Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh offers remote executives Southeast Asia's most accessible entry point with minimal visa friction and exceptional cost efficiency. The Cambodian capital has evolved significantly from its backpacker roots, with a growing professional expat community and improving infrastructure. The USD-based economy eliminates currency risk, while living costs run 65% below regional alternatives like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

Infrastructure is functional and improving: fiber internet reaches central districts with 80+ Mbps averages, coworking spaces have multiplied 5x since 2019, and the international airport provides regional connectivity. Cambodia's business visa provides indefinite renewals with minimal documentation, creating Southeast Asia's simplest long-term stay pathway. Banking is straightforward with USD accounts readily available.

Key consideration: Infrastructure quality varies significantly and healthcare capacity remains limited for complex issues. Phnom Penh works best for those comfortable with frontier market trade-offs in exchange for cost savings and visa simplicity. Our recommendation: target BKK1 or Tonle Bassac districts for Western amenities and reliable infrastructure, maintain evacuation insurance for medical emergencies, and use Phnom Penh as a regional base with regular travel to more developed cities for infrastructure-dependent work phases.