What’s more expensive in Thailand

[Finspin]

I’m coming to Thailand in December for 3 months as an experiment,  to see if I can live permanently on retirement later in 2024.

I was thinking about what I need to bring with me, apart from the usual.

I’m aware that foreign cars and wine are more expensive in Thailand than the UK.

My previous travels to LOS has told me that the cost of living is generally cheaper

but are there any everyday products that are more expensive and I would do well to bring them with me from the UK

Many thanks in advance 

 

[QuantumQuandry]

I am American so I am not 100% sure about UK.  But if it's similar to America, most electronics (like TVs, electric shaver, computers, etc.) are more expensive.

 

All import foods can be somewhere between "a bit more expensive" and "oh my god, it's triple price".  I think this might be easier on brits, though?

 

Clothes aren't more expensive but can be harder to find ones that I am satisfied with.

 

Hard to beat Amazon for a lot of things.

Edited October 30, 2023 by QuantumQuandry

[The Cyclist]

11 minutes ago, Finspin said:

but are there any everyday products that are more expensive and I would do well to bring them with me from the UK

 

In all my travels around the globe, the only everyday items I have carried are a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and deoderant ( Travelling essentials )

 

Everything else you can get elsewhere, usually cheaper than the UK.

 

Its not called rip off Britain for nothing.

[Finspin]

Thanks for your replies 

The electronics being more expensive is something I’ll have to investigate.

My phone and iPad are quite old and will probably need updating in the near future 

again thanks

[CharlieH]

For 3 months, dont bother, as you can get what you "need" here. Then as you discover the actual live experience of staying here for a length of time, things may highlight that you can address when you prepare to return at a later date.

[proton]

Cheese, wine and detol

[Northstar1]

Quality imported items are very expensive. Living like a local is reasonable, if you wish to lead more of a western lifestyle it’s quite expensive!

[Keep Right]

36 minutes ago, Northstar1 said:

Quality imported items are very expensive. Living like a local is reasonable, if you wish to lead more of a western lifestyle it’s quite expensive!

I would agree, living a Western lifestyle is not cheap. I guess this is why so many mongers live in a 38 meter room and drive Honda Wave 125 motorcycles.

[Yellowtail]

Generally, expensive stuff is more expensive, cheap stuff is cheaper. 

 

Cheap tools are cheaper

Good tools are more expensive 

 

Cheap booze is cheaper

Good booze is more expensive

 

Cheap cars are cheaper

Nice cars are more expensive

 

Cheap razors are cheaper

Good razors are more expensive

 

Cheap shoes are cheaper

Good shoes are more expensing. (and if you wear anything over an 11, bring extras)

 

Beef? more expensive and crap. 

Pork? Cheaper and great

Pineapple? Cheaper and better

 

[noobexpat]

I brought 2 laptops from the UK when i moved here last year.

Which was good because - every laptop has thai script on the keys. That would be so annoying to use.

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Quality cosmetics, toiletteries and Eau de toilette if you use,  are more costly here for the quality brands like your basic favorite brands for shaving gel, razors etc.

 

Tailored clothes or shirts not worth any more mainly in Sukhumvit as the chaps are charging prices that are same back home. Quality would vary, but you are far better off bringing your own quality clothes as even the malls in Bangkok are not worth it any more.

[swissie]

Over the last 4 to 5 years inflation is within global rates. The only thing that has increased overproportionally is female companionship. + 100 to 150 %.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, swissie said:

Over the last 4 to 5 years inflation is within global rates. The only thing that has increased overproportionally is female companionship. + 100 to 150 %.

 

   How much is sex these days ?

[BarraMarra]

Chicken feet.

[MangoKorat]

With regard to electronics - TV's etc. just about everything I can buy in Thailand is cheaper in the UK.  That said, there are some really cheap prices for some goods on Lazada but I've had mixed experiences with quailty on them. There's a lot of fakes on there too.

 

Food, when bought at supermarkets is much more expensive in Thailand.  Baked beans for example Ayams, a Thai brand are 75 to 90 baht per tin in Thailand whereas decent beans in the UK are less than 25 baht. Milk, bread - well up, cheese - crazy. That said, veg and meat can be bought cheaply at local markets as long as you don't mind flies walking all over them/low quality cuts. Interestingly though, food in the UK is much cheaper than it is in most of Europe.

 

Food at restaurants - way cheaper in Thailand.

 

Beer - much cheaper in Thailand.

 

Trainiers - I just bought a good quality pair in the UK for less than 900 baht. Unbranded/unknown trainers can be bought for less than 500 baht in Thailand but the ones I looked at didn't look like they would last 5 minutes.  In fairness though, I bought my trainers at the discounter TK Maxx where I buy most of my clothes/shoes. There may be an equivalent in Thailand that I am yet to find.

 

Flights back to the UK - always more expensive BKK-UK-BKK than UK-BKK-UK.

 

Labour, Car Parts, DIY materials - usually much cheaper in Thailand.

 

Petrol/Diesel - much cheaper in Thailand.

 

I used to find that everything was cheaper in Thailand - that's changed now, especially for food. A weekly trip to Tesco (Lotus's) probably costs me 10-20% more in Thailand than it would in the UK.

[swissie]

12 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   How much is sex these days ?

Pattaya Beach Road 800 Bht rock bottom. Further "inland" much higher.

