What's your cost of living here in Thailand?

[NoshowJones]

13 hours ago, KittenKong said:

I find that things like insurance, fuel and most labour-related services are quite cheap here. Also condo common fees are very low. Local food is also cheap. Just about everything else often seems quite expensive to me, especially anything imported.

 

I dont pay rent, or finance any Thais, and I dont go to bars so I dont actually spend very much every month apart from on eating out and occasionally on hotels and travelling around. So for me income largely exceeds expenditure.

You could be posting about me here.?

Edited July 29, 2018 by possum1931

[chubby]

never get old, or believe you may have to move back and your good.

on another note, I've heard people say this stuff is ok:

[vukovar77]

15000-20000 per month.We have small condo on my Thai wife name and she cook food.

 

 

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, inThailand said:

What about the third vice? 

If you mean women, that is not a vice, that is normal.

[xylophone]

8 hours ago, Ks45672 said:

100k.a month usually covers it

Some months a bit more, some a bit less

But I could live on much less if I had to

About the same for me and I do live the life I want, and couldn't see the sense in retiring here and scrimping on things, but could easily live more cheaply if I had to, as don't find Thailand expensive.

 

Biggest expenses are rent, wine, good food, health insurance, daughters school expenses, misc medical stuff (OPD)...…….all of the other stuff like 3BB, True Visions, AIS mobile, elect, petrol for car and bike etc probably much the same as others.

[zyphodb]

We rent a 3 bedroom bungalow & I have Thai wife & 3 kids Thai Social security, A 125cc scooter & my 15 year old BMW 650, we spend between 20 & 25k Baht/month & I do drink & socialise but generally only at w/e, we live in a small city in Isaan which makes a huge difference to costs, If I lived in Bangkok I should think I could double that for the same quality lifestyle.

   I used to live in the UK & spend easily treble that for not as good a lifestyle....

[bkkcanuck8]

21 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

You could be posting about me here.?

I might have spent at the very most 13% of what I earned in the last 6 months -- the rest is my rainy day fund...

 

[DavisH]

10 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Owned a decent place up to the big D..

Then after separation and splitting the assets etc..

Usual story. 

 

I agree, the 8000 is 2 bedroom and air conditioned. Wet room bathroom, laundry and kitchen. 

Secure gates etc.

But.

Wrong location and we will definitely relocate. 

Be it to Buriram where we have land, (she has land) or elsewhere. 

 

My totals are over 55,000 to 60,000 a month currently. 

Hence my question about how to do this?

 

Its taking a full Aussie pension and a chunk of bank interest every month recently. 

Oh, using plural...you will never have enough money for that (unless the other half works). A couple on a single salary would do it tough in Bkk. Even 60K a month is not much to live on for a couple, especially if they have kids. Fortunately, my wife work and has a good income. We live well and save about 30% of our income. If it was just a single salary, we wouldn't save anything. 

[KiChakayan]

13 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

Guess I'm a cheap charlie!  My studio room is 3000. small but works as I basically sleep n shower there and is in prime location in CM....cable included--tv too....wifi-free----water 100bt a month..take plenty of cool showers-3x a day and use AC usually at night to cool room a bit and the cool shower helps...  I eat street food which is fine for me...and I ride my bike daily and have a paid for honda dream but is old and reliable....No car....dont have Ins which is risky but can pay cash if needed, can eat well via street food if choose wisely, I dont smoke and rarely drink.. So maybe 500bt a day ?

 

Rent=100 a day

Food=100-300 a day

I try to live on NEEDS--not wants--and just try to do free things--biking--helping tourists--browsing markets--reading--etc

But if I want to splurge on a massage or nice meal I can--but im satisfied as well with the vendors I have found too ?

 

My electric is usually under 1000 as Im rarely there and try to conserve it too.

 

The more I budget, the longer I can stay...I just assimilate with the locals as I came here to become "Thai" and learn about the culture, when I tire of it, I return back home and back to the rat race and work....

