Cheapest Place I N Thailand

[Scoop1]

Hi all i was watching the the last thread with much interest, but it got off the subject, i am also wanting to live in thailand , and so far have got good imformation from some threads, but i need a lot more, so for those who are not interested in helping me, well dont bother, and let the people who want to help ,HELP!!. Ok i seem to have trouble finding that level of rent? My thai girlfriend has a 1 bedroom place in Nonudon, Nongbualamphu, but she has no toilet,shower,or cooking facilities, so i am thinking it may be better to rent somewhere rather than trying to fix her place, any thoughts??

Edited July 6, 2011 by craigt3365
removal of misspelling

[craigt3365]

Do you want to know the "cheapest place in Thailand" or the "cheapest place in Bangkok"? Big difference. Is you GF working in BKK?

What do you mean by having trouble finding that level of rent? What level? Are you here or back in OZ? If here, it's easy to cruise around and find places. You GF will know many for sure. If you are in OZ, it's more difficult. Most places are not listed on the internet...at least not in English.

[Scoop1]

Do you want to know the "cheapest place in Thailand" or the "cheapest place in Bangkok"? Big difference. Is you GF working in BKK?

What do you mean by having trouble finding that level of rent? What level? Are you here or back in OZ? If here, it's easy to cruise around and find places. You GF will know many for sure. If you are in OZ, it's more difficult. Most places are not listed on the internet...at least not in English.

Thanks Craig, i am back in oz, after 2 months in thailand, some of the threads said 2000, 3000 tbt for rent, i cant find any for that price, as i said i will have a budget of 60000tbt/mth and the gf does not work, she has a 1 br house in Nonudon, Nongbualamphu, where ever that is! i have not been there, but the house sounds like a lot of work, i am not to fussed where i base myself, i love the the beach but i have to be realistic.

[craigt3365]

Do you want to know the "cheapest place in Thailand" or the "cheapest place in Bangkok"? Big difference. Is you GF working in BKK?

What do you mean by having trouble finding that level of rent? What level? Are you here or back in OZ? If here, it's easy to cruise around and find places. You GF will know many for sure. If you are in OZ, it's more difficult. Most places are not listed on the internet...at least not in English.

Thanks Craig, i am back in oz, after 2 months in thailand, some of the threads said 2000, 3000 tbt for rent, i cant find any for that price, as i said i will have a budget of 60000tbt/mth and the gf does not work, she has a 1 br house in Nonudon, Nongbualamphu, where ever that is! i have not been there, but the house sounds like a lot of work, i am not to fussed where i base myself, i love the the beach but i have to be realistic.

Something for 2-3k Baht can pretty much only be found if you are here...walking around, asking the locals, checking with friends. Even where I live, when I wanted to rent last year, we found way more units by driving around than we did via the internet or the various papers with ads. Higher priced places with be on the internet and in English as they are catering to expats with money.

IMHO, for 2-3k Baht/month, you're not going to get much. Can you really live like that? You have the money. I would set my sights higher. I think you are going to be dreaming of AC in a place like this...as well as quiet.

You can for sure rent a place by the beach. Less than 200M from the beach where I am are units for 1500-2500B. New building. Not advertised. I found them as they are on the way to the beach during my weekly walks.

Plenty of places to look, plenty of places that would for sure fit your budget. But you have to be here and have time to look around. If in Bangkok, you can cruise around via motorcycle taxi. Out where I am, you will need your own scooter...which you can rent quite cheaply...even a car for a few days is not that much money.

I suggest you come here and check out the kingdom before making a choice. There are so many great places to live...and a few you would want to avoid. Just like any other country in the world.

[afarang]

See my post in the other thread, Bill-Post number 117

Edited July 6, 2011 by afarang

[SweatySock]

Are you planning to live in Nong Bua Lam Phu with the G/F? I live up here and you couldn't be further from a beach if you tried. There are a few fresh water lakes around offering "limited" beach facilities but blue sea and sand I'm afraid not.

