People keep posting, Thailand expensive, but I'm not seeing it!

[CygnusX1]

21 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The big ticket items - rent, car registration, car insurance, property insurance, car servicing, internet etc. in Australia are all multiples of  what they cost in Thailand.

You can also add council rates (council tax) - around 100 times higher than Thailand’s annual property tax, electricity (bill for my Oz flat for a month in which I’ve used zero electricity is higher than for my Thai condo when I’ve been using the AC 16 hours a day), body corporate charge (5 times higher for my Oz flat - juristic fee for my Thai condo covers maintenance of 3/4 Olympic length pool, lifts, gardeners, 24 hour security guards etc, whereas for my Oz flat a couple of blokes with leaf blowers come around for half an hour each fortnight).

[Zack61]

Cheap as chips if you buy from the local markets. Supermarkets can be a bit expensive if you’re not one who enjoys the local fare. 

[shackleton]

Good to read positive reviews that Thailand is cheap to shop and live 

Usually reading moans and groans of the cost of living here 

Need more positive news keep the expats and Tourists happy to live and holiday in Thailand 🇹🇭 😀 

[3NUMBAS]

Hard up Thais point to the escalating price of eggs over 20 years 

[sandyf]

On 5/22/2025 at 12:24 PM, Photoguy21 said:

Compared to when I came to Thailand it has got a lot more expensive, but in comparison to the West it is very cheap.

It is only some things that have got more expensive, mainly accommodation and imports.

When I first came here in 99 it was 60 baht for a small beer and the rate was about 60/pound, so about a pound a bottle. You can still get a small beer for about a pound, not a great increase.

It is much the same with Thai street food.

The real increases are to do with "presentation" for the want of a better word, in one way or another.

We can go to a  seafood restaurant in Ang Sila and pay around 200 baht/head and 75 for a large Chang or go to one a few yards away and pay around 300 baht+/ head and 120 baht for the Chang. The food doesn't taste any better, just the appearance.

It is all about choices and many now want to eat with their eyes, sit in comfort,  have the best looking vehicle, phone, clothes etc.

Becoming increasingly difficult to make a valid comparison generally, but there will always be some prime targets such as energy costs and fuel tax.

[JakeC]

Quote

Apologies if my post was confusing for you.

It was 2 separate statements, one comparing variety and one comparing price in general, not Edam.

i would agree there are several sources in the uk with cheese  around £10/kilo but the better cheeses are double that, and the same goes for Thailand. The 1kg blocks in Makro are only fit for cooking.

 

Quote

JakeC got mixed up with what I said, I don't buy cheese in the UK, and certainly not Edam, to eat or cook with. I only buy cheese to bring back that is not readily available here.

 

Quote

Most supermarket pre packed is about 1-1.5 baht/gram, about the same as in the UK.

 

 

You started with Most supermarket pre packed is about 1-1.5 baht/gram, about the same as in the UK.

 

 

 

Let's take Mainland Vintage(in Thailand); 275 baht for 470 to 500 grams. Is that okay quality to you? That's not 1 - 1.5 baht per gram. That's 0.58 baht per gram.

 

U.K. Waitrose Davidstow Cornish Vintage Mature Cheddar Cheese Strength 7 Large 550g Currently £4.31 from £5.75. That's £7.84 per kg.  That's 0.345 baht per gram.

 

Which cheeses are you comparing?

 

Let's take 'identical' cheese.

 

Castello Danish Blue in Thailand, currently 199 baht for 100 grams. 2 baht per gram in Thailand 

Castello Danish Blue in the U.K. currently £2.95(130 baht) for 150 grams. 0.86 baht per gram.

 

I don't know where you are getting "Most supermarket pre packed is about 1-1.5 baht/gram, about the same as in the UK.".

Where am I confused? I chose Waitrose, as one would expect a high quality product. I pay £3.29 for 300 grams of Somerset Crunchy Vintage in the U.K. That's less than 0.5 baht per gram.

Where do you buy your cheese? 😊

[Nick Carter icp]

32 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

You can also add council rates (council tax) - around 100 times higher than Thailand’s annual property tax,

 

   Then again, no money gets spend on the building or area and the area and building fall into disrepair

[KhunLA]

USA ... just RE Tax, and healthcare premium would exceed my total living expense here.  That wouldn't include housing, utilities or transport in USA.   Just 2 mandatory bills, for the 'right' to live there.

