Is Thailand really getting more expensive?

[Madgee]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

I assume it is people with little money who are clueless about economics.

Prices on a can of beans goes up 5 baht and they complain.

IMO you assume wrong! 

It's people with more money than sense (or just pure laziness) that don't keep track of the cost of living. 

 

I get great self-satisfaction in preparing good, clean and fresh food for my family most days and occasionally for friends whether it be  Asian or western cuisine. 

I do the shopping and enjoy it. I frequent all the supermarkets, Makro and the local markets. Lots to see!????????

  

Makro pork or cumberland sausages  used to be ฿199            Now ฿210

Chicken breast always about                                  ฿45 - ฿50    Now ฿70+

Pork mince about                                                     ฿100            Now ฿140+

Most root veg up 50%    carrots / mooli / potatoes

Many brassicas up 100% broccoli / cauliflowers / cabbage

Morning glory, krapowe and most herbs come from the herb garden! 

Salad items are very seasonal but this year they have increased drastically, especially all tomato varieties. 

 

Western tinned foods etc.  have gone up marginally. H.P sauce, baked beans and various condiments.

I find McV digestives are great value at present. 

 

Maybe we should start a 'savvy shopper' thread!   

 

Merry Christmas everyone ???? 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by Madgee

[Cake Monster]

5 hours ago, EricTh said:

 

How does Makro bread compare to other brands? 

 

All supermarket sliced bread has one up in price

Whole Wheat Tesco from 34 to 39 

Ditto Farmhouse 38 to 44 

Bread at Big C Pattaya Klang has all increased in price by up to 20%

And Swan Bread Flour has risen from 36 to 38 / Kg in Makro

Tomatoes gone up over 80 %

Spring Onions over 100 %

There are some very definite and sharp increases in many prices now.

[Misab]

I think it was more a problem a few years back before COVID. when Thai bath had rocket into the sky, many people had to leave Thailand because the pension had become to little, not enough money, when not enough money everything is expensive. If you know what I mean.

 

 

 

[Misab]

6 hours ago, KannikaP said:

OUT OF STOCK.

Makro's own sliced bread, vollkorn, has gone up from 40 to 65 Baht in the last 6 months.

boycott ????

[KannikaP]

45 minutes ago, Misab said:

boycott ????

But it is lovely bread.

[hotandsticky]

20 hours ago, roo860 said:

Do they have a 'use by' date?

????

 

Usually just after.........????  .........but then my 'best before date' was probably a few years ago..

[Gsxrnz]

Thailand and similar cheap labor economies are somewhat insulated from the immediate and compounding effects of international inflation on imported commodities, less so from the inflated cost of international logistics.

 

Locally produced products suffer a lag in price increases until the full effect of international inflation is felt in the cost of imported inputs of raw materials and capital items.

 

The tin of imported baked beans landed today is inflated by the rising cost of wages in the West plus the increased price of shipping.  But when landed, the only real inflated cost is that of internal transport - and even that is government controlled. 

 

The other internal inputs such as labour and fixed overheads have not yet felt the international inflationary pressure - but it will come eventually.  Therefore your tin of imported beans is inflated by the Western input costs plus international logistics, and not too much from Thailand inflationary pressures.

 

Coupled with a comparatively strong Baht that is also minimizing imported inflation to a large extent.

 

We will see some huge increases in both domestic and imported goods when/if the Teflon coated Baht loses its strength and this flows through to dramatically increased domestic input costs when they eventually arrive.

[BritManToo]

22 hours ago, KannikaP said:

OUT OF STOCK.

Makro's own sliced bread, vollkorn, has gone up from 40 to 65 Baht in the last 6 months.

Bread flour is 32bht/kg at YoK in Chiang Mai (same price as in 2009).

So that's 2 750gm loaves, under 20bht for the finished loaf.

No chemicals I don't want in it either. 

[HashBrownHarry]

14 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Bread flour is 32bht/kg at YoK in Chiang Mai (same price as in 2009).

Just curious, did you note the price of all shopping you did in 2009 or just the bread flour?

 

 

[BritManToo]

6 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Just curious, did you note the price of all shopping you did in 2009 or just the bread flour?

Are you claiming you don't remember past prices?

I know the price of everything and the value of nothing!

[alien365]

15 minutes ago, Johnny Mac said:

A lot can be said about a person when you see what type of plates they use...why don't you get yourself some decent ones, they ain't even expensive?

I like to buy nice things but the in laws just break them if I do (not intentionally). We now have a mix and match of previous plates, cutlery (they lose those) and glasses (wine glasses and my glencairns are their favourite to break). 

[4MyEgo]

Everything goes up, that said over the past 6 years it's been minimal apart from the last year when the shortages came into play.

 

I keep a to a strict budget and continue to enjoy the good quality foods that we eat as a family of 6, that said the only real increase I have seen is over the past 6 years is for bananas, but that is a seasonal thing, i.e. they were 60 baht when I first came here in 2015 for a big bunch and could go as high as 160 baht this year, that said, I purchased a really fresh bunch the other day for 80 baht at the same place.