As far as renting accom is concerned, not a problem. Thai houses can be rented easily at 2k-3k a month for 2/3 bedroom but wouldn't include a/c nor a western type toilet, I wouldn't think.

[happyrobert]

Do you want to know the "cheapest place in Thailand" or the "cheapest place in Bangkok"? Big difference. Is you GF working in BKK?

What do you mean by having trouble finding that level of rent? What level? Are you here or back in OZ? If here, it's easy to cruise around and find places. You GF will know many for sure. If you are in OZ, it's more difficult. Most places are not listed on the internet...at least not in English.

Thanks Craig, i am back in oz, after 2 months in thailand, some of the threads said 2000, 3000 tbt for rent, i cant find any for that price, as i said i will have a budget of 60000tbt/mth and the gf does not work, she has a 1 br house in Nonudon, Nongbualamphu, where ever that is! i have not been there, but the house sounds like a lot of work, i am not to fussed where i base myself, i love the the beach but i have to be realistic.

60,000 per month? You can live like a prince. But 2-3000 a month is not someplace you'd likely enjoy life.

I have a new 2 bedroom, with large kitchen, large living, quiet and 100 meters from the beach for 3300 per month (4000 if paid month by month). Unfurnished. I spent about 60,000 for fridge, cooktop, sofa, chair, bed and table. I can sell or donate when I leave.

Check out TV classifieds. Us the "Advanced Search" feature to plug in price and location. There are a number of small resorts on/near the beach who, this time of year, are offering nice bungalows, furnished, a/c, maid service for 6-8000 per month for the low season in Krabi and Phuket (on Thai Visa classifieds, too). Use as a home base to search for something more permanant. Strongly suggest you try something like that for a few months so you have no long-term obligations. Since your gf has no job, she can move anywhere, yes? When you do look for something more permanant, stay out of sight and have your girlfriend investigate.

Look long before you leap, Scoop.

One other piece of advice- never, never, no, not ever, invest YOUR money into repairing SOMEONE ELSE'S property. Seldom works.

[soomak]

Do you want to know the "cheapest place in Thailand" or the "cheapest place in Bangkok"? Big difference. Is you GF working in BKK?

What do you mean by having trouble finding that level of rent? What level? Are you here or back in OZ? If here, it's easy to cruise around and find places. You GF will know many for sure. If you are in OZ, it's more difficult. Most places are not listed on the internet...at least not in English.

Thanks Craig, i am back in oz, after 2 months in thailand, some of the threads said 2000, 3000 tbt for rent, i cant find any for that price, as i said i will have a budget of 60000tbt/mth and the gf does not work, she has a 1 br house in Nonudon, Nongbualamphu, where ever that is! i have not been there, but the house sounds like a lot of work, i am not to fussed where i base myself, i love the the beach but i have to be realistic.

In bkk, for 3,000 baht you will get a small studio (usually 20-28 sqm), without a kitchen. More like a hotel room than an apartment.

And the location will not be good (probably not near BTS/MRT).

You can check here:

http://en.9apartment.com/

They have a list of low price apartments.

I think the minimum for a descent studio in bkk is 7,000

and for a 1 bedroom apartment it's 12,000

[JeffreyMcCollum]

First you say she has a place ? Is it a rental ? or does she or her family really own it ?

Second, really how long will you be here ? Is it a long term thing, more than a year, or short time less than a year ?

if she owns or the family ownes the place, installing a toilet. hot shower, and half way decent kitchen could be done for 10,000 Bt up wards.

