weekly Shopping Cost per person Thailand

[welshboy454]

2 years ago I seemed to be spending less than 1500 baht a week on the household shopping excluding meals out and takeaways. Shopping mostly in Makro or Big C or Tesco Lotus but mostly Makro. Now I seem to be spending 2500 baht a week but same locations. i have not seen a significant change in prices to account for it.

What do others spend ? To keep it simple an amount per person would be the best guide.

For us 4 adults 625 baht per person .

Many thanks

[siampolee]

We never worry about the cost of food or household and car and motorcycle running costs.

Shop at Lotus Tesco and Foodland as well as Villa, imported and local produce.

Live rich die poor

[Torrens54]

Two adults and one 14 year old (so you might as well say, 3 Adults)

You're right, a couple of years ago, it was less than 1,500 p/w and now it is well over 2,500 most weeks, sometimes even more.

Mainly shop (and always have) at Rimping and Makro. A bit at Tesco Lotus and a bit at Big C....but not a lot as Rimping has the best quality and oddly enough, quite a number of regular lines are a tad CHEAPER than at Makro.

Understand that CP now owns not only Big C, but also MAKRO and as of a couple of weeks ago, I am told they bought TESCO in Thailand. Haven't had that confirmed but if correct, don't expect much, if any COMPETITION on prices from now on between those three.

[thrilled]

Inflation.Things just keep on getting more expensive.Get use to it.Theres nothing you can do about it.Except do without.

Bite the bullet pull the wallet out.

[welshboy454]

Two adults and one 14 year old (so you might as well say, 3 Adults)

You're right, a couple of years ago, it was less than 1,500 p/w and now it is well over 2,500 most weeks, sometimes even more.

Mainly shop (and always have) at Rimping and Makro. A bit at Tesco Lotus and a bit at Big C....but not a lot as Rimping has the best quality and oddly enough, quite a number of regular lines are a tad CHEAPER than at Makro.

Understand that CP now owns not only Big C, but also MAKRO and as of a couple of weeks ago, I am told they bought TESCO in Thailand. Haven't had that confirmed but if correct, don't expect much, if any COMPETITION on prices from now on between those three.

Many thanks for a helpful informative sharing reply - that's what a forum is for.

[mihalis]

Come to Ausralia, and see, what cost per week are.. 2500 baht is nothing......

[catman20]

2 years ago I seemed to be spending less than 1500 baht a week on the household shopping excluding meals out and takeaways. Shopping mostly in Makro or Big C or Tesco Lotus but mostly Makro. Now I seem to be spending 2500 baht a week but same locations. i have not seen a significant change in prices to account for it.

What do others spend ? To keep it simple an amount per person would be the best guide.

For us 4 adults 625 baht per person .

Many thanks

I spend almost that much on a peace of imported steak for one meal

[blazes]

Notice how governments around the world tell us that there is no inflation, only deflation. Most of the food I buy (not LoS) has gone up 20% over the last two years (I buy exactly the same things over many many years).

I noticed that in my favourite LoS restaurant there was a 20% increase in prices between 2011 and 2012. If I go to Agoda and look at the prices of rooms in a hotel I stayed at in Hua Hin last March, I see that the price has gone up from $150 to $220 per night.

I would love to think that the nong nong were getting excellent wage increases, but I very very much doubt that.

[Anthony5]

Now I seem to be spending 2500 baht a week but same locations. i have not seen a significant change in prices to account for it.

If that is so they must be cheating you at the check out.

I suggest you look a bit closer, unless you consider minced beef 210 >275 Baht and Chicken breast 80 >110Baht, just to name 2 examples at Makro, not a prices rise.

[Anthony5]

Two adults and one 14 year old (so you might as well say, 3 Adults)

You're right, a couple of years ago, it was less than 1,500 p/w and now it is well over 2,500 most weeks, sometimes even more.

Mainly shop (and always have) at Rimping and Makro. A bit at Tesco Lotus and a bit at Big C....but not a lot as Rimping has the best quality and oddly enough, quite a number of regular lines are a tad CHEAPER than at Makro.

