Cost of Living in Thailand: How I Spend ฿74,031.83 Every Month

[55Jay]

real men don't wait money from their nanny state.

real men don't go every month to ATM to see if their money arrived.

real men works and still make money.

real men invest

real men help others and donate.

real men live simply.

real men are happy with what they have

real men don't need to buy the latest electronic gadget

real men don't need to buy ladies.

real men don't have face book account to brag.

real men don't need 3 flat screen TV , air con in each room and house.

real men don't say " I need 70k bahts to live in Thailand"

are you a real man?

Is your girl friend a real man like you?

[jadee]

The problem with being an expat for many people is that incomes are not increasing, best scenario in most cases is a steady pension.

If you have not knocked the living large bug yet, it only gets bigger over time. We all know the mansion your in now seems small in a couple years. You keep justifying the upgrade and eventually get wiped out as you get closer to the cliff.

I think thats why you get many skint older foreigners here, who never adapted lifestyle from when they were working at home.

That's a great point, I agree. I often think these 'cost-of-living' articles are pointless, ie one person's income is another person's beer fund. However, I read the guy's blog post on his website and his main point is that you only keep control of things by measuring them. This applies to everyone, no matter their income.

[JAFO]

real men don't wait money from their nanny state.

real men don't go every month to ATM to see if their money arrived.

real men works and still make money.

real men invest

real men help others and donate.

real men live simply.

real men are happy with what they have

real men don't need to buy the latest electronic gadget

real men don't need to buy ladies.

real men don't have face book account to brag.

real men don't need 3 flat screen TV , air con in each room and house.

real men don't say " I need 70k bahts to live in Thailand"

are you a real man?

Honestly, what does any of that nonsense posted above have to do with being a Man? I couldn't stop laughing. Some of the specific references were comical, 3 TV's, electronic gadgets, etc but then the comment of "Real men are happy with what they have" so if they have 3 TV's and all the electronic gadgets and are happy they aren't real men? Man I am confused now. So VIPinThailand help us out....if "Real men are happy with what they have"...what is it that they have? . A list would be cool so we all know....

I have to say, there are a few that post that have an extremely skewed view on things....Thanks for the Laugh however.

[Cypress Hill]

VIP's skint in Thailand

[fey]

real men don't wait money from their nanny state.

real men don't go every month to ATM to see if their money arrived.

real men works and still make money.

real men invest

real men help others and donate.

real men live simply.

real men are happy with what they have

real men don't need to buy the latest electronic gadget

real men don't need to buy ladies.

real men don't have face book account to brag.

real men don't need 3 flat screen TV , air con in each room and house.

real men don't say " I need 70k bahts to live in Thailand"

are you a real man?

Honestly, what does any of that nonsense posted above have to do with being a Man? I couldn't stop laughing. Some of the specific references were comical, 3 TV's, electronic gadgets, etc but then the comment of "Real men are happy with what they have" so if they have 3 TV's and all the electronic gadgets and are happy they aren't real men? Man I am confused now. So VIPinThailand help us out....if "Real men are happy with what they have"...what is it that they have? . A list would be cool so we all know....

I have to say, there are a few that post that have an extremely skewed view on things....Thanks for the Laugh however.

It's basically a long winded version of my philosophy which is only takes a couple sentences (makes it easier to bring up in casual convo):

A man is getting off of matter what he's doing. He could be enjoying a fine red wine in a stately boardroom, negotiating a new international business deal on an analog cell phone, banging the domestic help, or even getting off...

Point is, it does not matter what he's doing, what circumstances he's in, or what others think, he's always getting off and comming nk matter what he's doing.

---

Hope that helps you in some way. Keep cackling at yourself.

[JAFO]

real men don't wait money from their nanny state.

real men don't go every month to ATM to see if their money arrived.

real men works and still make money.

real men invest

real men help others and donate.

real men live simply.

real men are happy with what they have

real men don't need to buy the latest electronic gadget

real men don't need to buy ladies.

real men don't have face book account to brag.

real men don't need 3 flat screen TV , air con in each room and house.

real men don't say " I need 70k bahts to live in Thailand"

are you a real man?

