Is Thailand Still a Good Place to Spend Time if You're on a Fixed Budget?

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Many, most apparently, haven't got a clue how to "cook" at home.  And for most, it might be way more expensive anyway.  Especially living out of a box.  Really hard to manage fresh ingredients.

Ideally, all you need is a grill to grill some meats, a bit of salt and pepper. 

Maybe make some simple omelets.

For fancy dishes, it's best just to go to restaurants once or twice a week. 

Unless you really enjoy cooking, then go for it. 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 3/16/2025 at 9:19 PM, Harrisfan said:

Thai inflation is 0.4%. Easily live on 20,000 baht a month if single and don't drink.

and don't want women.

I lived on that for a year, but that didn't cover insurance, travel or health insurance/ hospital visits. Just hotel room, eating and movies.

[georgegeorgia]

On 3/16/2025 at 6:15 PM, Lacessit said:

I have top level private health insurance in Australia.

So your paying around $150-$200 Australian private medical insurance and your not even in Australia????

Bizzare mate 

Your an old man not working,you get free Government health care so  why pay private health insurance?

 

On another note  I DO pay private health insurance only because I live in Australia and don't want to end up in a Government hospital waiting list but if I was your age and location,why bother ?

 

You think your going to get cured faster in a Australian private hospital rather than a Australian government hospital?

 

 

[Ralf001]

13 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

 

 

On another note  I DO pay private health insurance only because I live in Australia and don't want to end up in a Government hospital waiting list but if I was your age and location,why bother ?

 

 

 

 

 

You work in a government hospital... cannot offer the docs to polish their offices floors for favours ?

[simon43]

I mentioned in another post that I start my reduced UK state pension in a couple of months, about 800 quid a month.

 

I do have an online income as well, but I checked what I spend each month right now.

 

- Rent a 35m2 studio condo in a clean building with pool, that's 300m from Jomtien Beach beach = 7,000 baht/month

- rent a Thai traditional wooden house and large garden (1 rai) in the hills north of Chiang Mai = 4,000 baht/month

- rent a newish Vios with full insurance provided = 8,000 baht/month

- Have a $100,000 medical cover policy = 6,000 baht/month.

 

That's 25,000 baht (2 properties, car and medical cover). My healthy food costs are minimal 🙂

 

I learnt from my mistakes that I made in Thailand, which were that Thai girlfriends/wives or boyfriends are a financial millstone, especially if there is family, previous kids etc. Relationships can also be very stressful.

 

Smoking will probably kill you. Taking hard drugs will definitely shorten your life. Drinking more than 1 small bottle of beer/day is no good for your liver, smoking dope is something that hippy students do.

 

I guess many on this forum do all of these activities, which maybe explains why there seem to be so many mentally ill people on this forum....

 

I have learnt to ignore most other foreigners, eat fresh Thai food/salads, socialise mostly with Thais, do charity work, enjoy my ham radio hobby, understand Thai language and culture, don't seek excessive material goods, don't be a dick.  It works for me.

 

 

[georgegeorgia]

11 minutes ago, simon43 said:

pool, that's 300m from Jomtien Beach beach = 7,000 baht/month

7000 a month ?

I can't see any around here and in Jomtien for that?

Even the Arcadia continental is around 9k minimum 

Is it have air conditioning?

[georgegeorgia]

14 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I mentioned in another post that I start my reduced UK state pension in a couple of months, about 800 quid a month.

 

I do have an online income as well, but I checked what I spend each month right now.

 

- Rent a 35m2 studio condo in a clean building with pool, that's 300m from Jomtien Beach beach = 7,000 baht/month

- rent a Thai traditional wooden house and large garden (1 rai) in the hills north of Chiang Mai = 4,000 baht/month

- rent a newish Vios with full insurance provided = 8,000 baht/month

- Have a $100,000 medical cover policy = 6,000 baht/month.

 

That's 25,000 baht (2 properties, car and medical cover). My healthy food costs are minimal 🙂

 

I learnt from my mistakes that I made in Thailand, which were that Thai girlfriends/wives or boyfriends are a financial millstone, especially if there is family, previous kids etc. Relationships can also be very stressful.

 

Smoking will probably kill you. Taking hard drugs will definitely shorten your life. Drinking more than 1 small bottle of beer/day is no good for your liver, smoking dope is something that hippy students do.

 

I guess many on this forum do all of these activities, which maybe explains why there seem to be so many mentally ill people on this forum....

 

I have learnt to ignore most other foreigners, eat fresh Thai food/salads, socialise mostly with Thais, do charity work, enjoy my ham radio hobby, understand Thai language and culture, don't seek excessive material goods, don't be a dick.  It works for me.

 

 

And sex??

[simon43]

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

7000 a month ?

I can't see any around here and in Jomtien for that?

Even the Arcadia continental is around 9k minimum 

Is it have air conditioning?

Of course it has air-con.  Outside balcony, sea-side view, very clean and quiet. 300m to the 7/11 and beach etc.  I'm certainly not telling you where it is or the name 🙂

[sidjameson]

If one already has cultivated a peace of mind then a good life can be had for shockingly little in Thailand. Less than 20k.

 

If one is looking to feel good from external sources Thailand can be as expensive or more than back home.

[georgegeorgia]

41 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

If one already has cultivated a peace of mind then a good life can be had for shockingly little in Thailand. Less than 20k.

 

If one is looking to feel good from external sources Thailand can be as expensive or more than back home.

A good life?

Sounds boring 

What's a good life say living in Pattaya on 2o K a month , sitting in your 21sqm box 

[BritManToo]

33 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

A good life?

Sounds boring 

What's a good life say living in Pattaya on 2o K a month , sitting in your 21sqm box 

The weather is always nice, you only need your 'box' to sleep.