How Much Money Are You Spending In Thailand?

[Bkkorupcountry]

If I were a multi millionaire, do you think I would waste any time reading and responding to posts here?

Would you spend all your tiume sitting beside the swimming pool in your million dollar house getting stock tips from your multi-lingual gardner?

I would be just chilling out and enjoying the fruits of my labour. The last thing I would want to do, living in Thailand, is to live the expat lifestyle.

Back to the post, monthly expenses depends very much on the individual circumstances (married, single, kids etc) and the sort of lifestyle the individual wants to live. My monthly expenses probably total close to 100 k but a lot of that is paid for by my company (rent, utilities, entertainment). I don't have kids of school going age yet so that's not something I need to consider at the moment. However, when I finally quit the rat race, I expect to be able to get by very easily on 30-50 k per month, out in the boondocks of Isaan. Fully paid up house and car, education fees already set aside, so it's just personal consumption. A similar lifestyle in Bkk central would be around 100k, in Bkk urban (for eg Nonthaburi), maybe 70 k.

[Kananga]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

[Bkkorupcountry]

To put some perspective on thing- this is a typical expat package expense list that i see for a family of four: (i know of one condo for sure that is full of expat families with these types of expenses)

- Rent 120,000 baht per month (nice 3-4 br condo in great complex with pool,gym, prime Sukhumvit location)

- School - 50,000 baht per month per child minimum at one of the top international schools

- Nanny, driver, maid- total 40,000 baht per month

- Entertainment- eating out 1-2 per week at nice restaurants plus drinks- 30,000 baht per month

- Food (Gourmet martet and Villa market) 12,000 baht per month

300,000+++ baht per month (haven't even included car, fuel, utility costs)

This scenario is not typical for many. This applies to expats who are sent out here by their MNC companies, thus a lot of the above expenses are borned by the company. No one would make the decision to come out here on their own, spending on these sorts of expenses, unless you are some sort of Anthony Bolton type.

[Kananga]

To put some perspective on thing- this is a typical expat package expense list that i see for a family of four: (i know of one condo for sure that is full of expat families with these types of expenses)

- Rent 120,000 baht per month (nice 3-4 br condo in great complex with pool,gym, prime Sukhumvit location)

- School - 50,000 baht per month per child minimum at one of the top international schools

- Nanny, driver, maid- total 40,000 baht per month

- Entertainment- eating out 1-2 per week at nice restaurants plus drinks- 30,000 baht per month

- Food (Gourmet martet and Villa market) 12,000 baht per month

300,000+++ baht per month (haven't even included car, fuel, utility costs)

This scenario is not typical for many. This applies to expats who are sent out here by their MNC companies, thus a lot of the above expenses are borned by the company. No one would make the decision to come out here on their own, spending on these sorts of expenses, unless you are some sort of Anthony Bolton type.

I disagree. I have many friends who spend in this bracket and are on local terms.

[Bkkorupcountry]

What the fuc_k are you going on about? I was discussing health insurance.

I'm a fairly new arrival on this board, but I'm certainly beginning to see what some folks mean when they refer to the challenge of conducting a civil exchange of information and perspectives. If this sort of vitriolic attack is what we get when discussing lifestyle choices, I can't wait to see what happens on a topic that really matters.

Sad welcome to TV forum. Here, you will lots of bullshitters, narrow minded pr**ks and lots of losers. Listen to only 10% of what you read (and that may already be too much).

At one end of the spectrum, you will find guys claiming to be multimillionaires, who have been spending the last year trying to get their money out of the country and at the other end, you will find the down to earth, honest decent pensioners, getting by on 20-30 k per month. If I were a multi millionaire, do you think I would waste any time reading and responding to posts here?

Well put. I held off joining this forum for about 5 years now, however, have recently joined. I lived my entire career in conflict (high stress City job) and just did not want any in my retirement. But, if you sift through the posts and are an average judge of character you will find there is much good and helpful information in the forums. It appears to be the only one of it's kind worth anything in the country for ex-pats.

Very true. I find that most of the good and helpful posts tend to in the local forums, such as the Central Thailand or Isaan forums, or the more special interest ones, such as farming, pets etc. The worst are the political forums and dare I say it, Bangkok forum?