Honestly, what does any of that nonsense posted above have to do with being a Man? I couldn't stop laughing. Some of the specific references were comical, 3 TV's, electronic gadgets, etc but then the comment of "Real men are happy with what they have" so if they have 3 TV's and all the electronic gadgets and are happy they aren't real men? Man I am confused now. So VIPinThailand help us out....if "Real men are happy with what they have"...what is it that they have? . A list would be cool so we all know....

I have to say, there are a few that post that have an extremely skewed view on things....Thanks for the Laugh however.

It's basically a long winded version of my philosophy which is only takes a couple sentences (makes it easier to bring up in casual convo):

A man is getting off of matter what he's doing. He could be enjoying a fine red wine in a stately boardroom, negotiating a new international business deal on an analog cell phone, banging the domestic help, or even getting off...

Point is, it does not matter what he's doing, what circumstances he's in, or what others think, he's always getting off and comming nk matter what he's doing.

---

Hope that helps you in some way. Keep cackling at yourself.

Your posted response makes absolutely no sense.

Let me re read it.......Hold on......

Nope...still do not get it.

All good.

[VIPinthailand]

real men are happy with what they have.

usually people are never happy with that they have.

many want always more and more... this is why their garage is filled up with junks.

if you are happy with your 3 flat screen TV, that s fine.

you won't need a home theater in your basement with 7 Dolby surrounded speakers...

[Don Mega]

real men are happy with what they have.

usually people are never happy with that they have.

many want always more and more... this is why their garage is filled up with junks.

if you are happy with your 3 flat screen TV, that s fine.

you won't need a home theater in your basement with 7 Dolby surrounded speakers...

but you said if I have 3 flatscreens iam not a man.

iam now confused.

[namello]

74k = $2k usd ???

I'd be looking for a job.

Why's that?

[JAFO]

real men are happy with what they have.

usually people are never happy with that they have.

many want always more and more... this is why their garage is filled up with junks.

if you are happy with your 3 flat screen TV, that s fine.

you won't need a home theater in your basement with 7 Dolby surrounded speakers...

but you said if I have 3 flatscreens iam not a man.

iam now confused.

@ Don Mega. VIP is clearly mixing up what I would say are 3 entirely different points of view and doesn't realize it. Being a man, having material things and being happy are three separate discussions and yet some how he has tied them together to state if you have material things you are not a real man and not happy or the only way to be a real man is to live with less. I too, am confused.

I will go as far to say I agree that generally speaking people(Especially from the west) seem to link happiness to material items they have amassed. But I think that is really more of an outward tool to show some level of success. Some use it to make others envious. But that only plays out if you are boasting about it.

I guess one could assume that VIPinthailand has very little and is happy thus making him a real man while the rest of us are only kidding ourselves.. Interesting though. I want to know why he believes he is a VIP in Thailand? How did that come about and how does that fit in to the Real Man theory

[Smurkster]

I have always been lucky in the sense that I don't covet material possessions. Travel, good food, some other unmentionables are where my money would go but new car, flat screen, the newest of the new? Nah...dont need it

[tonray]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

[thaibeachlovers]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

[DavisH]

Definitely prices have increased a lot over the last 10-15 years. Petrol and food especially. One can still live cheaply here but it's not so easy and a lot of luxuries need to be sacrificed. The big problem is that salaries have not increased much over that period, especially for foreign teachers. That is one reason why a lot of foreigners do not come here to work. 25K baht 15 years ago was OK, but that's just not a livable wage here anymore, especially in Bangkok. I would say to have a decent life in Bangkok, you would need at least 75-100K a month now, especially if you have a family/mortgage on a large house/car repayments/schooling, etc.

[Don Mega]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

I dont think the food and commuting monies there are over the top.

My average spend at foodland every week is Bt.4000, half of which is not food so lets call that Bt8666 per month for food. my commute (in my car) to work averages out at Bt7000 per month once fuel/insurance/rego/maintenance costs are figured in.

