apr 10
⑮ Jomtien — Sat, Apr 11
⑯ Pratumnak Hill — Sun, Apr 12
⑰ Bangkok — Mon, Apr 13
⑱ Surat Thani — Tue, Apr 14
⑲ Sichon — Wed, Apr 15
⑳ Nakhon Si T. — Thu, Apr 16
㉑ Phatthalung — Fri, Apr 17
㉒ Hat Yai — Sat, Apr 18
㉓ Songkhla — Sun, Apr 19
㉔ Trang — Mon, Apr 20
㉕ Koh Lanta — Tue, Apr 21
㉖ Krabi — Wed, Apr 22
㉗ Turtle Beach — Thu, Apr 23
㉘ Khao Lak — Fri, Apr 24
㉙ Khao Sok — Sat, Apr 25
㉚ Ranong — Sun, Apr 26
1 month ago | [YT] | 48
View 2 replies
The Borderless Office
I am fascinated by WWII history — and it runs deep in Kanchanaburi.
I visited the Death Railway, the Allied Forces Cemetery, the River Kwai Bridge, and Hellfire Pass.
Chatted with a few expats and was surprised by a vibrant Soi Farang for a relatively small town.
Next stops for my 30 Thai Cities in 30 Days adventure: Uthai Than, Sukhothai, and Phrae.
Watch my Kanchanaburi video here:
https://youtu.be/5SGmAWSEv7A?si=UdGfT...
Follow my 30 Thai city itinerary here:
theborderlessoffice.com/30-thai-cities-in-30-days/
Video schedule:
① Ayutthaya — Sat, Mar 28
② Kanchanaburi — Sun, Mar 29
③ Uthai Thani — Mon, Mar 30
④ Sukhothai — Tue, Mar 31
⑤ Phrae — Wed, Apr 1
⑥ Lampang — Thu, Apr 2
⑦ Khon Kaen — Fri, Apr 3
⑧ Udon Thani — Sat, Apr 4
⑨ Nakhon Phanom — Sun, Apr 5
⑩ Mukdahan — Mon, Apr 6
⑪ Roi Et — Tue, Apr 7
⑫ Buriram — Wed, Apr 8
⑬ Khao Yai — Thu, Apr 9
⑭ Pattaya — Fri, Apr 10
⑮ Jomtien — Sat, Apr 11
⑯ Pratumnak Hill — Sun, Apr 12
⑰ Bangkok — Mon, Apr 13
⑱ Surat Thani — Tue, Apr 14
⑲ Sichon — Wed, Apr 15
⑳ Nakhon Si T. — Thu, Apr 16
㉑ Phatthalung — Fri, Apr 17
㉒ Hat Yai — Sat, Apr 18
㉓ Songkhla — Sun, Apr 19
㉔ Trang — Mon, Apr 20
㉕ Koh Lanta — Tue, Apr 21
㉖ Krabi — Wed, Apr 22
㉗ Turtle Beach — Thu, Apr 23
㉘ Khao Lak — Fri, Apr 24
㉙ Khao Sok — Sat, Apr 25
㉚ Ranong — Sun, Apr 26
1 month ago | [YT] | 34
View 0 replies
The Borderless Office
For the next 30 days, I will publish a daily vlog as I explore thirty Thai cities. Stop number one is Ayutthaya (the former capital of Thailand). I enjoyed visiting the old ruins, attending a football match, and chatting with fellow expats.
Watch the video at the link below:
https://youtu.be/3Qylx9UO-Hw
Follow my journey and see the route map at this link:
theborderlessoffice.com/living-in-lampang-thailand…
#theborderlessoffice #30ThaiCitiesin30Days #ayutthaya
1 month ago | [YT] | 34
View 0 replies
The Borderless Office
30 THAI CITIES IN 30 DAYS starts tomorrow, March 28, 2026.
For the next 30 days, I’ll be releasing one new video every day across Thailand.
This series covers 30 different places — from northern towns and Isaan cities to three stops in the Pattaya area and to Bangkok, Surat Thani, and Sichon during Songkran. And then the deep south.
My goal for each place: talk to locals, learn about the history, experience local life, and see what these places are like for expats, retirees, and those considering long-term life in Thailand.
Each stop is also part of my broader ranking system:
— How I rank it as a place to live as an expat
— How I rank it as a place to visit as a tourist
You can follow the full series here →
YouTube Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO...
Series Hub on The Borderless Office website:
theborderlessoffice.com/30-thai-cities-in-30-days/
The website includes details on each city, plus my rankings for expat living and tourist appeal.
