Living in BKK for a year on 8 grand?

[ev1lchris]

Well, I have a bit more than 8k USD to work with but let's see how it goes.

[Grindting]

You can get excellent western food in Thailand, much better than it's other south East Asian neighbours, especially Bangkok. But like anything, you pay for what you get. Don't expect quality for 150b or you will be disappointed.

Maybe they were actually just thinking "why's this guy wasting his money on overpriced Western food when Thai food is 10x cheaper and takes much better"

Ah, thats the beauty of not having to survive on 20k per month, we have choices.

Just because I live in Thailand doesnt mean I am going to eat Thai food for every meal of each day.

Yes Thai food is enjoyable, I prefer Southern Thai food, not the farangised tourist rubbish.

I also enjoy, farang food as well as, Italian, Indian, Mexican and Turkish/Arabic food.

Heck even my Thai mrs doesnt eat Thai food every day.

Check out places such as Fashion Island or Seacon Square at the weekends to see Thais eating in Japanese and korean places.

Reason for being in Lower Suk, was for eating, thats where Tony Romas was located at the time.

However all the above are moot points, the difference is, I had a choice.

My point stands. Most non Thai food in Thailand is poor quality and overpriced. I regularly went for Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Burgers etc and was nearly always disappointed.

There are guys who spend more on banging hookers than they spend on rent and food for the month as if it somehow "goes with the territory"

If that's what they want to do, fine but when it's so easy to hook up with non-P4P women here, it just seems unnecessary

Yeah much my thoughts too. It doesn't get much easier than in Thailand.

Our standards of 'decent' clearly differ. I can't imagine any apartment in the world being even remotely adequate at £200 a month, I like my mod cons and facilities, And I need (want) to be centrally located for work

When i lived in BKK I paid £150 a month for an apartment bang in the center of BKK with all mod cons, pool gym, massage, restaurants, laundry etc on site within walking distance to BTS.

If you look you can easily find but most people seem not to look and jump at the first thing they find or locate overpriced places using the internet and get duped into believing they are getting a good deal.

I let my company deal with all that. Edited September 23, 2014 by Grindting

[2008bangkok]

About 21k per month, thats cutting it fine, unless you live like a hermit, live in a room that isnt fully furnished and eat street food all the time

[canarysun]

About 21k per month, thats cutting it fine, unless you live like a hermit, live in a room that isnt fully furnished and eat street food all the time

I find it amazing how anybody can live in Thailand ( inc Bangkok ) and need to spend 21,000 baht a month!!??

It would be impossible for me and i live on 6,000 baht a month ( all in ) and my room for 2000 baht a month is " cool " ( my water 7 electric is about 600 baht a month) I don't live like a hermit.With this fabulous warm weather i am out and about " every day " ( i am just back from a rather tiring 20 KM stroll today! and met some nice ladies on the way! All the best things in life are free! You don't need to pay for ladies,water and thai food is cheap,you can find a room at a reasonable price even in Bangkok! It really is a cheap country to live in!!!

Farang Jaidee ( eating a delicious KFC Ice cream @ 10 baht )

[Rumblecat]

It's not really amazing. Throw in rent, mobile phone, cable, electricity and internet bills, along with socialising (drinking, dinner, cinema, concerts), taxis or petrol money and so on - 21,000 wouldn't go a long way.

Yeah, people don't need to do these things and can just get up and walk around all day for free and yeah, you could live on much less. But most people don't want to.

[2008bangkok]

About 21k per month, thats cutting it fine, unless you live like a hermit, live in a room that isnt fully furnished and eat street food all the time

I find it amazing how anybody can live in Thailand ( inc Bangkok ) and need to spend 21,000 baht a month!!??

It would be impossible for me and i live on 6,000 baht a month ( all in ) and my room for 2000 baht a month is " cool " ( my water 7 electric is about 600 baht a month) I don't live like a hermit.With this fabulous warm weather i am out and about " every day " ( i am just back from a rather tiring 20 KM stroll today! and met some nice ladies on the way! All the best things in life are free! You don't need to pay for ladies,water and thai food is cheap,you can find a room at a reasonable price even in Bangkok! It really is a cheap country to live in!!!

Farang Jaidee ( eating a delicious KFC Ice cream @ 10 baht )

So all in ur rent is 2600 so your like on 3400 a month which is about 850 baht a week about 110 baht a day, ud be lucky to fry 3 fried rice for that.

I just don't believe it can be done. Sorry

[Grindting]

It's not really amazing. Throw in rent, mobile phone, cable, electricity and internet bills, along with socialising (drinking, dinner, cinema, concerts), taxis or petrol money and so on - 21,000 wouldn't go a long way.