I live in Chaing Mai, wonderful up here, I have a wonderful apartment. Not huge, but OK, with A/C nice bathroom. Balcony and more. I pay 2700 Bt but they has a slightly smaller room for 2000 Bt. I was in this before my daughter moved here. Now after almost 2 years we want a real house, with a yard and all, so we found a home about 5 years old in a nice neighborhood with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms kitchen and all for 4500 Bt a month. Yes, BKK and a beach area will be much more, (have a home at the beach that I would glady rent to you)

From what you say, you will have 60,000 a month ? can live like a king on that. I get by on 15,000 and if I do side jobs, anything over 20,000 Bt a month is just pure gravy ! I eat out 1 or 2 times a day. Go to movies weekly, and love to ride around on my motorbikes. I do have a car, but like the bike better. If I had 60,000 a month, I would fix her home if you care about her for her long term well being, and after you get here plan extended trips here and there to check out other ares. I know in my area, Chiang Mai, you can get nice Apartements or hotels for 4000 Bt a month so you could try other areas and explore, This could keep you busy for a few years . . .

Bangkok and other Beach tourist areas, are easily double or more. And I don't drink my life away either as some do

[Scoop1]

Do you want to know the "cheapest place in Thailand" or the "cheapest place in Bangkok"? Big difference. Is you GF working in BKK?

What do you mean by having trouble finding that level of rent? What level? Are you here or back in OZ? If here, it's easy to cruise around and find places. You GF will know many for sure. If you are in OZ, it's more difficult. Most places are not listed on the internet...at least not in English.

Thanks Craig, i am back in oz, after 2 months in thailand, some of the threads said 2000, 3000 tbt for rent, i cant find any for that price, as i said i will have a budget of 60000tbt/mth and the gf does not work, she has a 1 br house in Nonudon, Nongbualamphu, where ever that is! i have not been there, but the house sounds like a lot of work, i am not to fussed where i base myself, i love the the beach but i have to be realistic.

Something for 2-3k Baht can pretty much only be found if you are here...walking around, asking the locals, checking with friends. Even where I live, when I wanted to rent last year, we found way more units by driving around than we did via the internet or the various papers with ads. Higher priced places with be on the internet and in English as they are catering to expats with money.

IMHO, for 2-3k Baht/month, you're not going to get much. Can you really live like that? You have the money. I would set my sights higher. I think you are going to be dreaming of AC in a place like this...as well as quiet.

You can for sure rent a place by the beach. Less than 200M from the beach where I am are units for 1500-2500B. New building. Not advertised. I found them as they are on the way to the beach during my weekly walks.

Plenty of places to look, plenty of places that would for sure fit your budget. But you have to be here and have time to look around. If in Bangkok, you can cruise around via motorcycle taxi. Out where I am, you will need your own scooter...which you can rent quite cheaply...even a car for a few days is not that much money.

I suggest you come here and check out the kingdom before making a choice. There are so many great places to live...and a few you would want to avoid. Just like any other country in the world.

Thaks Craig, where abouts are you, i spent 2 months there in april/ may and should have done some research, but at the time i was not thinking about living there, but when i got home and had to buy some basic items i thought "shit this is a joke" and now i am very keen to get out of this rip off country, before i go broke.

[Scoop1]

First you say she has a place ? Is it a rental ? or does she or her family really own it ?

Second, really how long will you be here ? Is it a long term thing, more than a year, or short time less than a year ?

if she owns or the family ownes the place, installing a toilet. hot shower, and half way decent kitchen could be done for 10,000 Bt up wards.

I live in Chaing Mai, wonderful up here, I have a wonderful apartment. Not huge, but OK, with A/C nice bathroom. Balcony and more. I pay 2700 Bt but they has a slightly smaller room for 2000 Bt. I was in this before my daughter moved here. Now after almost 2 years we want a real house, with a yard and all, so we found a home about 5 years old in a nice neighborhood with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms kitchen and all for 4500 Bt a month. Yes, BKK and a beach area will be much more, (have a home at the beach that I would glady rent to you)

From what you say, you will have 60,000 a month ? can live like a king on that. I get by on 15,000 and if I do side jobs, anything over 20,000 Bt a month is just pure gravy ! I eat out 1 or 2 times a day. Go to movies weekly, and love to ride around on my motorbikes. I do have a car, but like the bike better. If I had 60,000 a month, I would fix her home if you care about her for her long term well being, and after you get here plan extended trips here and there to check out other ares. I know in my area, Chiang Mai, you can get nice Apartements or hotels for 4000 Bt a month so you could try other areas and explore, This could keep you busy for a few years . . .

