Significant Price Rises Everywhere !

[rgs2001uk]

whats a bar fine?

isnt that something that guys who cannt get a woman have to pay, you must have some ugly friends.

Better to be ugly and have to pay a bar fine, than so dumb that you can't even spell or use the quote function properly!

Ulysses

you are quite right of course, and here am i deluding myself that it was for my cunning linguistic attributes they wanted me, when all along it was just for my body, just goes to show how wrong you can be.

thanks for pointing out the error of my ways, next time i will make sure i dont mix with such shallow women.

[Naam]

With all due respect Dr Naam just because it doesn't seem to affect you personally I think it would be interesting to receive some responses from a wider audience

I would be interested to read if the people still consider Thailand to be " dirt cheap " as you put it ? I completely disagree with your statement for example regarding the purchase of automobiles. You can't be serious in saying that Thailand is a cheap place to buy cars

i did not say anything about car prices but used an old joke how to save on fuel. and YES i insist that Thailand is dirt cheap although i admit that prices have gone up considerably plus the Thai Baht appreciated against virtually all major currencies.

of course i can only look at the situation from my personal perspective and cannot speak for others. i am a retiree and (until now) no taxman is bothering me with obscene demands like paying (YUCK ) income tax. the latter means that ALL my expenses in Thailand are paid for by not paying income tax and i am living here virtually for free. that's why i use the expression "dirt cheap" and i think it's justified in my personal case.

[JimsKnight]

Amazing how the (supposed) price of things in LOS gets onto the flesh trade!

Fuel is up in price, but apart from that things are pretty reasonable.

I've only ever seen the prices of food and accommodation go high in Phuket, Hua Hin, BKK, all of the islands and Pattaya. All the cities inland (away from the tourist masses) tend to be stable and increase very slowly.

The case in question: Khon Kaen, mid-range hotel with decent room - 200 baht (no aircon) warm shower. Udon Thani - 290 baht for a very nice room with ac and hot water.

Chiang Mai; Rented apartment with all the bells and whistles is only 4000 baht p.m

Mongering prices; I expect in the fleshpots of Pattaya and Patong Beach will of gone up, but like everything, is open to negotiation.

Away from the coastal tourist resorts they are more like thai prices.

[phutoie2]

over the past few days I have noticed some quite significant price increases

for example :-

1. my gymnasium increased its membership fees by 25 percent

2. one of my favorite restaurants has increased its menu prices by 10 percent

3 milk has increased by 14 percent

4. we all know diesel is going up

Fortunately I am not an American retiree living here relying on U.S. dollar payments

but I dread to think how people in this situation are coping with the reduced

purchasing power of US$

no problem for me

1. i don't use a gymnasium

2. i prefer the food served at home to that served in restaurants

3. i hate milk

4. my cars use gasoline (price increases of gasoline are irrelevant as we fill up each time for 1,000 baht only )

5. i (fortunately) don't rely on USD payments

6. living in Thailand is still dirt cheap and will remain dirt cheap for many years to come compared to most other countries.

Yes good old Dr (in what?) Naam has been getting on my t-ts for a long time. A case of "I'm all right jack" and due to my extensive knowledge of living in Pattaya I can comment on all things Thai.

Example - "I fill up at 1000 baht a time so irrelevant, erh!. Teerak " fewer litres than last time - whats up"

[lazeeboy]

over the past few days I have noticed some quite significant price increases

for example :-

1. my gymnasium increased its membership fees by 25 percent

2. one of my favorite restaurants has increased its menu prices by 10 percent

3 milk has increased by 14 percent

4. we all know diesel is going up

Fortunately I am not an American retiree living here relying on U.S. dollar payments

but I dread to think how people in this situation are coping with the reduced

purchasing power of US$

no problem for me

1. i don't use a gymnasium

2. i prefer the food served at home to that served in restaurants

3. i hate milk

4. my cars use gasoline (price increases of gasoline are irrelevant as we fill up each time for 1,000 baht only )

5. i (fortunately) don't rely on USD payments

6. living in Thailand is still dirt cheap and will remain dirt cheap for many years to come compared to most other countries.

saves me posting as this is what i'd have said

[Naam]

"I fill up at 1000 baht a time so irrelevant, erh!. Teerak " fewer litres than last time - whats up"

understanding a joke seems to be beyond your intellectual capabilities. but don't worry my esteemed friend. you are not the only one as a lot of people like you walk the surface of this planet. you are in good company

[Naam]

quite often i wonder how people are capable to write but not able to read

[Naam]

Yes good old Dr (in what?) Naam has been getting on my t-ts for a long time.

i am not a "Dr in" my good man. as i am retired the expression "Dr out" is much more appropriate. that i am getting on your "t-ts" (whatever that means) is based on your karma, kismet, fate or something similar. don't fight it! it might be dangerous to your health.

chok dee!