[bkksteve123]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

I dont think the food and commuting monies there are over the top.

My average spend at foodland every week is Bt.4000, half of which is not food so lets call that Bt8666 per month for food. my commute (in my car) to work averages out at Bt7000 per month once fuel/insurance/rego/maintenance costs are figured in.

I agree, but the food budget is tight at 233baht per day, meaning basically 3 street food meals a day, plus some snacks here and there. Totally liveable though and I too would be fine with it.

Commuting can be expensive in Bangkok. It's easy to spend 100-150 baht per day even if you use public transport. This guy spend 140 baht per day on average, realistic if your commute consists of e.g. motorbike + MRT/BTS + motorbike.

Here's my monthly spend:

Rent: 6.600

Utilities: 1.500

Phone: 300

Internet: 500

Food: 12.000

Transport: 4.000

Miscellaneous (drinking, cinema, shopping, weekend trips etc): 20.000

So if I really wanted to, I could easily cut most of the miscellaneous and live on less than 30k, but I don't want to

[tonray]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

Food is a challenge...street food meals are fine...also cook in a couple days. Not unhealthy but a couple of scrips per month (BP meds etc) and doctor/dentist fees add up....some months yes...but err budgetwise on the high side. Yes closer to work or taking the bus is an option. Sundries: soap, toilet paper, etc, deodorant, shaving, etc etc.....and again remember much of the $6400 is used to dine out also...so not starving at all and get to sit down and eat. No western food for the most part is the big savings in food.

[55Jay]

real men are happy with what they have.

usually people are never happy with that they have.

many want always more and more... this is why their garage is filled up with junks.

if you are happy with your 3 flat screen TV, that s fine.

you won't need a home theater in your basement with 7 Dolby surrounded speakers...

but you said if I have 3 flatscreens iam not a man.

iam now confused.

@ Don Mega. VIP is clearly mixing up what I would say are 3 entirely different points of view and doesn't realize it. Being a man, having material things and being happy are three separate discussions and yet some how he has tied them together to state if you have material things you are not a real man and not happy or the only way to be a real man is to live with less. I too, am confused.

I will go as far to say I agree that generally speaking people(Especially from the west) seem to link happiness to material items they have amassed. But I think that is really more of an outward tool to show some level of success. Some use it to make others envious. But that only plays out if you are boasting about it.

I guess one could assume that VIPinthailand has very little and is happy thus making him a real man while the rest of us are only kidding ourselves.. Interesting though. I want to know why he believes he is a VIP in Thailand? How did that come about and how does that fit in to the Real Man theory

He tries to convince himself he's happy by telling others they aren't.

[jpb1963]

i have never eaten western food in thailand but i take it that it is quite expensive from the comments above - just curious i had a penchant for a kebab the other day but ended up with somtam and something else.

if one were to consider western food where would be a good place - jomtien/pattaya/lake mabrachan?

[tonray]

i have never eaten western food in thailand but i take it that it is quite expensive from the comments above - just curious i had a penchant for a kebab the other day but ended up with somtam and something else.

if one were to consider western food where would be a good place - jomtien/pattaya/lake mabrachan?

Ha ha...I meant food from western countries....USA/UK/EuroZone.....

[thaibeachlovers]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

Food is a challenge...street food meals are fine...also cook in a couple days. Not unhealthy but a couple of scrips per month (BP meds etc) and doctor/dentist fees add up....some months yes...but err budgetwise on the high side. Yes closer to work or taking the bus is an option. Sundries: soap, toilet paper, etc, deodorant, shaving, etc etc.....and again remember much of the $6400 is used to dine out also...so not starving at all and get to sit down and eat. No western food for the most part is the big savings in food.

Streetfood!!!! I take it you mean baht, not the $ that you have used for your budget. Makes a vast difference.

