Is Thailand Value for money

[fredwiggy]

20 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

Dietary wise life is making a joke on us- healthy food just isn't tasty and enjoyable as food supposedly bad for us.

 

If I wasn't pre diabetic I'd still be eating loads of sugar. Don't and never cared about food any more than filling the petrol tank.

Favourite food is hot dogs. Saves on expenses as never a need to eat at restaurants, except fast food if in a rush. In Thailand I did eat at a restaurant all the time ( Gekkos in Chiang Mai ), bit of a dump but great food at not much more cost than cooking for myself. Lovely hot dogs too.

Food isn't bad for us unless we east junk food, especially all the time. There is a lot of delicious healthy and somewhat healthy food out there, as it's all I've ever eaten besides the occasional junk food. Try Texas BBQ, New York style pizza, Shrimp Scampi, Lasagne (homemade), Australian, Texas, or a myriad of other cheeseburgers, Broiled Swordfish, and a host of others who might have some extra calories but are still healthy food.

[farangkinok]

On 10/1/2024 at 6:25 PM, KannikaP said:

There are two words in The King's English......so do it if you do not like it here.

There are plenty of us who do like it.

Just curious ... Do the two words begin with the letters "F" and "O"?

[KannikaP]

41 minutes ago, farangkinok said:

Just curious ... Do the two words begin with the letters "F" and "O"?

Of course, or P & O for a milder version

[BritManToo]

11 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

For me, Thailand is far better value for money than any western country. It's not even expensive unless one wants to live like a nob, and eat at Dukes, LOL.

 

My hotel room all included was a zillion % better than the only thing I can afford back home for more than I was paying in LOS, which is only slightly above living in my car.

Had dinner at Casita Mexican restaurant last night 3 tacos, a coke and a free plate of chips and dips for 260bht. Not that expensive (£6.50). Couldn't finish the free plate, too full.

 

I often eat at Rajdarbar Indian restaurant, same price for chicken jalfrezi, naan bread and a coke.

 

Then there's the Au de Auf German buffet, again at the same price.

 

Can't beat eating out in Chiang Mai for good value food.

 

Pre dinner Leo at the jungle bar (next to mad dog) 80bht, post dinner beer at the moat house rooftop bar with some Thai guitarist singing Oasis songs another 80bht.

 

Around £10 for a night out!

Edited 22 hours ago by BritManToo

[GypsyT]

On 10/3/2024 at 11:01 AM, newnative said:

 And, average USA household net worth was $1,059,470 in 2023, up from $746,821 in 2020.  Sounds about right.  

Not correct. Americans are actually quite poor....

The overall median net worth of U.S. households is $192,700.

"What is the average American net worth?

So how do we determine the average net worth of Americans? The Federal Reserve Board issues the Survey of Consumer Finances every three years to share information about family incomes, net worth and more.

According to the most recent report, released in October 2023, the overall mean or average net worth of U.S. households is roughly $1.06 million

. Seems high, right? That’s because affluent households drive the average up.

Looking at the median, or the midpoint value, is a more accurate representation of the everyday person. The overall median net worth of U.S. households is $192,700. That might help you breathe a little easier."

 

[KannikaP]

On 10/1/2024 at 6:43 PM, Celsius said:

 

 

 

 it does not mean I should choose to remain stupid.

I think you are past that Mr C.

Edited 21 hours ago by KannikaP

[newnative]

4 hours ago, GypsyT said:

Not correct. Americans are actually quite poor....

The overall median net worth of U.S. households is $192,700.

"What is the average American net worth?

So how do we determine the average net worth of Americans? The Federal Reserve Board issues the Survey of Consumer Finances every three years to share information about family incomes, net worth and more.

According to the most recent report, released in October 2023, the overall mean or average net worth of U.S. households is roughly $1.06 million

. Seems high, right? That’s because affluent households drive the average up.

Looking at the median, or the midpoint value, is a more accurate representation of the everyday person. The overall median net worth of U.S. households is $192,700. That might help you breathe a little easier."

 

      'Americans are actually quite poor.', you say.   I would disagree.   It's true that there were 36.8 million Americans living in poverty in 2023.  That's out of 345 million people.   36.8 million is a large number, yes, but many, many more Americans--over 300 million--are not living in poverty, they are not 'quite poor'.  

      As I said in an earlier post, the figure I found most interesting was the number of millionaires.  One site said 24.5 million, another 23.7 million.  With either figure, that's a lot, too.  I actually think 24.5 million is way too low. 

      These days, it doesn't take much to hit a million dollars in assets in the US--you can come close with mostly just two things.  1. Have Greatest Generation parents.  They worked hard, were thrifty, saved, and many passed along money and/or real estate to their children.  This happened with a number of people I know. 

    2.  Be a USA home owner.  Lots of homes in the US, in lots of places, have appreciated in  value to at least half a million dollars or more.  The average price of a home where I used to live in the US is now over $600,000.  My siblings and all my US friends are homeowners, and each home I know of is probably worth at least $400,000 to $500,000, or more.  Combine that home value with inherited money and many Baby Boomers, not to mention others, are close to a million already--without even throwing in inherited money from a spouse's parents, 401k money, cars, furnishings, stocks, mutual funds, and other investments.   

