Its too expensive I may leave

[RayWright]

On 10/15/2024 at 9:30 AM, georgegeorgia said:

No your right ...Definitely not !

$5 is $5 and I'm very poor ,that's my hourly rate ! 

Sundays I get $7 an hour though...

 

You're being robbed. Minimum wage in AUS is $24:10. 

[black tabby12345]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:43 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Australian dollars to get a lousy 21.73 , 2173 baht  $100

 

 

Where are you currently staying?

In Bkk, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai?   Anywhere else?

 

If you are after better exchange rate from your cash, check out these sites.

If any of their branches are within your reach.

 

Superrich Thailand : Exchange Rates|Currency Converter | Super Rich Thailand

SuperRich Currency Exchange (superrich1965.com)

 

I presume you might have changed your money at airport/bank branches(usually offers the worst rate in any currencies).

Superrich's rate is not hugely different, but at least better than the rate you mentioned.

 

 

On 10/14/2024 at 7:43 PM, georgegeorgia said:

 

Can someone please calculate maybe a mathematical expert how much is 100 baht in AUD please !

 

No need to be any mathematical expert for this level of calculation. 

 

On 10/14/2024 at 7:43 PM, georgegeorgia said:

I paid nearly $6 for a 6 inch subway ,same price in Australia 

 

That sort of western fast food is not their daily commodities.

That is why it cost a lot more than their local meal(at their local diners).

Also for the big brand name.

Same applies to Mac burgers and Kentucky fried chickens.

They are just like luxury items in Thai terms; so pricier than the traditional local eats.

Does this Make Sense to you?

 

Regarding myself, I can easily live on under THB10000(equivalent of AUD444)

each month: Including monthly rent, utilities, food, and other miscellaneous.

Often buying food stuff at local market(often a lot inexpensive than big supermarkets: Meat, vegetables, fruit, and sweets.

 

Thailand also got the period of booming economy (late 1980s-2000).

And it means overall cost of living rose (compared to the old days you might know about).

 

I have no real idea about the current cost of living in Vietnam from foreigners' perspective.

Unsure whether they got any retirement visa like thing either.

[kevin612]

Eat local food, go to beer bar only, you’ll be okay. 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

42 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Pretty much yes only housing is more expensive in Australia although I bought my apartment in the 1990's 

 

Anything else is same price or more expensive eg peanut butter, cheese ,wine ,coffee , bread , etc 

True. Except vegetables and meat is cheap here if you are cooking. Jomtiem night market for tourists on the beach much better and cheaper than similar in Australia.

You noted you bought a double seat on the plane from Australia last time for comfort. Next time sit in one seat for the 9 hours and with the extra $1000 you can buy expensive thongs and eat Subway. Unless you made that story up. 

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Unless you made that story up. 

 

You mean this mental deranged member has any other?

[marin]

52 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Anything else is same price or more expensive eg peanut butter, cheese ,wine ,coffee , bread , etc 

All western food. How about vegetables, chicken, pork, seafood, eggs, and rice.  These are all cheaper in Thailand, 

[Pattaya57]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

...an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

 

It's been 2 hours now I left Jomtien beach and I'm not even half way there into Pattaya yet .

 

If someone sees a old man with a Zimmer frame please stop and say "hello Georgie,!

 

You must be pretty wet by now as it's pissing down. Bet you wish you paid the 10 baht for baht bus now 😆 

 

Btw how can you need a Zimmer frame when for the last year you've been bragging how fit you are and how much you go to the gym. Just another lie I guess

 

[edwardflory]

Expensive????

 

I think the AVERAGE inflation for the past 12 years is around 1% yearly compared to 25% to 30% for the last 4 years in the USA.

 

It ALL depends WHERE you live and WHERE you shop. I have a UNFURNISHED 2BR, 2 Bath, LR, DR, Indoor kitchen, yard and etc in a gated community paying rent of $135USD a month 20 minutes from center city Korat. ( housing only )  I have a friend in Phuket Area - 30+ minutes from the beach, paying $780USD rent a month for their 2BR ( basically same as mine with NO yard ) in gated community.

 

So explain to me, if living here is SO expensive, how the average Thai family can live on $270USD to $360USD a month, housing and food????