[Semper]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

Don't think so. Never heard of it.

[PattayaParent]

To put some perspective on thing- this is a typical expat package expense list that i see for a family of four: (i know of one condo for sure that is full of expat families with these types of expenses)

- Rent 120,000 baht per month (nice 3-4 br condo in great complex with pool,gym, prime Sukhumvit location)

- School - 50,000 baht per month per child minimum at one of the top international schools

- Nanny, driver, maid- total 40,000 baht per month

- Entertainment- eating out 1-2 per week at nice restaurants plus drinks- 30,000 baht per month

- Food (Gourmet martet and Villa market) 12,000 baht per month

300,000+++ baht per month (haven't even included car, fuel, utility costs)

This scenario is not typical for many. This applies to expats who are sent out here by their MNC companies, thus a lot of the above expenses are borned by the company. No one would make the decision to come out here on their own, spending on these sorts of expenses, unless you are some sort of Anthony Bolton type.

I don't know who Anthony Bolton is but my company don't pay my rent, schooling or provide a maid, driver or nanny.

It all comes out of my pocket.

[hehehoho]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

Not in my experience or opinion, no.

From what I've seen in 6 years here about 50% of Western male/Thai female relationships, the farang has to give his 'wife' or 'girlfriend' a set monthly salary or she will leave him.

I've never come across this in any other country. It's odd that none of my married friends, or anyone I know at home or anywhere in the West have to give a salary to their wife in order for her to stay with him.

[Kananga]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

Not in my experience or opinion, no.

From what I've seen in 6 years here about 50% of Western male/Thai female relationships, the farang has to give his 'wife' or 'girlfriend' a set monthly salary or she will leave him.

I've never come across this in any other country. It's odd that none of my married friends, or anyone I know at home or anywhere in the West have to give a salary to their wife in order for her to stay with him.

My mother looked after me and my brother full time and was a full time housewife, however I can assure you that if my father decided to keep all of the money he earned to himself while she raised the children she would have been off like a shot.

I appreciate it is slightly different in Thailand when you have these generation defying relationships where there needs to be a financial incentive for a 20 something to live with a 60 something, however that does not apply to the majority of cases, certainly not with the social circles I rotate in.

My wife looks after our children full time, she has offered to go back to work, but we both believe that she is the best person to raise our children, not a stranger or an out of touch relative. As my wife therefore has no income of her own she gets some of the only source of income (ie mine) because her job is technically voluntary!

I would have thought a similar arrangment would be normal among families where only one parent earns and is not in any way done to ensure the person does not leave them.

[Jebhead]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

Not in my experience or opinion, no.

From what I've seen in 6 years here about 50% of Western male/Thai female relationships, the farang has to give his 'wife' or 'girlfriend' a set monthly salary or she will leave him.

I've never come across this in any other country. It's odd that none of my married friends, or anyone I know at home or anywhere in the West have to give a salary to their wife in order for her to stay with him.

Maybe you could call it an allowance. None of your married friends give their wives any financial support?? If the wife is bringing up a young family it's most likely she is not working therefore if the husband does not give her an allowance how does she survive?

JH

[Kananga]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

Not in my experience or opinion, no.

From what I've seen in 6 years here about 50% of Western male/Thai female relationships, the farang has to give his 'wife' or 'girlfriend' a set monthly salary or she will leave him.

I've never come across this in any other country. It's odd that none of my married friends, or anyone I know at home or anywhere in the West have to give a salary to their wife in order for her to stay with him.

Maybe you could call it an allowance. None of your married friends give their wives any financial support?? If the wife is bringing up a young family it's most likely she is not working therefore if the husband does not give her an allowance how does she survive?

JH

Exactly. It would appear there is some paranoia among people here that if they admit they provide any financial support to their non working spouses they are perceived to be seen as being taken for a ride or that their partner was somehow previously involved in the entertainment industry

[kurnell]

In 1994 I lived off 12,000 baht per month. 500 baht for bus, 4,000 for accommodation, 3,000 for food, 3,000 for beers and such. It was fun for a few months.

