Living the Bangkok life upcountry is possible - AT A PRICE

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STREETWISE
Living the Bangkok life upcountry is possible - AT A PRICE
Achara Deboonme
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Anyone looking for a detached house in Bangkok is looking at a price tag of at least Bt3 million. And that money will only get you a place in the suburbs, not downtown, which is reserved for condominiums whose units are being sold at over Bt200,000 per square metre.

As a result, many sacrifice centrality for a more affordable home in Bangkok's outer reaches. Others, though, find the long commute into the city centre too costly and time-consuming, so give up the dream of homeownership in favour of renting downtown.

When a friend of mine graduated in engineering from Khon Kaen University, he opted to find a job in the Northeast province, knowing he couldn't endure the daily traffic snarl back in his native Bangkok.

His friends pointed out he could easily double his salary in the capital, but he had other concerns. "I know what will come with the better pay - terrible traffic and higher daily expenses. Living in Bangkok is expensive, with leisure options everywhere. In the end, I might not be able to save any money."

That was nearly 30 years ago. Today, he remains convinced he made the right decision. He bought a house there for Bt800,000 and started a family. It takes him less than 30 minutes to get to work, saving him travel-related stress, and the local lifestyle is easy on the wallet.

Yet that dream of the good life is getting harder to attain. As the world grows ever smaller, consumers in once-isolated Khon Kaen increasingly hunger for the sophisticated lifestyle of their Bangkokian counterparts. Chic restaurants and after-work hangouts have mushroomed to meet the demand.

My friend paid about 50 times his salary for his home. That price has now doubled, with many house hunters looking for a pad for Bt2 million or less. Khon Kaen, like several key provincial cities, is now a playground for leading developers from Bangkok. As newcomers, they must seek out suitable plots, which brings competition and drives up the price of land. They have also brought new development models and designs, but they come at a price.

Typically, a new project in this category offers houses starting at Bt3 million. For someone who earns Bt30,000 a month, that's 100 times their income.

The daily cost of living in Khon Kaen city can also be high.

We all know that what Bangkokians consume comes mainly from other provinces. Most of the vegetables come from Nakhon Pathom. Meat is supplied by farms upcountry. Transport costs add to the final price in shops and restaurants, and there's also a mark-up for "select" produce from specialist suppliers. That helps explain the relatively high prices Bangkok diners have to pay.

Yet dining at a chic restaurant in Khon Kaen city nowadays can be just as costly, as the "foreign" ingredients also have be imported from elsewhere in the country. The sea crabs that go into the popular crab-meat fried rice can't be found in the Isaan heartland. And while average incomes in Khon Kaen are lower than in the capital, the city dwellers have to pay the same price for booze, most of which is produced in Bangkok.

One reason Bangkokians tend to earn more is that employers usually factor in the extra expense of living in the capital. The bonus comes when they travel to the provinces, where they naturally feel richer. Instead of heading for chic restaurants, which are plentiful at home, they typically seek out authentic local flavours, which tend to cost less than they would pay in Bangkok.

Yet when travelling overseas, it is natural that "sophisticated" Bangkokians suddenly feel poor. Accustomed to paying Bt15 for a half-litre bottle of Coca-Cola, it comes a shock when the price tag in Europe is 2.99 euros (about Bt130) for just 330ml. Used to paying less than Bt3,000 at a plush resort, they discover that an adequate hotel costs upward of Bt4,000 in the West. Meanwhile the price of a spaghetti dish at a fancy restaurant shoots up from Bt200 here, to more than 10 euros for a modest version of the same over there. Even visiting a toilet in a European mall often costs money.

Of course, it's no wonder that Europeans feel richer when they land in Thailand. Many think nothing of paying Bt10,000-plus per night for a room, which has encouraged a burgeoning of posh boutique hotels that are out of reach for the average Thai.

It's hardly worth mentioning how Khon Kaen residents feel when they travel overseas.

The world is shrinking fast, allowing a freer flow of goods, services - and lifestyles. With that flow comes a levelling in daily living costs that takes no heed of different income levels in different places.

Yet while the pressures of consumerism encourage us to spend beyond our means, it is up to us to decide whether we live "poor today and rich tomorrow", or spend now and let the future take care of itself.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Living-the-Bangkok-life-upcountry-is-possible--AT--30271187.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-20

[SoilSpoil]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

[clockman]

Greed and corruption, have destroyed the Thailand w used to know.!

[BSJ]

In the 6 years I have been living in Thailand the cost of living has risen substancially!

[Saraphee]

SoilSpoil, on 20 Oct 2015 - 06:58, said:

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

+1

[Thian]

Yes BKK is much more expensive now then in Europe. And everything takes ages here because of traffic jam and slow/dumb people.

But Thai shouldn't go to Europe, if you don't know any traffic rules then don't go there because the cars will kill you. Wai-ing doesn't help there.

[deckape]

You can still live fat for pretty cheap upcountry. Just depends what you do to stay happy.