Understand that CP now owns not only Big C, but also MAKRO and as of a couple of weeks ago, I am told they bought TESCO in Thailand. Haven't had that confirmed but if correct, don't expect much, if any COMPETITION on prices from now on between those three.

You should change your information sources, because neither Big C nor Tesco are owned by CP.

[elliottm]

300bt pp/pw

(me 200bt at CJs, wife 400bt at local market)

Edited December 11, 2014 by elliottm

[arnestockholm]

Round about 10.000 THB per week for 2 person at food land. More expensive than in my home country but it was never cheaper in the past 3 years so no big change. But all the claims that to live in Thailand is cheap isn't true for me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GAZZPA]

Two adults and one 14 year old (so you might as well say, 3 Adults)

You're right, a couple of years ago, it was less than 1,500 p/w and now it is well over 2,500 most weeks, sometimes even more.

Mainly shop (and always have) at Rimping and Makro. A bit at Tesco Lotus and a bit at Big C....but not a lot as Rimping has the best quality and oddly enough, quite a number of regular lines are a tad CHEAPER than at Makro.

Understand that CP now owns not only Big C, but also MAKRO and as of a couple of weeks ago, I am told they bought TESCO in Thailand. Haven't had that confirmed but if correct, don't expect much, if any COMPETITION on prices from now on between those three.

CP do indeed own Makro but I thought Big C was owned by Casino Group in France,, also they certainly do not own Tesco, this was just a silly rumour spread i Thailand after Tesco announced their difficulties.

For pricing I have always four Makro to be the best value on staple stuff,

s

[welshboy454]

300bt pp/pw

(me 200bt at CJs, wife 400bt at local market)

Many thanks for sharing your information- exactly the kind of info asked for

Edited December 11, 2014 by welshboy454

[BigBadGeordie]

Monthly shop at Makro around 3/3.5K, BigC around 2/2.5K, local markets around 1K. Family of 4 adults.

[maybefitz]

I agree, about 2,500 a week at Makro or Tesco. Yes, it is up from a few years ago, but a factor in my experience is that my purchases have changed. I now go for more expensive stuff - salmon, steaks, big prawns, and recently Lamb (which is very expensive in Thailand). Related to this factor is my dear wife is taking to western foods more, particularly likes the salmon, and excellent sausages from Makro. I still buy fruit and veg at the local market and that is still a good deal.

[hansnl]

Two adults and one 14 year old (so you might as well say, 3 Adults)

You're right, a couple of years ago, it was less than 1,500 p/w and now it is well over 2,500 most weeks, sometimes even more.

Mainly shop (and always have) at Rimping and Makro. A bit at Tesco Lotus and a bit at Big C....but not a lot as Rimping has the best quality and oddly enough, quite a number of regular lines are a tad CHEAPER than at Makro.

Understand that CP now owns not only Big C, but also MAKRO and as of a couple of weeks ago, I am told they bought TESCO in Thailand. Haven't had that confirmed but if correct, don't expect much, if any COMPETITION on prices from now on between those three.

Many thanks for a helpful informative sharing reply - that's what a forum is for.

CP owns 7/11, Big C (including Carrefour), Makro, and is trying to but Tesco Thailand.

Quite frightening.

Any competition will go down the drain if Tesco will also become CP-owned.

Do count on price raising on a unbelievable scale!

Privately spending around 16000 baht a month for food, 6-person family.

Business (restaurant) another 25000 baht.

Buy in Makro, Tesco, Big C, and in the local markets

Edited December 11, 2014 by hansnl

[Mudcrab]

Notice how governments around the world tell us that there is no inflation, only deflation. Most of the food I buy (not LoS) has gone up 20% over the last two years (I buy exactly the same things over many many years).

I noticed that in my favourite LoS restaurant there was a 20% increase in prices between 2011 and 2012. If I go to Agoda and look at the prices of rooms in a hotel I stayed at in Hua Hin last March, I see that the price has gone up from $150 to $220 per night.