Now my home loan repayment alone is 80k per month + 2 kids, + 2 cars +++++

I think I were happier when I were poor

A rich man who had to borrow through the ceiling to build a house

Man who walk through airport door sideways is going to Bangkok

[hehehoho]

Only one of my married friends has children. His wife runs a small business from home which buys her whatever she wants, and pays her half of their mortgage. Child expenses etc are shared.

Not all Thai women have children yet many of their foreign partners still have to give them a salary.

It's bizarre.

[Kananga]

Only one of my married friends has children. His wife runs a small business from home which buys her whatever she wants, and pays her half of their mortgage. Child expenses etc are shared.

Not all Thai women have children yet many of their foreign partners still have to give them a salary.

It's bizarre.

I lived in Singapore where spouses are allowed to work, yet the majority didnt. Is that also bizarre?

[letitbe]

One of the things that catches my attention on these lists of monthly expenses is that I don't think I have ever seen medical insurance costs included. Why is that? Is it just overlooked, do people have such cheap plans that it's not worth listing, or do the majority of expats here not get med insurance?

I pay mine annually out of bonus. Same as life insurance. Annual premium for family of 4 is 240k so 20,000 a month.

what a pathetic coment you pay your wife I and my wife share our lives and any income or money we have is family money. do you have a wife or a paid wife I simply fail to understand people like you thats if you have a wife and not just calling her your wife when what you have is a rent a wife which is ok as long as thats what she knows it is. I have been called stupid naive and told over last 15 years my wife will take all my money 15 years later she actually owns most of family assets and has done for a long time since she is much younger than me and its easier if no when I go and no we dont support her family and even though herm other is really poor she has never asked for 1 baht although some of her extended family have asked and been given cold shoulder. We agreed over 15 years ago if her mother was hungry wed buy food if she needed urgent medical care wed help but apart form that she has to fend for herself as she has always done.

Pay the wifeI must suggest that to mine or maybe because she now owns and holds most of our stuff she should pay me.

I guess family is not yours or are you kind of person whos happy to see their kids live like paupers. I hope your really proud of yourself.

What the fuc_k are you going on about? I was discussing health insurance.

must be going senile or mixed your post with another Again very

[Semper]

Only one of my married friends has children. His wife runs a small business from home which buys her whatever she wants, and pays her half of their mortgage. Child expenses etc are shared.

Not all Thai women have children yet many of their foreign partners still have to give them a salary.

It's bizarre.

I lived in Singapore where spouses are allowed to work, yet the majority didnt. Is that also bizarre?

Guess not. I would call it indolence.

[letitbe]

wow im impressed so many posts telling true story In these sort of threads I used to get totally flamed for saying we needed around 150,000 baht a month to live confortably for a family of 4 with 2 kids. People totally forget for most western countries medical is free schools are free and theirs a lot of benefits such as child allowance in UK. Theirs none of that here. We live well but no better than I lived in USA or UK apart from here we have a maid. On 150,000 baht a month with house paid we have to carefully watch our spending and can only afford to eat out same as in Uk about once every month if that at a nice restaurant. Ok we also eat noodles or whatever at 40 baht but I used to get a great breakfast for 100 baht with as much coffee as I wanted at weatherspoons and last time we were in UK 4 meals for us and kids at a pub for around 500 baht but beer was pricy.

As a matter of interest are you including school fees in that 150,000 baht a month letitbe ?

yes but not holidays or trip to UK europe or USA which brings it up to around 210,000 a month Not a top international school but a decent school which follows UK system. Thats why its so difficult to manage on 150,000. If we sent our kids to a top international school youd probably have to add another 40,000 baht a month

[Kananga]

I pay mine annually out of bonus. Same as life insurance. Annual premium for family of 4 is 240k so 20,000 a month.

what a pathetic coment you pay your wife I and my wife share our lives and any income or money we have is family money. do you have a wife or a paid wife I simply fail to understand people like you thats if you have a wife and not just calling her your wife when what you have is a rent a wife which is ok as long as thats what she knows it is. I have been called stupid naive and told over last 15 years my wife will take all my money 15 years later she actually owns most of family assets and has done for a long time since she is much younger than me and its easier if no when I go and no we dont support her family and even though herm other is really poor she has never asked for 1 baht although some of her extended family have asked and been given cold shoulder. We agreed over 15 years ago if her mother was hungry wed buy food if she needed urgent medical care wed help but apart form that she has to fend for herself as she has always done.