[Maybole]

Malt Whisky

[still kicking]

What is the point of this tread? We all know that imported stuff is more expansive. He can't bring a barrel of wine just 2liters? I guess food like cheese will be taken of him on entry he will not bring a car. And did not ask how much sex cost. He asks just for a few months. So, don't confuse him 

[KhunLA]

Also a Yank, and I think most things, in UK are a tad more expensive than USA, AND ... I find most things are about the same or more expensive in TH, for everyday living.   Many thing much more expensive here in TH.

 

Anything involving labor is much cheaper in TH, along with tax base; mainly RE, being fairly non existent.  Of course healthcare is far cheaper in TH for Yanks, and you'll find it much more accessible than UK I believe, though not free as the UK.

[Banana7]

More expensive in Thailand: sun tan lotion, shaving cream/soap, tomato based products like sauce, salsa, quality razor blades. Products made in Thailand that are substandard to British quality: many food products like cheese, beef, smoked salmon, snacks; clothing, shoes. Meats and dairy can't be imported without a license/permit.

 

Everything made in UK is more expensive here.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by Banana7

[Lemsta69]

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

With regard to electronics - TV's etc. just about everything I can buy in Thailand is cheaper in the UK.  That said, there are some really cheap prices for some goods on Lazada but I've had mixed experiences with quailty on them. There's a lot of fakes on there too.

 

Food, when bought at supermarkets is much more expensive in Thailand.  Baked beans for example Ayams, a Thai brand are 75 to 90 baht per tin in Thailand whereas decent beans in the UK are less than 25 baht. Milk, bread - well up, cheese - crazy. That said, veg and meat can be bought cheaply at local markets as long as you don't mind flies walking all over them/low quality cuts. Interestingly though, food in the UK is much cheaper than it is in most of Europe.

 

Food at restaurants - way cheaper in Thailand.

 

Beer - much cheaper in Thailand.

 

Trainiers - I just bought a good quality pair in the UK for less than 900 baht. Unbranded/unknown trainers can be bought for less than 500 baht in Thailand but the ones I looked at didn't look like they would last 5 minutes.  In fairness though, I bought my trainers at the discounter TK Maxx where I buy most of my clothes/shoes. There may be an equivalent in Thailand that I am yet to find.

 

Flights back to the UK - always more expensive BKK-UK-BKK than UK-BKK-UK.

 

Labour, Car Parts, DIY materials - usually much cheaper in Thailand.

 

Petrol/Diesel - much cheaper in Thailand.

 

I used to find that everything was cheaper in Thailand - that's changed now, especially for food. A weekly trip to Tesco (Lotus's) probably costs me 10-20% more in Thailand than it would in the UK.

 

Ayam Brand is a Singaporean multinational. Ayam means chicken in Malay in case you didn't know.

 

My favourite type of chicken is "ayam malam". Anyone who's spent any time in Indonesia should know what that means 😉

[observer90210]

2 hours ago, swissie said:

Over the last 4 to 5 years inflation is within global rates. The only thing that has increased overproportionally is female companionship. + 100 to 150 %.

That's why I always bring my official girlfriend along from abroad. 😛

 

This year it may have sense to get some rain apparel and a jacket or sweater with all the uncommon shifts in the weather.

Edited October 30, 2023 by observer90210

[Finspin]

Thank you everyone,

My previous trips were never longer than 4 weeks, so brought enough to cover my basic needs. Toiletries will means a trip to Boots for shaving products and sunscreen, and maybe a new pair of trainers I’m size 12 Uk although I’m guessing most of the time I’ll be in sandals or flip flops.

 

[Sigmund]

Gone are the good ole days when westerners loved comming to get quality tailored apparel in Bangkok. Today, the prices are usually higher in Bangkok all the way down to Phuket. Hua Hin is the worst with high prices and very average quality and workmanship. All depends on individual standards. Some people will jump in glee and pose for the Google photo with the thumbs up for rubbish and others will not.

[MangoKorat]

33 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

Ayam Brand is a Singaporean multinational

That it may well be but the address on the tin is in Bangkok so I doubt they are subject to import tax. Other imported products are marked as such and some have tax stickers on them - no idea if that's a requirement.

[Puccini]

Twinings tea.

 

Personally, when I travel to Thailand I do not look for the same food and beverages that I normally consume in my home country (Italy)

[KhunLA]

2 Kitchen appliance worth bringing with you, if feasible, especially if starting out:

Instant Pot Duo 7 in 1

Ooni Pizza oven (gas)

 

Both a bit silly priced here, if you enjoy home cooking.

[Expat68]

Thailand no different to any other country. Women + Booze + Cars but they are cheaper in Thailand 

[newbee2022]

As you said you will come to Thailand for 3 months why not find out by yourself?  Everyone of us got different needs for life. 

Good luck anyway.

[Freddy42OZ]

All these items that people say are more expensive are negated by how cheap rent and utilities are.

A two bedroom flat in Enfield is 65,000 baht per month (did a quick search and picked Enfield as its where my grandparents used to live and the only place I could think of to put into the search, I'm sure in more central London prices are significantly more), whereas in central Bangkok you can find a nice 2 bedroom place for 30,000 baht per month.   

So if your rent is less than half what you'd pay in the UK who cares if a few imported things cost more.

Back home in Hong Kong an equivalent condo to the one I live in here in Bangkok would be 100,000 baht a month or more.