Family of 3 on 71,000 US Dollar or 2,343,710 Thai Baht?

[CeltNYC]

Hi all, was wondering how well my family and I would live in Phuket on a net (after taxes) of $71,000 or 2,343,710 thai baht a year? That's 195,309 baht a month.

My wife will not be working and our housing is paid for. Our child is under a year old. Our expenses would be transport as utilities/internet and satellite tv are included. It's a pretty amazing deal but how amazing?

How far will our money go as we've heard cars are expensive as well as other expenses? Just wanted to get an idea as I know we will be living a nice life but wanted to know how well. Thanks!

Started a thread on TA and a lovely fellow named Gippy said I should check here too. Luckily I'd already set up an account!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293920-i5037-k7171707-Family_of_3_on_71000_US_Dollar_or_2343710_00_Thai_Baht-Phuket.html#55796779

- How much would a reputable maid/nanny/cook as well as a driver cost us?

[eezergood]

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

[stevenl]

Yes, you can easily from that, and very comfortably as well.

[uptheos]

195,000 Baht month is doable, as long as you stick to street food.

[Ajaan]

Under those circumstances (housing paid for, etc.), you could live in most countries in the West for that! You'll live like kings in Thailand!

[CeltNYC]

Awesome, glad to hear and thanks for the replies. I like the only eat streetfood guy too! Very funny

- How much would a reputable driver as well as a maid/nanny/cook cost?

- THB 500,000 for a decent 2nd hand car - what models and any reputable dealers you'd recommend? Heard it's better to buy cars in BKK and drive them down. Is that true?

Thanks!

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

[eezergood]

Awesome, glad to hear and thanks for the replies. I like the only eat streetfood guy too! Very funny

- How much would a reputable driver as well as a maid/nanny/cook cost?

- THB 500,000 for a decent 2nd hand car - what models and any reputable dealers you'd recommend? Heard it's better to buy cars in BKK and drive them down. Is that true?

Thanks!

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

Better to buy from a dealer IMO - If I were you, rent a car work out your needs first, Sure BKK is 'generally' cheaper, but deals can be done here also.

[steelepulse]

A driver probably could be had for 15-20K maids/nannys/cooks around 12K/mo. The days of 8-9K for a full time maid/cook/nanny are long gone in Phuket with the high cost of living.

[eezergood]

FYI - No reputable drivers here, locals, they are all just idiots behind the wheel!

Maid/nanny - 17k-20k should be ok, if you offer accomodation etc... should find a good one

Edited February 3, 2014 by eezergood

[CeltNYC]

Thanks Eezergood - I actually was thinking of renting a car first so good shout. What are some reputable places? I read this was good? http://airportcarrent.com/

Also anyone know a good place for mobile/cell phones? What kind of smartphone plans do people get and how much do they cost?

Awesome, glad to hear and thanks for the replies. I like the only eat streetfood guy too! Very funny

- How much would a reputable driver as well as a maid/nanny/cook cost?

- THB 500,000 for a decent 2nd hand car - what models and any reputable dealers you'd recommend? Heard it's better to buy cars in BKK and drive them down. Is that true?

Thanks!

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

Better to buy from a dealer IMO - If I were you, rent a car work out your needs first, Sure BKK is 'generally' cheaper, but deals can be done here also.

[LivinginKata]

airportcarrent is a good choice. Reputable company.

mobile phones for sale just about everywhere. Most people use AIS prepay cards, you can set up an unlimited data service for 650 baht/month, pay each month at any 7- 11. All sorts of plans. Contact any AIS office, at all the bigger malls.

[eezergood]

IMO - USe the biggies to rent, Avis, Eurocar ect....

MObiles are expensive here, new IPhone probably about THB35k?? Unlimited plan, data only, is THB800 ish

With your income you will not struggle, unless its champagne & only imported everything every day

[phuketrichard]

DAM RIGHT!!!you will live like a king

eat whatever u wish

House 2 bedroom 10,000-50,000 will get u a find one near a beach

spend 500,000 on a car and 30 ,000 for a motorbike

insurance for cars 14,000 or so

Your medical insurance Platinum Bupa 50-60,000/year

Couple of smart phones ( samsung) 12,000

Maid 6-10,000/month (plenty of my friends pay these amounts)

Rest for food and fun

internet 600/month

Cable 300-1,500/month

[CeltNYC]

steelepulse, phuketrichard and eezergood, great info.