Yeah, people don't need to do these things and can just get up and walk around all day for free and yeah, you could live on much less. But most people don't want to.

Why would you need money to pay rent??! Why not get a thai woman to pay your rent or just move in with her? Bangkok is full of thai women who will pay your rent for you! Didn't you know that?!

Why do you need a mobile phone? Just walk to see that person face to face!

Why do you need cable, when you don't even need a TV?!

Internet? What for? I just raid the bins and read yesterday's news paper, it's just as good!

Electricity??!! What do you need that for? I just collect the candles left out on the tables of all those rip off restaurants the loser money wasting expats eat at! Light a few of those badboys up in my studio room.. Sorted! Why people here waste their money on such things as electricity is beyond me!

If I need gas to cook something I just fart into a bottle and save it for later

[canarysun]

Hello to all our viewers!

My advice to anybody looking for accommodation in Bangkok ( or anywhere else in Thailand ) is to firstly " Think Thai and try to deal with Thai people only.Find an area in Bangkok you like.The great thing about Bangkok is you don't need to think about buying " a car or motorbike " . When looking for accommodation it's best to " do it on foot " walking about ! The best priced accommodation normally will not be advertised.You need to get out and about talking to all the Thai locals.If you have to start knocking on doors then do so! ( i was a window canvasser in the UK many years ago.....) I would prefer to find a place that is a few minutes walk from a 7 eleven and up to a nice 30 minute stroll to a Big C or Tesco Lotus ( although not essential ) Once you find a place you will need to find out from the Thai's living in the " block " how much they are paying for rent! ( then you know the real rental cost ) Be polite but also ruthless if they even offer it to you 500 baht a month more then i would just walk away.( They will soon call you back if they are interested ) Remember you are now " a Thai " ! You will also need to know the price of electric and water also. Never pay 6 months or a year in advance! I have just found a lovely place for a thai girl recently in Bangkok for 3,500 baht a month and with free wifi too! so there are plenty of good deals about but you must get out there!

I could live in Bangkok very cheaply i also know Bangkok extremely well. For a day trip the skytrain is great but if like myself you will probably spend most of your time outside " out and about " and using the skytrain every day will work out very expensive! The local buses are nice and cheap or just " walk " it's a very sociable place and by walking about you will meet some great characters ( you may even bump into me viewers...! ) I would recommend to buy a bicycle ( with basket & bell ) for just 1,500 baht new! ( a " cool way to get about " ) It's not all " cars and smoke " Bangkok has some fabulous Parks,i would spend a lot of time in there ( oh and they are all free! ) Plenty of cheap food stalls to eat at from about 30 - 40 baht a meal.I could budget your 8000 USD to last you 2 years in Thailand but 8,000 USD will be more than enough for one year to have a nice life!

Farang Jaidee ( jing jing )

[dogpatch55]

Hello to all our viewers!

My advice to anybody looking for accommodation in Bangkok ( or anywhere else in Thailand ) is to firstly " Think Thai and try to deal with Thai people only.Find an area in Bangkok you like.The great thing about Bangkok is you don't need to think about buying " a car or motorbike " . When looking for accommodation it's best to " do it on foot " walking about ! The best priced accommodation normally will not be advertised.You need to get out and about talking to all the Thai locals.If you have to start knocking on doors then do so! ( i was a window canvasser in the UK many years ago.....) I would prefer to find a place that is a few minutes walk from a 7 eleven and up to a nice 30 minute stroll to a Big C or Tesco Lotus ( although not essential ) Once you find a place you will need to find out from the Thai's living in the " block " how much they are paying for rent! ( then you know the real rental cost ) Be polite but also ruthless if they even offer it to you 500 baht a month more then i would just walk away.( They will soon call you back if they are interested ) Remember you are now " a Thai " ! You will also need to know the price of electric and water also. Never pay 6 months or a year in advance! I have just found a lovely place for a thai girl recently in Bangkok for 3,500 baht a month and with free wifi too! so there are plenty of good deals about but you must get out there!

I could live in Bangkok very cheaply i also know Bangkok extremely well. For a day trip the skytrain is great but if like myself you will probably spend most of your time outside " out and about " and using the skytrain every day will work out very expensive! The local buses are nice and cheap or just " walk " it's a very sociable place and by walking about you will meet some great characters ( you may even bump into me viewers...! ) I would recommend to buy a bicycle ( with basket & bell ) for just 1,500 baht new! ( a " cool way to get about " ) It's not all " cars and smoke " Bangkok has some fabulous Parks,i would spend a lot of time in there ( oh and they are all free! ) Plenty of cheap food stalls to eat at from about 30 - 40 baht a meal.I could budget your 8000 USD to last you 2 years in Thailand but 8,000 USD will be more than enough for one year to have a nice life!