 

Thailand is still very affordable and if I see something has increased dramatically, I will let it go this time around, besides specials are plentiful and it pays to shop around, Tesco/Lotus, Big C and Makro, that said with two fridges and a freezer stocking up can save you those increased prices.

[BritManToo]

12 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

the only real increase I have seen is over the past 6 years is for bananas, but that is a seasonal thing, i.e. they were 60 baht when I first came here in 2015 for a big bunch and could go as high as 160 baht this year, that said, I purchased a really fresh bunch the other day for 80 baht at the same place.

West Indies style bananas are the cheapest I've ever seen at the moment.

(can't stand Thai fat sweet bananas)

They were always 50bht, but recently dropped to 30 or 40bht a hand.

[hotandsticky]

16 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

Plate snob?

 

 

 

Not at all.

 

 

There are standards............ below which one should not drop....

[alien365]

14 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Not at all.

 

 

There are standards............ below which one should not drop....

We had some friends round on Christmas eve (outdoors on the terrace) and we used paper plates and plastic cutlery even (were bought years ago). The last thing I want is to start a 'keeping up with the Jones'' situation with my friends for standards sake. 

[Grusa]

We used to buy Aussie minced beef at BigC Extra in Pattaya, at 450 baht/kg. Recently a company has taken over the butchery franchise, and the same mince is now 650/kg. All their other cuts of beef have gone up in proportion.

 

It used to be a busy counter with a staff of 6 or so. Now there are two, and hardly any customers.  They have started bogof offers, the resultant prices are still high, and the quality has gone down.

 

For a while we tried other branches, but now the same franchise has taken over, and they are now penetrating Tops!

 

Other supermarkets are offering low-fat mince at seemingly reasonable prices, but do you really want fluorescent orange mince, which dyes the cooking oil?....or tasteless carpetburgers? 

 

So far only Villa comes up to scratch.

[RubbaJohnny]

Luckily I've found the

 

DO LESS BUYERS CLUB

 

They eschew wine,women and bong, free digs and endless fun with the lads , but we don't talk about what happens in tight club.

 

Here's the deal 

We Graze thru the Moo Ban on dawn patrol in saffron fancy dress garnering a bowl of leaves roadkill and leftovers from the little folk, who bow politely wishing they didn't face 9 hours chiicken gutting, planting rice or slopping out pigs at falang hangouts.

The Pot luck of the day is so appealing you wont want much and many just wail and chant all morning.

 

Much of the activity is like marriage endless pushing (leaves) and other flappy objects around only to be repeated day in day out.

If it wasn't for moonlighting as a rent boy I'd find it a bit monotonous , but seeing so many members trapped in a similar wheel like Asoke's hamsters but with jobs, nylon shirts, plastic wives and sell phones glued to their paws I think we now who is winning here.

Edited December 26, 2021 by RubbaJohnny
tipo

[WinterGael]

From all these posts, I guess it depends on where you live.  Personally, over the past five years I've seen just about everything rise in price.

 

91 gas used to be average 26 baht, now 31 to 33.

 

Mortgage started out at 8600 baht, now 10600 baht as of last year's renewal.

 

Shopping and eating at home used to be easy at less than 1000 baht per week, now same type of shopping coming in at around 1500 per week.

 

Hot-period electric bill used to max out at 1500/1550, this year two months at 2200 (with new efficient air conditioners).

 

Water has doubled in cost.

 

Cable/Internet up about 100 baht.

 

The good news though, still cheaper than Canada. ????????

 

Then there are the entertainment things like eating out.  My wife and I treated her brother and his wife to authentic Japanese sushi bar.  Shocked to find the cost for 4 was more than a similar restaurant in Canada.  Last time in Pattaya my wife and I grabbed a couple of bottles of Chang (small) at 130 baht each.  Last time in Canada (Nov 2020) a small bottle of Chang cost me about 115 baht (crazy) at thai restaurant (can by half sack for about 52 baht per bottle).

 

My favourite farang food is pizza.  In Canada I get a 14" all meat for about 15 Canadian.  Bought a 10" all meat from Pizza Company and did the exchange... <deleted> 17 Canadian.  

 

And eating out here has definitely gone up, depending how you want to eat.  If Street food, yes cheap but beware.  There's a growing trend towards processed cooking sauces vs prepared on the spot (even my wife is moving away from homemade to pre prepared to save money), which means added ingredients that should be avoided (she thinks made in Thailand means healthy despite what the ingredients are). Also, more of a reliance on noodles and rice (friends have pointed that out).

 

Then there are my friends and family who last visited before COVID.  One common theme noted by all, "Wow, Thailand sure isn't as cheap as it used to be."  I have some consummate travelers I my family who used to use Thailand as their starting and finishing point for time spent in Southeast Asia, now they prefer Cambodia.  COVID has brought down the price of travel here, but I do not think that will last.  Lost ground cam only be made up through increased prices.

