51 minutes ago, atpeace said:

House paid, have solar so no electric, EV, wife for some reason pays for water every month so below are my expenses. If you need expensive things to make you happy then by all means spend the money if it truly makes you happy. I'm lucky - I don't need much in regards to material things other than a comfortable home and a nice view.

Internet - 450 baht
Food ( not restaurants ) - 10k (me only. Wife buys most of her stuff )
Health Insurance - 4m coverage - 1200

Vehicle insurance and annual fees - 1000
Misc expenses ( not entertainment )- 5k

That comes to 17,650 baht. 35k would be easy for me. I spend more than 35k because I buy silly things I arguably don't need.

Where you get your health insurance?

5 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Many long term rentals have a 1 year minimum contract.

Not true at all, in the 2-3-5K room zone it is monthly or 3 months at most and usually a few K to 1 month deposit only too.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I am in the US right now and I can tell you that inflation is out of control. Those ridiculous inflation and CPI numbers that the government is throwing around has nothing to do with the day-to-day reality of the vast majority of the population. They are pure BS.

Unless you own a nice home free and clear in America and Europe right now or you're quite wealthy it's difficult to live a high quality of life.

By comparison I live very well in Thailand (in a smaller town admittedly) on a relatively modest income. The difference in the cost of living is astonishing, especially if you take into account things like labor cost of home repairs vehicle repairs and things of that nature.

Complete nonsense, groceries cost the same in virtual all of Europe, if you then look at what you actually receive in those countries for the taxes you pay, as well the minimum you would get, even if having no job at all, it is 3-5 times better than what you would be at in life in Thailand as a Thai or poor farang. Not even talking specifics such as healthcare, education, social welfare and much more, good roads and infrastructure, real policing.

Americans seem to be delusional in general, specially lately with Europe on top, constantly bashing Europe for things, or saying Europe has the exact same problems. UK does that too. While in reality it is UK who is worst off followed by USA. Perhaps the geniuses americans are actually speak of Europe as a continent somehow and think that UK is 90% of that continent.

To not even start about most of eastern europe, where life is still as good as it was 20-30 years ago, for 90% of it. Even far better today.

The irony is that the only relative problem that exist with housing shortages is also caused by americans; blackrock and co. And all that housing shortage news and insanity pricing is not even factual truth in the majority of provinces/states/cities. It's big / rich city issues. Same for migrants causing issues.

How does he earn his £800 ?

And that is really frugal living if you factor in rent, insurance, electricity, water, food, eating out etc - that's even before entertainment.

Thailand isn't cheap for a good standard of living.

If you are okay eating raw pork in boiled dishwasher water, never turn the a/c on, sip on one drink all night slowly, live in a cardboard box, then maybe you could get by.

Personally i never believe any of these 'i moved to thailand stories' that appear once a year in the UK tabloids.

Also these streamers who derive income from social media - most should be declaring that to the UK.

2 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Tipping is optional. I never tip 20 baht in a restaurant. Krapow Moo is 45 baht in my Bangkok regular. Cafe Boran is 25 baht.

Thai wages are low but farangs spend money helping the economy. There is also dual pricing. Stuff tipping when you have to pay 5x the Thai price!

Where are you eating in Bangkok? The finer establishments add the service charge and VAT on top.

8 hours ago, Hummin said:

What was more sustainable, being a musician back then, or social media today? We do not really know, do we? How old were you? And did you already have a pension?

Obviously, you are one of the winners. Not everyone is so lucky, and many struggle. Thailand versus the UK? I do not know what is worse.

And honestly, I truly believe that for a good life in Thailand, you need a good partner, especially if you are dependent on making a living here. We also know little about him and how he plans to secure his future. Maybe he has more foundation than we know.

Most people earn peanuts on social media. Ex YouTube: for 1 million views it's $1000 for long videos, and $10 to $50 for shorts. Only the top influencers really earn money.

11 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

How does he earn his £800 ?

And that is really frugal living if you factor in rent, insurance, electricity, water, food, eating out etc - that's even before entertainment.

Thailand isn't cheap for a good standard of living.

If you are okay eating raw pork in boiled dishwasher water, never turn the a/c on, sip on one drink all night slowly, live in a cardboard box, then maybe you could get by.

Personally i never believe any of these 'i moved to thailand stories' that appear once a year in the UK tabloids.

Also these streamers who derive income from social media - most should be declaring that to the UK.

Thais live on 10,000 baht. 35,000 is fine if you don't hire women.

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

He doesn't appear to have any Thai friends

How do you come to that conclusion please?

12 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Thais live on 10,000 baht. 35,000 is fine if you don't hire women.

But he won't have 35k baht.

He's a content creator living in Thailand, he will be taxed.

When I'm working in Thailand, I am paid USD, My employer pays my taxes, I don't know the Thai tax rate.

Who knows his taxable income?

Anyway, how do you know that he won't hire women?

8 hours ago, simon43 said:

While life might seem good for this man right now, I wonder if he has thought about the long-term finances that will be needed as he ages. Is he still contributing to his UK state pension? If he is on a DTV visa now, then bear in mind that it's a once-off visa of 5 years, and no re-application for a further 5 years is allowed under the visa rules.

And why is his photo mirrored (back-to-front)? Do these content providers not check their content for 'technical' correctness before posting it?

I am not sure if I follow,

When this DTV visa expires, he or whoever, make a fresh application from outside Thailand for a new one.

7 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’d have to see his health insurance before I answered that.