Farang Jaidee ( jing jing )

Hi, so you can really live on 6000 baht a month ? That's great mate, seems you are really living a good life there!! Good for you.. I would quite like to be in CM or maybe the north-east.. Yeah bkk has some nice parks and I like to walk!

[canarysun]

Yes easily done in Chiang Mai on 6000 baht a month! if you are " single and easygoing " houses with gardens from 2000 baht a month! ( Bangkok is a little bit more expensive ) But a house with a garden in a village in Chaing Mai and a bicyle is all you need! and you can have a " cool life " ...

Greetings!

F.J

[dogpatch55]

Yes easily done in Chiang Mai on 6000 baht a month! if you are " single and easygoing " houses with gardens from 2000 baht a month! ( Bangkok is a little bit more expensive ) But a house with a garden in a village in Chaing Mai and a bicyle is all you need! and you can have a " cool life " ...

Greetings!

F.J

Wow really?? Did not think you would be able to get a house for that price!! That's really good!! Cheers mate.

[joecoolfrog]

Dogpatch

The only 'houses ' you will find for 2000 baht a month might not be very desirable in terms of condition and location. To be frank you would be existing in a shack in the middle of nowhere , if thats your thing then great !

[canarysun]

Dogpatch

The only 'houses ' you will find for 2000 baht a month might not be very desirable in terms of condition and location. To be frank you would be existing in a shack in the middle of nowhere , if thats your thing then great !

Actually you are very wrong! I know the villages outside Chiang Mai very well and found some lovely houses for 2000 baht a month! They are not advertised anywhere. But they are 25 - 30 km outside of C.M F.J x

[joecoolfrog]

I honestly doubt that I would think them lovely but in any case its the location that is the problem. Most single Farang want easy access to amenities such as internet , restaurants , bars , shops and markets , entertainment etc. A fluent Thai speaker who enjoys his own company might be fine , otherwise the bus/ cab fares will soon add up.

[IsaanUSA]

Canary, we get the point you are trying to make. It's confusing though when you switch up your posts between Pattaya, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Can't we "try to stick to the topic" of a student looking to live in Bangkok on 8000 baht per month please?

[canarysun]

Canary, we get the point you are trying to make. It's confusing though when you switch up your posts between Pattaya, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Can't we "try to stick to the topic" of a student looking to live in Bangkok on 8000 baht per month please?

Yes I do apologize I seem to me doing more travelling than " Alan Wicker " I am now back in "Bangkok Mode " .

Now where were we .....?

[Diplomatico]

Canary, we get the point you are trying to make. It's confusing though when you switch up your posts between Pattaya, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Can't we "try to stick to the topic" of a student looking to live in Bangkok on 8000 baht per month please?

Yes I do apologize I seem to me doing more travelling than " Alan Wicker " I am now back in "Bangkok Mode " .

Now where were we .....?

We "were" trying to "determine" why all of your "posts" contain seemingly "random" quotation "marks".

[Mango Bob]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Oops, I'm talking about USD.

Let's say an education visa too.

I think living on $8000 USD is totally doable.

Living here and living her comfortably is two different things.

[canarysun]

I sometimes have a look in farangs shopping baskets in Big C & Tesco Lotus and often see Cheese & Salami & Olives it's an obvious sign that they are living on a " slightly higher " budget than myself......... lol F.J x

[TheSpade]

canarysun, are you living on a budget as you literally have no extra money or do you choose to live like this?

I've met various types of farangs in Thailand.

Those who have money but don't like to spend it and have got stuck in a race to the bottom to see just how cheap they can be like it's some sort of competition, the only person they are competing with is themselves however.

And I've met those who are pretty broke and can't afford to do anything other than scrimp and save every last baht.

Then there's are those who don't have much money but like to large it up and throw the cash about acting like a hot shot when they can't afford to,

[canarysun]

canarysun, are you living on a budget as you literally have no extra money or do you choose to live like this?

I've met various types of farangs in Thailand.

Those who have money but don't like to spend it and have got stuck in a race to the bottom to see just how cheap they can be like it's some sort of competition, the only person they are competing with is themselves however.

And I've met those who are pretty broke and can't afford to do anything other than scrimp and save every last baht.