 

 

What you describe is survival. But Chiang Mai is a nice place to survive, I guess.. But if I was living there I'd probably spend 20000 or 30000 a month at Wine Connection only. I just can't resist their walk in wine card..

Edited July 29, 2018 by KiChakayan

[starky]

55 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 

I am slowly editing 168 Gb of Ebooks and eliminating all the 2, 3 4, and 5 times of authors and books and eliminating all formats other than Mobi.

 

It is hard work but I have found a lot of interesting authors and books so far anlong with a headache most days after about 4 hours.

Yeah you do get doubled up a bit. One of the biggest problems I've found with having hundreds of thousands of books is having to know the authors. I love mostly non fiction and history but have a tonne of fiction as well by authors name it would take me years to try and even sort a few books by authors so yeah it can be a headache as nothing really beats a book, but if you consume books at the rate I do its now way to expensive to buy them.

[ndreamer]

10 hours ago, dallen52 said:

My totals are over 55,000 to 60,000 a month currently. 

Insurance could be a big chunk of that. The car, even something cheap fuel is much more expansive then a bike.

What are your other costs ? That's where you can save, food, alcohol, girls, gifts. 

Mine is under 1k but I'm in isan . 

[tropo]

1 hour ago, smotherb said:

13 hours ago, tropo said:

That will depend on where you're coming from. Australia is very costly these days.

Expensive is indeed relative to your "normal" expenditures; however, if your normal expenditures are high, almost anywhere else may seem cheap. 

Which is the main reason why I'm here. I couldn't afford the lifestyle I'm accustomed to in Thailand in Australia. It doesn't matter what level of accommodation you choose here, it's a lot better value to anything similar over there.

[Gecko123]

Best money saving tip I can offer is a home fruit and vegetable garden. Also, if you are overweight, you can slash food budget by losing weight. Takes an overweight or obese person a lot more calories to maintain body weight than if you have normal or low BMI. Also, many Thai dishes that foreigners turn their nose up at are absolutely delicious, nutritious, and CHEAP. Examples: banana blossom curry, bitter melon with egg, nam prik with mackerel.

 

One more odds-and-end observation which might be of interest:

 

For calendar years 2012 through 2017 ( 5 years) it cost me on average 57,462 baht per year (4,788/mo) to maintain, insure, and operate a 2012 Isuzu pickup truck. 80,000 kilometers driven, followed recommended service intervals, full insurance, tires replaced once. Does not include 830,000 purchase price. In other words, a car costs a fair amount to maintain. If you can get by without one, you can save a ton of money.

 

 

Edited July 29, 2018 by Gecko123

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, smotherb said:

Expensive is indeed relative to your "normal" expenditures; however, if your normal expenditures are high, almost anywhere else may seem cheap. 

 

 

 

If you are on an Age Pension in Australia, and don't own the roof over your head, you are basically screwed.  Rent will take 50 - 60% of your income. It's caused by a policy which gives tax breaks to property investors, called negative gearing. Drives prices up, and rental yields follow suit.

Here, my rental expenditure is only 10% of my income. Makes a big difference.

 

[Big Yuley]

16 hours ago, Psimbo said:

My budget is none of your business but how about reading one of the MANY threads on this subject?

 

It's been done to death.

Do you always have to act and talk like a total <deleted>???

[DipStick]

Subjects such as this are usually inconclusive, every one is different and the saying horses for courses is in my opinion very relevant, perhaps we should be discussing.  Living v Surviving as that’s what it’s all about

[yimlitnoy]

13 hours ago, nickmanchester2 said:

Date	Time	Transaction	Channel	Description	Chq No	Withdrawal	Deposits	Balance
01/09/2017	13:34	FE	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-15.00		+41,666.44
01/09/2017	13:34	C2	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-20,000.00		+21,666.44
03/09/2017	04:25	FE	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-15.00		+21,651.44
03/09/2017	04:25	C2	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-20,000.00		+1,651.44
09/09/2017	22:13	FE	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-15.00		+1,636.44
09/09/2017	22:13	C2	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-1,600.00		+36.44
20/09/2017	14:01	X1	BCMS	DCP 0015868697 AYUDHYA CAPITAL AUTO LEA			+222,320.00	+222,356.44
21/09/2017	09:52	FE	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-15.00		+222,341.44
21/09/2017	09:52	C2	ATM	7-11 BOONKANCHANA		-20,000.00		+202,341.44
24/09/2017	23:58	FE	ATM	7-11 CHOM THIAN SAI 2 S.7		-15.00		+202,326.44
24/09/2017	23:58	C2	ATM	7-11 CHOM THIAN SAI 2 S.7		-2,000.00		+200,326.44
Total						-63,675.00	+222,320.00

 

 

Choose Month July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017

Date Time Transaction Channel Description Chq No Withdrawal Deposits Balance 01/10/2017 02:17 FE ATS ค่าธรรมเนียม   -599.00   +199,727.44 01/10/2017 06:10 FE SMS ค่าธรรมเนียม   -10.00   +199,717.44 01/10/2017 13:39 FE ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -15.00   +199,702.44 01/10/2017 13:39 C2 ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -2,000.00   +197,702.44 02/10/2017 04:34 FE ATM ค่าธรรมเนียม   -20.00   +197,682.44 02/10/2017 04:34 C2 ATM กรุงศรีอยุธยา (BAY)   -2,000.00   +195,682.44 03/10/2017 03:58 FE ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -15.00   +195,667.44 03/10/2017 03:58 C2 ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -2,000.00   +193,667.44 04/10/2017 11:00 FE ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -15.00   +193,652.44 04/10/2017 11:00 C2 ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -20,000.00   +173,652.44 14/10/2017 13:42 FE ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -15.00   +173,637.44 14/10/2017 13:42 C2 ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -2,500.00   +171,137.44 15/10/2017 22:33 FE ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -15.00   +171,122.44 15/10/2017 22:33 C2 ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -2,000.00   +169,122.44 17/10/2017 09:39 FE ATM ค่าธรรมเนียม   -20.00   +169,102.44 17/10/2017 09:39 C2 ATM กรุงเทพ (BBL)   -20,000.00   +149,102.44 24/10/2017 03:36 FE ATM 7-11 PATTAYA SAI 2 SOI 16   -15.00   +149,087.44 24/10/2017 03:36 C2 ATM 7-11 PATTAYA SAI 2 SOI 16   -20,000.00   +129,087.44 Total           -71,239.00

Choose Month July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017      Date Time Transaction Channel Description Chq No Withdrawal Deposits Balance 01/11/2017 06:11 FE SMS ค่าธรรมเนียม   -10.00   +129,077.44 06/11/2017 03:50 FE ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -15.00   +129,062.44 06/11/2017 03:50 C2 ATM 7-11 BOONKANCHANA   -20,000.00   +109,062.44 10/11/2017 04:00 FE ATM 7-11 CHOMTIEN SOI 6   -15.00   +109,047.44 10/11/2017 04:00 C2 ATM 7-11 CHOMTIEN SOI 6   -2,000.00   +107,047.44 10/11/2017 13:44 FE ATM 7-11 CHOMTIEN SOI 6   -15.00   +107,032.44 10/11/2017 13:44 C2 ATM 7-11 CHOMTIEN SOI 6   -10,000.00   +97,032.44 14/11/2017 14:30 FE ATM KH RUSSIAN BLVD   -100.00   +96,932.44 14/11/2017 14:30 C2 ATM KH RUSSIAN BLVD   -5,255.85   +91,676.59 18/11/2017 21:13 FE ATM 7-11 CHOMTIEN SOI 6   -15.00   +91,661.59 18/11/2017 21:13 C2 ATM 7-11 CHOMTIEN SOI 6   -20,000.00   +71,661.59 26/11/2017 04:27 X2 POS LE PUB BAR AND GRILL C   -441.00   +71,220.59 Total           -57,866.85

 

My budget is calculated as an average for the past 2 years, I have a car, I drink 3 pints a day but do not smoke and I rent in Center Bkk at THB 10,000/month:

$20,788.84	Per year
฿57,689.02	Per month
$1,732.40	Per month

Edited July 29, 2018 by yimlitnoy

[tropo]

29 minutes ago, ndreamer said:

Insurance could be a big chunk of that. The car, even something cheap fuel is much more expansive then a bike.