[Pattaya57]

Speaking of too expensive, is anyone willing to pay for a Whopper cheese meal at Burger King?

 

It's a whopping 399 baht which is A$18. It's not even a double Whopper so hate to think how much that costs 😀

 

Edit: I just checked, double Whopper cheese meal is 469 baht or A$21. Ridiculous price for supposedly cheap "fast food"

 

[heybuz]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:58 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Excellent point 

But...I'm thinking inflation had caught up to Thailand,times change ,prices change 

$$10 for a pair of sandals I can get in Kmart for $5;

This year Australians WILL Not be going to Thailand I can assure you ,they will go to Bali or Vietnam ( the new Bali) 

You have lost Australians blame it on yourself 

Japan is the country of choice for Oz tourists I'm told 

[newnative]

2 hours ago, TechnoHippie said:

 

I'm curious as to what is on the buffet --- someone said it's 200 baht?  That's like $6 USA - and if you ate enough to fill yourself up for the whole day that doesn't seem bad.  I looked at the menu prices and naturally the western food looks pricey-- a ribeye steak is 899thb -- which is about $27 USA -- so not a great price.  From what I've read in my research, western food is expensive, so I was planning on pretty much giving up a lot of that when I eventually move over there.  It looks like the pork and chicken from the markets and street venders is the cost effective way to get meat.  Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm in the learning stage here lol.

 

        There's a huge number of restaurants all over Pattaya with about every type of food you could want.   You don't necessarily need to give up western food, just order judiciously depending on your budget. You can certainly spend 899 baht for a meal but you don't have to.  My spouse and I don't eat red meat so we mostly order chicken, pork, or fish.  Central Festival and Terminal 21 malls both have food courts with a variety of different meal choices at reasonable prices, plus lots of other restaurants.  Specials are out there if you look around.  If you eat lunch at Fuji restaurant you get a free drink and free fruit cup for dessert as part of the meal.  We like their chicken teriyaki meal that's less than 200 baht.

         In addition to the chains, there are lots of local restaurants and it's fun to try new places.  Spouse and I have a favorite local restaurant on the Darkside of Pattaya with very reasonable prices.  We often order a chicken dish that comes with two grilled breasts of chicken, a choice of gravy toppings, small salad, and a choice of either french fries, mashed potatoes, plain rice, or garlic rice.  100 baht, served in a nice, air-conditioned restaurant.  We also like their large ham and cheese pizza, 245 baht. 

[BigStar]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

there's many nasty people here who don't have sympathy for an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

 

But you spent 2 hours recently in the gym on the treadmill and exercise bike.

 

 

[frank83628]

33 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Speaking of too expensive, is anyone willing to pay for a Whopper cheese meal at Burger King?

 

It's a whopping 399 baht which is A$18. It's not even a double Whopper so hate to think how much that costs 😀

 

Edit: I just checked, double Whopper cheese meal is 469 baht or A$21. Ridiculous price for supposedly cheap "fast food"

 

are they not same price worldwide?  whats the meal in Aus cost

[BuddyPish]

The trouble is that too many people think that a retirement in Southeast Asia is some sort of birthright.

 

You can't move here expecting everything to remain cheap especially when the currency in which your income is denominated is being managed by powers that don't give a monkey's about overseas retirees.

 

Western money is headed one way and in 5 years' time there will be far fewer Brits and Aussies parked up here so if the pain is unbearable and you can't find a way to generate some income, better you consider a move to a country where weak, inflated currencies like the pound, euro and Aussie can still confer the illusion of wealth on you, at least as far as the locals' perception.

 

Countries like Vietnam come immediately to mind 

 

[EVENKEEL]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh really?? You not joking 

I wouldn't lie to you. I'm there now filling up, join me.

[SAFETY FIRST]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

sympathy for an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

Was that you with Zimmer frame on Theppraya I almost run over earlier. 

 

Please be more careful, I got a shock when you appeared out of nowhere, I almost killed you. 

Keep off the busy road, stay on the footpath. 

 

[EVENKEEL]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Thankyiu for your understanding,yes unfortunately there's many nasty people here who don't have sympathy for an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

 

It's been 2 hours now I left Jomtien beach and I'm not even half way there into Pattaya yet .

