Is Thailand Value for money

[Celsius]

Just now, KannikaP said:

That's because you are in Thailand. If you want the other 95% of Canadian food, you know where to go.

 

It is not about Canadian food. Thailand advertises itself being so diverse. People here just do not know how to cook. I realized this during my first visa runs to Malaysia and Laos. Even Pad Thai is far superior in Vientianne than anywhere in Thailand.

[OneMoreFarang]

56 minutes ago, mania said:

That is really the big draw for most right? Face it Thailand is filled with middle to low class sexpats who could not pull anything close in any other country other than another poor country where basically your feeding off their poverty. Sure they see it as doing the girls a favor right?

 

Really?

Personally I just think it's nice to see constantly pretty females.

Last time I was "back home" I saw lots of ugly and/or fat and/or old women. Imagine you have a nice coffee and there are maybe twenty people in the shop and not even one pretty female - in Thailand that is seldom.

And then the attitude of those western women. No, I am really not interested in them. And I am sure they are not better in NY or LA or Berlin or London or wherever. 

 

 

 

 

[marin]

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

I make my own money thanks. It just irritates you that i am not TEFLing like you.

Retired for 3 year buddy, never was a TEFLer. You do know the word troll but not stalker, keep trying...

[Celsius]

2 minutes ago, marin said:

Retired for 3 year buddy, never was a TEFLer. You do know the word troll but not stalker, keep trying...

 

Enjoy your retirement.

[Sandboxer]

People with real money (at least US$ 10m+) live in the Carribbean or other nice places. Thailand is "ok" for us single digit non-pensioned millionaires because it allows us to get a glimpse of what life as a real money millionaire can be like.

 

1 million US$ is frankly f-all in today's western world, easily achieved by anyone with even only half a brain who starts investing in their late teens/early 20s.

 

 

 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by Sandboxer

[Cameroni]

12 minutes ago, Sandboxer said:

People with real money (at least US$ 10m+) live in the Carribbean or other nice places. Thailand is "ok" for us single digit non-pensioned millionaires because it allows us to get a glimpse of what life as a real money millionaire can be like.

 

1 million US$ is frankly f-all in today's western world, easily achieved by anyone with even only half a brain who starts investing in their late teens/early 20s.

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I've done that, it's not a good idea. Yes, the beaches in the Caribbean are the best in the world, but you quickly get tired of a beach, no matter how great it is. And culturally the Caribbean nations are very limited and can't compare with Thailand. 

[Chris Daley]

800 baht for a condensed milk pizza?  Yes please.

[Cameroni]

6 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

 

Me too. I truly dislike Thai food unless it is from a place like Savoey.

 

And it is not that Western food is expensive. I can not even find 5% of stuff that is available in Canadian supermarket.

 

Can you name an example of the 95% of Canadian food stuffs you cannot find in Thailand?

 

Several examples would be even better.

[spidermike007]

7 hours ago, Lorry said:

You may be right about US prices, I have heard quite a few horror stories. 

But it looks like you are quite mistaken about prices in most of Europe. 

I was in Europe recently, and you are right. The US is now more expensive than Europe, in so many areas and in so many levels. The current US economy is unsustainable. 

[ravip]

On 10/1/2024 at 4:25 PM, Celsius said:

Is Thailand a good value for money - if you have money?

 

In my opinion it was always bad value, even 11 years ago when I moved and cad$ was worth 30 baht.

 

Thailand always wants to take all while giving nothing in return. Actually they will take it even more.

 

They want to tax you, but give you no benefits. As a matter of fact, still report to us every 90 day like a criminal.

 

They want to give you LTR visa, but you have to invest millions, while still giving you nada besides tome tax benefit that may or may not hold up in the future.

 

They want to sell you a long term tourist visa for 30,000 usd.

 

Is 😺 and 🛕 really worth it.

 

This place would be a hard pass with anyone who has brain.

In my opinion it was always bad value, even 11 years ago when I moved and cad$ was worth 30 baht.

 

If so, tell me honestly why you stuck on here in Thailand for so long?

Was it because it was the only best you could afford?

 

This place would be a hard pass with anyone who has brain.

 

Now who is describing whom?

Edited 10 hours ago by ravip

[sidjameson]

If you enjoy a middle class Thai life. Eating in a restaurant looking at fellow diners who are young attractive females. Living in apartments with attractive office girls. Thailand is great value.

 

If you enjoy eating farang food and eating with other older and cashed up people and You like expensive locations where only the old and ugly can afford, probably better places than Thailand.

 

I'd rather eat in Terminal 21 with the office girls than the Hilton with the older, wealthier western women. But that's just me!

[ravip]

On 10/1/2024 at 5:13 PM, Celsius said:

 

Well, yes. A bunch of predictable posts followed.

 

The thing is, I am allowed to change my mind. The beauty of it is I am not stuck here. I can leave whenever I please. If I was once dumb and full of cuum it does not mean I should choose to remain stupid.

11 years...dumb + cuum is a lot

[Lorry]

7 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

I'd rather eat in Terminal 21

This thread is about Thailand,  not China

[Caldera]

For me, Thailand has been good value ever since I moved here. Depending on lifestyle choices, I can see how it wouldn't be good value for others though.

[Celsius]

28 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

 

I'd rather eat in Terminal 21

 

Another one paying to be touched. Nuff said.

[sidjameson]

52 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Another one paying to be touched. Nuff said.

Nope, just someone who values who they eat with rather than what they're eating. 

As long as healthy of course.

