While most people are trying to find ways to save money in Singapore, one Singaporean has taken an unconventional approach — by moving to Thailand and flying back weekly just to work a single class.
Chen Shao Chun, a 39-year-old adjunct lecturer at the National University of Singapore (NUS), now lives in Chiang Mai with his wife. He relocated there in November last year after being retrenched from his job at Google. Rather than rushing into another full-time job, Chen took time to re-evaluate his priorities — and discovered a lifestyle that not only offers a better quality of life but also helps him save money.
Every week, Chen returns to Singapore for a three-hour digital marketing class he teaches at NUS. That’s his only formal work commitment, and it’s enough to cover all his expenses.
"I'm gaming the system," he told CNBC in an interview. "Three hours of work in Singapore funds our entire life in Thailand."
He currently earns between $2,000 and $4,000 a month, which pays for his travel costs and all living expenses for both him and his wife. Their comfortable lifestyle in Chiang Mai is far more affordable than life in Singapore. Chen shared that their rent is now just around $580 a month for a luxury condominium — significantly lower than the $3,150 he previously paid for his Singapore condo.
And it’s not just any apartment. Their current condo boasts multiple swimming pools, a water slide, a fully equipped gym, a large co-working space, and even a Pilates studio.
"I used to just rush out the door," Chen said. "Now I make breakfast for my wife every morning. I never had that privilege before."
Chen’s decision to move was not just about costs — it was also about freedom. Having saved diligently for years and invested nearly half his income during his working life, he built up a seven-figure investment portfolio, reportedly worth around $2.5 million. He estimates he could safely withdraw $100,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) and still live comfortably for decades — even without working.
Although technically financially independent, Chen sees his investments as a safety net. He only taps into them when necessary and prefers to keep working in small doses to stay mentally engaged. Beyond his university teaching, he also earns income by creating educational content on YouTube and running a coaching business, where he charges up to $650 an hour.
In total, he works just four to eight hours a week.
Chen’s lifestyle is a textbook example of "geographical arbitrage" — a financial strategy where one earns money in a strong currency (like the Singapore dollar) while spending in a country with a lower cost of living.
"Improve your skills, raise your hourly rate," he advises. "When you combine a high income per hour with a low cost of living, you don’t need to work that much to support yourself."
Digitalisation, he says, has made this possible — allowing people to work remotely and redefine where and how they want to live, regardless of traditional job locations.
Of course, Chen acknowledges that his lifestyle isn’t suitable for everyone. Not all expats adapt well to life in Thailand, and many locals don’t earn anywhere near his income. He also notes that while local products are cheap, imported goods — like wine — can be much more expensive than in Singapore.
To make the most of his new life, Chen has fully embraced Thai culture and let go of the need to replicate his Singapore lifestyle overseas.
"There’s definitely a sense of freedom," he said. "But I do miss the structure of corporate life sometimes. Still, the pros outweigh the cons."
And while he has no immediate plans to return to Singapore full-time, he remains open to new opportunities — if the right one comes along.