Then there's are those who don't have much money but like to large it up and throw the cash about acting like a hot shot when they can't afford to,

Mr Spade....

Living on my budget is certainly not " a competition " lol and i can assure you ( and our viewers ) that i don't " swan about all day with my nose pointing northwards " pretending to be " a hot shot " lol (quite the opposite may i add...) I am just a simple guy living a simple life here in Thailand.I love to walk everywhere and i just love train journeys.(as i dislike the roads) i could never go to places like " Starbucks " and buy a coffee when for the same money i can buy about 50 sachets of 3 in 1 coffee in Tesco Lotus ! ( " Buddy Dean " is a fabulous coffee.Have you tried it viewers...? )

F.J x

[Grindting]

canarysun, are you living on a budget as you literally have no extra money or do you choose to live like this?

I've met various types of farangs in Thailand.

Those who have money but don't like to spend it and have got stuck in a race to the bottom to see just how cheap they can be like it's some sort of competition, the only person they are competing with is themselves however.

And I've met those who are pretty broke and can't afford to do anything other than scrimp and save every last baht.

Then there's are those who don't have much money but like to large it up and throw the cash about acting like a hot shot when they can't afford to,

Mr Spade....

Living on my budget is certainly not " a competition " lol and i can assure you ( and our viewers ) that i don't " swan about all day with my nose pointing northwards " pretending to be " a hot shot " lol (quite the opposite may i add...) I am just a simple guy living a simple life here in Thailand.I love to walk everywhere and i just love train journeys.(as i dislike the roads) i could never go to places like " Starbucks " and buy a coffee when for the same money i can buy about 50 sachets of 3 in 1 coffee in Tesco Lotus ! ( " Buddy Dean " is a fabulous coffee.Have you tried it viewers...? )

F.J x

You are a nice guy but slip up when you start digging and turning your nose up at others who do decide to spend money (like buying a coffee or a movie ticket), and imply that those people are stupid or inferior to yourself, or at the very least uninformed of the viable or equal alternatives, as you'd have us believe. But more annoyingly Why do you keep using quotation marks like "Starbucks" and "a hot shot", who exactly are you quoting?

And you can't compare Starbucks which is real barista coffee, to instant crap, no way. (not saying Starbucks it is the best, far from but it certainly is far superior to any instant stuff, and I've been enjoying it for years as it's easily available in asia and keeps me going during my long days at work)

[canarysun]

canarysun, are you living on a budget as you literally have no extra money or do you choose to live like this?

I've met various types of farangs in Thailand.

Those who have money but don't like to spend it and have got stuck in a race to the bottom to see just how cheap they can be like it's some sort of competition, the only person they are competing with is themselves however.

And I've met those who are pretty broke and can't afford to do anything other than scrimp and save every last baht.

Then there's are those who don't have much money but like to large it up and throw the cash about acting like a hot shot when they can't afford to,

Mr Spade....

Living on my budget is certainly not " a competition " lol and i can assure you ( and our viewers ) that i don't " swan about all day with my nose pointing northwards " pretending to be " a hot shot " lol (quite the opposite may i add...) I am just a simple guy living a simple life here in Thailand.I love to walk everywhere and i just love train journeys.(as i dislike the roads) i could never go to places like " Starbucks " and buy a coffee when for the same money i can buy about 50 sachets of 3 in 1 coffee in Tesco Lotus ! ( " Buddy Dean " is a fabulous coffee.Have you tried it viewers...? )

F.J x

You are a nice guy but slip up when you start digging and turning your nose up at others who do decide to spend money (like buying a coffee or a movie ticket), and imply that those people are stupid or inferior to yourself, or at the very least uninformed of the viable or equal alternatives, as you'd have us believe. But more annoyingly Why do you keep using quotation marks like "Starbucks" and "a hot shot", who exactly are you quoting?

And you can't compare Starbucks which is real barista coffee, to instant crap, no way. (not saying Starbucks it is the best, far from but it certainly is far superior to any instant stuff, and I've been enjoying it for years as it's easily available in asia and keeps me going during my long days at work)

I can assure you ( and our viewers ) that I am the last person to think that I am superior! I am just a simple ordinary guy (although slightly nuts..) living a simple life and don't take myself or life very seriously ( if anything most of yourselves on here are far more superior than myself. And on that note viewers I am off to the beach armed with " seasonal fruit " & cool tunes from Paul Carrack.......

God Bless You All x

[IMA_FARANG]

I am an "old guy". Retired in Bangkok.

I have a U.S. monthly pension.

I live in a residence that is a "partial service" apartment ..... which means I get a once a week cleaning service.