[tonray]

Income : 33k Per Month

rent: 32 Sq Mtr Studio: $6000

WIFI: 400

Phone: 200

Food: $7000

Health insurance: $4800 (Bupa Platinum)

Commuting: $4200

Utilities: $ 500

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

Total: $26,600 Leaving $6400 for savings/emergencies/dates...whatever

Real numbers.....male late 50's

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

Food is a challenge...street food meals are fine...also cook in a couple days. Not unhealthy but a couple of scrips per month (BP meds etc) and doctor/dentist fees add up....some months yes...but err budgetwise on the high side. Yes closer to work or taking the bus is an option. Sundries: soap, toilet paper, etc, deodorant, shaving, etc etc.....and again remember much of the $6400 is used to dine out also...so not starving at all and get to sit down and eat. No western food for the most part is the big savings in food.

Streetfood!!!! I take it you mean baht, not the $ that you have used for your budget. Makes a vast difference.

Yes...I don't have the baht symbol.....

[thaibeachlovers]

Food: $7000

Commuting: $4200

Sundries: $1500

Pharmacy/Clinic: $2000

My mind is boggled at your food bill. Otherwise, you spend an awful lot commuting ( ever considered living closer to work? ), on sundries ( whatever they may be ) and you must be extraordinarily unhealthy to spend that much on drugs and Drs per month. That's way more than I spend on them in a year, and you do have health insurance.

Food is a challenge...street food meals are fine...also cook in a couple days. Not unhealthy but a couple of scrips per month (BP meds etc) and doctor/dentist fees add up....some months yes...but err budgetwise on the high side. Yes closer to work or taking the bus is an option. Sundries: soap, toilet paper, etc, deodorant, shaving, etc etc.....and again remember much of the $6400 is used to dine out also...so not starving at all and get to sit down and eat. No western food for the most part is the big savings in food.

Streetfood!!!! I take it you mean baht, not the $ that you have used for your budget. Makes a vast difference.

Yes...I don't have the baht symbol.....

Then write baht. We aren't psychic and don't know you meant baht when using the $ symbol.

[tonray]

Streetfood!!!! I take it you mean baht, not the $ that you have used for your budget. Makes a vast difference.

Food: $

Yes...I don't have the baht symbol.....

Then write baht. We aren't psychic and don't know you meant baht when using the $ symbol.

Must be a slow day for someone to worry about nonsense. Have a good day and don't let your shorts ride up so far up your crack next time.

[Gary A]

It cost me several million baht to get where I am. Everything is paid for. I have a condo in Jomtien that sits empty and waits for me when I need a break from upcountry life. I live with my Thai wife in a rather small but westernized two bedroom house in Loei province. I have everything I want including the latest electronic toys. I'm basically a country boy and do not enjoy fancy restaurants. If I have to dress up to go somewhere, I don't want to go. I give my wife 30,000 baht every month. She pays all the utilities, my Internet, buys all our clothes, all the food, my cigarettes and household items. She is a good cook and we eat well. She doesn't pay my bar bills. I go out a couple times a week and drink beer with my farang friends. My night out usually consists of drinking three large bottles of beer at 60 baht each. The night out costs me 180 baht plus 20 baht for a tip. My getaways to the condo are much more expensive but not extravagant. I'd have to go absolutely crazy wild to spend 75,000 a month. I don't scrimp on anything and would never consider following a budget. I do have a healthy surplus from a small pension and Social Security and do pay for the big ticket items. In fact, I just bought a new truck and paid cash.

[Goldbear]

I really like the cost of living threads. It's interesting to see everyone's perspective.

We are all unique and have unique circumstances.

And prices have certainly gone up significantly where I live, too. It's not just Thailand where prices have gone up in the last 10-15 years.

For example, I rent a room in a house in the SF North Bay area (California) for $1,050 a month (37,317 baht at today's exchange rate). And it's just a normal sized bedroom. Nothing fancy but in a decent neighborhood. I think that's ridiculous but that's what they are going for. And that's much more than what anyone was paying ten years ago for the same thing. And no, my wages have not gone up proportionally.

I am not retired yet but it is happening soon.

