Agree with Chrisandsu above.  Just back from Vietnam & my Thai GF was pleasantly surprised at costs of food/clothes.  She also commented in awe on the widespread use of solar power; pavement/sidewalks; helmets; hotel fees.

12 hours ago, choff56 said:

Good choice, because the Thai people really don't like you.

You don't mention your country - it is still cheaper for rental housing, medical care cost of local food etc. in Thailand. Why buy homes or condos in Thailand rents are very cheap and seem to be getting cheaper - overbuilt 

17 hours ago, Captain_Bob said:

USDTHB 32? Bwahaha, gimme 36 back in 2015, and yes it was much higher (and lower) before that. 

agree ???? 

I believe the lowest was on Feb 18.

 

 

 

The highest for the Euro (2002-2019)

(Probably same dates for USD)

30/12/2004 52.9775 and 11/7/2008 52.9525

Edited April 27, 20197 yr by egypte
Precisions

Chrisandsu I like your response.  I feel the same.  I have repatriated a huge amount from the sale of 2 condos at a great rate and free of charge and I will never buy in Thailand again at these exchange rates.

I will buy a capital item in England with the proceeds.  There is no capital appreciation of property in Thailand with possibly one exception : Bangkok.  The profit comes only from the repatriation of the proceeds.  I will rent when I return after the UK Summer.  OK if we see rates in the 70's baht to the £ Sterling again as in 2006/07 easy to bring the money back for a double whammy !

1 hour ago, bristolgeoff said:

It makes some farang happy if the exchange rate improves for them.

Yes...Me...????......And I was born in Bristol....????

The Chinese tourists won't spend the way the western farangs did.

However, the other reason for the currency weakening might signal a drop in the economy and tourism overall.

6 minutes ago, Postmaster said:

OK if we see rates in the 70's baht to the £ Sterling again as in 2006/07 easy to bring the money back for a double whammy !

 

I remember it being 76 baht to 1 gbp

 

even prior to brexit it was around 55 baht to 1 gbp

 

along with inflation of common items that’s a huge difference in cost of living in Thailand 

 

im hoping when brexit is over the gbp might regain a little 

2 hours ago, transam said:

Agree Trans but a bottle of HP does last a year in my gaff , so HP price goes up and down if you shake it.

18 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

One could only dream... basically cost of living for anyone bringing in money from overseas went up over 10% over the past few years.

Closer to 20% for Brits....

3 minutes ago, toofarnorth said:

Agree Trans but a bottle of HP does last a year in my gaff , so HP price goes up and down if you shake it.

For me it lasts a couple of weeks, but I am very naughty and water it down a bit with vinegar....????

12 minutes ago, toofarnorth said:

Agree Trans but a bottle of HP does last a year in my gaff , so HP price goes up and down if you shake it.

You're so right.

Anyone who has been here since before '97 knows there is a whole lotta shakin' goin' on. 

19 hours ago, Captain_Bob said:

USDTHB 32? Bwahaha, gimme 36 back in 2015, and yes it was much higher (and lower) before that. 

Yes, if only I could get a swing and not a roundabout!

2 hours ago, mstevens said:

Pretty much anything imported (and the same things imported in to Western countries are often MUCH cheaper!)

100% correct

19 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

One could only dream... basically cost of living for anyone bringing in money from overseas went up over 10% over the past few years.

20% to 25% for those those of us less fortunate to be relying on other currencies to sustain ourselves

Living in near banana republic here sees it about 22 to the $.

stop ...en wining about 34 to the $ lucky bar stewards

What about the poor AUD dollar, it killing me...................

14 hours ago, choff56 said:

Good choice, because the Thai people really don't like you.

When you leaving?

1 minute ago, berrec said:

What about the poor AUD dollar, it killing me...................

Its terrible. Thinking of selling condo and heading back to oz for year or 2. At least will have a profit on exchange rate

6 minutes ago, madmen said:

Its terrible. Thinking of selling condo and heading back to oz for year or 2. At least will have a profit on exchange rate

I am back in OZ now and it all seems relatively cheap for basic shopping for food items of great quality.

3 hours ago, mehrdad said:

As a FARANG ,,, i missing year 2002 with 1 $ == 43 thai baht ! 

 

That was a nice exch rate.

 

I remember that year  getting just over 44/USD at a  money changer  right  outside the entrance to Walking Street.

 

Memories of things past.

19 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

One could only dream... basically cost of living for anyone bringing in money from overseas went up over 10% over the past few years.

And that increase was only due to currency exchange rates...not mentioning the increased costs of everything else here. 

18 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

I am back in OZ now and it all seems relatively cheap for basic shopping for food items of great quality.

Cant go wrong when a dollar is worth a dollar. I was there to and agree.

A small step in the right direction.. but I'd like to see it back where it was 10 or 20 years ago.

19 hours ago, JoePai said:

No no I need a strong Baht - am off on holiday to Europe soon !

Do you also need to import a Benz and buy property/ land overseas  

2 hours ago, cmrichsw said:

You don't mention your country - it is still cheaper for rental housing, medical care cost of local food etc. in Thailand.and seem to be getting cheaper - overbuilt 

"Why buy homes or condos in Thailand, rents are very cheap" i used to think the same , until your landlord after 4 years ,wants his house back and you have to find a new home near where you like to live, for your dogs and cats, furniture oh yes and wifey too.  sorry cant get the quote section working properly??

Edited April 27, 20197 yr by brianthainess

Thailand's  good old days are over. China is taking over, soon it will be on the same level  as Cambodia. 

4 hours ago, mstevens said:

Pretty much anything imported (and the same things imported in to Western countries are often MUCH cheaper!)

This is often correct. But there is a tiny difference. The market for these products in western countries is huge. Here often only expats buy these products. This might be the reason why these products are more expensive here. 

16 hours ago, chrisandsu said:

I have been visiting Thailand for 3 months every year for 17 years , I will not be going back again this year . I sold the house and land I had there and invested in my own country . It’s too expensive now ,it holds very little value for money . While western countries bleed money through social programmes thailand does not have any such problems so the economy is built on actual money and not borrowing to appease the peasants . The days of being the big man of the village (feeding sick buffaloes and sick parents) are well and truly over . 

 

When I got married here, bought a house etc etc I was getting 70/71 ThB to 1 GBP. Buying most things was a no-brainer! People I knew came on holiday from the UK and went back saying how fantastic it was, such a wonderful culture, food, scenery, exotic place etc etc and incredibly cheap!

 

Now the ER range is between 40/42 ThB. Add onto that 15 years inflation and increased prices and suddenly what was a cheap and wonderful experience becomes a very expensive one.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Beggar said:

This is often correct. But there is a tiny difference. The market for these products in western countries is huge. Here often only expats buy these products. This might be the reason why these products are more expensive here. 

 

The "luxury' tax applied to most Western imported products, which seems to be anywhere from 50-200%, might be the reason rather than demand. The incredibly high import tax might affect demand.