I would love to think that the nong nong were getting excellent wage increases, but I very very much doubt that.

please explain the "nong nong " reference, thanks

[siampolee]

Mudcrab post # 18

please explain the "nong nong " reference, thanks

Any help below?

Random insult used by children.

"Stupid-head Dumb-head Nong-nong"

[smotherb]

Round about 10.000 THB per week for 2 person at food land. More expensive than in my home country but it was never cheaper in the past 3 years so no big change. But all the claims that to live in Thailand is cheap isn't true for me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, but I'll wager you buy what you want, many Western foods, and don't specifically look for sales or select the cheapest items. My wife and I shop like that. The OPs claim of B625/week for food would not buy my breakfast for a week. However, I do find Thailand cheaper than the States or the Philippines--of course, I buy similar things in all places and go out for meals roughly a third of the time.

[asdecas]

Round about 10.000 THB per week for 2 person at food land. More expensive than in my home country but it was never cheaper in the past 3 years so no big change. But all the claims that to live in Thailand is cheap isn't true for me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does anyone claim that any more? All I hear is people moaning how expensive it has become.

As for me, due to unforeseen but temporary circumstances, I am eating well on around 100-120 Baht a day presently. It's a minor but salutary sacrifice to go without the occasional British breakfast, but hey, just pretend it's farang Lent.

Beer, of course is another matter, not so easily disposed of.

[blazes]

Notice how governments around the world tell us that there is no inflation, only deflation. Most of the food I buy (not LoS) has gone up 20% over the last two years (I buy exactly the same things over many many years).

I noticed that in my favourite LoS restaurant there was a 20% increase in prices between 2011 and 2012. If I go to Agoda and look at the prices of rooms in a hotel I stayed at in Hua Hin last March, I see that the price has gone up from $150 to $220 per night.

I would love to think that the nong nong were getting excellent wage increases, but I very very much doubt that.

please explain the "nong nong " reference, thanks

"nong" is how you address a worker in (maybe) a store.....nong-ka or nong-kap.

I used it to mean "worker" in general and certainly not as a child might use it ....

[spartanmatt]

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Round about 10.000 THB per week for 2 person at food land. More expensive than in my home country but it was never cheaper in the past 3 years so no big change. But all the claims that to live in Thailand is cheap isn't true for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does anyone claim that any more? All I hear is people moaning how expensive it has become.

As for me, due to unforeseen but temporary circumstances, I am eating well on around 100-120 Baht a day presently. It's a minor but salutary sacrifice to go without the occasional British breakfast, but hey, just pretend it's farang Lent.

Beer, of course is another matter, not so easily disposed of.

People moan about prizes in Thailand couse its truth, Simple calculations after arriving in thailand and i know that what i was reading about thailand cheap country to live is not as cheap as i thought.

Im from europe u can make cheaper shopping and better quality on everything in eastern parts of EU.
I totally agree is not cheap to live here. It became normall.
I used to live in Sweden so i know exacly what astockholm talks about

answering question.... 1500 per week 2 persons in Phuket. This is only neccassary things just to be here.

[Anthony5]

Two adults and one 14 year old (so you might as well say, 3 Adults)

You're right, a couple of years ago, it was less than 1,500 p/w and now it is well over 2,500 most weeks, sometimes even more.

Mainly shop (and always have) at Rimping and Makro. A bit at Tesco Lotus and a bit at Big C....but not a lot as Rimping has the best quality and oddly enough, quite a number of regular lines are a tad CHEAPER than at Makro.

Understand that CP now owns not only Big C, but also MAKRO and as of a couple of weeks ago, I am told they bought TESCO in Thailand. Haven't had that confirmed but if correct, don't expect much, if any COMPETITION on prices from now on between those three.

Many thanks for a helpful informative sharing reply - that's what a forum is for.

CP owns 7/11, Big C (including Carrefour), Makro, and is trying to but Tesco Thailand.

Quite frightening.

Any competition will go down the drain if Tesco will also become CP-owned.

Do count on price raising on a unbelievable scale!

