Money Help

[annan08]

Hey all,

In November I will be volunteering in Thailand for about a year,

I won't need to spend money on accomodation or food as this is paid for with the organisation I am going with.

However, I was wondering how much money do you think would be a safe amount to take with me for neccessities and also gifts for back home and the odd occasion where I eat out,

I was thinking £1000 british pounds but will this be enough for a year,

Thanks,

Anna

[Cuban]

I was thinking £1000 british pounds but will this be enough for a year,

That is about 62,000 Baht at the moment - 170 Baht per day for a year.

A small bottle of beer is about 21-25 Baht.

Soda 10-20 Baht.

Street food is about 25-35 Baht.

Local English laguage newspaper 25 Baht - international reprinted paper 180-200 Baht.

Cinema ticket about 180-200 Baht.

Crisps 20-30 Baht.

1 liter of fuel for a car/pickup about 35-37 baht and rising.

Large pizza 450 Baht.

Internet cafe 2 Baht per minute tourist area - 20 Baht an hour Thai area.

Depending on where you are and your need to have western foods your budget will be very tight.

You do not mention if you will need to be crossing the boarder every 3 months as travel might be a significant drain on your resources - the nature of your visa will impact your travelling expenses as will if you have access to your own transport or you will need to pay taxis etc.

More money is better - always the way !

Do you have medical insurance?

Do you have access to emergency money (family)?

Getting a local Thai bank account would be wise.

HTH

[Prakanong]

I really do not think that is sufficient - are you not going to take the opportunity to see some of the country, or even surrounding countries as well?

Even just staying where you volunteer for the year I do not think its enough.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Hey all,

In November I will be volunteering in Thailand for about a year,

I won't need to spend money on accomodation or food as this is paid for with the organisation I am going with.

However, I was wondering how much money do you think would be a safe amount to take with me for neccessities and also gifts for back home and the odd occasion where I eat out,

I was thinking £1000 british pounds but will this be enough for a year,

Thanks,

Anna

Anna

If you have a UK bank account, just bring your ATM card, about 100% it'll work fine here.  You should check, tho, if your bank has fees for foreign withdrawals.  Some banks charge 1%-3% per transaction, and some banks even add on to that by charging a set fee per transaction.  Booo!!

That way you can bring a minimal amount of cash, and as another poster suggested, open a local bank account in Thailand.  You'll also get an ATM card from them to draw down on that account.

Mac

[annan08]

You do not mention if you will need to be crossing the boarder every 3 months as travel might be a significant drain on your resources - the nature of your visa will impact your travelling expenses as will if you have access to your own transport or you will need to pay taxis etc.

I won't be needing to cross the border, however where my accomodation is located it is only a short distance to local bars and shopping malls.

Do you have medical insurance?

I'll be getting the medical insurance before I go and it won't come out of my spends budget

Do you have access to emergency money (family)?

I probably would be able to gain access but will need to talk to them further about this I know if I ever desperately needed funds they would be able to help me.

I really do not think that is sufficient - are you not going to take the opportunity to see some of the country, or even surrounding countries as well?

I probably won't be going around the country very much, or the surrounding countries its not really the nature of my trip as I have been there before where I did some site seeing.

That way you can bring a minimal amount of cash, and as another poster suggested, open a local bank account in Thailand. You'll also get an ATM card from them to draw down on that account.

That sounds like a good idea, although I wouldn't be too sure about how to set up my own bank account in Thailand, would it have to be done whilst over there?

Also I have heard about problems with card fraud and such, is this such a big problem in Thailand?

I do have my own UK bank account so I think I will check about charges abroad.

From what you guys are saying though £1000 doesn't seem to be sufficient, I don't want to be using a great amount of money whilst over there but then again I don't want to be short for much especially if I do end up taking a few trips, maybe double this money would be a good idea, I've got a good while to keep researching though.

Anna

[Buzby]

If you have/get a Nationwide bank account they do not charge any fees for overseas ATM withdrawls

[Prakanong]

Anna

Doubling your money is a good idea!

An old Thai hand once said to me when I asked him how much I should take for a holiday said, "Think about how much you think you will spend then double it" - others say I should then double that figure but where would it end?

As long as you leave emergency money in your UK Bank Account as well that you can access.