Pay the wifeI must suggest that to mine or maybe because she now owns and holds most of our stuff she should pay me.

I guess family is not yours or are you kind of person whos happy to see their kids live like paupers. I hope your really proud of yourself.

What the fuc_k are you going on about? I was discussing health insurance.

must be going senile or mixed your post with another Again very

Refreshing to see someone on here actually admit a mistake. Apology sincerely accepted.

[letitbe]

What the fuc_k are you going on about? I was discussing health insurance.

must be going senile or mixed your post with another Again very

Refreshing to see someone on here actually admit a mistake. Apology sincerely accepted.

thanks ill try and read posts properly from now on or maybe to much wine or senility is really arriving. Im quite embarrassed about it and to have put you into that sort of camp Again

[rgs2001uk]

yes but not holidays or trip to UK europe or USA which brings it up to around 210,000 a month Not a top international school but a decent school which follows UK system. Thats why its so difficult to manage on 150,000. If we sent our kids to a top international school youd probably have to add another 40,000 baht a month

There are some who would be outraged to learn it can cost 500k per year to send a child to one of the better schools here in Thailand, two children and theres 1 million or 80k per month gone just in education.

Different parents may have different aspirations for their children.

I wont even get into the arguement of the merits of these schools I know Thais who send their children overseas to be schooled, these are the same children who speak Thai as a third language, not first.

[Kananga]

It was a good rant though. You don't hold back.

[ExpatJ]

yes but not holidays or trip to UK europe or USA which brings it up to around 210,000 a month Not a top international school but a decent school which follows UK system. Thats why its so difficult to manage on 150,000. If we sent our kids to a top international school youd probably have to add another 40,000 baht a month

There are some who would be outraged to learn it can cost 500k per year to send a child to one of the better schools here in Thailand, two children and theres 1 million or 80k per month gone just in education.

Different parents may have different aspirations for their children.

I wont even get into the arguement of the merits of these schools I know Thais who send their children overseas to be schooled, these are the same children who speak Thai as a third language, not first.

500K wont be enough to send your kids to the top schools anymore- 600K per kid per year plus another 100K or so for the extra curricular activities- clubs, music, school trips etc.

[F1fanatic]

To put some perspective on thing- this is a typical expat package expense list that i see for a family of four: (i know of one condo for sure that is full of expat families with these types of expenses)

- Rent 120,000 baht per month (nice 3-4 br condo in great complex with pool,gym, prime Sukhumvit location)

- School - 50,000 baht per month per child minimum at one of the top international schools

- Nanny, driver, maid- total 40,000 baht per month

- Entertainment- eating out 1-2 per week at nice restaurants plus drinks- 30,000 baht per month

- Food (Gourmet martet and Villa market) 12,000 baht per month

300,000+++ baht per month (haven't even included car, fuel, utility costs)

This scenario is not typical for many. This applies to expats who are sent out here by their MNC companies, thus a lot of the above expenses are borned by the company. No one would make the decision to come out here on their own, spending on these sorts of expenses, unless you are some sort of Anthony Bolton type.

I disagree. I have many friends who spend in this bracket and are on local terms.

Obviously there are many v wealthy people here for whom money is no object. But I remember asking my brother who lived here (at the time) this question when my husband and I were thinking about retiring early.

At the end of the day, as other posters have pointed out, it all depends on HOW you choose to live. I know some that spend a small fortune every month and others that get by on around 20,000 baht p.m. including rent!

[F1fanatic]

It looks like some wives need love, some need a set salary for being with their foreign husbands.

Isnt that true of women in every country?

Not in my experience or opinion, no.

From what I've seen in 6 years here about 50% of Western male/Thai female relationships, the farang has to give his 'wife' or 'girlfriend' a set monthly salary or she will leave him.

I've never come across this in any other country. It's odd that none of my married friends, or anyone I know at home or anywhere in the West have to give a salary to their wife in order for her to stay with him.

My mother looked after me and my brother full time and was a full time housewife, however I can assure you that if my father decided to keep all of the money he earned to himself while she raised the children she would have been off like a shot.

