A 39-year-old Singaporean has drawn attention online after revealing he sustains a comfortable lifestyle in Thailand by working only three hours a week as an adjunct lecturer in Singapore.
Swapping city stress for Chiang Mai comfort
Chen Shao Chun relocated to Chiang Mai in November 2024 after spending nearly a decade in the corporate sector, including a stint at Google.
According to CNBC, he now lives in a high-end condominium in Chiang Mai and returns to Singapore weekly to teach a digital marketing class at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
This part-time teaching role brings in between S$2,000 and S$4,000 monthly (approx RM6,569 and RM13,138) — a sum that covers his airfare, rent, and daily expenses in Thailand.
Retrenchment sparked new beginnings
Asia One reported that in February 2024, Chen was unexpectedly laid off from his corporate job.
Despite the setback, his financial foresight provided a cushion. Having saved and invested around 50% of his income, he built an investment portfolio valued at approximately S$2.5 million.
It was very devastating, it was a huge blow to my ego, my identity, but it turns out, with time…it sort of mandated me to think [about] what I really wanted in life,” he told CNBC.
Applying the 4% rule, he estimated he could withdraw S$100,000 annually (approx. RM328,000) and still maintain financial stability over the long term.
Minimal hours, multiple income streams
Chen now dedicates only four to eight hours a week to work.
Beyond his lecturing duties, he runs a coaching business — charging up to S$650 ( approx RM2,135) per hour — and creates educational content for YouTube.
He credits his lifestyle to “geographical arbitrage,” where one earns in a strong currency and spends in a cheaper country. This allows him to live well while working very little.
‘Not chasing croissants’
Chen encourages others considering remote work abroad to embrace local culture rather than clinging to familiar comforts.
He highlighted that some expats grow frustrated trying to replicate their home country’s lifestyle, which undermines cost-saving benefits.
Instead, he chooses local food, medicine, and even beverages, saying it significantly cuts costs and improves the overall experience.
From high-rent stress to resort-style life
Previously paying S$3,150 (approx. RM10,300) for a two-bedroom apartment in Singapore, Chen now rents a one-bedroom condo in Chiang Mai for just S$580 (approx. RM1,900) per month.
The complex includes several pools, a co-working area, a Pilates studio, and more.
His monthly food expenses range between S$400 (approx. RM1,300) and S$700 (approx. RM2,300) , and flights to Singapore cost roughly S$320 weekly (approx. RM1,049).
A lifestyle with trade-offs
While Chen enjoys his freedom and slower pace of life, he admits the super-commuting routine can be tiring.
He also misses the structure and predictability that came with his corporate job.
Nonetheless, he remains open to returning to Singapore should the right opportunity arise — but for now, his low-hour, high-reward routine suits him just fine.
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