Take care everyone. Thanks for all of your posts. Like I said, it's very interesting.

[JAFO]

I dug up some numbers from my files back in 2008 living in BKK. I lived there for nearly 5 years;

8,900. Rent (condo including free internet and just dish local Thai TV)

~300 Utilities ( Never used AC, was on 16th floor and left sliding glass door open at night)

600 Gas for motorcycle( not a scooter, would go riding when I felt like it)

~4000-5000 ( I routinely ate where my now wife worked for free)

~5,000 Transportation ( Cabs, mototaxi or bus's)

300 for tele

2500- 3,000 entertainment ( Movies, bowling, Swensen's etc)

500 Hygiene supplies

Things I did not have

No Med insurance

No Medical costs

No Motorcycle insurance

Rounding up and using the highest range I spent around 24,000 bht a month and I was living quite comfortably. My condo had a pool and a modest weight room. I never sat around and said "Man I live like a pauper" or felt like I was going without. Sure there were months where I would go travel north or south for a week and spend say 10k baht but I usually took one of those throw down nice bus's or drove the GF's car and stayed in condos she booked under her name so "No foreigner" fees. Being honest I did not have a constrained budget i could have spent way more but that was just what I spent to live and relax. There were months where I spent 50,000 baht total but those were special event deals where we went off and did something.

5 years later my Wife and I built a house in northern Thailand and its paid in full like our car. My monthly costs are near the same as condo life in BKK except most is spent on utilities, auto insurance, gas going places. Food is cheap and we typically eat at home. We grow most of things we like on the 3 rai we have.

Couple of notes, I met a few foreigners in my travels who's living cost are well over 100k baht. They drink a lot (Not Leo but top shelf liquor), they party, buy up girls on weekends, live in very large condo's near the Chaoprya river. That was never my scene but as I always say, whatever works.

Back to the OP, at 74K baht if paying attention, a person can live very very comfortably and by some US city standards that's a smoking deal compared to what one gets. Also in reference to the OP stating its not so cheap to live in Thailand, Rent for a Condo in any major US city it will cost you 75k baht by itself. Toss in TV, internet, entertainment, food, eating out and that number hits 150K baht a month and you really haven't done much. Add in a car payment and auto insurance you are clipping 225K baht or more depending on the car. Go to travel anywhere in the states and you will be out 100K baht for a simple flight and hotel to say NY, SF, LA, Chicago, Orlando etc.

I still say its a big win in Thailand if you make some concessions, avoid judging it and trying to change it and just live your life.

[zierf1]

I really like the cost of living threads. It's interesting to see everyone's perspective.

We are all unique and have unique circumstances.

And prices have certainly gone up significantly where I live, too. It's not just Thailand where prices have gone up in the last 10-15 years.

For example, I rent a room in a house in the SF North Bay area (California) for $1,050 a month (37,317 baht at today's exchange rate). And it's just a normal sized bedroom. Nothing fancy but in a decent neighborhood. I think that's ridiculous but that's what they are going for. And that's much more than what anyone was paying ten years ago for the same thing. And no, my wages have not gone up proportionally.

I am not retired yet but it is happening soon.

Take care everyone. Thanks for all of your posts. Like I said, it's very interesting.

That's nuts. I can get a nice studio w/ aircon for US$100 a month in Thailand(wifi included). Yes, $100 a month(3500 baht). We're getting ripped off massively.

[puukao]

I just started the thread, "How I spent 98237428934732 million baht in a day."

This was followed immediately by "How I finalized my divorce"

and preceded by "I have met the love of my life"

[thaibeachlovers]

Streetfood!!!! I take it you mean baht, not the $ that you have used for your budget. Makes a vast difference.

Food: $

Yes...I don't have the baht symbol.....

Then write baht. We aren't psychic and don't know you meant baht when using the $ symbol.

Must be a slow day for someone to worry about nonsense. Have a good day and don't let your shorts ride up so far up your crack next time.

Great response. Exactly what I'd expect from someone that doesn't understand the difference between baht and $.