I have 80 channel cable and free wifi internet access.

Air conditioning, laundry service, modern rooms and new furniture.

Restaurant downstairs, but food not included in my contract.

Sauna and fitness room downstairs on 2nd floor.

No pool however.

I have a 3 month renewing contract with 16,000 Baht a month payable in advance.

That works out to roughly slightly over $500 monthly, depending on exchange rate.

Let's call it between $6000 and $7000 a year, and throw in another $200 a month for 'extras".

That's a little more more than your $8000 annually, but it is a good life...... I don't want to get by on less.

I'm satisfied.

[canarysun]

I am an "old guy". Retired in Bangkok.

I have a U.S. monthly pension.

I live in a residence that is a "partial service" apartment ..... which means I get a once a week cleaning service.

I have 80 channel cable and free wifi internet access.

Air conditioning, laundry service, modern rooms and new furniture.

Restaurant downstairs, but food not included in my contract.

Sauna and fitness room downstairs on 2nd floor.

No pool however.

I have a 3 month renewing contract with 16,000 Baht a month payable in advance.

That works out to roughly slightly over $500 monthly, depending on exchange rate.

Let's call it between $6000 and $7000 a year, and throw in another $200 a month for 'extras".

That's a little more more than your $8000 annually, but it is a good life...... I don't want to get by on less.

I'm satisfied.

Now when you say you are an " old guy " do you mean you look a bit like " George Burns " ......? ( a legend ) oh and would you drink a " Starbucks Coffee " or a " Buddy Dean coffee" ?

Great Choice of Location I just love Bangkok its a fab place !!

[JThai]

Intresting topic. I'm here now spending 20K on serviced hotel room a short walk to Asok station. No kitchen, but fridge and microwave. I'm quite happy with it actually, great aircon, internet, tv, cleaning 2 times a week, modern set up, and very quiet, includes all utilities. That's about $625 a month. I saw cheaper places online but I was unsure how much power and water would really be used (they usually aren't included) and pretty far from BTS.

I am a digital normad and money is not really an issue but I'm also paying for my place in the Philippines. I can afford anything but I enjoy getting the best deal possible to live in my required level of comfort: safe, great internet, aircon 24/7 , and walking distance to BTS.

The problem is that I'm only spending 2 to 3 months here at a time. Are good deals still to be found for short term stays like that?

[canarysun]

Intresting topic. I'm here now spending 20K on serviced hotel room a short walk to Asok station. No kitchen, but fridge and microwave. I'm quite happy with it actually, great aircon, internet, tv, cleaning 2 times a week, modern set up, and very quiet, includes all utilities. That's about $625 a month. I saw cheaper places online but I was unsure how much power and water would really be used (they usually aren't included) and pretty far from BTS.

I am a digital normad and money is not really an issue but I'm also paying for my place in the Philippines. I can afford anything but I enjoy getting the best deal possible to live in my required level of comfort: safe, great internet, aircon 24/7 , and walking distance to BTS.

The problem is that I'm only spending 2 to 3 months here at a time. Are good deals still to be found for short term stays like that?

20,000 Thai Baht for one months rent in Bangkok!!!?? That's almost what i pay for a " whole year " where i live! lol ( although you do have a fridge and i do not....)

I have seen a few " serviced apartments " advertised around Bangkok from around 4 to 5,000 baht a month.I have know idea what they are like ( probably quite small ) I would say that booking a 3 month rent on line is probably not the best way but for sure it's the most expensive!! ( jing jing )

I guess it must be " an amazing fridge " ! ( just kidding...)

F.J

[mrtoad]

Canary, i think you are being ripped off. Heard a bloke earlier say he can live on 4k a month. You are far to extravagent.

[rgs2001uk]

Canary, i think you are being ripped off. Heard a bloke earlier say he can live on 4k a month. You are far to extravagent.

Must be one of these boasting digital nomad types.

Get a room at HappyLand Market, 1,000 baht per month.

Food, 100 baht per day, sticky rice and grilled pork for breakfast, 20 baht, lunch, guay tiaw (with free water, self service) 30 baht, night time, kaow man gai, 30 baht, leaves 20 baht a day to cover such expenses as haircuts, new clothes, root canal treatment, visa runs, taxis, or wait for the big red #60 free gov't bus.

Pension plan and retirement savings are another matter.

Please send details of your daily schedule, including green fees, snooker room fees, massage fees, haircut fees.

Signed, ee cha.

[joecoolfrog]

Canary has got his retirement fund sorted , he collects the stamps from Seven !