 

No RE Tax on 'used' land here, TH.  Our house & lot & greenhouse lot - no tax.  Two unused lots, just got the bill for, ฿300 baht yearly tax, for each (฿600 / $18.37) 

 

We hove 30 days to add plants to the lots, to state now farming on them 

[CCesar]

On 5/22/2025 at 11:38 AM, BritManToo said:

Just used up the rest of the dough

One more pizza and a loaf of bread.

All depends on our personal preferences. 

[CCesar]

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

USA ... just RE Tax, and healthcare premium would exceed my total living expense here.  That wouldn't include housing, utilities or transport in USA.   Just 2 mandatory bills, for the 'right' to live there.

 

No RE Tax on 'used' land here.  Our house lot & greenhouse lot - no tax.  Two unused lots, just got the bill for, ฿300 baht yearly tax, for each (฿600 / $18.37) 

 

We hove 30 days to add plants to the lots, to state now farming on them 

How about the all over environment, which should be considered too!

[KhunLA]

4 minutes ago, CCesar said:

How about the all over environment, which should be considered too!

Want to translate that ... 

 

Guessing that was your 

[JakeC]

Quote

I usually get my cheese from Siamburi but they vary their stock a bit. Most are in the range 400 - 600 baht a kilo. 

 

So you pay 0.4 to 0.6 baht per gram 😊 Your statements are confusing 😊

[save the frogs]

On 5/22/2025 at 2:59 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Does that include BJ's ?

jesus you're annoying.

i thought you quit the forum. what are you doing here? 

[khunPer]

On 5/22/2025 at 3:35 AM, BritManToo said:

Just went out to my local veg store for pineapple, tomatoes and some peppers. 30bht for the lot.

Doesn't feel expensive to me!

 

It's depending on what you are buying, you cannot judge price index from a few locally grown items bought on the nearby market. I can find items and state that Thailand has become cheaper, but if I look at fuel price it's double as expensive now as 20 years ago. If you don't drive a car and hardly a motorbike iot doesn't matter for you. And if you are drinking wine, it's cheaper now – my favorite daily cheap red wine in a carton is more than 20% down in price now, com pared to a year ago. Prices are pretty much depending on life style.

 

However, I agree in that Thailand is still very affordable. We can be extremely happy compared to cost of living in Northern Europe, countries like Britain and Denmark, where beef meat price is sky rocking high now, while still same affordable low price as last year and years before here in Land-of-Smiles for prima Aussie Angus beef...😋

 

Best way to judge prices is by using the consumer price index, and that is a tiny bit down in April 2025 compared to April 2024...

 

[CCesar]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

It is only some things that have got more expensive, mainly accommodation and imports.

When I first came here in 99 it was 60 baht for a small beer and the rate was about 60/pound, so about a pound a bottle. You can still get a small beer for about a pound, not a great increase.

It is much the same with Thai street food.

The real increases are to do with "presentation" for the want of a better word, in one way or another.

We can go to a  seafood restaurant in Ang Sila and pay around 200 baht/head and 75 for a large Chang or go to one a few yards away and pay around 300 baht+/ head and 120 baht for the Chang. The food doesn't taste any better, just the appearance.

It is all about choices and many now want to eat with their eyes, sit in comfort,  have the best looking vehicle, phone, clothes etc.

Becoming increasingly difficult to make a valid comparison generally, but there will always be some prime targets such as energy costs and fuel tax.

We all have different standards and preferences, but comparing Thailand and prices to a civilized western country I find a bit unrealistic, because back home we have many other benefits which can be an advantage, especially for the older generation.

[CCesar]

13 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Want to translate that ... 

 

Guessing that was your 

Just keep on guessing!

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, CCesar said:

Well, I thought it was easy enough to understand, but I guess I was wrong.

And ... come on man, don't leave my hanging 🙏

[CCesar]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

And ... come on man, don't leave my hanging 🙏

Have a great afternoon!

[Hummin]

36 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Want to translate that ... 

