Can A Child Be Raised On This Much?

[Yimmy]

Does anybody know of some kind of cost index to raising a child in Thailand (Chiang Mai to be exact)? We have no experience and no idea (in any sense of the term). It's all been rather sudden and different options are being discussed. What type of life (for everyone) could be had on about THB35,000 p/m inc. the pregnancy and everything after. I don't really think this possible for 2 people (1 Thai, 1 Farang) and a child. But what do you think? We have no idea of costs (anywhere in the world). Thanks.

[GuestHouse]

I'm sure it could be done, but you'd be living hand to mouth with no spare cash to pay for emergencies (medical!!) or savings for future needs (pension!).

[think_too_mut]

Does anybody know of some kind of cost index to raising a child in Thailand (Chiang Mai to be exact)? We have no experience and no idea (in any sense of the term). It's all been rather sudden and different options are being discussed. What type of life (for everyone) could be had on about THB35,000 p/m inc. the pregnancy and everything after. I don't really think this possible for 2 people (1 Thai, 1 Farang) and a child. But what do you think? We have no idea of costs (anywhere in the world). Thanks.

IMO, you could get by on that money, it's a rough equivalent to 3000US$ in the US (not most expensive housing). Thai Airways co-pilots are on 50K baht.

Pregnancy and what goes with that, you would need some lump sum for that, not a fortune, maybe 2-3K US$.

If 35K baht is what you want to budget, it's OK. The trouble is - if that's all you can afford you may see some shortfalls afterwards.

[keddy]

Does anybody know of some kind of cost index to raising a child in Thailand (Chiang Mai to be exact)? We have no experience and no idea (in any sense of the term). It's all been rather sudden and different options are being discussed. What type of life (for everyone) could be had on about THB35,000 p/m inc. the pregnancy and everything after. I don't really think this possible for 2 people (1 Thai, 1 Farang) and a child. But what do you think? We have no idea of costs (anywhere in the world). Thanks.

IMO, you could get by on that money, it's a rough equivalent to 3000US$ in the US (not most expensive housing). Thai Airways co-pilots are on 50K baht.

Pregnancy and what goes with that, you would need some lump sum for that, not a fortune, maybe 2-3K US$.

If 35K baht is what you want to budget, it's OK. The trouble is - if that's all you can afford you may see some shortfalls afterwards.

It obviously depends on your 'lifestyle' (horrible term), housing costs, if you run a car etc but we have the same income more or less and so far it's more than adequate though we don't spend that much time going out. The biggest cost, apart from the cost of our house, is the kindergarten 3000 baht+ per month, vacinations and nappies! Our girl is two years old and is doing well, so far so good.

[issanpaul]

easy

[Yimmy]

Ok, it won't be easy if we go this route. Both in our mid 2o's, no savings, an income of between 30-40K p/m. The reality is there's things like visa runs, passport renewal, unexpected/expected medical costs, driving fines, job insecurity etc etc. There'll never be enough money to buy our own house/car etc and no money for any type of future. It's not a good situation.

[leisurely]

If, as you state, one of you is Thai, you must have some idea. I can't work out if the female member is pregnant or it is something you are considering. IMHO, you get by on what you have. If you waited until you could afford children, the human race would probably die out! Children don't have to be expensive. They don't need expensive battery operated toys, disposable nappies (I can say that as mine were both born in countires where it was possible to have the nappy off, washed and dry within two hours!) children need love, stability and health care and food.

Having said all that - and I do firmly believe it, ours have been mollycoddled since the day they were born. YOu cut your suit to fit your cloth.

[greenwanderer108]

Was Homo Erectus really capable of making it to Australia and across the bearing sea all the way from Africa?

[GuestHouse]

Ok, it won't be easy if we go this route. Both in our mid 2o's, no savings, an income of between 30-40K p/m. The reality is there's things like visa runs, passport renewal, unexpected/expected medical costs, driving fines, job insecurity etc etc. There'll never be enough money to buy our own house/car etc and no money for any type of future. It's not a good situation.

The issue is not how can you live now, but how are you going to live throughout your life.

20s is the time of life to be building savings, career, work experience, education etc. Almost all of which are not practically available in Thailand. (ecluding the exceptional few people who do make an 'living income' in Thailand )

If, under any circumstances, you are forced to leave Thailand you need skills, contacts, work record etc to provide for your family. I'd be inclined to work on building those back home rather than watching life's oportunities go by in Thailand.

Also unlike Thais who can raise a family on the income you quote, your future in Thailand is based on having sufficient income/savings/pension to meet the 'financial requirements' stipulated in the immigration rules. At some time you will absolutely need to have substantial savings in order to remain in Thailand. You are not going to build that on 30~40K a month.