Ways To Cut Down The Cost Of Living In Thailand

[nattydread]

to keep cool in the hot weather place a chair with the back at right angles to the fan

soak a couple of towels in water and wring them out just enough to stop them dripping water onto the floor

place the towels folded on the back of the chair

you will get a nice cool moist breeze from the fan

resoak towels every couple of hours

cheaper than a/c and almost as effective

[pattayadingo]

Don't cook food yourself eat at street stalls (cheaper by far i can know i cook my own food)

Definitely! Plus saving ten years of rent, as one will be not need a dwelling when the arteries have packed up from the coconut oil and the likes of malnutrition.

Well said.

As the Thai doctor said to me - Do not eat the Thai food, it is bad for you.

Home cooking with no oil(s) or masses of salt or those chemicals / flavourings they put in is best.

[yoslim]

Don't cook food yourself eat at street stalls (cheaper by far i can know i cook my own food)

Definitely! Plus saving ten years of rent, as one will be not need a dwelling when the arteries have packed up from the coconut oil and the likes of malnutrition.

Well said.

As the Thai doctor said to me - Do not eat the Thai food, it is bad for you.

Home cooking with no oil(s) or masses of salt or those chemicals / flavourings they put in is best.

Yes sure cooking some rice and chicken breast at 89b/kg (Bigc) or some spaghetti with a half can of tuna is not cheaper than eating street food

Also I can buy 30 size1 eggs for 90ish baht at the market, I'm waiting on advice of where you can get a kai dao on top of your food for 4 baht, most places charge 10 baht

Edited April 18, 2013 by yoslim

[Potosi]

I wouldn't eat in street stalls, but in the cafeterias of the supermarkets, like Tesco, BigC, TukCom in Pattaya. Cheaper, far more selection, aircon.

[rene123]

Lots of good suggestions already made. It's all about life choices. Some folks are just plain lazy. However, I do know that Thai restrictions on foreigners working in Thailand puts a damper on a person's life style. It really helps to have a steady income from another source: pension, investments, off shore internet trading, etc.

While I was in Thailand for 6 months I stayed in a comfortable, if somewhat dirty, Thai hotel for about 5000 baht a month. I ate Thai food almost exclusively for about 40 baht a meal. I drank mostly water and only had the occasional alcoholic drink in the evening. I ate inexpensive Thai fruit every day and once of twice a week I would "splurge" on a hamburger for about 200 baht. I bought a fan for 300 baht and never used the hotel's aircon. I took my linen to a local laundry and did the room clean up myself. I bought my own motorbike that I love riding and that served as most of my entertainment. I hiked up mountain trails on Doi Sutthep once or twice a week to keep fit. I made lots of Thai friends who kept me entertained.

As it turned out I actually saved money by coming to Thailand for the winter.

[David48]

Only air con & fridge make a difference in electric consumption/bill,

yes, rolling myself is much cheaper, but that thai tobacco do-it-yourself is bad shit, real bad

You need to chat with this guy here ... tobacco-report

Guaranteed quality ... no sh*t added.

[ABCer]

Well, well, this thread is much better than the boring, silly arguments as to <40K> not enough.

I like the humour and the recommendations. All of them are good, but two are not possible for implementation.

One - to ride a bike. Sorry, I cannot, but it is a great source of savings for the able.

Two - eat local food at street vendors stalls. True, it is the cheapest way to live, but I refuse to suffer. For me cooking

at home western food is the only alternative, however expensive. I built a well equipped kitchen and eat out once a week

to please my girl. Believe me it is no problem! I taught my lady to cook what and how I like my food and now it's no

problem. Luckily she likes it too (so she says).

Thailand has beautiful cheap produce. All we have to do is cook it. Except for the foods Thais do not eat widely, like

cheeses, olives, herring and so on. In these instances one has to apply ingenuity.

My recommendation: go to MK Restaurants - good and cheap (relatively speaking). And no boozing around!

It's hard, I know. If you find this impossible, - ask FF for the address of his landlady.

Cheers.

Wow now I have definitely read too much of this crap.

Wow now I have definitely read too much of this crap.

-

What you don't have a street vendor selling kippers in your local market?

Mine poaches a few in milk for me every Friday just when the sun's coming up. But you're right she charges 60 THB, haven't been able to indulge for the past few years. . .