[xyborg]

<br />quite often i wonder how people are capable to write but not able to read <img src="style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Ive found lobotomy does this best :-0

[GuestHouse]

As I have argued here on another thread, I believe that inflation rates for Thais and inflation rates for foreigners are different on the basis that each group uses different goods/services and in differing quantities.

One area where prices have definately gone upp is health care. I have my annual medical in Thailand and I happen to have a note of the cost over the last three years

Bht8300 three years ago, versus 17800 this year (For exactly the same tests in the same hospital).

That is a huge increase and one that I blame on the Thai private medical industry doing the usual Thai thing of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

I think this issue of rising health costs is a significant issue for us all because unlike other costs we have no idea how much of this service we might need to use. Expats who are relatively well off compared with others cannot therefor claim that the rise in health care costs do not concern them.

On general inflation the old 7-10 rule should not be ignored. 7% inflation and the cost of living will double in 10 years or 10% inflation and the cost of living will double in 7 years.

Given the number of expats who retire early in Thailand and who are perhaps looking at 30 years of retirement then inflation is a very significant issue for everyone.

If you have a wife who is ten or more years younger than you and who is perhaps looking at 40 or more years living on your pension (and then very likely at a reduced rate after your death) Then you've either got your head in the sand if you think inflation is not a huge issue for you and your wife. - or you have a callous disregard for her future financial security.

How inflation impacts on old guys on fixed pension incomes with infant children to be provided for long term .. well the mind boggles.

Edited October 22, 2007 by GuestHouse

[samran]

One area where prices have definately gone upp is health care. I have my annual medical in Thailand and I happen to have a note of the cost over the last three years

Bht8300 three years ago, versus 17800 this year (For exactly the same tests in the same hospital).

That is a huge increase and one that I blame on the Thai private medical industry doing the usual Thai thing of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

I think this issue of rising health costs is a significant issue for us all because unlike other costs we have no idea how much of this service we might need to use. Expats who are relatively well off compared with others cannot therefor claim that the rise in health care costs do not concern them.

On general inflation the old 7-10 rule should not be ignored. 7% inflation and the cost of living will double in 10 years or 10% inflation and the cost of living will double in 7 years.

Putting on my economist cap for sec.

Medical care is usually defined as a monopoly service. There are are high barriers to entry to provide the service (ie become a doctor) and thus the industry has very extensive monopoly characteristics.

In most countries, anti-trust laws aim to prevent market abuse. Where anti-trust is too blunt a tool, regulators step in. Thailand has neither, lest of all for medical care, so you are bound to see above average medical price inflation. In the EU, UK, Canada, Australia etc, health care is state run. Effectively, the govt sets the price of medical care (in a similar way that OFCOM in the UK may regulate access charges, or OFWAT will regulate certain elements of the power price).

This to a large extent (to use an extreme example) at how a 15 minute visit to the doctor in Australia cost you $40, but in the US it will cost you triple or quadruple that. And why a broken leg in OZ is much less expensive to be treated than it would be in the US. No suprise then that medical costs are rising in Thailand, and why hospital shares are a good buy at the moment

OK. Taking my nerd cap off now.

[djinn]

over the past few days I have noticed some quite significant price increases

for example :-

1. my gymnasium increased its membership fees by 25 percent

2. one of my favorite restaurants has increased its menu prices by 10 percent

3 milk has increased by 14 percent

4. we all know diesel is going up

Fortunately I am not an American retiree living here relying on U.S. dollar payments

but I dread to think how people in this situation are coping with the reduced

purchasing power of US$

The place where I get my haircut was THB 100, 2-3 years ago . On relocating back to Thailand a few months back it was THB 120. I went again recently and it's now gone up to THB 150. So for comparison that's some pretty steep rises: 50% in 2-3 years, and 25% in the last few months.

Yes I know I can get haircuts for less, but we're not talking much to start with. So it's still worth it, and I'm happy going back. Value for money seems to be dropping rapidly tho' - especially when you consider I've got less hair than 2-3 years ago.

Haircut went from 50 to 60 bahts in na Jomtien because they installed airco.I see I have a good price when I go there (normally GF does the job for free(ok not exactly free )

[mrtoad]

You guy's dont know how lucky you are im still in Blighty till next Year !, it really is expensive to live here, gas, elec, poll tax fuel at an all time high at £1.00 a ltr, intrest rate rises. honest guy's you should thank your lucky stars.

you need a minimun of £500.00 a week here just to live.

500 quid a week minimum to live on,think you may be ever so slightly exagerating there fella

No, don't think he is over exagerating, I was certainly paying that in outgoings three years ago, so I'm sure that it hasn't come down.