What are your other costs ? That's where you can save, food, alcohol, girls, gifts. 

Mine is under 1k but I'm in isan . 

That's a big plus for me in Pattaya. I have never needed a car and never missed one. Not one time over 12 years have I said: "I wish I had a car". On the contrary, I'm happy I don't have one. I never enjoyed maintaining cars back in Australia, but it was a necessity. That, of course, would depend on where you choose to live in Thailand. In some places, it would be hard to live without one.

[yimlitnoy]

$20,788.84	Per year
40.26	Years to go
฿57,689.02	Per month
$1,732.40	Per month

[baansgr]

11 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Owned a decent place up to the big D..

Then after separation and splitting the assets etc..

Usual story. 

 

I agree, the 8000 is 2 bedroom and air conditioned. Wet room bathroom, laundry and kitchen. 

Secure gates etc.

But.

Wrong location and we will definitely relocate. 

Be it to Buriram where we have land, (she has land) or elsewhere. 

 

My totals are over 55,000 to 60,000 a month currently. 

Hence my question about how to do this?

 

Its taking a full Aussie pension and a chunk of bank interest every month recently. 

Your initial post states outgoings of only just over 10K, what are you doing with the other 50k...seriously think what expenditure you have.  Allthough my property and vehicles are paid for, I live very comfortable and happy on less than 30k a month, and thats with three young kids!!! 

[Black arab]

Big difference living in sat patts or Bkk , Cm Hue hin, i live in isaan 3 bed 2 bath bungalow.I transfer 39000 ish each month

Electric and water 1200

Internet 750

Mrs phone 500

Gasoline 3000

Food ,well lets just say the mrs does alright 

Don t smoke

Beer 4 bottles every 2 weeks.

There is never very much left if any by mo th end

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, KiChakayan said:

What you describe is survival. But Chiang Mai is a nice place to survive, I guess.. But if I was living there I'd probably spend 20000 or 30000 a month at Wine Connection only. I just can't resist their walk in wine card..

Why is it survival....cos he eats the local cuisine? He has transport, a convenient located apartment just cos he dosnt eat at the top restaurants serving western food dosnt mean he is surviving.....and by the way, you can cook a steak or salmon meal at home for less than 80 Baht...

[sirineou]

 This type of tread is probably the most often discussed subject  on TVF . and the answer is obvious and always the same

    * Anything that depends on local wages would be less expensive in Thailand .

So  locally produced goods and services would be more affordable than back home . but only by the wage component.  Housing is less expensive (by the labor and locally produced material component) , food, repairs etc.

    *All imported goods are more expensive and of lesser quality do to the scale of markets affect.

  So if you own your own home paid for, an own your own car paid for, have already bought  most necessary appliances and furniture, as we have, One can live relatively inexpensive in Thailand. 

I am not fully retired in Thailand yet, still work abroad (less than a year from full retirement Yeaa.) but when in Thailand (as I said we have everything paid for) , we barely spend 30,000 baht a month.

  *  But if one is to live in Thailand permanently one was to budget for  medical expenses, (med insurance, or self insure), Travel ( we have family and friends in Europe and US we would like to visit), and eventual replacement of thing that with time will break down. 

[smotherb]

59 minutes ago, tropo said:

Which is the main reason why I'm here. I couldn't afford the lifestyle I'm accustomed to in Thailand in Australia. It doesn't matter what level of accommodation you choose here, it's a lot better value to anything similar over there.

As far as accommodation is concerned, Thailand is great. It is certainly less expensive than it is in the US, and my home is in Florida. Accommodation is also less expensive in Thailand than in the Philippines.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, smotherb said:

I am surprised at the number of respondents who are spending more than a pittance to live here. In past TV forums, I saw far too many who claimed they lived well on B20k/mo or even less. As with any claim of little expenditure, I wonder what it must be like to not enjoy the things you want--within reason--just because they are expensive. Some say, they enjoy living on the cheap. I do not know if they see it as a challenge or simply have gotten used to living at minimum; however, I suspect for most it is because they have no more to spend. I wonder if their monthly income were doubled; would they spend or save the excess income?