Nay, I live in Rayong. Plenty of fish, but no HERRING here. Also missing a good selection of olives and not ashamed to admit it.

Bon appetit.

[pattayadingo]

Don't cook food yourself eat at street stalls (cheaper by far i can know i cook my own food)

Definitely! Plus saving ten years of rent, as one will be not need a dwelling when the arteries have packed up from the coconut oil and the likes of malnutrition.

Well said.

As the Thai doctor said to me - Do not eat the Thai food, it is bad for you.

Home cooking with no oil(s) or masses of salt or those chemicals / flavourings they put in is best.

Yes sure cooking some rice and chicken breast at 89b/kg (Bigc) or some spaghetti with a half can of tuna is not cheaper than eating street food

Also I can buy 30 size1 eggs for 90ish baht at the market, I'm waiting on advice of where you can get a kai dao on top of your food for 4 baht, most places charge 10 baht

Buy smaller eggs.

How much chicken do you think you get in Thai street food?

But if you are happy to consume what they are giving you in that food, I am happy fpr you.

[bangkokburning]

I've always been a committed Cheap Charlie. Recently took it to another level when thb clearly crossed <30usd line.

Im married and share expenses, about 60/40.

Second month living on b15k and incls a trip South camping for a week. I have 11 days to go and have about 2000b to spend .

Thought about starting a blog and a board about cheap living in Thailand. Then I realize all the work and no benefit to me.

I think a forum of likeminded CCs would be great! This board is now so dismissive and arrogant toward the frugal. There is a definite type of expat in Thailand now, "the retiree". Very different mindset then all us lovable eccentrics decades prior. He has also come to dominate the board.

If you dont spend x a month, you have no life

If you dont have y visa then you should just go

If you dont z like me - farang restaurants, wasted money impressing women that think you are still fat and ugly, wine, serviced apt, visa services, etc... (life in Thailand 1-4yrs) , just kill yourself.

Edited April 19, 2013 by bangkokburning

[bangkokburning]

Eat at KFC with a drink for 95 Baht..Thai food is expensive~~

Buy your coke in 7/11 and take it into KFC - they don't mind.

If this is your thinking you are already fat and lost

Soda

KFC

Eliminate both, save money and your life.

Why did you move to Thsiland again? Oh yeah the food and the culture.

[StreetCowboy]

I've always been a committed Cheap Charlie. Recently took it to another level when thb clearly crossed <30usd line.

Im married and share expenses, about 60/40.

Second month living on b15k and incls a trip South camping for a week. I have 11 days to go and have about 2000b to spend .

Thought about starting a blog and a board about cheap living in Thailand. Then I realize all the work and no benefit to me.

I think a forum of likeminded CCs would be great! This board is now so dismissive and arrogant toward the frugal. There is a definite type of expat in Thailand now, "the retiree". Very different mindset then all us lovable eccentrics decades prior. He has also come to dominate the board.

If you dont spend x a month, you have no life

If you dont have y visa then you should just go

If you dont z like me - farang restaurants, wasted money impressing women that think you are still fat and ugly, wine, serviced apt, visa services, etc... (life in Thailand 1-4yrs) , just kill yourself.

I'm always surprised at the people that choose to focus on the negative.

There's plenty of threads and posters on this forum committed to nickle and diming to make their meagre income stretch a few satang further, if you care to look for them.

SC

[bangkokburning]

I've always been a committed Cheap Charlie. Recently took it to another level when thb clearly crossed <30usd line.

Im married and share expenses, about 60/40.

Second month living on b15k and incls a trip South camping for a week. I have 11 days to go and have about 2000b to spend .

Thought about starting a blog and a board about cheap living in Thailand. Then I realize all the work and no benefit to me.

I think a forum of likeminded CCs would be great! This board is now so dismissive and arrogant toward the frugal. There is a definite type of expat in Thailand now, "the retiree". Very different mindset then all us lovable eccentrics decades prior. He has also come to dominate the board.

If you dont spend x a month, you have no li

If you dont have y visa then you should just go

If you dont z like me - farang restaurants, wasted money impressing women that think you are still fat and ugly, wine, serviced apt, visa services, etc... (life in Thailand 1-4yrs) , just kill yourself.