[Captor]

We will see after we have seen the new tax effect 2025. That will probably have an impact besides the currency.

[Bohemianfish]

I had only wanted to move to Thailand because I'm tired of the same old, same old of America. Police are terrifying in America - threatening bullies, often, Jack Kerouac mentioned it in his 1948 book, On the Road. Not much has changed. Also, proximity to other countries. The weather - good and bad. The value, which is sort of there. As expensive as America is, it can also be healthy and affordable as well. It's not all dollars and cents. Many things in Thailand impact that value. 

 

I had been trying to get to Thailand for a decade, but my Thai wife is here and everything is okay. Thailand seems less desirable. And my wife can't stand the Thai heat. Ironic? 

 

If people find $$$ value in Thailand, its diminished greatly by what developing countries like Thailand provide or don't provide.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

On 10/1/2024 at 9:09 AM, still kicking said:

Dual pricing, if you don’t already know, is charging a low price for a Thai and a much, much higher one for anyone who isn’t Thai.

That is true in my experience, but on the other hand... When I was on Koh Lanta last winter all the Swedes, Russians and French were getting hosed by the fruit sellers, 100 THB for a kilo of oranges!  I found a local minimart run by a Thai hippie guy, he charged me local prices on oranges and bananas. The tradeoff? I paid 10 baht more for a bottle of Leo at his shop. Who cares?  Goes both ways buddy!

Edited 3 hours ago by Woke to Sounds of Horking
Clarity.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

17 hours ago, baansgr said:

no inflationary pressures here

That is because Claus Scwab and his W-E-F kronies are targeting only Western countries. Look around and see its the same story in Canada, USA, UK, NZ, Aus.... Middle class must be knocked down a few rungs. Not in Thailand or SeAsia though, interesting that...

[jippytum]

  The exchange rate, frozen pensions and inflation make Thailand more expensive than before.   However room rates, local transport, utilities and long term visas are still reasonable compared to elsewhere

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

17 hours ago, baansgr said:

Rent, same as.20 years ago

That is true even of hotels.  Guesthouse room in BKK same price as 2008. Meanwhile in the USA and Canada even a 2 star is at minimum 100-150 dollars/night plus taxes, and thats not even downtown. Shared dorm bed in Vancouver (15 guys piled in a room, 1 shared washroom down the hall) is 65+ bucks a night plus tax.

[baansgr]

5 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

That is because Claus Scwab and his W-E-F kronies are targeting only Western countries. Look around and see its the same story in Canada, USA, UK, NZ, Aus.... Middle class must be knocked down a few rungs. Not in Thailand or SeAsia though, interesting that...

I think it's more the western culture in general...UK had inflation of 25% befor. Being on a treadmill to pay for a 2 up 2 down shoebox keeps the sheeples in their pens. 

[baansgr]

20 hours ago, retarius said:

At the moment it is extremely poor value for money. Inflation was used as a mechanism to raise prices and now prices of imported goods are going to go up again because of the high baht. Compared to other Asian markets I don't see any bargains in Thailand. Hotels were cheap (very cheap) but the last time I stayed in a hotel it was 3500 baht for nothing special (except it was clean). Labour was cheap.....we have 3 staff and I pay 400 a day each, I like to pay a little above minimum, but we are away for half the year so I am paying wages and don't know what work I am getting for the money or whether we could make do with 2 people. 

I eat western food....I hate Thai food with few exceptions....and western food is very expensive....cheese is ridiculous, steaks are pretty vile (tough as leather), pork and chick good and reasonable. Fruits were cheap but have crept up in price in the supermarkets such that we but fruit on the markets now. 

I should add that I have not been to the UK or US for a few years. The last time I went was in 2019, before COVID....I could not believe the prices for clothing and especially food. The only reasonably priced grocery was in Lidi or Aldi, I might have a heart attack next time I go there. 

High baht will bring imported prices down.. 👍 

[KhunLA]

Value ... depends what you are looking for, as a holiday destination or retirement destination.  OP is obviously anti TH.

 

For holiday, as a Yank, I certainly would never consider TH for a holiday.  For holiday, I found no reason to leave the Americas.  Only did that twice, once to visit niece in Europe (Sweden), and while on same work break, came to Phuket for some mediocre diving.

 

If I didn't work for an airlines, I wouldn't have bothered with either trip, as both too far and too expensive, if having to pay full fare for flights.

 

Value, depends what you are comparing to.  Inexpensive beach or small mountain holidays are possible.   Sometimes you get what you pay for, others, quite the bargain compared to USA pricing of accommodations.  EU/UK, even worst pricing, as trip to EU/Sweden involved the most expensive, poor value hotels I ever stayed in.

 

I can definitely understand why those folks come to TH for a holiday.

 

For Retirement, TH is a good choice, or was 25 years ago.  Not sure how it compares now.  Definitely better than the USA, from talking to friends & family.

 

Agree with OP, if having money, TH would not be a holiday or retirement choice, as the main attraction, is the lower cost of living, for me, and available, inexpensive, quality healthcare.

 

Only negatives I find, are the pollution (water & air) and congestion, and that is location dependent.

 

So choose wisely 

[Sigmund]

Thailand is good value for the drunks and their 100 Bhat booze, the 150 bhat food plate in the food court that will fill one table spoon, the cheap soapy and prostutes in some remonte village perhaps ?... and the seedy hotel room. But definately not any more for shopping, fine dining or traveling as other countries like Spain, Cyprus or Malta can beat the Thai prices in many aspects.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

24 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

Thailand is good value for the drunks

Compared to Cambodia it's not.