Bangkok and other Beach tourist areas, are easily double or more. And I don't drink my life away either as some do

Hi Jeff , thaks for the advice ,where is your home at the beach and how much rent?, hey dont get me wrong i love the country as well, i spent 2 weeks in sakhon nakhon and loved it

[Scoop1]

Are you planning to live in Nong Bua Lam Phu with the G/F? I live up here and you couldn't be further from a beach if you tried. There are a few fresh water lakes around offering "limited" beach facilities but blue sea and sand I'm afraid not.

As far as renting accom is concerned, not a problem. Thai houses can be rented easily at 2k-3k a month for 2/3 bedroom but wouldn't include a/c nor a western type toilet, I wouldn't think.

Hi, i have looked up there, and cant seem to find any rentals on the net,what is it like up there, if was to live in the country i would probably want to rent a house with a yard so i can grow my hydroponic veges, that would keep me very busy, i dont where exactly her house is, Ban Krok,Nonudon, Suwannakhuhu,Nongbualamphu. Does that sound right?

Edited July 6, 2011 by Scoop1

[craigt3365]

You can find cheap places near the beach as long as you avoid the major areas like Phuket, Samui (most islands for that matter), Pattaya (but plenty of places not far away), the Eastern Seaboard, south of Hua Hin, etc, etc.

Come on over, cruise around and have a look. You will have a blast doing it.

[Scoop1]

You can find cheap places near the beach as long as you avoid the major areas like Phuket, Samui (most islands for that matter), Pattaya (but plenty of places not far away), the Eastern Seaboard, south of Hua Hin, etc, etc.

Come on over, cruise around and have a look. You will have a blast doing it.

Hey Craig i have only just got back on the 3/6/2011,can you tell me where abouts you are roughly and the apartments are near you and will try find them on the net

Edited July 6, 2011 by Scoop1

[tartempion]

Here comes a useless reply then:

I rented a 6 bedroom/7 bathroom plain concrete house house 400m from the beach in a group of 10 identical houses at Thung Wua Laen (15kms North of Chumpon) for 4 years from 2002 to 2005 at 5k baht/month.

Get over there to find one.

Edited July 6, 2011 by tartempion

[Scoop1]

Here comes a useless reply then:

I rented a 6 bedroom/7 bathroom plain concrete house house 400m from the beach in a group of 10 identical houses at Thung Wua Laen (15kms North of Chumpon) for 4 years from 2002 to 2005 at 5k baht/month.

Get over there to find one.

so i guess you are saying the only way is to be there?

[elektrified]

60,000 per month? You can live like a prince.

LOL that is the funniest thing I have heard. Like Prince on 60K???? Hahahaha

[Scully]

Are you planning to live in Nong Bua Lam Phu with the G/F? I live up here and you couldn't be further from a beach if you tried. There are a few fresh water lakes around offering "limited" beach facilities but blue sea and sand I'm afraid not.

As far as renting accom is concerned, not a problem. Thai houses can be rented easily at 2k-3k a month for 2/3 bedroom but wouldn't include a/c nor a western type toilet, I wouldn't think.

Hi, i have looked up there, and cant seem to find any rentals on the net,what is it like up there, if was to live in the country i would probably want to rent a house with a yard so i can grow my hydroponic veges, that would keep me very busy, i dont where exactly her house is, Ban Krok,Nonudon, Suwannakhuhu,Nongbualamphu. Does that sound right?

I am currently in the UK (2 more weeks) but live in Nongbualamphu, we rented a one bedroom new wooden house with air con, western toilet/shower, kitchen with it's own car port and approx 1/2 rai of garden. This was about 2 years ago and the house was 5000 baht a month although as sweatysock says there are cheaper alternatives however this place was ideal for our needs.