I'm always surprised at the people that choose to focus on the negative.

There's plenty of threads and posters on this forum committed to nickle and diming to make their meagre income stretch a few satang further, if you care to look for them.

SC

I totally agree and ptetty much drifting away from this forum.

Things are tight, but ok.for me now. But Im budgeted till Im 90yrs old. I'm not complaining about my situation nor do I think it an especial hardship. I want for naught. I am pretty sick and tired of the new money and retirees telling me how MY life should be, how I don't measure up if I am some stupid and life of rich foods and comfort. I made a decisipn decades agontontrade money for freedom. I dont regret it despite the US Federal Reserve making a hash of my currency.

I do not begrudge people with money assuming it was made legitimately. Why do people always have to bag on others financisl situation?

Im stuck in BKK out of choice, I married. This has radically changed my life. Other than than that Id be still tripping around Asia albeit not at 15k a month.

What in your live do you have that I should feel so inadequate about not having?

What adventure have you had that I envy?

What are you eating that I am such a lesser person without?

Who do you know that I am witbout such great friendship for lack of association?

If I felt my life was lacking, Id spend more.

Ironic that my life seems to be the envy of the bulk of my xxx Facebook friends, despite being such a cheap loser.

What is pathetic, sad and negative is all the (divorced) single men that have washed ashore in the last decade+. Trying tonregain a youth they never had.

The three worst things that ever happened to Thailand:

Viagra

Air Conditioning

Western toilets

[4NDR345]

1. Eat thai food, not western food.

2. If you need to drink, do it at home at all times.

3. Do not have a Thai girlfriend, or a gik, or whatever.

Now, that is already 80% of all costs saved right there.

Edited April 19, 2013 by 4NDR345

[patongphil]

I've always been a committed Cheap Charlie. Recently took it to another level when thb clearly crossed <30usd line.

Im married and share expenses, about 60/40.

Second month living on b15k and incls a trip South camping for a week. I have 11 days to go and have about 2000b to spend .

Thought about starting a blog and a board about cheap living in Thailand. Then I realize all the work and no benefit to me.

I think a forum of likeminded CCs would be great! This board is now so dismissive and arrogant toward the frugal. There is a definite type of expat in Thailand now, "the retiree". Very different mindset then all us lovable eccentrics decades prior. He has also come to dominate the board.

If you dont spend x a month, you have no li

If you dont have y visa then you should just go

If you dont z like me - farang restaurants, wasted money impressing women that think you are still fat and ugly, wine, serviced apt, visa services, etc... (life in Thailand 1-4yrs) , just kill yourself.

I'm always surprised at the people that choose to focus on the negative.

There's plenty of threads and posters on this forum committed to nickle and diming to make their meagre income stretch a few satang further, if you care to look for them.

SC

I totally agree and ptetty much drifting away from this forum.

Things are tight, but ok.for me now. But Im budgeted till Im 90yrs old. I'm not complaining about my situation nor do I think it an especial hardship. I want for naught. I am pretty sick and tired of the new money and retirees telling me how MY life should be, how I don't measure up if I am some stupid and life of rich foods and comfort. I made a decisipn decades agontontrade money for freedom. I dont regret it despite the US Federal Reserve making a hash of my currency.

I do not begrudge people with money assuming it was made legitimately. Why do people always have to bag on others financisl situation?

Im stuck in BKK out of choice, I married. This has radically changed my life. Other than than that Id be still tripping around Asia albeit not at 15k a month.

What in your live do you have that I should feel so inadequate about not having?

What adventure have you had that I envy?

What are you eating that I am such a lesser person without?

Who do you know that I am witbout such great friendship for lack of association?

If I felt my life was lacking, Id spend more.

Ironic that my life seems to be the envy of the bulk of my xxx Facebook friends, despite being such a cheap loser.

What is pathetic, sad and negative is all the (divorced) single men that have washed ashore in the last decade+. Trying tonregain a youth they never had.

The three worst things that ever happened to Thailand:

Viagra

Air Conditioning

Western toilets

We definitely come from different planets.

[retell]

1. Eat thai food, not western food.

2. If you need to drink, do it at home at all times.

3. Do not have a Thai girlfriend, or a gik, or whatever.

Now, that is already 80% of all costs saved right there.