     Someone recently said on a thread something to the effect that a million dollars in assets isn't that special these days and they are right--it no longer is.  And, the number of millionaires in the US is bound to grow as Baby Boomers  pass along not only their wealth, but the wealth they inherited from their Greatest Generation parents, to their children.

[ravip]

9 hours ago, newnative said:

      'Americans are actually quite poor.', you say.   I would disagree.   It's true that there were 36.8 million Americans living in poverty in 2023.  That's out of 345 million people.   36.8 million is a large number, yes, but many, many more Americans--over 300 million--are not living in poverty, they are not 'quite poor'.  

      As I said in an earlier post, the figure I found most interesting was the number of millionaires.  One site said 24.5 million, another 23.7 million.  With either figure, that's a lot, too.  I actually think 24.5 million is way too low. 

      These days, it doesn't take much to hit a million dollars in assets in the US--you can come close with mostly just two things.  1. Have Greatest Generation parents.  They worked hard, were thrifty, saved, and many passed along money and/or real estate to their children.  This happened with a number of people I know. 

    2.  Be a USA home owner.  Lots of homes in the US, in lots of places, have appreciated in  value to at least half a million dollars or more.  The average price of a home where I used to live in the US is now over $600,000.  My siblings and all my US friends are homeowners, and each home I know of is probably worth at least $400,000 to $500,000, or more.  Combine that home value with inherited money and many Baby Boomers, not to mention others, are close to a million already--without even throwing in inherited money from a spouse's parents, 401k money, cars, furnishings, stocks, mutual funds, and other investments.   

     Someone recently said on a thread something to the effect that a million dollars in assets isn't that special these days and they are right--it no longer is.  And, the number of millionaires in the US is bound to grow as Baby Boomers  pass along not only their wealth, but the wealth they inherited from their Greatest Generation parents, to their children.

As a non-US citizen, many questions popped up in my mind, after reading your post.  You mention...

 

aaa) The number of millionaires.  One site said 24.5 million, another 23.7 million.  

bbb) 36.8 million Americans living in poverty in 2023. 

ccc) These days, it doesn't take much to hit a million dollars in assets in the US

ddd)  And, the number of millionaires in the US is bound to grow

 

To me, it seems the numbers are not right. Why?

 

aaa) If the number of millionaires are bound to rise, what would happen to the number of people living in poverty?

bbb) If it doesn't take much to hit a million dollars in assets in the US, why don't the number of people living in poverty reduce? (of course, exceptionally, there might be a few who choose to be that).

 

Other than the above, there are many who complain about the extreme cost of health care etc. For example, right here at AN, I've read many posts from US citizens who have settle in Thailand just for that reason.

 

Looking at it from outside, for a non US citizen it is quite difficult to understand what really is the issue.

 

US is looked upon as the most powerful, developed country on the planet. It spends Trillions of $$$$$$$$ on war, space programs and the likes.

 

So why cannot it be made a paradise for its citizens to lead a peaceful, comfortable life in their home country, at a reasonable cost? Why not the people living in poverty be given an opportunity to raise their living standard? Why doesn't the Government prioritize this and why don't the US citizens demand this from their Government?

 

I am sure, the US has the capacity to do that - Financially, Intellectually, Technology and what not...
 

[amykat]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:10 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's not about the money.

 

For me it's living amoungst the most beautiful, polite, friendly, easy going people in the world.

It's the food, the weather, the beaches, the country, it's amazing.

 

Sadly, but good for me, some of the young Thai women get pregnant to a deadbeat father who leaves before or shortly after the birth of their child, now the young mother needs to leave her child with her parents, go to the city to work, now she must pay monthly rent for accommodation, electricity, water, pay costs for commuting to and from work, buy clothing for her and her newborn, food for her and her newborn, monthly payments to her mother (child's guardian), for caring for her child etc., because Thailand does not provide this young mother a single mothers pension, or Social security payments or even garnish of the fathers wages as done in the west. 

 

Sadly the costs for the above adds up, now this beautiful, petite, very young woman must look elsewhere for a better paying job, she now has a debt so most times must work in the sex industry to make ends meet. 

That’s a pretty long winded way of saying you are here for the hookers, but I guess you want to make it sound like charity?

[thaibeachlovers]

20 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Pre dinner Leo at the jungle bar (next to mad dog) 80bht, post dinner beer at the moat house rooftop bar with some Thai guitarist singing Oasis songs another 80bht.

They'd have to pay me to listen to Oasis songs, whatever the guitarists nationality.

The only time I've enjoyed having some mediocre musician(s) intrude on my dining was in Sri Lanka, where the band was the worst I've ever heard ( even worse than the musicians playing in a Thai Bar Beer complex ), but the singer had an illuminated bow tie that rotated. Fascinating.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, amykat said:

That’s a pretty long winded way of saying you are here for the hookers, but I guess you want to make it sound like charity?

