cost of living in Thailand

[slippery when wet]

Hi all.

I lived in Thailand a while ago for 5 years but now wish to return.

I know that prices have invreased somewhat so could you please give me a rough idea of costs pls.

2 bed townhouse/bungalow in either Chaing Mai.or Hua Hin

Food for 1 adult and 2 children ages 7 and 11 eating mostly thai food.

Hire of car

Thank you

[CharlieH]

You dont mention for how long ? that will influence "car hire" and could influence rental of a property

[slippery when wet]

Considering permanent move so 6 months + renewable rental.

[CharlieH]

Wouldnt it be better to consider buying a car than renting one for that length of time ?

Also suggest browsing Thaivisa property section for indication of costs in your chosen areas.

http://property.thaivisa.com/

[beachproperty]

try this site in addition to those suggestions by CharlieH

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Thailand&city=Chiang+Mai

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Thailand&city=Hua+Hin

And for a comparison between the two:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Thailand&country2=Thailand&city1=Hua+Hin&city2=Chiang+Mai

[noise]

You could Google cost of living in Thailand and check what all comes up. This particular site offers insight in the the COL for Bangkok averages and range and may have links to other cities. COL

oh, should have read all the replies before posting; this was already covered.

[keeniau96]

The published COL is usually based on Western style expat living on company allowance, would be very different from what OP describes. For Thai style food for your family of 4 should be under 10k baht/month. That's going by our actual costs in Phuket for similar style and fam size, with most of the food buying done at the Makro but with stops at local open-air market several times a week. No beer or liquor included.

[impulse]

Wherever I go, there I are. I spend the same in BKK that I spent in Houston.

Strangely, it was pretty much what I spent in China, Wyoming, Corpus Christi, Midland, and California (adjusted for inflation over time, but not over distance).

In each place, it bought different stuff, different activities, and different real estate situations, but it ended up being close to the same $$$ overall.

Could I spend less? Absolutely. In any of those places. But that requires a different mentality on my part, and not a change in surroundings.

Best of luck. Keep in mind you can spend less- no matter where you settle.

[VIPinthailand]

to give you an idea:

hotel went up from 400 to 450 bahts a night

food went from 40 to 55

Mac Donald up to 20 Bahts for a big Mac menu

with the crisis, I have seen many offers. like 3 nights for 2 nights. and you can bargain for rent.

some hotel cost more like 100 bahts more but you got free Wi-Fi, better mattress,... they need farangs.

check booking. com

and you can fly for cheap. 2 ways in thailand for 2000 bahts. or even 1600 bahts. same as bus.

Wi-Fi is cheaper, dtac cheaper.... and plenty of good phone for 2000 bahts now available at 7/11

bus cheaper as fuel cost went down.

expect rent to go down as too many condo have been built these last 5 years.

[fey]

you were here 5 ears ago and you need to ask about food prices?

pretty much the same unless you are really puling out hairs. i that case just switch to a different dish or drink water.

[bobobo]

If You from Europe the costs has risen with about 25-30 %, because of the our currency has gone down .

Take from there..

[Happy Grumpy]

2 bed townhouse/bungalow in either Chaing Mai.or Hua Hin

Food for 1 adult and 2 children ages 7 and 11 eating mostly thai food.

Hire of car

Thank you

70k p/m could do it.

The kids are going to go to school for this 6 months, right?

100k p/m would better.

200k p/m better still.

[Happy Grumpy]

6 months of Thai food.

God help them. And you.

[JAS21]

Well here is a small example ... Eating in the Food Hall at Nong Wong Wan Mall .... I would say prices have gone up 50% at least in the last 7 years ... quite a rapid increase since the last government increased the min wage AND of course as someone said, in my case (in 7 years) the exchange rate has fallen from 72thb/1GBP to 50thb/1GBP ... so 'all in all' some increase.

Also hotel prices have gone up ... 7 years ago we paid about 2000thb to stay at the only 5* hotel in Cha am ... last week we had to pay 2700thb. And that sort of rise is common in many places in Thailand from my experience. I think High Season Prices has increased more, hence we spend a lot more time at home in the High Season

You will find things a lot more expensive since your last stay I think.

[slippery when wet]

I homeschool in the uk and will de doing the childrens Thailand...to be honest I'm responsible for my children's education.

[fey]

If You from Europe the costs has risen with about 25-30 %, because of the our currency has gone down .

Take from there..

The token exchange rate thread from the anally inclined.

Skip a coffee and the exchange rate argument goes out the window.

[CharlieH]

DO NOT cross post the same topic on multiple forums

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821913-cost-of-living-in-chaing-mai/

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