1 eat western food (cook yourself with ingredients from the local market )

2 find some friend to come over to yr house for a drink or go to theirs ( just get a tray or box of whatever yr poison)

3 find a thai girlfriend nothing wrong with that ( if it is find another)

same same 80% saved

Edited April 19, 2013 by retell

[robblok]

I've always been a committed Cheap Charlie. Recently took it to another level when thb clearly crossed <30usd line.

Im married and share expenses, about 60/40.

Second month living on b15k and incls a trip South camping for a week. I have 11 days to go and have about 2000b to spend .

Thought about starting a blog and a board about cheap living in Thailand. Then I realize all the work and no benefit to me.

I think a forum of likeminded CCs would be great! This board is now so dismissive and arrogant toward the frugal. There is a definite type of expat in Thailand now, "the retiree". Very different mindset then all us lovable eccentrics decades prior. He has also come to dominate the board.

If you dont spend x a month, you have no life

If you dont have y visa then you should just go

If you dont z like me - farang restaurants, wasted money impressing women that think you are still fat and ugly, wine, serviced apt, visa services, etc... (life in Thailand 1-4yrs) , just kill yourself.

I'm always surprised at the people that choose to focus on the negative.

There's plenty of threads and posters on this forum committed to nickle and diming to make their meagre income stretch a few satang further, if you care to look for them.

SC

Not a meagre income but why spend it all, reserving a bit is always a good thing. I have no qualms on spending money on quality though rather that then paying double in the end.

[DavidSL]

There are some solid suggestions in this thread, if you can get through the jokes and the general nonsense.

Here's my opinion, based on a pretty frugal and very happy 3 years in Bangkok.

If you're looking for love, stop going out drinking. Don't look for love in the places everyone else is looking for love because they are looking for a 'quick fix', not a relationship. This may not sound like a money saving tip, but bare with me. Real, genuine Thai girls do exist, but they aren't for sale. Any girls you can 'buy' a 'relationship' from are going to constantly cost you money. If you want a real relationship then do what you'd do in your own Country (not finding a drunken girl in a club) and go out to places that interest YOU - maybe you'll get very lucky and meet someone on your level - someone who transcends their culture and possibly isn't even that interested in Western guys. It is lucky, but it does happen. I met my girlfriend at a friend's wedding, there was no business transaction. We share everything just like I would in a relationship in the UK.

You're coming to a Country where Western influence is still pretty 'new'. If you want to rent a house that reminds you of home, fine - but you're missing the point of coming here. Live somewhere cheaper and make it into a home. Use the rent you save to buy a few nice things to spruce the place up and make it comfortable. This way you can afford to go away on weekends, eat out every night and enjoy your life without wasting money trying to feel like you did in your own Country. This isn't your own Country, so stop expecting to live like royalty because you're a rich foreigner and start focussing on the things that make living here beautiful.

Cut out drinking as much as you can. If you're a big drinker in Thailand then you're not going to save much money. If you like getting drunk, spending money on women and drugs and generally being an ass, book a return ticket - you won't last long. Nothing against the drinking, but there are better things to do here than hang out in foreigner bars and generally waste away. Waste away on an island every weekend!

Treat yourself often, but not every day. Give yourself things to do on the weekend that you love, don't expect to be out every night (if that's your thing). Free cable is pretty easy to find in condos - get used to the channels you get in English. They aren't great, but they are comforting on nights in. That, or get used to watching TV on Youtube or wherever you can. Spend nights in, but always have something to look forward to.

Make friends with someone who shares your interests and drives their own car. Knowing someone with their own car changes Thailand completely. My girlfriend's car has provided us so many amazing overnight trips to places we would otherwise have to risk our lives in minibuses to get to - and it's wonderful.

Concentrate on being content. Happiness is obviously the goal of most of us who come here, but you have to make your own happiness. I love Thailand, but it can be a pretty crappy place when you feel unhappy.

I can live on 20,000 baht a month, EASILY. OK, so I have a girlfriend, I hate clubbing, I don't really drink or smoke and I like a nice, quiet life (which is why I've stayed so happy here), but if you're the kind who thinks you NEED 'this much' to live, then you should probably cut a few thousand baht off that budget and see how you get on. It's always nice to have money left over at the end of the month.