 

 

 

 

[RubbaJohnny]

8 minutes ago, Grusa said:

fluorescent orange mince

Join us for the morning Conga, bring own Bowl< I'll loan you a temporary white toga and we ca use a clam for the headshave, once you've come dancing with the orange mafia yule never look back

[NorthernRyland]

I was gone from Oct 2020 to Oct 2021 and I swear standard Thai food has gone up from 35-40 a plate to 40-50 a plate in just that single year. Anyone else seeing this? I never used to get 50 baht plates of things like fried rice + fried egg but now I'm seeing this commonly.  When I ask the Thai's I know they get strangely defensive and make excuses about how pork is more expensive now etc...

 

These are huge year on year increases I haven't seen before. Same thing is happening in the USA so I can only assume the governments deficit spending is resulting in real and enduring inflation now. Scary times ahead if you ask me.

[HashBrownHarry]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Are you claiming you don't remember past prices?

I know the price of everything and the value of nothing!

Very crytpic.

 

I have a rough idea i large purchases ( kinda ), no idea about anything bought in a supermarket, not even last week let alone 12 years ago.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, WinterGael said:

Mortgage started out at 8600 baht, now 10600 baht as of last year's renewal.

Cable/Internet up about 100 baht.

How can your mortgage repayments have gone up when the interest rates have reduced from 6.25% to 4.75%? Mine is down from 11,900bht to 9,000bht.

 

My internet is the same as it always was 590bht +VAT

Although I do pay an extra 35bht now for HBOGo.

Electricity and water are the same price they always were.

Edited December 26, 2021 by BritManToo

[crouchpeter]

On 12/25/2021 at 2:52 PM, BritManToo said:

They had a freezer full in my local branch (Mae Rim) yesterday (and Italian sausages that I've not tried yet). Had two for my Xmas breakfast this morning (and lunch yesterday), as good as any pork sausage I've ever eaten.

 

 

 

Where's the mushy peas and the Brussels sprouts?

[Hummin]

On 12/25/2021 at 10:03 AM, sanuk711 said:

Women.............................

Can't be true! Guys who used to have old ladies and are in their 70'ies, now changed them out with girls in their 20'ies. I bet they praise Covid will last forever. A observation from the bar stool in Pattaya last time I was there!

[Hummin]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I don't believe there will be any tourists coming back in the next 3-5 years.

COVID bans are here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Not that they affect anything except hotel prices.

Seems China will continue to keep their borders closed for another year at least.

[crouchpeter]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Bread flour is 32bht/kg at YoK in Chiang Mai (same price as in 2009).

So that's 2 750gm loaves, under 20bht for the finished loaf.

No chemicals I don't want in it either. 

How about being honest, and mentioning the cost of yeast, sugar, milk, butter, oil etc,  And then the real cost could be closer to 21 baht/loaf!

[sanuk711]

12 minutes ago, Hummin said:

A observation from the bar stool in Pattaya last time I was there!

Next time you visit Hummin, try venturing  off of the bar stall and wandering -up country Issan....In the right area, you would be paying for the company of some knock out women for the price of the bar fined in Pattaya--& yes I lived Pattaya 7 years. 

**20Klm rule

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

Next time you visit Hummin, try venturing  off of the bar stall and wandering -up country Issan....In the right area, you would be paying for the company of some knock out women for the price of the bar fined in Pattaya--& yes I lived Pattaya 7 years. 

**20Klm rule

I'm living in Isan, and my time in Pattaya is limited to a few days when passing through. 

 

Have a woman I can live with, and one I believe will stay with me, because she know who she is, and not wondering how much more she can gain being on the marked! 

 

You know you aiming for trouble when you got one who is 3 marks higher than you, or more! But I guess living in the moment with pink glasses is better option for some.

 

Anyway, all the girls coming home from tourist places, do not look or act anything alike they do in Pattaya for instance. More religious than the pope if you ask me! 

[BritManToo]

28 minutes ago, crouchpeter said:

How about being honest, and mentioning the cost of yeast, sugar, milk, butter, oil etc,  And then the real cost could be closer to 21 baht/loaf!

Because the cost of those ingredients are not significant.

And you don't make normal bread with milk or butter.

 

PS.

I spend 99bht for a 500gm bag of yeast, at the end of the year I throw the remains away.

20ml of oil from a bottle that costs 45bht/l = less than 1bht

1tsp sugar + 1 pinch of salt = nothing

The only other ingredient is water.

Edited December 26, 2021 by BritManToo

[NorthernRyland]

39 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I spend 99bht for a 500gm bag of yeast, at the end of the year I throw the remains away.

20ml of oil from a bottle that costs 45bht/l = less than 1bht

1tsp sugar + 1 pinch of salt = nothing

The only other ingredient is water.

You've convinced me to finally buy a bread machine. What brand do you use here? I see some brands on Shopee for like 5000 baht but they look pretty cheap.