[meom]

OK. Taking my nerd cap off now.

OK. I’m feeling a bit nerdy as well so how come the time stamp on Guesthouse’s original post # 40 shows 00:37:35 hrs while in the following post by Samran Guesthouse posting time has changed to 18:37:35?

[toptuan]

In the last year: My new, spacious apartment went from 3,000B/month to 2,500B/month. Haircuts went from 35B to 40B. Most restaurants around my town have gone from 20B to 25B for a filling, tasty meal. Water bill upped from 85B/month to 115B/month. Terrible, terrible (hand-wringing).

Edited October 22, 2007 by toptuan

[toptuan]

OK. Taking my nerd cap off now.

OK. I’m feeling a bit nerdy as well so how come the time stamp on Guesthouse’s original post # 40 shows 00:37:35 hrs while in the following post by Samran Guesthouse posting time has changed to 18:37:35?

Samram's shows 00:50 on my screen (post #41). Something to do with your location? Where are you?

(Pardon the little bunny side-trail, here.)

Edited October 22, 2007 by toptuan

[BossHogg]

You guy's dont know how lucky you are im still in Blighty till next Year !, it really is expensive to live here, gas, elec, poll tax fuel at an all time high at £1.00 a ltr, intrest rate rises. honest guy's you should thank your lucky stars.

you need a minimun of £500.00 a week here just to live.

500 quid a week minimum to live on,think you may be ever so slightly exagerating there fella

actually he may not be, depending on where he works and how old he is...i.e if you are single and just got your first foot on the property ladder. i believe average wage is around 22,000 pounds now in the uk,with the average mortgage around 250 a week.....doesnt leave you much to play with when you havent even paid for car tax, house insurance, counciltax, car insurance, petrol, gas bill , electric etc...half your wage has gone on your mortgage BEFORE you pay these.....and you havent had any food or drink yet!!!!!

Edited October 22, 2007 by BossHogg

[meom]

OK. Taking my nerd cap off now.

OK. I’m feeling a bit nerdy as well so how come the time stamp on Guesthouse’s original post # 40 shows 00:37:35 hrs while in the following post by Samran Guesthouse posting time has changed to 18:37:35?

Samram's shows 00:50 on my screen (post #41). Something to do with your location? Where are you?

(Pardon the little bunny side-trail, here.)

True Samrans shows 00:50 but in his post he quotes Guesthouse and his time stamp is different.

Anyway forget about it. Way off topic.

[Scott]

On weekends, I go to a local grocery store and buy my breakfast. I have had the same thing for the past 5 years. It used to cost 65B, then it went to 87B, then 95B and now it's 105B.

The breakfast by the way consists of: Orange Juice, yoghurt and Pistachio nuts. Yes, there are places where I could get it cheaper, but this is close to where I work and I don't have to drive. Oh, and yes, it's not really Thai food. It does show the increase in costs, however. I always buy the same band names by the way.

[Naam]

In the last year: My new, spacious apartment went from 3,000B/month to 2,500B/month. Haircuts went from 35B to 40B. Most restaurants around my town have gone from 20B to 25B for a filling, tasty meal. Water bill upped from 85B/month to 115B/month. Terrible, terrible (hand-wringing).

most disturbing is the increase for haircuts! i used to pay 80 Baht in Pattaya approximately 20 years ago. now the asking price is a FULL ONE HUNDRED Baht

[Aikido]

You guy's dont know how lucky you are im still in Blighty till next Year !, it really is expensive to live here, gas, elec, poll tax fuel at an all time high at £1.00 a ltr, intrest rate rises. honest guy's you should thank your lucky stars.

you need a minimun of £500.00 a week here just to live.

500 quid a week minimum to live on,think you may be ever so slightly exagerating there fella

well you can think what you want fella, but simple fact is you dont know about my life or outgoings do you, if you did you wouldnt be making comments like that !.

[JimsKnight]

For good healthy meal of thai food I'm paying less now than I used to

Well, seven years ago, I used to be paying 80 baht for breakfast (in Phuket).

Three years ago, I used to be paying about 60 baht for breakfast (in Koh Tao).

Now I'm paying in the region of 15 - 30 baht for breakfast (in Chiang Mai)!

You see as I've come to live in this country longer I've come to realise that as long as you are frugal and don't stuff your face with western food all the time, you won't hardly be affected by the inflation factor.

If you live in touristsville then unfortunately high prices are part and parcel of the place.

[phutoie2]

"I fill up at 1000 baht a time so irrelevant, erh!. Teerak " fewer litres than last time - whats up"

understanding a joke seems to be beyond your intellectual capabilities. but don't worry my esteemed friend. you are not the only one as a lot of people like you walk the surface of this planet. you are in good company

Alas good Doc your humour is beyond me, I must be thick! and as an ex Sgt Major, I was used to dealing with many clowns.