Privately spending around 16000 baht a month for food, 6-person family.

Business (restaurant) another 25000 baht.

Buy in Makro, Tesco, Big C, and in the local markets

Carrefour has nothing to do with Big C nor CP. Carrefour is French and not present in Thailand for many years, since it was purchased by Big C.

Big C is owned by the Group Casino, which is also French and who bought it from Central, which of course also has nothing to do with CP.

Lotus was once a joint venture between Tesco and CP, but CP sold its share after the 1997 crisis, and has recently said that it would be interested IF it was for sale, which currently it isn't.

Do you guys just dream up some info or are you really that ill informed?

[ozyjon]

I buy enough food for us (a couple) then a bit more for mum, few more snacks for young brother and sister, a bit more for grandfather and grandmother, this is actually our food but the family just seem to help themselves to our food so i had to get extra,, i wonder how they are doing now that i have left..

As for me,,, Live rich die poor is good advice, i must start to learn.

[phutoie2]

Well there is no Big C, Makro , or Tesco in this town, nearest over 100 km away and we seem to manage OK. Anyway shopping is the wife's job. I have more important things to do, golf, fishing, walking the dog.

yours

Victor

[cgphuket]

2 adults, 1 15-y/o and 1 3-y/o, we spend about 1500 a week on food and household items (soap, garbage bags, etc) combined. My wife shops more at the local markets for the food and we mostly eat Thai food. I find anything imported, even if bought at Big C, is what jacks up the food budget.

[welshboy454]

2 adults, 1 15-y/o and 1 3-y/o, we spend about 1500 a week on food and household items (soap, garbage bags, etc) combined. My wife shops more at the local markets for the food and we mostly eat Thai food. I find anything imported, even if bought at Big C, is what jacks up the food budget.

Many thanks for an on topic informative post

[ThePlant]

I take it you mean 'Grocery Shopping' here, as opposed to the several hundredweight of garbage my missus can come home with filling the car from a Saturday out with her pals?

We tend to do ours monthly now as I despise it. For the basics (rice, pasta, coffee, meat, local booze, household items etc.) we tend to stick to one of the big Thai places such as Lotus or Big C and fill up. Then we do a 'round' of the smaller places; TOPS, Villa, Foodland, Paragon, Chitlom, Bunter's for luxury items "western meats, Deli goods, Imported goods, frozen foods and so on. We're lucky to have a decent fresh market just over the road so now tend to just get our veg and fruit from there as and when needed.

This month we did a tot up and it was a bit of a shock at nearly 30,000B for the two of us but then I like my creature comforts (frozen pizza, frozen ready meals, tinned stuff etc) as I work from home mainly now, and just don't have time or the inclination for cooking every meal time nor can I handle our housekeeper's fiery Thai dishes.

The main point is that we bought a big chest freezer last month which is currently full to bursting. There is no way I'll/we'll empty it this month so (hopefully) next month's shopping bill will be way down on this month's. Adittionally with the festive season upon us as well as Father's Day when we had a bit of a bash at the house, plus are/were expecting a fair few house guests so also bought a shedload of booze including a lot of Imported Wine, Cider, Beers which also pushed the bill up considerably. I'd reckon next month's won't/shouldn't break the 10,000B mark...

I hope that was dull enough?

[carter1882]

I think one of the main problems in supermarket shopping in Thailand is the lack of competition. If you look at what is going on in the UK it is a constant and vicious price war that favours the consumer. So many things there are virtual loss leaders to get people in the store and savvy shopping really saves money. One thing i have learnt about meat and veg shopping though is that places like Big C and Makro are usually much cheaper for many items and it would only be worth going to fresh Thai markets for things that are unavailable there. It always makes me smile when people still insist that the local market is cheaper, displaying what they think is local knowledge. The reality is the vendors at the markets need to engage in the price war themselves. This may result in their extinction but they will go under anyway if they don't do something. My shopping bill is about 800 to 1000 baht per person per week. A little bit less recently because my fridges are so full of food i bought on my most recent really big supermarket shop...at Lidl's in London!