Also his current health record, especially if he carries Thai private health insurance that typically does not cover pre-existing conditions.

At 45 he should start taking annual physical checkups, keep up to date on vaccinations, etc.

This place is 8000 a

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

But he won't have 35k baht.

He's a content creator living in Thailand, he will be taxed.

When working in Thailand, I'm paid USD and My employer pays my taxes.

Whoknows his taxable income

British man who left the UK due to rising living costs says he now lives comfortably in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on just GBP800 a month, compared with more than GBP3,000.

The guy lives on 800 and says he is happy.

1 minute ago, Srikcir said:

Also his current health record, especially if he carries Thai private health insurance that typically does not cover pre-existing conditions.

At 45 he should start taking annual physical checkups, keep up to date on vaccinations, etc.

Why? I have not been to a doctor in 4 years and I'm older than him. Doctors are for sick people.

Chiang Mai is a great place to stay, outside burning season. So the reality is 6 months in CM and 6 months elsewhere.

@atpeace your health insurance seems cheap in your monthly budget?

17 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Thais live on 10,000 baht. 35,000 is fine if you don't hire women.

17 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Thais live on 10,000 baht. 35,000 is fine if you don't hire women.

So your aim is to live as frugal as possible ? Then what is the point of going to Thailand.

What would your rent? Insurance? Food? So you stay at home and don't do anything? You don't buy clothes ? Don't eat out? Don't go for any trips anywhere?

That's not something to shout about.

6 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

This place is 8000 a

British man who left the UK due to rising living costs says he now lives comfortably in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on just GBP800 a month, compared with more than GBP3,000.

The guy lives on 800 and says he is happy.

What is your budget ?

1 minute ago, DonniePeverley said:

So your aim is to live as frugal as possible ? Then what is the point of going to Thailand.

What would your rent? Insurance? Food? So you stay at home and don't do anything? You don't buy clothes ? Don't eat out? Don't go for any trips anywhere?

That's not something to shout about.

The guy said he is happy on 800 gbp which is 35,000 baht. Eating out costs 50 to 100 baht in small places. Trains are cheap. Motorbikes are cheap. Gyms are cheap. Massages are cheap.

6 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

So your aim is to live as frugal as possible ? Then what is the point of going to Thailand.

What would your rent? Insurance? Food? So you stay at home and don't do anything? You don't buy clothes ? Don't eat out? Don't go for any trips anywhere?

That's not something to shout about.

The cost of living in Chiang Mai is highly dependent on your lifestyle, particularly when it comes to your housing choices and diet. For a single person, a realistic monthly budget ranges from $650 USD (approx. ฿22,000 THB) on the budget/local end to $1,200+ USD (approx. ฿41,000+ THB) for a more comfortable digital nomad or expat lifestyle.

10 hours ago, Nemises said:

He's living the absolute dream on £800 a month... right up until Burning Season hits, and he has to spend his entire budget on air purifiers and inhalers.

You don’t know that.

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What is your budget ?

1500 to 3000 baht a day but i travel. He is in one spot.

2 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

All and all comes in just under 4 thousand pounds.

Would love to see a photo. Mine cost me Bht 3M which at the time (2012) was GBP60k.

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I reckon you missed my point.

How can anyone live on a monthly income of 800, less tax.

Where will he pay tax, not in UK for sure. And the Thai tax system is prestty easy to understand, and claim many allowances.

38 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

How does he earn his £800 ?

And that is really frugal living if you factor in rent, insurance, electricity, water, food, eating out etc - that's even before entertainment.

Thailand isn't cheap for a good standard of living.

If you are okay eating raw pork in boiled dishwasher water, never turn the a/c on, sip on one drink all night slowly, live in a cardboard box, then maybe you could get by.

Personally i never believe any of these 'i moved to thailand stories' that appear once a year in the UK tabloids.

Also these streamers who derive income from social media - most should be declaring that to the UK.

True! This guy posts on FB all day long coming with advices even he not been in Thailand for a year yet.He and other foreigners think they r thai experts.

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What is your budget ?

I could easily live on 25000 Baht a month spending. Add on rent , and health insurance. All my working life I thought I would retire to Phuket. While I had the means, giving up my excellent health care which is free is a worry. Now I’m quite happy spending a few months as I did for nigh on 40 years.

5 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Where will he pay tax, not in UK for sure. And the Thai tax system is prestty easy to understand, and claim many allowances.

The Thai tax department are coming down heavy on these content creators.

Most of content creators are misaligned, unhinged, not normal. He'll be taxed.

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The food Court up on the 4 th floor is no longer there

No, but in the basement

2 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

The Thai tax department are coming down heavy on these content creators.

Most of content creators are misaligned, unhinged, not normal. He'll be taxed.

Likely he makes investment income and his content business has no real income yet having just started. Would take a year or more to build a revenue stream.

15 minutes ago, geisha said:

You don’t know that.

Really, Einstein? It was pretty obviously a joke… but thanks for the forensic fact-check anyway. 😂

23 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What is your budget ?

What is your budget?

16 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Would love to see a photo. Mine cost me Bht 3M which at the time (2012) was GBP60k.

Phenomenal for 3M Thb, even in 2012.........................

9 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

1500 to 3000 baht a day but i travel. He is in one spot.

Thats a solid budget, more than I transfer for a month. Our budget without travelling is about 30k for all expenses for 5 people, 6 animals, and two persons work 4 days at the farm a week.