 

Guessing that was your 

Spineless action by cowards 😏🐒

[KhunLA]

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Spineless action by cowards 😏🐒

Yea, for that post, I'm completely lost, as didn't even express an opinion.  Oh well, one of my fan club, as I have many 

[JB300]

On 5/22/2025 at 9:09 AM, KhunLA said:

Chains ... I'm a Makro fan, and 90% of food shopping done there, especially meats.  Some items online, and baking

Have never seen meat in Makro that I would eat (Nb I don’t eat chicken, Thai beef or fatty Pork), but they do save me about 2-3,000 THB pm on the Korean/Japanese sauces that I use when cooking my Foodland bought Pork (330B per kilo). 
 

But Thailand is very cheap for anything that involves labour… E.g. Extractor hob on the cooker failed, Condo maintenance guy comes round to have a look, 75B for a new capacitor & 100B standard condo service fee. 

Better still, came back from 12 days away down south & the condo walls/ceilings were showing signs of moisture, 24K (I rent so landlord is paying) & the whole unit (2 bed, 2 bath 79 sqm) gets a repaint…

 

Only downside is I need to book a 5 day holiday somewhere (having just got back from Hat Yai, Satun & Krabi I figure we’ll hide out in Jomtien, 1600 THB gets me the 1st 2 nights in a beach front hotel… Cheap as chips😊).

 

 

 

[JakeC]

Quote

Spineless action by cowards 😏🐒

 

What's this? Jumping in the fray and attacking before you even understand what is going on?

 

From what I see, it's just a simple misinterpretation/misunderstanding, at best. Something that, you, with English not being your native language, should understand.

 

It's obvious to me that @CCesar meant "overall environment" and @KhunLA either misinterpreted or decided to Troll by suggesting that it was @CCesar's  environment that might be the issue.

 

Spineless action by cowards? To whom are you referring? Did I miss something?

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, JB300 said:

Have never seen meat in Makro that I would eat (Nb I don’t eat chicken, Thai beef or fatty Pork), but they do save me about 2-3,000 THB pm on the Korean/Japanese sauces that I use when cooking my Foodland bought Pork (330B per kilo). 
 

But Thailand is very cheap for anything that involves labour… E.g. Extractor hob on the cooker failed, Condo maintenance guy comes round to have a look, 75B for a new capacitor & 100B standard condo service fee. 

Better still, came back from 12 days away down south & the condo walls/ceilings were showing signs of moisture, 24K (I rent so landlord is paying) & the whole unit (2 bed, 2 bath 79 sqm) gets a repaint…

 

Only downside is I need to book a 5 day holiday somewhere (having just got back from Hat Yai, Satun & Krabi I figure we’ll hide out in Jomtien, 1600 THB gets me the 1st 2 nights in a beach front hotel… Cheap as chips😊).

I like the Harvey beef from AU.  Pass on their local display beef.  Frozen seafood; salmon, shrimp.  Pork tenderloins and chicken thighs, if they pass the nose test, or from the freezer case.

 

Processed; CP bologna, TGM spicy sausage, salami or pepperoni.   That's about it.  

 

Makro is basically the only option here for meats.  Lotus's here is disgusting, and definitely won't buy from fresh market.

 

Yes, anything involving labor is silly inexpensive here.   Along with going O&A, which we'll be on the road Sunday, I think.  We don't do tourist areas, and rarely spend 1000 baht a night for bungalow surfside or hillside view, of or from atop.

 

[JB300]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Lotus's here is disgusting, and definitely won't buy from fresh market

Agree on that, when I lived in On Nut (Bangkok) the Lotus’s across the road had great pork at about 1/2 of what I pay nowadays, the Lotus’s in Pattaya I won’t buy any meat from but the GF loves their Chicken Feet!
 

As an aside for anybody who lives in the Pattaya areas, I’ve recently been given a tip on a good place to buy quality pork…

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/ypaFDpsD4oesVhAd9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

 

I haven’t had chance to check it out yet  but might be worth a look for any fellow Pork lovers 😊

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, JakeC said:

 

What's this? Jumping in the fray and attacking before you even understand what is going on?

 

From what I see, it's just a simple misinterpretation/misunderstanding, at best. Something that, you, with English not being your native language, should understand.

