peter48

I will always remain confused by the strength of the Thai baht especially over last month when 1. Thailand was at war. 2. Trump's tariffs on Thai exports to US will deeply effect Thai economy & lead to layoffs. Also I think the charge at Thai ATMs of 250 baht on every withdrawal is very high, for Brits that £5.70 per visit at a baht £ rate below the real market one. This will dissuade use of banks & for larger transactions we will use Monzo or Starling bank fee free transactions in larger shops etc

A strong baht surely means its cheaper for elites to buy assets from other countries like NY or London , far east etc be it shares ( nice dividends), good property for long term investment. Its capital chasing more capital for better and future returns. The downside it effects exports and tourism as foreigners are getting smaller amounts for their currency.

There's no volatility when Brits only get 43.5 to pound and when most ATMs drop that further. Whatever happens in Thailand Brits get less. Of course Johnson / Farage Brexit took it down to 34bht but that's because Tories & BBC conspired to hide truth: Brexit was severe self harm to UK economy for decades ahead ...We still suffer Farage idiocy. You may ask why? Because UK pays more to trade in Single Market of 500 million Europeans from Norway down to Switzerland to Spain to Greece. In one research in 2023 UK is estimated 2nd most unequal society in Europe bar Bulgaria. That's the rich concentrated in SE vs regions to North etc

The broader issue here though is trying to address Thailand's falling visitors. I've seen empty places, deserted beaches, quiet bars, and its Late July, early August which is Farang holiday period. A decade or two ago Hua Hin was booming at this time, yes there's some hot spots still but generally its obvious family numbers etc are down ....

.Maybe you're correct but really for beers, cappuccino coffees, basic meals out, petrol, shopping, clothes, electronics, hotels, water, utility bills,local tax etc. I would say after 3 weeks comparisons Thailand is far cheaper although yes I am not counting Heath Ins or helping Thai family etc And I am in SE England whete coffees are now just under £4 that's approaching 200 baht compare to 45bht

Longstayers often on pensions or married to Thais. So they pay a lot ( no joke intended) but really it seems outdated now. Students too. If Thais come to UK national Parks free etc although yes London stuff charge. For hotels try apps for 1st night & see if you can come down on payment to owner for next night's etc.

OK, but expats/ long stayers can complain

Absolutely the Baht rate to pound is very low at 43.38. That's with big tariffs coming, war at borders, unstable government & so on. The US Tariffs alone as covered in top financial press would lead to big drop of exports for Thailand leading to very large lay offs of Thai workers. US would also punish China etc using Thailand as a proxy. Its grim but somehow the Baht remains high against western currencies?

Britain introduced comprehensive Health and Safety Act in 1975 under Labour PM Harold Wilson that has cut work accidents massively over last 50 yrs. Suggest Thailand work to do same. It of course the low income manual workers who suffer most from deaths.

No matter what with low season looking really low and war issues the pound gets even less & less baht. Unbelievable. at 43.38. No wonder more empty beaches and quiet hotels.

Yes the Johnson Brexit effect. Hitting ourselves in the head. Its like Trump & Farage their far right economics never helps the working man.

Yes but UK lower income kids get more help. 1 Parents dont pay as much for the maintenance part because parents pay for that side & low incomes means state helps more. 2. Any low income kids can go university if reasonable A levels and pay back fees according to their future income 3. Agreed England has some of highest uni fees in the West as what Tories did in 2010

I believe the strong baht versus Farang currencies is the main reason why Tourism from such countries have declined. It sends flight prices high. It stops families coming and its noticeable that when I taught UK students they really liked Vietnam somewhat more saying friendly vibe. Under Thaksin in the early 2000s we got 55bht to £ and more of us came. And buying houses was better. Of course Brexit did not help as rest of world understood better than Brexiteers that the £ dropped as it affected our future trade, foreign investment into UK and the long term effects on our economy.

OK I see that part of the argument. In UK especially in nice areas you send kids to good 6th forms all free. Kids get A levels and then go to University and generally are made for life job wise as graduates. Yes as parents we have to help and help out money wise but again its relatively free. In my area in a commuter town 25 mins from Lodon 75 to 80% of kids go Uni. We have at least 6 great schools.

So why do you live here then ? Why wait till your old and miserable to move here. We know there are many risks. But you and I know there are tons of Farang who come to Thailand. I wish him well and yes Thailand with its high baht strength is not as appealing as it was under Thaksin when we got over 55 baht. Hua Hin was thriving in those days. But family place certainly without wild west of Pattaya or Phuket.