Here’s the full schedule:
Ayutthaya — Saturday, March 28
Kanchanaburi — Sunday, March 29
Uthai Thani — Monday, March 30
Sukhothai — Tuesday, March 31
Phrae — Wednesday, April 1
Lampang — Thursday, April 2
Khon Kaen — Friday, April 3
Udon Thani — Saturday, April 4
Nakhon Phanom — Sunday, April 5
Mukdahan — Monday, April 6
Roi Et — Tuesday, April 7
Buriram — Wednesday, April 8
Khao Yai — Thursday, April 9
Pattaya — Friday, April 10
Jomtien — Saturday, April 11
Pratumnak Hill — Sunday, April 12
Bangkok — Monday, April 13
Surat Thani — Tuesday, April 14
Sichon — Wednesday, April 15
Nakhon Si Thammarat — Thursday, April 16
Phatthalung — Friday, April 17
Hat Yai — Saturday, April 18
Songkhla — Sunday, April 19
Trang — Monday, April 20
Koh Lanta — Tuesday, April 21
Krabi — Wednesday, April 22
Turtle Beach — Thursday, April 23
Khao Lak — Friday, April 24
Khao Sok — Saturday, April 25
Ranong — Sunday, April 26
Would love to know which city you’re most curious about.
@PhilipJames360
2 months ago | [YT] | 3
View 0 replies
The Borderless Office
The almost final stop from the past 4 months in Brazil, Colombia, Japan (twice), New York, Dallas, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Portland, and Austin.
Feels great to be back in Thailand — and enjoying every moment of WonderFruit Festival in Pattaya this weekend.
Next vlog — coming from Thailand soon!
#thailand #wonderfruitfestival #pattaya
5 months ago | [YT] | 66
View 11 replies
The Borderless Office
I am excited to share upcoming vlogs from LATAM and the U.S., including a series comparing Medellín and Bogotá vs. Thailand for expats.
These past weeks have been busy shooting — and enjoying the flavors, sights, sounds, and passion of Colombia.
Colombia shares some similarities with Thailand, but the peace and safety are missing — random robberies are 'normal' in many Colombian cities.
After LATAM, my work will focus on the U.S., with serious consideration of returning home after 6 years in Thailand.
For those of you who lived in Colombia and Thailand, which do you prefer and why?
Comment below...
My Blog
www.theborderlessoffice.com
IG
www.instagram.com/philipjames360/
FB
www.facebook.com/philipb07
SUBSCRIBE to be notified of new videos
@PhilipJames360
Email
philip@theborderlessoffice.com
7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 23
View 12 replies
The Borderless Office
The past weeks, I’ve been riding my Honda ADV350 along the Gulf of Thailand, taking ferries and backroads to film a new series about three places where expats call home: Sichon, Khanom, and Koh Phangan.
In Sichon, the day begins at the fish market in the Muslim fishing village. The pace is steady, rooted in routine, and it’s easy to see how this rhythm could hold someone for years.
I spoke with Jan, a 76-year-old from the Netherlands who has lived here for more than a decade, about why he stays, and his answer came back to the simplicity of everyday life.
From there, the road curves north into Khanom, a town where the empty resorts tell their own story. For many, that emptiness is an attraction itself. The quiet beaches and sense of space are what expats come for — a chance to live undisturbed.
Riding Route 4232, one of Thailand’s most beautiful coastal roads, the landscape seemed to reinforce that solitude. It might be Thailand’s most stunning Route, especially on a clear day.
Along the backroads I met Afiqz; he is pedaling his bicycle from Malaysia all the way to Saudi Arabia — his goal is to complete the journey in 6 months.
Crossing by ferry to Koh Phangan, the energy shifted completely. The island is alive with movement — yoga mats, gyms, people chasing strength or stillness in their own ways.
Some call the island Thailand’s fitness capital, and it feels that way as soon as you arrive. I reconnected here with Chuck, a retired firefighter from the U.S. Chuck is my first repeat interview on the channel; he describes how life on the island has continues to shape him.
Different towns, different energies, but each offering its own answer to the same question: what does it mean to make a life abroad, and why here?
→ The full videos from this journey will begin publishing soon.Find blogs and bonus content about expat life in Thailand on my website:www.theborderlessoffice.com
#Thailand #GulfOfThailand #ExpatLife #LivingAbroad #ThailandTravel #HondaADV350 #KohPhangan #Khanom #Sichon #Route4232 #MotorbikeTravel #LifeAfter50 #TravelVlog #FitnessTravel
8 months ago | [YT] | 43
View 4 replies
Load more