LivinginKata, thank you. Any others aside from Airportcarrfe lient? My wife likes the Honda CR V rental they advertise for 45k. Know any places that have something similiar for less? I like that they have first class insurance included as well!

I was thinking of hiring a driver to drive myself and my car to work in the am from my house and then drive it back so that my wife can use it for the day. Is this arrangement possible? Hours would be like 7am to 9am for the driver. Any reputable companies out there that I can secure a driver from? Perhaps I could just get the driver from 7 to 5 pm or something. Just wanted to get some quotes. Really appreciate the info and living like a king would be brilliant!

airportcarrent is a good choice. Reputable company.

mobile phones for sale just about everywhere. Most people use AIS prepay cards, you can set up an unlimited data service for 650 baht/month, pay each month at any 7- 11. All sorts of plans. Contact any AIS office, at all the bigger malls.

Edited February 3, 2014 by CeltNYC

[eezergood]

How far is your home to your place of work?

Have you made this journey yet on our wonderful roads or in our wonderful traffic?

Would it not be easier for your wife to drive you to work, at least in the beginning?

Have you been here yet? Not being rude, I also moved here without visiting first.......

[CeltNYC]

How far is your home to your place of work?

Have you made this journey yet on our wonderful roads or in our wonderful traffic?

Would it not be easier for your wife to drive you to work, at least in the beginning?

Have you been here yet? Not being rude, I also moved here without visiting first.......

I like how upfront you are so no worries about being rude.

I visited 6 years ago and I've experienced the roads! The driving is insane but am hoping to steer clear of accidents. The ride will be about 30 minutes to/from work without traffic. With traffic who knows?

How have you found living in Phuket full time?

[KhunBENQ]

Living on almost 200'000 Baht/month, housing paid.

The thread should better be named: is it possible to spend 200'000 Baht/month in Phuket?

My answer would be: yes its possible if you spend hard

[Costas2008]

Any chance of adding me as a 4th member of your family?

[eezergood]

How far is your home to your place of work?

Have you made this journey yet on our wonderful roads or in our wonderful traffic?

Would it not be easier for your wife to drive you to work, at least in the beginning?

Have you been here yet? Not being rude, I also moved here without visiting first.......

I like how upfront you are so no worries about being rude.

I visited 6 years ago and I've experienced the roads! The driving is insane but am hoping to steer clear of accidents. The ride will be about 30 minutes to/from work without traffic. With traffic who knows?

How have you found living in Phuket full time?

6 yrs ago & now will be VERY different!

Where do you plan to live? & where is your work place, as 30 mins wont take you very far in Phuket \

LIving here full time - before anyone says no your wrong this is how I find it, to me not to anyone else!

Pros

Ocean & beach\

Weather

Good airport links

Plenty to do

Have friends here, before I came

Mrs Familt not too far, but far enough away

Decent mix of cultures & nationalities

Cons

Patong - Its a sh!t hole & yes I live here, but thats through need not choice

Scams - NUff said yuou can read all about it

Roads/traffic/lack of transport - As above

Expensive - MOre so than BKK about 30% more for food items. I work in hotels so know the raw cost & can compare with mates there

Reduced choice e,g Only really 1 or 2 proper stores for baby stuff, Brunch is restricted to 1 or 2 places and they are not that great

Taxis/tuk tuk

LAck of respect for life

That said, I live in my little bubble and try to interact with the above as little as possible. The weather & proximity to the ocean is what keeps me sane

[LivinginKata]

Wow - 45k/month for Honda CRV seems pricey to me given you might want to rent much longer term. Email them and try to negotiate a better rate.

You will get a cheaper rate at some on the independent car rent places, but to be honest they often do not truely have full insurance.

Best of luck finding a safe and reliable driver. You might be better negotiating a deal with a private limo taxi if you don't need a car all day. Handing over your rental car to a Thai driver might not be a great idea.

[Naam]

195,000 Baht month is doable, as long as you stick to street food.

and don't even think of beer!

[stevehaigh]

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

personally i would avoid a 2nd hand car, Thais usually only sell them when they are wrecked. better splash out and get a new one, but that's just my humble opinion

[Shot]

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

personally i would avoid a 2nd hand car, Thais usually only sell them when they are wrecked. better splash out and get a new one, but that's just my humble opinion

I 2^nd buying new. Cars maintain value here (if taken care of), so not much to lose if you leave.

