Rethinking Co-Housing in Chiang Mai

Namjai Village is more than a housing project—it’s a community in the making. Founded by Eleonore and Stefan King, Namjai is currently in development near Chiang Mai, Thailand, with a bold and practical idea at its core: to build a place where people can live privately, yet stay meaningfully connected.

Still in its early stages, Namjai Village is actively seeking future residents and investors who believe in the potential of intentional community living—a lifestyle that balances independence with shared resources, sustainability, and human connection.

What Co-Housing Means at Namjai

Co-housing isn’t new, but Namjai puts a fresh spin on it for the Thai context. As Stefan describes in a recent episode of the Namjai Podcast:

“Co-housing means that you live together, but you still have private space.”

In Namjai’s plan, each person or family would have their own home—modern villas designed with Western comfort in mind. But unlike traditional developments, there are no fences. Instead, residents share open spaces like gardens, pathways, and amenities.

The idea is simple: privacy when you want it, community when you choose it. “We want people to be able to have privacy… but you have the option of being around people and using the amenities,” Eleonore adds.

Shared Amenities That Support Everyday Life

At the heart of Namjai Village will be the Namjai Sala, a shared common house designed for both social connection and daily convenience. Planned features include:



• Coworking space and meeting rooms
  
  
• Guest accommodations
  
  
• A yoga sala
  
  
• A large swimming pool (~100m²)
  
  
• Communal kitchen and dining area
  
  

The founders are still deciding on how the shared kitchen will function. As Stefan outlines, there are a few possible models—from volunteer-led meal nights to a professional cook or even a small restaurant open to non-residents.

These shared spaces are not just add-ons—they’re part of the living experience. “You don’t need these extra rooms that you usually have,” Stefan notes, “those are in our clubhouse.”

A Flexible Path to Joining the Community

Namjai Village isn’t only for homebuyers. The founders are actively building a hybrid model that includes homeowners, renters, and investors.

Here’s how it could work:

1. Homeowners

People ready to buy a home outright in Thailand can purchase a house in Namjai Village. Because foreign buyers often can’t access mortgages in Thailand, this requires upfront investment.

2. Resident-Investors

Some participants may choose to build multiple homes—living in one and renting out the others. This helps broaden access for people who can’t buy right away but want to live in the community.

“That opens up the field for anybody who would like to live in the village but doesn’t have the money to pay upfront,” Eleonore explains.

3. Real Estate Investors

Namjai is also reaching out to commercial real estate investors who see long-term potential in community-based housing projects that offer both lifestyle and rental returns.

Designed for a Mix of People, Not a Mold

A big part of Namjai’s vision is building a multigenerational, multicultural community. The founders emphasize that the village is not just for one type of person or income level.

“We want to have a variety of people in our village—not just of different ages, but also of different net worth and different income levels,” says Stefan.

This means Namjai could become home to young families, remote workers, retirees, and everyone in between. The founders are even exploring rental options for people who don’t yet have the funds to buy, so long as the match is right for the community.

Still Early—But Actively Taking Shape

Namjai Village isn’t built yet. The founders are evaluating plots of land around Chiang Mai, architectural plans are underway, and they  use their podcast and outreach to connect with like-minded people who want to join or support the project.



Eleonore shares that even the landscaping is being designed with purpose—shaded walkways, natural archways of bougainvillea, and paths leading toward the Namjai Sala as the community’s heart.

This is an evolving plan, and the founders are clear: they want residents who are excited to contribute—not just financially, but socially and energetically—to the life of the village.

“We want to have exactly the right people in there with the right personality that are interested in co-housing and are willing to be a contributor to this community,” Stefan says.

A Village Waiting to Be Built—Together

Namjai Village is more than a blueprint—it’s a call to rethink how we live, and who we live with. The foundation is already forming through conversations, shared vision, and the people drawn to the idea of intentional community living in Thailand.

If you’ve ever longed for a neighborhood that feels like home in the truest sense—a place where privacy is respected, connection is encouraged, and shared spaces support real-life needs—Namjai might be for you.

Now is the time to shape what this village becomes. Whether you're ready to invest, interested in living there, or simply curious, your questions and ideas matter.

Want to learn more or be part of this growing vision?

Reach out, start a conversation, and explore how you might fit into the future of Namjai Village.

Let’s build something meaningful—together.