Given how unattractive some Thai BGs are now, it's an act of charity to actually give them money to be in the same room as them, regardless of what they do there.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, ravip said:

So why cannot it be made a paradise for its citizens to lead a peaceful, comfortable life in their home country, at a reasonable cost? Why not the people living in poverty be given an opportunity to raise their living standard? Why doesn't the Government prioritize this and why don't the US citizens demand this from their Government?

Because the US is ( or rather was ) a capitalist country. To be like you want would make it a socialist country, and despite the best efforts of the liberals, it's not yet that.

[thaibeachlovers]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Pre dinner Leo at the jungle bar (next to mad dog) 80bht,

I had breakfast at Mad Dog a few times. Seemed OK, though very average far as restaurants went.

[NowNow]

On 10/4/2024 at 11:52 PM, fredwiggy said:

Food isn't bad for us unless we east junk food, especially all the time. There is a lot of delicious healthy and somewhat healthy food out there, as it's all I've ever eaten besides the occasional junk food. Try Texas BBQ, New York style pizza, Shrimp Scampi, Lasagne (homemade), Australian, Texas, or a myriad of other cheeseburgers, Broiled Swordfish, and a host of others who might have some extra calories but are still healthy food.

 

Can you break it down, explaining to me what makes New York style pizza healthy food...or in fact any of what you have mentioned other than the swordfish?

[fredwiggy]

Just now, NowNow said:

 

Can you break it down, explaining to me what makes New York style pizza healthy food...or in fact any of what you have mentioned other than the swordfish?

Pizza has tomatoes and cheese, which are healthy. Added ingredients can be mushrooms, chicken, anchovies, pineapple, fish, veggies and other healthy ingredients. It's high calorie, but in moderation is fine. A cheeseburger, with lean beef, cheese, tomatoes, onion, lettuce and a good bun is also healthy if you don't load on anything else or bacon. Shrimp Scampi isn't too bad besides the oil, but the main ingredient is shrimp. Lasagne,......... noodles, sauce, cheese, all good things. Portion sizes is what hurts some people. Texas BBQ, lean, is just lean beef. You trim the fat, and it's just like a steak, and not use too much BBQ sauce. There are countless healthy dishes which people can ruin by adding too much oil, sugar or salt. It's mainly the sugars which hurt people, meaning refined and added sugars. Deep frying isn't healthy either, so that's always been off limits for me besides the very occasional piece.

[fredwiggy]

5 hours ago, ravip said:

As a non-US citizen, many questions popped up in my mind, after reading your post.  You mention...

 

aaa) The number of millionaires.  One site said 24.5 million, another 23.7 million.  

bbb) 36.8 million Americans living in poverty in 2023. 

ccc) These days, it doesn't take much to hit a million dollars in assets in the US

ddd)  And, the number of millionaires in the US is bound to grow

 

To me, it seems the numbers are not right. Why?

 

aaa) If the number of millionaires are bound to rise, what would happen to the number of people living in poverty?

bbb) If it doesn't take much to hit a million dollars in assets in the US, why don't the number of people living in poverty reduce? (of course, exceptionally, there might be a few who choose to be that).

 

Other than the above, there are many who complain about the extreme cost of health care etc. For example, right here at AN, I've read many posts from US citizens who have settle in Thailand just for that reason.

 

Looking at it from outside, for a non US citizen it is quite difficult to understand what really is the issue.

 

US is looked upon as the most powerful, developed country on the planet. It spends Trillions of $$$$$$$$ on war, space programs and the likes.

 

So why cannot it be made a paradise for its citizens to lead a peaceful, comfortable life in their home country, at a reasonable cost? Why not the people living in poverty be given an opportunity to raise their living standard? Why doesn't the Government prioritize this and why don't the US citizens demand this from their Government?

 

I am sure, the US has the capacity to do that - Financially, Intellectually, Technology and what not...
 

The rich want to be richer, anywhere, and don't like others intruding on their power. They control the world, because it suits them and their cronies. They can easily raise the minimum wage to be at the cost of living, but have always hesitated. Their reasoning is it would lose some jobs, and higher costs for purchases by the businesses that had to up the wages. We could have free health care also. Too much is indeed spent on the military, which has enough weapons to level most countries already. You give to the poor, you take from the rich, and they don't want that happening.

[KhunLA]

17 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

Can you break it down, explaining to me what makes New York style pizza healthy food...or in fact any of what you have mentioned other than the swordfish?

NY style pizza, aside from the thin, almost cracker pizzas served, has  thinner dough/crust than say anything else from Pizza CO or other chains.   Ma/pa shops go heavy on the dough also, with lots of crust (Neapolitan) so little toppings are used.

 

So the NY, will give you a better ratio of sauce (tomato/healthy), cheese (protein/fat/healthy), and toppings, if meat, even better, even if processed (protein/fat/healthy) vs the starchy carbs/sugar of dough/crust, empty carbs count, with other styles.

 

Less carbs, less sugar, always a plus.  Higher ratio of protein & fat counters the carb intake.

 

Other items mentioned, same, heavy on meats/protein/fats, with exception of the lasagna (starch/pasta), though will have meat/cheese/sauce, so counter points

 

edit: y'all type fast

Edited 2 minutes ago by KhunLA