In September 2008, I stepped off a bus in Mohan, China, and walked across the border to the tiny town of Boten, Laos, entering Southeast Asia for the first time. Back then I was exploring east Asia full time as a freewheeling "nomad," typing up diaries on an ancient Asus laptop, and using internet cafes to get around the limitations of my basic cellphone.
Tea Leaves
Digital nomads push Southeast Asia's boundaries
New visa rules help remote workers, but need careful consideration
An outdoor office on the Indonesian island of Nusa Lembongan. The unprecedented dearth of tourism caused by pandemic shutdowns has prompted many governments in Southeast Asia to reevaluate digital nomads as a source of long-term income, rather than a nuisance. (Getty Images)
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