 

If someone sees a old man with a Zimmer frame please stop and say "hello Georgie,!

 

Ralfy went past in his red Ferrari giving me the finger !

 

What's a Zimmer frame. A walker?

[NoshowJones]

On 10/14/2024 at 9:01 PM, shdmn said:

You can live pretty cheap in Vietnam. The only problem is they don't have a retirement visa, so you have to be ok with doing border runs every 3 months.

I would be happy doing a border run every 3 months rather than being treated like a criminal with the ridiculous 90 day reporting here in Thailand. This was the way it was when I first came to live here.

[johng]

1 minute ago, NoshowJones said:

I would be happy doing a border run every 3 months

 Come on  90 day report even at the (stasi)  office  is much quicker and easier than a border run...well unless you live right next door to the border..

 

from Pattaya its at least an 8 hour  kamikaze minibus drive.

 

I hear tell that 90 day report can be done online too..the wonders of new fangled technology never ceases to amaze.

 

[natway09]

ํYou ain't seen nothing yet.

My first 8 months in Thailand I was changing AUD at 17.2-17 .5.

Still here, it is swings & roundabouts

[EVENKEEL]

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

You must be pretty wet by now as it's pissing down. Bet you wish you paid the 10 baht for baht bus now 😆 

 

Btw how can you need a Zimmer frame when for the last year you've been bragging how fit you are and how much you go to the gym. Just another lie I guess

 

GG is with me at Sizzler. 

[KannikaP]

2 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

Regarding myself, I can easily live on under THB10000(equivalent of AUD444)

each month: Including monthly rent, utilities, food, and other miscellaneous.

How much rent do you pay, where? Any air-con, internet, phone? I would love to follow your budget.

[KannikaP]

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour, with no tax payable on income less than $18,200 per year.

 

Any person who considers they are underpaid can make a complaint to the Fair Work Commission. Wage theft has heavy penalties.

 

Have you put in your complaint yet?

 

 

Errr, he's working in Thailand, but quoting his wages in $s.

[frank83628]

i was always brought up to 'live within my means'. i didn't come to Thailand to eat western food and drink imported beer.
 

[Pattaya57]

56 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

are they not same price worldwide?  whats the meal in Aus cost

Whopper cheese medium meal cost $14.45 in Australia so around 318 baht compared to 399 baht in Thailand. Fast food being more expensive in Thailand is crazy to me as food and beer are supposed to be cheap

 

[georgegeorgia]

17 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

GG is with me at Sizzler. 

Yes great see you Evenkeel

I noticed you had not one but two containers to take away ..wowee 

[RocketDog]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:43 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Shocked tonight to cash my Australian dollars to get a lousy 21.73 , 2173 baht  $100

Can someone please calculate maybe a mathematical expert how much is 100 baht in AUD please !

 

Now I have been advised by another visitor in my hotel to go to Vietnam that's where he is moving to 

 

Please how do you Australian expats survive on old age pension here when prices here in Thailand are comparable to Australian prices after the exchange 

I paid nearly $6 for a 6 inch subway ,same price in Australia 

 

Gone are the days of buying cheap shoes and clothing here in Thailand 

 

Nearly $5 for a pair of thongs and I don't mean underwear! Please !

The thongs that go on your feet 

 

Is Vietnam cheaper,I still have 3 weeks to go on my work leave , I feel like I should go back to Australia where it's cheaper .what an expensive place 

How do you afford to retire you guys who only have a small Government pension ??

As far as I know you can't retire in Vietnam now many longer unless you're married to a national. I think the longest Visa is one month at this point. This happened about a year ago.

[Pattaya57]

5 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

As far as I know you can't retire in Vietnam now many longer unless you're married to a national. I think the longest Visa is one month at this point. This happened about a year ago.

13 countries including UK can get 45 days visa exempt. All other countries can apply for 90 day e-visa

 

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, frank83628 said:

are they not same price worldwide?  whats the meal in Aus cost

 

[georgegeorgia]

25 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How much rent do you pay, where? Any air-con, internet, phone? I would love to follow your budget.

Love to know more ,maybe I can move in with you !