You will not find rentals on the internet in Nongbualumphu and definately not in Ban Khok as it is a tiny village. You really need to be in Thailand, not only to choose your rental house but more importantly where you want to stay. Nongbualumphu is a small town with very few farrang and Ban Khok is a very small village with probably no farrang, suits some but not many.

Having said all that it's a very cheap place to live and I personally love Nongbua.

[Semper]

Are you planning to live in Nong Bua Lam Phu with the G/F? I live up here and you couldn't be further from a beach if you tried. There are a few fresh water lakes around offering "limited" beach facilities but blue sea and sand I'm afraid not.

As far as renting accom is concerned, not a problem. Thai houses can be rented easily at 2k-3k a month for 2/3 bedroom but wouldn't include a/c nor a western type toilet, I wouldn't think.

And for sure without furniture.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Semper

[happyrobert]

60,000 per month? You can live like a prince.

LOL that is the funniest thing I have heard. Like Prince on 60K???? Hahahaha

[RubbaJohnny]

$100 US $104 Australian for 3 months 2 bed house western bathroom each 3 months has garden 800km from Bangkok

also have furnished unit to rent at $100 a month with wifi hot sower parking etc

I can also show you suites in A$1200-1800 range its up to you

pm if you seek a cool N place or se local agents papers

Edited July 6, 2011 by RubbaJohnny

[Scoop1]

$100 US $104 Australian for 3 months 2 bed house western bathroom each 3 months has garden 800km from Bangkok

also have furnished unit to rent at $100 a month with wifi hot sower parking etc

I can also show you suites in A$1200-1800 range its up to you

pm if you seek a cool N place or se local agents papers

Hi, can you tell me where these places are , and are they only available for 3 months, is it $100 for 3months , please explain clearly, i am new to this forum stuff

Cheers

Graeme

[Scoop1]

60,000 per month? You can live like a prince.

LOL that is the funniest thing I have heard. Like Prince on 60K???? Hahahaha

Are you saying that is not enough????????????

[Ulysses G.]

You can live very nicely on 60,000, but not like the filthy rich.

[happyrobert]

60,000 per month? You can live like a prince.

LOL that is the funniest thing I have heard. Like Prince on 60K???? Hahahaha

Are you saying that is not enough????????????

I'm not sure what elektrified is saying. I think he was being nice and commenting on my marginally clever turn of a phrase.

I'm saying exactly what I said: you can live like a prince on 60k. Like a king takes 100k.

I myself find my biggest expense is food. It costs way more than my rent and electric together. I buy a lot of western ingredients. Unfortunately, it costs me more than many other posters as their GF's and wives do not like much of it. Mine even likes Marmite, dammit, and all the marmite and cheddar cheese sandwiches are wiping me out. I finally told her it was made from mold, but she researched it on the internet and immediately made another sandwich.

But I digress.

Craig is right: outside of the main areas you will find nary a listing on even the Thai real estate websites (such as www.ddproperty.com), and it is almost guaranteed--with the exception of beach bungalows--that you will also not see "for rent" signs out front of the empty house. We drove for a full month and never saw a single sign; Thai's in non-tourist areas often don't think of it. You'll have to pick an area then stop&ask, stop&ask, stop&ask -- which is why a motorbike is best. However, since there are no listings and no signs, you will be going in blind and don't be surprised if the price quoted is twice what they would actually take. I once found a house on my own, near the beach and I was told 6500 baht. I had my gf wait a week then saunter by and ask: 3000 baht.

It is not a one day task. It took me a month to find what I wanted. Outside of the main areas, there simply are not very many rental houses as Thais are not nomadic like westerners. They put down roots and stay till death. But when you do find something, it can be considerably cheaper than the same thing in the main areas and there will be no pesky farang neighbors drunk at 10 am.

I might be moving in the next month or two. PM me if you are interested in taking a look at the place I'm in now. It's in Trat.

[elektrified]

I'm not sure what elektrified is saying. I think he was being nice and commenting on my marginally clever turn of a phrase.