Oh, I forgot. Bring over a DVD/Blu-ray player from your own Country with as many of your DVDs/Blu-rays as you can - that'll keep you from going insane. Invest ESPECIALLY in TV series.

Good luck!

[IMA_FARANG]

BookMan, on 17 Apr 2013 - 08:12, said:

Cut the booze. Save a fortune there for many guys

----------------------

Absolutely.

Especially drinking in bars with "dancers" and "hostesses" in them.

It's not that you shouldn't go to such a place if that's what you like.

Just understand that going to such places is often the major living expense outside of Rent for many expats in Thailand.

One night in Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza can easily cost you a weeks living expenses.

So, if you like that kind of thing, just understand it's a splurge.

Secondly, learn to eat Thai food at the street vendors.

You'll be surprised how good ti really can be.

But it's you're choice, it's up to you to make.

Edited April 19, 2013 by IMA_FARANG

[notmyself]

econdly, learn to eat Thai food at the street vendors.

Learn how to make it yourself. I'll admit that there is not much money to be saved but your body will thank you for it in due course.

[retell]

I've always been a committed Cheap Charlie. Recently took it to another level when thb clearly crossed <30usd line.

Im married and share expenses, about 60/40.

Second month living on b15k and incls a trip South camping for a week. I have 11 days to go and have about 2000b to spend .

Thought about starting a blog and a board about cheap living in Thailand. Then I realize all the work and no benefit to me.

I think a forum of likeminded CCs would be great! This board is now so dismissive and arrogant toward the frugal. There is a definite type of expat in Thailand now, "the retiree". Very different mindset then all us lovable eccentrics decades prior. He has also come to dominate the board.

If you dont spend x a month, you have no life

If you dont have y visa then you should just go

If you dont z like me - farang restaurants, wasted money impressing women that think you are still fat and ugly, wine, serviced apt, visa services, etc... (life in Thailand 1-4yrs) , just kill yourself.

I'm always surprised at the people that choose to focus on the negative.

There's plenty of threads and posters on this forum committed to nickle and diming to make their meagre income stretch a few satang further, if you care to look for them.

SC

Not a meagre income but why spend it all, reserving a bit is always a good thing. I have no qualms on spending money on quality though rather that then paying double in the end.

like to save always you never know what can happen ,and it does medical insurance cover up to around 100.000 that's gone in a day with something serious even @ government hospital

would like to know more about that social security stuff if one has a company thou but cant find any clear answers ( forum search sucks btw)

[pattayadingo]

econdly, learn to eat Thai food at the street vendors.

Learn how to make it yourself. I'll admit that there is not much money to be saved but your body will thank you for it in due course.

We had fish fillets, mashed potato, cauliflower florets and sweetcorn tonight. 2 large servings and less than 50 Baht each. Home cooked and delicious.

Maybe not as cheap as 35 Baht chicken fried rice or whatever, but certainly a lot more wholesome.

Prepared and cooked in 30 minutes, less than the time you often spend going to the street vendor, waiting and then going back home with their food.

[notmyself]

econdly, learn to eat Thai food at the street vendors.

Learn how to make it yourself. I'll admit that there is not much money to be saved but your body will thank you for it in due course.

We had fish fillets, mashed potato, cauliflower florets and sweetcorn tonight. 2 large servings and less than 50 Baht each. Home cooked and delicious.

Maybe not as cheap as 35 Baht chicken fried rice or whatever, but certainly a lot more wholesome.

Prepared and cooked in 30 minutes, less than the time you often spend going to the street vendor, waiting and then going back home with their food.

Sounds lovely.

The point I'm trying to make is that if people cook at home then they can at the very worst make it for the same price if they learn how to do it.

[Kitsune]

Learn to cook THAI

Eat local, buying imported veg is never going to be cheap, nor healthy (50-90% nutriments lost after 24h haul)

[retell]

econdly, learn to eat Thai food at the street vendors.

Learn how to make it yourself. I'll admit that there is not much money to be saved but your body will thank you for it in due course.

We had fish fillets, mashed potato, cauliflower florets and sweetcorn tonight. 2 large servings and less than 50 Baht each. Home cooked and delicious.

Maybe not as cheap as 35 Baht chicken fried rice or whatever, but certainly a lot more wholesome.