[Bcgardener]

195,000 Baht month is doable, as long as you stick to street food.

and don't even think of beer!

DAM RIGHT!!!you will live like a king

eat whatever u wish

House 2 bedroom 10,000-50,000 will get u a find one near a beach

spend 500,000 on a car and 30 ,000 for a motorbike

insurance for cars 14,000 or so

Your medical insurance Platinum Bupa 50-60,000/year

Couple of smart phones ( samsung) 12,000

Maid 6-10,000/month (plenty of my friends pay these amounts)

Rest for food and fun

internet 600/month

Cable 300-1,500/month

Could someone tell me where you can get reputable health insurance for a family at 50 - 60k a month? Anything less than usd 1 million in coverage is dreaming.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Bcgardener]

195,000 Baht month is doable, as long as you stick to street food.

and don't even think of beer!

DAM RIGHT!!!you will live like a king

eat whatever u wish

House 2 bedroom 10,000-50,000 will get u a find one near a beach

spend 500,000 on a car and 30 ,000 for a motorbike

insurance for cars 14,000 or so

Your medical insurance Platinum Bupa 50-60,000/year

Couple of smart phones ( samsung) 12,000

Maid 6-10,000/month (plenty of my friends pay these amounts)

Rest for food and fun

internet 600/month

Cable 300-1,500/month

Could someone tell me where you can get reputable health insurance for a family at 50 - 60k a month? Anything less than usd 1 million in coverage is dreaming.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sorry before the shouting starts... I meant a year.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Patsycat]

Any chance of adding me as a 4th member of your family?

No!! That's me!! I'm good with kids. Can build sandcastles, and lego castles and stuff.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Patsycat

[phuketrichard]

I told you BUPA

http://www.bupa.com/welcome/

[phuketrichard]

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

personally i would avoid a 2nd hand car, Thais usually only sell them when they are wrecked. better splash out and get a new one, but that's just my humble opinion

what a crazy thing to say, i bought a second hand Honda Civic from Hat yai in 1999 ( it was a 1997)

still going strong with 328,00 kms.and it has been all over Thailand, laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

2nd hand car is the way to go but buy one that is less than 3 years old a CRV will then run you 800,000 or so Look online at the Phuket Gazzette

I live in Kamala an drove my daughter to QSI every day ( near Lotus on by pass) less than 30 minutes

from here to Central is 30 minutes

to immigration in phuket town 40.

Dont move to Rawaii or chalong and not deal with Chao fao road u will be fine

I think avis/udget rent the honda citys for like 15,000 or so /month with 1st class insurance 45 is a crazy price

[CeltNYC]

Thanks again phuketrichard.

My wife was worried about the lack of places for proper baby gear. Carrefour and Tesco being the places to go for formula? Any other baby related info for clothes, formula, diapers, etc as in what are the best places to purchase these would be appreciated.

Interesting about the 2nd hand cars. My wife wants an SUV as she feels it would be safer for the baby, especially with the crazy drivers. 45 k a month for a Honda CRV does seem exorbinate so how much should I try to bargain that down for? That includes first class insurance so would be a good deal if I could get it down to a reasonable rate.

Thanks!

You will live very well!!

Cars are expensive, but THB500,000 you csn find a decent 2nd hand car

personally i would avoid a 2nd hand car, Thais usually only sell them when they are wrecked. better splash out and get a new one, but that's just my humble opinion

what a crazy thing to say, i bought a second hand Honda Civic from Hat yai in 1999 ( it was a 1997)

still going strong with 328,00 kms.and it has been all over Thailand, laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

2nd hand car is the way to go but buy one that is less than 3 years old a CRV will then run you 800,000 or so Look online at the Phuket Gazzette

I live in Kamala an drove my daughter to QSI every day ( near Lotus on by pass) less than 30 minutes

from here to Central is 30 minutes

to immigration in phuket town 40.

Dont move to Rawaii or chalong and not deal with Chao fao road u will be fine

I think avis/udget rent the honda citys for like 15,000 or so /month with 1st class insurance 45 is a crazy price

[thrilled]

I have read where people live good on A million baht A year in Bangkok.So with over 2 million baht I don't see where you'll have any problems.Just be careful how much traveling that toy do