What makes you think the 'thrifty' don't enjoy the things they want.

 

I buy as many Leo and Tiger beers as I want, if I bought more I'd be dead.

I enjoy listening to music, watching movies and tv shows along with reading books, all for 631bht/month (55" lcd tv).

Western food is cheap to cook for myself, if I ate any more I would explode (eating less food so I can still drink the beer).

 

What more could I possibly want?

How would spending more money improve my current life?

 

 

[smotherb]

46 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

If you are on an Age Pension in Australia, and don't own the roof over your head, you are basically screwed.  Rent will take 50 - 60% of your income. It's caused by a policy which gives tax breaks to property investors, called negative gearing. Drives prices up, and rental yields follow suit.

Here, my rental expenditure is only 10% of my income. Makes a big difference.

 

No doubt, as I said to tropo on this same topic. However, if that is the case in Oz, many places would be cheaper and not just Thailand.

[EVENKEEL]

Myself, wife and 6 yr old plus her 15 yr old who lives with grandmother in our old house up north....I guess 60,000bht/mo. 15 yr old son is sent 10,000bht/mo to cover household expenses. We live in Ban Chang, Rayong paying for English Program School in payed for house in small beach town.

Our elec is around 1200bht/mo. Food?? We buy at local market mostly. I love BBQ fish, easy to spend 500bht for dinner at market. I don't drink at bars much, a few Leos at home. I retire from sailing next year so I'll start paying attention to our spending habits. I'll have up to 100,000bht/mo coming in but will strive for 60,000bht/mo. School fees, truck ins, beginning of school years and such expenses will put me over.

 

If I was single 30,000bht/mo would be fine I think.

[DavidB4]

I come in at under 10,000 per month. Room is 2300(no air con) and the wifi(which is also my TV) is free. I buy small cokes in the bottle for only 5 baht each, as long as you return the bottle and 5 baht muffins at max value when they mark them 50% off after 2 days, same with some other items like brownies and salads. Water comes from a filter in the bathroom and I don't drink alcohol anymore hardly...but will next week when my mate arrives from Australia and he takes me to all you can eat tacos and margarita night! He's a good mate! Cheers. 

[Mansell]

You can live cheaper by moving away from Farangland.....Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc. That is why your housing expenses are high. I live in a gated community outside Korat and a two bedroom house is 3000 baht a month.....I opt for a two storey three bed and bath with lots of room for 10,000 a month. I used to live on the beach in Phuket in a small house for 12,000 a month. Plus all the high living expenses there. 

Your electricity is also high....there are four of us and our bill is around 750 a month with occasional a/c when the kids go to bed, but fans on 24/7. Sometimes I go on the Songthaew into town, 13 kilo for 9 baht. I like riding on the Songthaew and meet people that way, Thai or farang.

kids private school is a big expense, but the ex husband and an uncle pay for it. Life is good.

[baansgr]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

What makes you think the 'thrifty' don't enjoy the things they want.

 

I buy as many Leo and Tiger beers as I want, if I bought more I'd be dead.

I enjoy listening to music, watching movies and tv shows along with reading books, all for 631bht/month (55" lcd tv).

Western food is cheap to cook for myself, if I ate any more I would explode (eating less food so I can still drink the beer).

 

What more could I possibly want?

How would spending more money improve my current life?

 

 

From reading this thread and the amounts of expenditure etc, it seems quite clear that the fairer sex of the relationship is taking a wacking big chunk of most guys income. Ive just cooked a wonderful lunch for 5 people, cost 90 Baht...yes less than 20Baht a person for a filling western styled lunch. I enjoy cooking as I did befor moving to Thailand but it seems unless you dine at the Hilton everyday you are deemed to be "surviving"