LivinginKata

Getting back to the original question, no-one seems to have menioned the actual tax & social security costs/month. On a 30,000 baht/month salary then income tax = 1,500 baht/month & social security = 7% = 2,100 baht/month, so the 30,000 baht/month is reduced to 26,400 baht/month actual spending money.

My wife and I live on about 25,000 baht/month, although we mostly eat & drink at home (we are not night/party people), have 2 bikes and a new car (SUV), although we had the initial expense of buying a home & vehicles = a frightening load of dosh.

My eat, western food only = 150 baht/day = 4,500 baht/month

Wife eat, Thai food = 100 baht/day = 3,000 baht/month

Drinking (modest & mostly at home) = 3,000 baht/month

Health Insurance = 2,000 baht/month

Car/Bike insurance/tax/repairs = 4,000 baht/month

Fuel = 2,500 baht/month

Electric & water = 1,500 baht/month

Phone/internet = 1,500 baht/month

Total = 22,000 baht/month

That leaves 3,000 baht/month for clothing, treats & unexpected. BTW my annual visa extension costs 1,900 baht/year and I have no visa run costs. We are lucky enough to have plenty more money in reserve, but the 25,000 baht/month is usually adequate. If we had to rent a house then add 15,000 baht/month (for a very nice place) = 40,000 baht/month for quite a good stay-at-home lifestyle with my Thai wife. I have no 'send home' costs = a huge saving.

in Phukettown? sure! 5k a month wouold be doable

I know folks in one bedroom houses that are only spending 6k a month

Where exactly in Phuket Town. I'd like to check these places out with my own eyes, for future reference.

OK - well lets say conservatively he can get a condo for 5k baht, It would still be hard to live on 25k baht a month once you take into account; electricity, medical care, visa runs (every 3 months, his salary doesn't allow a yearly visa), laundry, transport, clothing and of course food - and thats before he's had any fun.

You really think he can get a half decent place, in a semi decent area, with air con for 5,000 baht/month ? I don't think so

I definitely see the 10% increase, even at the local market the prices are up and Phuket is a lot more expensive than Bangkok or anywwhere else in Thailand..

30,000 Baht is going to be a struggle and if you are new here probably impossible to get by on for any length of time whilst having fun. In fact thats a pretty poor salary for a teacher, let alone in Phuket. Some of our Thai staff earn nearly that much money and still struggle.

Usually the biggest single monthly expense (other than girlfriend/boyfriend) for most foreign residents is housing rental . I'm in the home rental business and I don't see any or much increase in rental prices on older properties. Sure, new places coming on the market are more expensive, but usually are of a better standard than older places. Have things like full kitchens, well furnished, hot & cold water, internet, cable TV, & parking.

Listen to these guys my friend. Most of the advice given in these type of forum 'help/advice' type affairs is 80% tosh but nearly everbody who replied to this is spot on. A few years ago, you would get by on it -with a little for weekend outings. Now, since the tsunami, prices have rocketed in nearly every area of general living. There's been about a 10% inflationary rise in 2 years here (food etc) which equates to 3000 grand on your 30000 and Thai's don't link anything like they would in europe so don't expect a rise after a chat with the school owner!!

You'll get by but that's about it! In Bangkok it's a lot better and 45-50k (if your clued up) but if it isn't for you (city life and all that) I seriously consider somewhere else.

Regards

Mak

Don't really agree with that post. Home rental prices have not really increased, guest house rates less in low season, motor bike rental prices have decreased, bar prices much the same, with many more happy hour deals, and supermarket prices much the same. Fuel has gone up a lot, but I don't see a 10% increase in my costs.

Many newbies in Thailand have no idea about the costs of a live-in girlfriend. I recently met a guy just settled in Thailand about 5 weeks. Picked up a 'working' girl at a bar, thought that she was cleaning the house, cooking, and sharing the bed because she liked him. Thought that supplying a roof over her head, food, and living expenses was a good deal. Knew that she had a kiddie up noth staying with the grandparents. After 5 weeks she asked for some money (20,000 baht) to send home. He was shocked and upset, and kicked her out. This guy has a lot to learn about Thailand.

I spent a couple of hours explaining the 'rules of the game' and some true stories. Also gave him some educational material to read, books like 'Bangkok Lady' & 'Butterfly'. After some reflection, he invited her back, and gave her some money (?) to send home. No he has to factor this into his already tight budget. A happy ending to the story, for now

Are you sure they were Thais ?? Suspect many 'locals' you met are Nepalise, Indian, & Burmese. It's a sad fact that these immigrant workers are giving Phuket a bad name. Although it's fair to say that many Thais are becoming corrupted by the 'gravy train'.