Regarding your income tax free life style, well you are quite lucky, my mother country has a dual taxation agreement with Thailand and will not allow tax free income.

At least I can sleep well tonight knowing that I can get a 40 baht haircut in Soi Barber and 4 large bottles of Thai ale for 100 baht.

Was thinking about having a verbal with some guy about the merits of living in Khon Kaen/Udon Know where but whats the point!

Edited October 23, 2007 by phutoie2

[torrenova]

Last week Heineken by the box went up nearly 5%, there had been a fairly level price for a long time beforehand though. This must have been ordered by Heineken as they control the price throught their wholesalers.

My rent went up 13% at the beginning of this year.

My favourite wholemeal bread went up by nearly 13% last week. This is a bad increase as the price going from 31 to 35 baht seems a move in the now gone Spanish problem of everything going to the nearest 25 pesetas. How long before everything is Bt5 this and Bt10 that with no middle numbers ?

Diesel for the truck ? well it has gone up a few baht but I just keep filling it up.

As I order different things each trip it is hard for me to see which things have gon up and whether the "weekly shop" now cost more. I buy in bulk when it is a special offer.

Goong today were more expensive (I bought 2 kilos) but that could be any number of factors.

Electric has edged up again and will surely increase again with oil prices at record highs etc.

We had new minimum wages discussed las week I believe - so there will probably be a knock on effect.

Being in business here is getting more difficult as people are finding it hard to pass the increases on to their consumers yet we have higher rents, fewer quality tourists, high oil prices and a strong THB exchange rate.

[Pundi64]

Yep over here at Palm Hills Golf Club & Resort, they have raised green fees up to 2500 baht now, up from 2200. The members also have had a huge increase to their so called course maintenance fee, was 9000 baht, now is 15000 a year, an increase of around 66%. Of course this is cheap compared to Springfield 3500 baht and Black Mountain as of Nov.1st is 4000 baht, they have me priced out of the market.

Where there are frangs, you'll find all prices going up.

Edited October 23, 2007 by Pundi64

[intumult]

You guy's dont know how lucky you are im still in Blighty till next Year !, it really is expensive to live here, gas, elec, poll tax fuel at an all time high at £1.00 a ltr, intrest rate rises. honest guy's you should thank your lucky stars.

you need a minimun of £500.00 a week here just to live.

500 quid a week minimum to live on,think you may be ever so slightly exagerating there fella

Just a tad. Food bill in the Uk is 3 times that of Thailand and that is eating at home whereas I eat out a lot in Thailand and do not see major increases there.

Diesel now through the £1 a litre mark and due to rise more.

Beer £2.54 a pint but 3 Beer Chang for 100 Baht (or abt 150 Bhat in a restaurant).

The UK is bad but nowhere near the £500 a week mark - unless you live like a king ??

If it was that bad I might starve and be deprived of a weekends pleadurable drinking

I have seen prices increase in the last 6 months in Thailand but generally on 'shop' bought produce and products. Prices in the local markets do not seem to have risen that much. A lot does depend on seasons and whatever is in season (fruits especially) seem to fall through the floor on prices.

Fried rice chicken still at 20 B. Noodles a lot less. Same with other small dishes.

I agree in Thailand it is the poorest who get hit hardest by these increases in many ways but, thankfully, out in the sticks there is usually a family member or two growing produce and often handing it out for free or for very few Baht.

[chicowoodduck]

Prices go up. That's life.

Geez, so why doesn't my COLA (Cost of living allowance) on my retirement (US) do the same thing? I think I've been stuck on two percent for years! It sometimes feels like I'm shoveling cement with a pitch fork trying to stay ahead of the game, but than everyone is in the same boat, so as long as I'm able to row with the crew, I'll be happy, somewhat hungry, but happy.

[liketobe]

whats a bar fine?

isnt that something that guys who cannt get a woman have to pay, you must have some ugly friends.

Better to be ugly and have to pay a bar fine, than so dumb that you can't even spell or use the quote function properly!

[Heng]

Prices go up. That's life.

Geez, so why doesn't my COLA (Cost of living allowance) on my retirement (US) do the same thing? I think I've been stuck on two percent for years! It sometimes feels like I'm shoveling cement with a pitch fork trying to stay ahead of the game, but than everyone is in the same boat, so as long as I'm able to row with the crew, I'll be happy, somewhat hungry, but happy.

That's the spirit!

[stumonster]

What greater challenge for the masses than trying to make ends meet?

as long as rising prices to not cause the masses to plot to make the ruling class meet their end .