I appreciate it is slightly different in Thailand when you have these generation defying relationships where there needs to be a financial incentive for a 20 something to live with a 60 something, however that does not apply to the majority of cases, certainly not with the social circles I rotate in.

My wife looks after our children full time, she has offered to go back to work, but we both believe that she is the best person to raise our children, not a stranger or an out of touch relative. As my wife therefore has no income of her own she gets some of the only source of income (ie mine) because her job is technically voluntary!

I would have thought a similar arrangment would be normal among families where only one parent earns and is not in any way done to ensure the person does not leave them.

Exactly. I'm one of four children so my mother stayed at home to look after the children. We were poor though, so my mother took in some 'home work' to help us get by.

They had a joint bank account and my mother took care of the bills from this joint account as she was more financially astute. In other words, they had absolute trust in each other - an 'allowance' would never have crossed their minds!

[Moonrakers]

I once lived in a house for 70k/month (my employer paid it).

It was a nice place, as you would expect. Quite a waste though as I only ever used 2 rooms, half of the house simply stayed shut for the vast majority of the time. It had its own pool, which I used once.

I also once saw an apartment on Thonglor (I think). Some trendy building named 'grass'. The apartment itself was actually quite small but it had a nice TV and some toilet that kept your bum warm or something. I think I could quite easy live with a normal toilet.

Rent: 65,000/month. I would not have payed that if I had Richard Bransons money, but others were because of the image. More money than sense.

Alternatively a friend of mine has a nice house in Bangkok. Very nice fitted kitchen, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, good sized living room. The house is on Phattanakan and all it takes a trip down Sukh 71 and he's at the BTS

Rent? 7,500 baht/month.

[tink2mutt]

To put some perspective on thing- this is a typical expat package expense list that i see for a family of four: (i know of one condo for sure that is full of expat families with these types of expenses)

- Rent 120,000 baht per month (nice 3-4 br condo in great complex with pool,gym, prime Sukhumvit location)

- School - 50,000 baht per month per child minimum at one of the top international schools

- Nanny, driver, maid- total 40,000 baht per month

- Entertainment- eating out 1-2 per week at nice restaurants plus drinks- 30,000 baht per month

- Food (Gourmet martet and Villa market) 12,000 baht per month

300,000+++ baht per month (haven't even included car, fuel, utility costs)

That is $120,000 US per annum or $10,000 US a month living in Thailand!!

I am sorry but that is ridiculous - no matter what package you are on.

[Kananga]

To put some perspective on thing- this is a typical expat package expense list that i see for a family of four: (i know of one condo for sure that is full of expat families with these types of expenses)

- Rent 120,000 baht per month (nice 3-4 br condo in great complex with pool,gym, prime Sukhumvit location)

- School - 50,000 baht per month per child minimum at one of the top international schools

- Nanny, driver, maid- total 40,000 baht per month

- Entertainment- eating out 1-2 per week at nice restaurants plus drinks- 30,000 baht per month

- Food (Gourmet martet and Villa market) 12,000 baht per month

300,000+++ baht per month (haven't even included car, fuel, utility costs)

That is $120,000 US per annum or $10,000 US a month living in Thailand!!

I am sorry but that is ridiculous - no matter what package you are on.

Not really if you have two kids that require an education where they are taught to think for themselves and a decent sized house in a prime location to home them, as well as complete medical insurance. As delicious as 30 baht noodle soup is, I dont want to eat it every day.

You compare 300,000 baht to the US as if it is cheaper in Thailand, yet to provide your family with a comparable education and housing costs significantly more in Thailand. Sure you can probably do things on the cheap in Thailand in terms of government (or Thai private) schooling and not worry about the results as well as live in Bang na or Lak Krabang but why would you want to if you can afford not to?

[Semper]

Where would one get an education like this?

[Semper]

I try again.

that require an education where they are taught to think for themselves

Where would one get an education like this?

[eslteacher]

Last year as a teacher I earned a little over 30,000 Baht a month but I was located in a very small province. And as a result I only spent around 15,000 Baht each month and I was able to live like a king. Eat good food and go out for drinks on the weekends.