I'm saying exactly what I said: you can live like a prince on 60k. Like a king takes 100k.

That is the biggest joke I have heard. YOU CAN NOT live like a "Prince" on 60K or like a "King" on 100K per month in Thailand. Most people I know here live on 45-60K per month which includes most Thais I know. Many live on far more. I can assure you that they do not live like Princes or Princesses. Maybe 20-25 years ago... But not any more.

Don't listen to these people telling you that you can rent a place in Bangkok for 3K per month. The kind of place you would find for 3K per month in BKK would not be suitable for a dog.

[doji]

Yes I agree that it will be a hard press in finding any decent place with western std around BKK for 3k.

However , if you don’t have a house and car payment, 60k/mo can be quite comfortable for any normal expat who’s not into too much drinking, whoring, ego boosting, or pseudo hi-so wanna be...

But of course, our Prince Scoop also has a gf, if she also understands that her farang prince is not a bottomless money pit then both of them can live very well within that amount in fact.

Just my 2c

[KimoMax]

Many affordable places in just about ever city or region of Thailand.

First the Op should travel around a bit and decide where he wants to be.

The beaches of the areas of Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui, Krabi, etc.

Or the central valley or Northern Mountains. Issan area, or Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is another big city with lots of traffic, but closer to nature than Bangkok.

Chiang Rai is more laid back like the Chiang Mai of 30 years ago.

Bangkok, just anohter big city that could be just about anywhere in the world.

Places out of the main areas will usually rent far cheaper than those in the heart of the touristy areas.

In the far North and Issan, it is not unreasonable to find a nice house for about 5 or 6 thousand a month.

In the bigger cities you will get far less. Similar to a old studio room with limited access to install your own internet or cable/satellite TV would be about 6 thousand a month up in Bangkok.

High speed internet is pretty much available now in most areas of Thailand.

About the max offered average is 6 MB from TOT, BBB, and TRUE.

[Scoop1]

Yes I agree that it will be a hard press in finding any decent place with western std around BKK for 3k.

However , if you don't have a house and car payment, 60k/mo can be quite comfortable for any normal expat who's not into too much drinking, whoring, ego boosting, or pseudo hi-so wanna be...

But of course, our Prince Scoop also has a gf, if she also understands that her farang prince is not a bottomless money pit then both of them can live very well within that amount in fact.

Just my 2c

Thanks for that, she certainly understands that i am not a bottomless money pit, she does not have much but she is genuine, i didnt meet her in a bar!

Prince Scoop lol

[happyrobert]

I'm not sure what elektrified is saying. I think he was being nice and commenting on my marginally clever turn of a phrase.

I'm saying exactly what I said: you can live like a prince on 60k. Like a king takes 100k.

That is the biggest joke I have heard. YOU CAN NOT live like a "Prince" on 60K or like a "King" on 100K per month in Thailand. Most people I know here live on 45-60K per month which includes most Thais I know. Many live on far more. I can assure you that they do not live like Princes or Princesses. Maybe 20-25 years ago... But not any more.

Don't listen to these people telling you that you can rent a place in Bangkok for 3K per month. The kind of place you would find for 3K per month in BKK would not be suitable for a dog.

Well, elektrified, your attitude is shocking! And, if that's the BIGGEST joke you've ever heard, you must lead a very boring life.

I guess some people are better with their finances than others....and no where in any of my posts did I mention Bangkok. Try to up your reading comprehension skills before putting words in my mouth and your foot in your mouth.

Scoop: Up north last year I lived like a prince outside of Chiang Mai. I had a full-time live-in housekeeper, a weekly gardener, no less than 5 massages--in house-- a week, a beautiful piece of land on a lake with three new fully furnished (quality antiques from China) bungalows, and I ate very well. Internet and a gym memebership, too.I never spent over 45k in a month.

The only reason I left is I missed the beach and folks in that area had a propensity to entertain themselves with homemade fireworks on a nightly basis.