Living in Thailand - A real on the ground perspective

[CharlieH]

I've taken this from another topic on the forum as it gives great real life perspective of living in Thailand as an expat.

 

Thanks to @edwardflory

 

Add your experience to help others in our community.

 

 

 

Another prospective

 

""Many retirees lose money by using unfavourable exchange rates and paying high ATM withdrawal fees"".

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I use my US DEBIT CARD ( NOT A CREDIT CARD ) at the banks TELLER, NOT THE SERVICE DESK or ATM.  I found the direct transfer INTO my THAI BANK account to be my best / fastest way to get my monies at a decent exchange rate. Then withdraw funds from my Thai account via ATM upon leaving the bank. 1 stop service usually in under 10 minutes.

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""Private hospitals charge significantly more, and major medical procedures can reach""

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I am registered at a Thai MILITARY Hospital. Many doctors are US or UK trained so English is not a problem.  I pay the same cost as Thai civilians using the hospital. It's slightly more expensive than govt civilian hospitals, BUT WAY WAY LESS than a private hospital. I spent 6 days in the hospital and was surprised at the under $1000USD cost for all the services ( 6 labs, 4 x-rays, daily meds, 2 doctor daily visits ) and including 3 months of meds on discharge. 1 ward nurse spoke English. ALL people and services were excellent!!

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""living in tourist hotspots .... significantly increases costs""

 

Lived in Pattaya 2 years in a Thai residence hotel - 1 large corner room and toilet, paying 5000bt + utilities monthly.  

Moved to BKK area and found a "Thai" condo ( 3 rooms ) at 1850bt + utilities a month. BUT, was 45 travel minutes to BTS.

 

Moved to KORAT in a fully furnished 4 room condo at 7000bt + utilities a month.

My 1st year in Korat rented a motorcycle to explore KORAT area.

I found a 2BR unfurnished house, fenced yard, indoor kitchen and etc in a gated community 4500bt + utilities a month ( 3 years here same rent )
Met a married couple at the IO, living 2km from me paying 35,000bt + utilities a month for furnished 1BR house in city. I paid to furnish my house UNDER 75,000bt INCLUDING a electric tricycle for local travel to 4 major stores. 260bt round trip to bank in downtown. 

The area has 2x's monthly weekend concerts at a socker field and the local temple holds non religious weekend events 2x's monthly

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""face high medical costs if their policy does not cover certain treatments or chronic conditions."'

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I'm 80, policy is not available at a reasonable cost, re-read about Thai MILITARY Hospital.

 

As I always say, LOCATION, LOCATION and lifestyle.

[BritManToo]

10km from the center of Chiang Mai, 3 bedroom houses in gated communities rent for 8,000bht/month. 2 bedroom houses can be found for 6,000bht/month.

 

Why pay more?

[Harrisfan]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

10km from the center of Chiang Mai, 3 bedroom houses in gated communities rent for 8,000bht/month. 2 bedroom houses can be found for 6,000bht/month.

 

Why pay more?

160 AQI pure pleasure

[rough diamond]

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

I use my US DEBIT CARD ( NOT A CREDIT CARD ) at the banks TELLER, NOT THE SERVICE DESK or ATM. 

My BKK branch in CM has a large notice saying that debit cards cannot be used to obtain cash "over the counter" and that the ATM MUST be used.

[BritManToo]

5 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

My BKK branch in CM has a large notice saying that debit cards cannot be used to obtain cash "over the counter" and that the ATM MUST be used.

If it's "your" branch, try using your BKB book and a withdrawal slip.