[philipm]

i think double is still not enough per year. unless u plan to live/stay/eat like locals do....

cost of living in thailand has defentially risen up, and living a comfortable life now, would take alot more money then used to.

i would say you would need like 300-400bhat per day to live decently....without rent and so forth..., though trust me on this, you can live in thailand for 150bhat per day...but it wouldnt be much of a vacation, yuo would be struggling to get around and along....

though if you like the challenge then go for it. (but pllz bring some sort of atm card)-you never know when an emergency will happen. weather the country or hospital. so atleast perpare yourself best as possible....

[think_too_mut]

300-400bhat per day to live decently....without rent and so forth..., though trust me on this, you can live in thailand for 150bhat

It is baht (THB), not "bhat".

Minimum wage is 183 baht per day, many live on that or little above that, even entire families.

McDonalds pays 18-24 baht per hour.

[annan08]

i think double is still not enough per year. unless u plan to live/stay/eat like locals do....

cost of living in thailand has defentially risen up, and living a comfortable life now, would take alot more money then used to.

i would say you would need like 300-400bhat per day to live decently....without rent and so forth..., though trust me on this, you can live in thailand for 150bhat per day...but it wouldnt be much of a vacation, yuo would be struggling to get around and along....

300-400 baht a day to live decently is about £5 GBP ? I think which would equate to about 1900GBP for the year, I see what you mean it would be a sensible idea to take more money than I need because if I take less and I end up running out then I'd be in a pretty bad situation!

I also think I need some advice on other things I am going to need going over there, such as my visa because thats one thing I haven't sorted out but I'm not sure about how get it.

[Prakanong]

i think double is still not enough per year. unless u plan to live/stay/eat like locals do....

cost of living in thailand has defentially risen up, and living a comfortable life now, would take alot more money then used to.

i would say you would need like 300-400bhat per day to live decently....without rent and so forth..., though trust me on this, you can live in thailand for 150bhat per day...but it wouldnt be much of a vacation, yuo would be struggling to get around and along....

300-400 baht a day to live decently is about £5 GBP ? I think which would equate to about 1900GBP for the year, I see what you mean it would be a sensible idea to take more money than I need because if I take less and I end up running out then I'd be in a pretty bad situation!

I also think I need some advice on other things I am going to need going over there, such as my visa because thats one thing I haven't sorted out but I'm not sure about how get it.

You are probably going to get a 1 year multi entry "O" visa from the Hull Consulate or the like - I doubt the volunteer org are providing a WP and a 1 year visa

If you do get the multi entry you will need to do a visa run every 90 days with the associated costs

I think you need to plan this more effectively and as a whole and not piecemeal

[highlander76]

Your budget is far to low £1000 pounds will not last that long

[Cuban]

You are probably going to get a 1 year multi entry "O" visa from the Hull Consulate or the like - I doubt the volunteer org are providing a WP and a 1 year visa. If you do get the multi entry you will need to do a visa run every 90 days with the associated costs.

I won't be needing to cross the border, however where my accomodation is located it is only a short distance to local bars and shopping malls.

You need to understand the limitions of the visa that you will be using and it's terms that mean you will need to cross into another country then return to Thailand to allow your passport's 'admitted until' stamp to be refreshed. This section within this web site will help.

Crossing borders will normally incur costs - visa fees for the country you are going into or simply travel costs to get there. Fly-taxi-minibus-VIP bus-train? If crossing by land you can avoid changing money as many locals will accept Thai Baht for small purchases; water/food.

The short distance to bars and shops might well be a temptation to 'boredom' spend.

Consider how much you will allow yourself to spend on clothes and shoes here - if you are in a tourist area this might be beyond your daily budget.

That sounds like a good idea, although I wouldn't be too sure about how to set up my own bank account in Thailand, would it have to be done whilst over there?

Not difficult - you might need to try different banks/branches within the area you will be staying, similar threads here.

Also I have heard about problems with card fraud and such, is this such a big problem in Thailand?

I do have my own UK bank account so I think I will check about charges abroad

Normal precautions when using your ATM or any other card apply - look for false fronts/hidden cameras on ATM machines - avoid using late at night in isolated locations - plan your money use in advance.

It is wise to have multiple paths to access your money. ATM cards from your home country, a local one, traveller's checks, and a few credit cards. Credit cards can solve a number of problem situations very quickly. Treat your cards like cash - you need to establish a habit of securing your cards/money. Not all in one place - no written PINs - in a safe only use have access to if possible.

Once you have all your cards etc. in place it is wise not to buy Thai Baht until you arrive in Thailand - you get more Baht for your Sterling here.