Dialemco Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Thailand is no longer a third world country so it is no longer a good place to retire on a fixed income . Having said that UK is suffering big inflationary costs of up to 20% as is much of Europe. Days of cheap food are now just a memory. If you can't afford to live in Thailand plan to go home. 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJ2U Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 It's good to check whats available online. Many items are cheaper. The monopolistic nature of two families owning Tesco, 7/11, Big C's, and Makros doesn't encourage competition. However, you need these places for meats, poultry, etc. I like shopping at the markets also. A little eye candy and its nice to get out and about. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 1 hour ago, jacko45k said: Then eat the horses? Let them eat dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Macro wins hands down over all other local supermarkets which saddle you with waste plastic & polystyrene. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shackleton Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 You pay for what you can afford When in my local Lotus's I always keep a eye out for deals Going this morning see what I can buy hoping the deal on the bacon is on ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kralledr Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Even medicine is more expensive, i need a special creme for my itchy balls, but i can't pay anymore ???? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlivgthai Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 6 hours ago, pomchop said: "I would say my personal food shop has gone up around 20% in the last six months, especially if I stick to the expat-type style supermarkets." These expat markets selling western foods have always been premium priced....if u want western food maybe live in the west or if you MUST have it in Thailand be prepared to pay major premiums. Never ceases to amaze me how many falangs move to Thailand and then try to eat/drink like they are back in their home country. Read it again maybe you’ll understand better what he was trying to say. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post swm59nj Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 (edited) I live in Bangkok and shop in the major supermarkets. I really haven’t noticed a dramatic increase in prices. But to be honest I don’t pay strict attention. I just purchase what I need. If an item is extremely expensive I won’t buy it. And farmers type markets are usually cheaper in any country. They don’t have the overhead like a large supermarket would have. And I don’t think these large supermarkets purposely charge more to get more money from foreigners. Most of the customers are Thais. Edited March 4, 2022 by swm59nj 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 6 hours ago, webfact said: Venturing to the local market in Pattaya this morning, I managed to buy two similar carrots plus a cabbage for just THB15, plus two large avocados for only THB70. How many years did you need to find out that one? And here is a hint: The vegetables and fruits and also fresher and tastier at the local markets. Who would have thought? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 2 minutes ago, kralledr said: Even medicine is more expensive, i need a special creme for my itchy balls, but i can't pay anymore ???? Lighter fuel, a zippo and running shoes! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 1 hour ago, arick said: That would get you in big trouble... Not in Europe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyF Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 I hadn't really noticed. Farang food/drink has always been expensive here, I gave up comparing it to UK prices years ago. An extra 10 or 15 Baht here and there doesn't really register but I've found the longer I am here the less I crave farang food anyway, apart from my obligatory Sunday roast at the local Irish Pub washed down with a few draught pints I'm not that fussed. The only thing I noticed was the cost of filling up the car. For the first time a few weeks ago it was over 2000 Baht to fill it up but I'm fortunate in that I don't pay for that. If people are really struggling they could turn a negative into a positive and try not drinking for a few days every week and eating less. Or maybe eat local food that is still cheap here and also pretty healthy like Chicken, fish, eggs, bananas etc. Save money and improve your health at the same time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Expat68 Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 6 hours ago, pomchop said: "I would say my personal food shop has gone up around 20% in the last six months, especially if I stick to the expat-type style supermarkets." These expat markets selling western foods have always been premium priced....if u want western food maybe live in the west or if you MUST have it in Thailand be prepared to pay major premiums. Never ceases to amaze me how many falangs move to Thailand and then try to eat/drink like they are back in their home country. I used to eat 90% Thai, 10% Western, as you get older your gut tolerance also changes (many older Thais are unable to eat the same Thai food they were able to eat before) this now has changed to the other way round for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lacessit Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 I buy all my fruit and vegetables at local markets. Big C and Tops are for luxuries such as ice-cream and good quality yoghurt, I can't say I've seen any change in them. I don't eat much Western food. At my age, pesticides don't worry me. I've lived with them for more than seven decades. They are stored in body fat, it's obese people who need to worry about them. If I think something is too expensive, I don't buy it. I make an exception for gasoline, up 25%. The average Thai must really be doing it hard. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NONG CHOK Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, greg71 said: And what makes you think the veges in the supermarket are any different from the local farmers / markets ? Much the same as what's the difference between a bar girl and a beach girl? Actually they're both the same except for the price. Cheers. Edited March 4, 2022 by NONG CHOK 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kwak250 Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 3 hours ago, MrNatural said: You can find a decent iced americano for 40-45B but most fancy shop will sell around 100 or more the same thai coffee. Is there such a thing as a decent iced americano? I ordered one by mistake once. Never made that mistake again 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubascuba3 Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 1 hour ago, RichardColeman said: Depends - if they carry on discounting cheese from 164 baht a packet to 16 baht a packet, then, yes. Thing is, now my daughter has seen it , it will last maybe 3 days. all those discounts do is make you fat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eloquent pilgrim Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 6 hours ago, pomchop said: "I would say my personal food shop has gone up around 20% in the last six months, especially if I stick to the expat-type style supermarkets." These expat markets selling western foods have always been premium priced....if u want western food maybe live in the west or if you MUST have it in Thailand be prepared to pay major premiums. Never ceases to amaze me how many falangs move to Thailand and then try to eat/drink like they are back in their home country. Rather smug, condescending and unfair comment; I have lived here with my Thai wife for 7 years, and we shop mostly in local markets; however, I sometimes go to supermarkets, because I still like to eat some strawberries, raspberries, parmesan cheese, blueberries, avocados, beetroot and occasional packet of McVitie’s digestives. This does not mean that I have not embraced the culture of Thailand, and your suggestion that anyone that has not become as “Thai” as you pretentiously seem to think that you have, should leave the country. Incidentally, I have many Thai friends in London, who eat Thai food almost exclusively there, but it has never occurred to me to suggest they go home if that’s what they want to eat. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tonray Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 I'm waiting for Tops market to install a special checkout lane for Crypto Billionaires... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwak250 Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 3 minutes ago, NONG CHOK said: Much the same as what's the difference between a bar girl and a beach girl? Actually they're both the same except for the price. Cheers. Beach girl is already wet. Saying that i expect the bar girl is as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bang saen guy Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 6 hours ago, pomchop said: "I would say my personal food shop has gone up around 20% in the last six months, especially if I stick to the expat-type style supermarkets." These expat markets selling western foods have always been premium priced....if u want western food maybe live in the west or if you MUST have it in Thailand be prepared to pay major premiums. Never ceases to amaze me how many falangs move to Thailand and then try to eat/drink like they are back in their home country. Sorry you can't afford to eat foreign food. Thai food is ok in very small doses. Most did not come to Thailand for the food. If I moved anywhere for the food, Mexico would be a much better choice 2 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sqwakvfr Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 I just got back from a month back in Los Angeles. Going to Topps, Rimping, Big C, 7-11 and even Amazon Coffee was a pleasure. Everything I need and want is much cheaper in LOS. For comparison I had lunch at Chick Fil ($12) and one of my favorites(Chipotle) and lunch was $13. I went out for breakfast in LA and two pancakes, two eggs, bacon and coffee was $14. In terms of day to day items those us who can live in LOS are lucky. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ikke1959 Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 (edited) For me easy to do.. we shop in the evening and buy the yellow stickers if we need these goods. If not we don't buy or wait for another day. Dairy products can be used to a week after the expiry date at least. Also if the baht is too expensive I transfer less money to Thailand and when the rate is better more.. so we avoid a too expensive baht. For the rest we shop at Makro, Tops, Big C and not any more at LOtuss because they have less in their shops since the name changed and they are more expensive. And we eat a lot of Thai food. It is sometime cheaper to buy prepared food than cook it yourself.. For 35 THB a bag you can't make it yourself Edited March 4, 2022 by ikke1959 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pedrogaz Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 For the past 40 years I have always shopped on quality rather than price, I just bought what I wanted and didn't look at prices. Having been retired for a few years with a non-inflation proof pension, I am now starting to notice prices and saying no to myself from time to time. The first time was with a cereal I am partial to and it was over 300 baht for a box ie about $10, and I said to myself, I'm not paying $10 for a box of cereal. This experience awakened me to prices and I now check pretty much everything....but the problem in Thailand remains lack of competition....too many stores selling stuff at exactly the same prices. Things are not so bad today, but I am wary about the future and expect to have to dip into savings presently. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 4 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said: I just got back from a month back in Los Angeles. Going to Topps, Rimping, Big C, 7-11 and even Amazon Coffee was a pleasure. Everything I need and want is much cheaper in LOS. For comparison I had lunch at Chick Fil ($12) and one of my favorites(Chipotle) and lunch was $13. I went out for breakfast in LA and two pancakes, two eggs, bacon and coffee was $14. In terms of day to day items those us who can live in LOS are lucky. Eating out in the US is expensive, however shopping at stores like Winco, Walmart and a few others tends to be cheaper on the food stuffs, especially on the non-perishables as well as fruit. I bought 10 avocado's for $2 dollars USD or 60 baht versus 40 to 45 baht for just 1 here. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will B Good Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Prices are horrifying, particularly western foods. We have moved out to the boonies now and live off food sold from the street (literally, although there is a tarpaulin underneath the food).......cheap as chips (probably no longer a relevant expression). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 Fruits and vegetables are usually cheaper at the local markets. Supermarkets can then be used for more specialty items. We have to be smart with our money. Though Thailand has definitely seen some inflation, it is nothing like in the US right now. Hyper inflation. Likely 20% or higher, in real terms. Prices are skyrocketing. Though labor shortages and supply chain and shipping issues are a factor, I believe alot of it is opportunistic price gouging. One must always disregard the official numbers. They are always lies and bizarre fabrications. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cake Monster Posted March 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2022 The Missus and I, have shopped for fresh Veggies and Fruit in the local Markets for Years. Especially now that the costs have been ramped up in the Supermarkets Better produce, and better prices, along with the added Bonus of not putting Money into the Large Supermarkets Bank, but helping out the little people a bit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 22 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said: I sometimes go to supermarkets, because I still like to eat some strawberries, raspberries, parmesan cheese, blueberries, avocados, beetroot and occasional packet of McVitie’s digestives. Strawberries and avocados are in season in Chiang Rai as I write, in the local market and on the street stalls. 80 baht a punnet, 50 baht a kilo respectively. Very tasty. I buy fruit and vegetables in season, when the prices come down. I can't remember the last time I bought them in a supermarket, way more expensive and no better in quality. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 8 minutes ago, Will B Good said: Prices are horrifying, particularly western foods. We have moved out to the boonies now and live off food sold from the street (literally, although there is a tarpaulin underneath the food).......cheap as chips (probably no longer a relevant expression). Cheap as chips still relevant. I buy my chips frozen from Makro, the price varies 99bht/2Kg-135bht/2Kg. Same product & manufacturer, huge price swings, been like this the past 7 years. When it's 99bht/2Kg, I fill up the freezer, when it's 135bht/2Kg I wait ............ Me and my boy eat chips nearly every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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