British woman lives rent-free on Koh Samui with dogs (video)

Puntid Tantivangphaisal6 days agoLast Updated: Saturday, April 12, 2025

502 2 minutes read

British woman lives rent-free on Koh Samui with dogs (video) — Screenshots from @ionatravels TikTok video

Dreaming of a tropical escape without breaking the bank? A British traveller has revealed how she’s living the dream on Thailand’s Koh Samui — and it won’t cost you a penny in rent.

The young woman, known only as Iona, who often shares travel hacks online, shared her secrets in a viral TikTok clip that’s racked up over 100,000 views. Using the volunteer platform Worldpackers, she claims she’s bagging free accommodation in exchange for cuddling dogs — and she’s doing it all on the very island where The White Lotus was filmed.

“This is the programme I used to be able to live in Thailand for two months while volunteering at a dog sanctuary.”

The British woman revealed she’s been working with rescued pooches while soaking up the sun in a “non-touristy” part of Koh Samui. In exchange, she’s given a place to stay — and sometimes meals, language lessons, yoga classes, and even free tours.

“All while giving back to local communities and immersing yourself in a new culture. You get to chill on beaches, make friends for life, and help the sweetest dogs in the world have a happier life.”

Watch on TikTok

Worldpackers connects volunteers with host projects in over 140 countries. For those looking to ditch the UK’s grey skies, options range from turtle conservation in Costa Rica to teaching English in Indonesia, reported Daily Mail UK.

Curious TikTokers flooded the comments with questions. One asked: “Hey girl, what kind of visa did you need for volunteering in Thailand?”

Iona responded: “Hey, you don’t need a visa as you aren’t getting paid. I just entered Thailand on a 60-day free visa exemption with a UK passport.”

British woman lives rent-free on Koh Samui with dogs (video) | News by Thaiger

Another commenter said: “Living on an island for free is legit the dream.”

Iona agreed: “Idek what’s the best part – being on an island or being with cute doggies every day.”

When asked about safety, she reassured viewers: “All the hosts on Worldpackers have been fully checked and verified… it eliminates any volunteer exchanges that may not be completely safe or what you expect.”

In a related trend, fellow Brit 31 year old Claudia, also left the UK for Koh Samui and says she’s “never going back” due to the island’s sunshine, inspiring community, and laid-back lifestyle.

Watch on TikTok

Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.