Oh ... and let's not forget the 'charming' Tuk Tuk & Taxi drivers, all Thais. I consider them the biggest single reason that tourists leave with a very bad impression of this island.

Ok... I tried a few things.

The left side box seems to work.

The top box returns a page 404 error.

The second box down (help) seems to work Ok.

The last box down shows a progess bar 'powered by ocad internet map'. Left click on the box produces no result

Have a search in the Chalong (Phuket Town side) area, along Chofa Rd east & west. There are some quite modern small apartments, with ADSL, some even with swim pool from 10,000 baht/month. Factor in electric at about 1,500 baht/month with light use of air con. You should have no trouble finding a place costing much less than 15,000 baht/month (incl ADSL & electric).

Many newbies in Thailand have no idea about the costs of a live-in girlfriend. I recently met a guy just settled in Thailand about 5 weeks. Picked up a 'working' girl at a bar, thought that she was cleaning the house, cooking, and sharing the bed because she liked him. Thought that supplying a roof over her head, food, and living expenses was a good deal. Knew that she had a kiddie up noth staying with the grandparents. After 5 weeks she asked for some money (20,000 baht) to send home. He was shocked and upset, and kicked her out. This guy has a lot to learn about Thailand.

Could not agree more with borracho. Over the years many folks have asked me how much they need a month to live on Phuket. I consider 40,000 baht/month the minimum to just get by in a very modest lifestyle. 60,000 baht gives a basic western lifestyle. At least 80,000 baht month to rent nice house, have motorbike & car, able to party from time to time.

BTW, you won't (easily) qualify for a work permit on 30,000 baht/month. Or do you intend to work without one..... not a good idea !!

Flash not work for me. java does work. I use XP professional, pack 2.

Karon Beach Resort is a much better quality resort than the Front Village, and the KBR is right on the beach side of the road, whereas FV is about a 5 minute walk and a main road crossing to get to the beach.

Those of you who welcome the low season obviously do not have a business here on the island. You forget the many residents do have a business here, and struggle through the low season. Many of those businesses add to some of the homeland comforts enjoyed by those without businesses. Comments like 'the tigers are hungry' are so shallow.

I've noticed the trend over the last 10 years for less 'party people' and more families holidaying on Phuket Island. Also a lot more Asian tourists who would not spend any time in Bangla. All the bars & discos have been struggling for years, and getting a smaller slice of the cake each year. Whereas midrange resturants seem to be doing very well, also midrange and quality hotels have good occupancy, even in the low season. So so many small guesthouses these days and they have few guests during the low season. So I believe official reports about busy flights & hotels. Don't just judge Patong/Phuket Island by how busy the night bars are.

khall64au,

Where is the Mango Bistro in old Lanta ? We searched high & low for a place that sold Farang food in old Lanta. Noticed 2 places but they were closed up. Maybe closed for low season (was May), and along the tourist beach areas we noticed a high precentage of hotels, bars, & little resturants all closed up.

You should be able to negotiate a rate with any private taxi owner (outside most major hotels). It's quite a way (3 hours each way) + the time/cost for 2 ferries (each way, 100+ baht). So the driver would be 8+ hours on the road, plus a tank of fuel. I would guess 2,000 - 2,500 baht would be a low price.

We drove to Lanta last month. Are you aware that Lanta Old Town is a small undeveloped fishing village with no Farang comforts ?

I burst out laughing at this same old rubbish from this member (Tarzan1) who has to jump into any topic where it can rubbish Phuket. Lets all ignore this person.

Everyone... let's ignore this troublemaker. Don't give it the satisfaction of a response.

Don't know why, but this forum seems to attract a high percentage of trouble makers.

This is clearly a social event and the charge per head is almost cost price (if only 10 people) and does not come near the commercial price of a private day charter. If more people, then Dan is welcome to the extra money.

Was not a problem. I just moved onto the Chivas bottle....

Bit too far in the future for us to confirm. Put us down for a maybe ??

Wonderful weather these past 4 days. Mostly blue skies, some scattered clouds, hot, and quite a lot of sun. But I can't see this lasting too much longer at this time of the year.

We are just home. It was a great trip, wonderful weather, best hospitality from the Dan & his wife, delicious food from Gerd. Dan rounded up most of the snorkelers to clean the barnicals off his 2 props . Quite a few fish caught, but all tiddlers and thrown back.

Thanks to Dan & Gerd

I'm just beginning to suffer from too much sun.... going red