Prepared and cooked in 30 minutes, less than the time you often spend going to the street vendor, waiting and then going back home with their food.

Sounds lovely.

The point I'm trying to make is that if people cook at home then they can at the very worst make it for the same price if they learn how to do it.

yep , there is plenty of food in the markets what you can use for make a decent " farang meal" never had any troubles with that (only with cheese i'm a succer i don't like those slices of water they call cheddar give me an Edam or a gouda ) but hey born in Holland never lose that

[FunFon]

Absolutely impossible to shop for specifically western prepared foods at the same cost as Thai food, would be at least 5x the budget and even then most here would consider it cheap-charlie territory.

However the way I do it - basic fruit and veg (lots and lots of filling veggies yum!), little bit of chicken, pork fish, lots of eggs for protein for the kids, all from the cheapest wholesale market in town at 5am (BKK that's Khlong Toei)

Then you can prepare it however you like, lots of western-flavoured mostly-veg dishes go well with rice.

But ingredients like bread/spaghetti/potatoes are completely out of the budget, rice and rice-based noodles are the starch foundation. Never mind luxuries like cheese!

But then few are shooting for THB 500 to feed seven people for four days. . .

[retell]

Absolutely impossible to shop for specifically western prepared foods at the same cost as Thai food, would be at least 5x the budget and even then most here would consider it cheap-charlie territory.

However the way I do it - basic fruit and veg (lots and lots of filling veggies yum!), little bit of chicken, pork fish, lots of eggs for protein for the kids, all from the cheapest wholesale market in town at 5am (BKK that's Khlong Toei)

Then you can prepare it however you like, lots of western-flavoured mostly-veg dishes go well with rice.

But ingredients like bread/spaghetti/potatoes are completely out of the budget, rice and rice-based noodles are the starch foundation. Never mind luxuries like cheese!

But then few are shooting for THB 500 to feed seven people for four days. . .

bake your own bread not that is so difficult but @ 25 thb in big c you got a xxxxload of bread that's not so bad at all

Edited April 20, 2013 by metisdead

[ABCer]

Absolutely impossible to shop for specifically western prepared foods at the same cost as Thai food, would be at least 5x the budget and even then most here would consider it cheap-charlie territory.

However the way I do it - basic fruit and veg (lots and lots of filling veggies yum!), little bit of chicken, pork fish, lots of eggs for protein for the kids, all from the cheapest wholesale market in town at 5am (BKK that's Khlong Toei)

Then you can prepare it however you like, lots of western-flavoured mostly-veg dishes go well with rice.

But ingredients like bread/spaghetti/potatoes are completely out of the budget, rice and rice-based noodles are the starch foundation. Never mind luxuries like cheese!

But then few are shooting for THB 500 to feed seven people for four days. . .

bake your own bread not that is so difficult but @ 25 thb in big c you got a shitload of bread that's not so bad at all

I must change my previous comments about wit, humour and good recommendations.

This topic has degenerated into 'mum's recipe book'.

Degeneration comes with age.

Please, any moderator, close it! Please.

[pattayadingo]

Sounds lovely.

The point I'm trying to make is that if people cook at home then they can at the very worst make it for the same price if they learn how to do it.

Very true and I wholeheartedly agree.

Maybe we need to send some of them off to the Food In Thailand forum to learn about cooking.

When I were a lad - long time ago - my mother taught me how to cook the basics like veggies and meat, rice pudding and such. Also that it is almost as cheap to cook for two as it is to cook for one.

Being able to do things yourself is great and cheaper. Fix the plumbing, the electrics, do the decorating, lay tiles. All the basics we were taught and never really forgot. They all help cut down on the cost of living and you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

One exception here being the car and working on it in extreme heat with the sweat running into you eyes otherwise I'd do more on the car too. Though, I'll not let another Thai mechanic near my brakes again. The loss of one car was lesson enough

[FunFon]

Would anyone like to speculate as to why the number of "likes" for this particular comment would consistently be disappearing over time? By my count should be a few dozen by now, but on a daily basis as new members add theirs the old ones just drop off.

Does the system have an automatic cap for # of likes?

I assume if the mods didn't like it they'd just delete it, but of course we're not allowed to discuss that anyway. . .

[metisdead]

A totally nonsensical troll post has been removed.