 

It's obvious to me that @CCesar meant "overall environment" and @KhunLA either misinterpreted or decided to Troll by suggesting that it was @CCesar environment that might be the issue.

 

Spineless action by cowards? To whom are you referring? Did I miss something?

I didn't suggest anything, as didn't have a clue what CC was asking, stating, and why I asked for a translation.

 

So, in the context used, what does 'all over environment' mean, or even  'overall environment' mean, as still haven't a clue.   If 'all over' is supposed to be 'overall', does sound better, but don't understand it, as a reply to my post.  'Overall environment' of what ?

 

Talk to me like an ignorant wee one, as would like to know what it was suppose to mean.  Just out of curiosity, even if I can't reply with a snappy comeback  🙄

[Hummin]

39 minutes ago, JB300 said:

Have never seen meat in Makro that I would eat (Nb I don’t eat chicken, Thai beef or fatty Pork), but they do save me about 2-3,000 THB pm on the Korean/Japanese sauces that I use when cooking my Foodland bought Pork (330B per kilo). 
 

But Thailand is very cheap for anything that involves labour… E.g. Extractor hob on the cooker failed, Condo maintenance guy comes round to have a look, 75B for a new capacitor & 100B standard condo service fee. 

Better still, came back from 12 days away down south & the condo walls/ceilings were showing signs of moisture, 24K (I rent so landlord is paying) & the whole unit (2 bed, 2 bath 79 sqm) gets a repaint…

 

Only downside is I need to book a 5 day holiday somewhere (having just got back from Hat Yai, Satun & Krabi I figure we’ll hide out in Jomtien, 1600 THB gets me the 1st 2 nights in a beach front hotel… Cheap as chips😊).

 

 

 

It’s a big difference from makro to makro. We buy meat from Korat, the one closer to Centara hotel. Best Makro I have been to when it comes to meat. 

[JakeC]

Quote

I didn't suggest anything, as didn't have a clue what CC was asking, stating, and why I asked for a translation.

 

So, in the context used, what does 'all over environment' mean, or even  'overall environment' mean, as still haven't a clue.   If 'all over' is supposed to be 'overall', does sound better, but don't understand it, as a reply to my post.  'Overall environment' of what ?

 

Talk to me like an ignorant wee one, as would like to know what it was suppose to mean.  Just out of curiosity, even if I can't reply with a snappy comeback  🙄

 

 

The point being that it was a misunderstanding that got out of hand. Your reply appeared sarcastic. You could have simply written that you didn't understand what they meant. Instead, it likely appeared as if you were mocking them.

 

If you want to know what they meant, then engage with them respectfully.

[JB300]

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It’s a big difference from makro to makro. We buy meat from Korat, the one closer to Centara hotel. Best Makro I have been to when it comes to meat. 

Agree… & As I posted above I used to buy all my pork from Lotus’s in Bangkok, but in Pattaya I won’t buy any of it from them. 

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, JakeC said:

 

 

The point being that it was a misunderstanding that got out of hand. Your reply appeared sarcastic. You could have simply written that you didn't understand what they meant. Instead, it likely appeared as if you were mocking them.

 

If you want to know what they meant, then engage with them respectfully.

Sarcastic, don't think so.  Just as posted, needed a translation.  Pretty straight forward.  No 'WTF' in front of it, that would have been sarcastic.

 

His reply was a bit sarcastic (?), maybe.  Prefer to be ignored rather than implied stupid.  Ignorant is fine, as we all are until enlightened, which nobody is doing for me 😢 

 

Not sure how asking for a translation is disrespectfully.   People seem to read a lot into some replies.  Can't just take it at face value.

 

Oh well, moving on ... 

[JakeC]

Quote

 

Sarcastic, don't think so.  Just as posted, needed a translation.  Pretty straight forward.  No 'WTF' in front of it, that would have been sarcastic.

 

His reply was a bit sarcastic (?), maybe.  Prefer to be ignored rather than implied stupid.  Ignorant is fine, as we all are until enlightened, which nobody is doing for me 😢 

 

Not sure how asking for a translation is disrespectfully.   People seem to read a lot into some replies.  Can't just take it at face value.

 

Oh well, moving on ... 

 

 

Oh dear... 🤕