[gk10002000]

So far, the cost of me having a GF of any length of time in Thailand has been much cheaper than in the USA. But of course, I haven't had a true long term GF and gotten too hooked

[gk10002000]

Can't beat the prices for foot or oil massages. Although lately, some USD $20/hour foot massage places are cropping up all around the San Diego areass

Edited October 20, 2015 by gk10002000

[DrTuner]

The BKK lifestyle will destroy whatever is left of the old countryside. Rows and rows of soulless malls, traffic jams, pissed off people. It's a steady slide downwards.

[SoFarAndNear]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Yes, Heineken costs more.

Yes, european cars cost more.

Yes, imported fruits and vegetables cost more.

Yes, organic food has its price.

I dont know which country you are come from but in electricity in every western-europe country costs at least double as much as here, not to mention water costs which for example in Germany costs at least 10x times more.

Yes if you want Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and other brand names which are made for Western market then expect to pay more. You can buy the same quality for half of the price without and Lacoste crocodile or Ralph Lauren tag on it....

"live like a Thai pay like a Thai, live like a foreigner pay like a foreigner... it is the way you choose to live..."

Edited October 20, 2015 by SoFarAndNear

[chrisandsu]

I live on the west coast of the USA , the only thing I can truly say that is cheaper is housing ,for a basic house in Thailand it's way cheaper . Actually also healthcare is way cheaper not sure if it's better but it's surely cheaper ! As for the rest the USA is cheaper for cars , fuel, clothing, decent high grade groceries , electricity , gas , near on everything .

[PattayaPhom]

Same as anywhere else in the world, London etc people get paid more but have to spend more....some decide to move out o other places....wow this really is a ground breaking article

[SoilSpoil]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Yes, Heineken costs more.

Yes, european cars cost more.

Yes, european imported fruits and vegetables cost more.

Yes, Organic food has its price.

I dont know which country you are come from but in electricity in every western-europe country costs at least double as much as here, not to mention water costs which for example in Germany costs at least 10x times more.

Yes if you want Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and other brand names which are made for Western market then expect to pay more. You can buy the same quality for half of the price without and Lacoste crocodile or Ralph Lauren tag on it....

"live like a Thai pay like a Thai, live like a foreigner pay like a foreigner... it is the way you choose to live..."

Pay peanuts, get peanuts is what you mean.

Go to any H&M shop in Europe and you will find that t-shirts are lower priced than in Central. I am not talking about designer stuff. Try to buy a Philips shaving machine here, or a speaker set. Most Thais import their stuff from Singapore or Japan. The price of Japanese cars is significantly lower in the US or Europe than here. My electricity bill never topped 4,000 baht a month back home, not even in the cold winters. Here in Bangkok, with 2 aircon units only at night, this seems to be standard. Take the BTS, or MRT and compare their prices with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and you will find it expensive.

Its difficult to find a house, or even apartment these days, less than 4 million baht in Bangkok. That's a whopping 100,000 euro. The house you buy in Europe will still be there in 100 years. Have you ever seen the materials that are used here? Real estate, of comparable quality and size, is more expensive here. I know this because we just build a house up country. The price quality ratio is bizarre.

If you are prepared to live in a wooden shaft, without proper sanitation, ride a motorcycle and eat mama noodles, yes than you can say that living here is cheaper. But I don't know many Thais who like to live like that. Every time I cross the borders I get endless shopping lists from my Thai friends.

[HooHaa]

what a rambling mess the OP is.

[abitmiffed]

Sod that for a game of soldiers, 10 yrs later you will be kayaking into your living room.

Enjoy wasting your hard earned money.

[WhizBang]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Absolutely true. It is now cheaper for me to live in North America than it is here. 10-15 years ago, Thailand was cheaper, much cheaper. All the greed and corruption in this country have destroyed it.

[onni4me]

So the dream is to live a life filled with consumerism? Something that I came here to avoid? I live Khon Kaen.

I don't drink (much). I don't buy fancy clothes. I go to tailor perhaps once in three years to keep professional wardrobe updated. A professional tailor makes a suit for 8000-12000 Baht that lasts several years. I buy my food from Tesco mostly and veggie and fruit from local market.

I spent 4 million to have the house and land that I am perfectly happy with. I have traveled around the globe so no need to do that again. Perhaps a holiday with Thai family at some point. It won't be a shopping tour around fashion malls.

I think the point where the article goes wrong is that we all want the same thing. Namely to strut around the shopping malls and buy expensive flashy cars to show off.

I don't and will not. I enjoy the simple pleasures that the countryside and people here have to give. Food is cheap if you eat like Thai and some items bought from Makro like cheddar cheese cost only 800 Baht for 2 kilos. It comes all the way from New Zealand. It's all about choices. I like to read books so order them from online websites. No problem with delivery right at my door.

[HooHaa]

indeed, it has nothing to to with rising costs of living on a global scale

Edited October 20, 2015 by HooHaa

[South]

If you live somewhere, you pay the local prices .... simple as. Your choice.

[Bakseeda]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Don't know where your home country is, but by the sounds of it you should go home... I have just been back to the United Kingdom and let me tell you I am so glad to be back in cheap old Thailand... Beer was 5 pounds sterling a pint, Hotels were extortionate as were restaurants, never mind a hooker for the night to keep me warm .... Thank God I do not smoke... Try taking a taxi.... (and you say cars are cheaper) And as for the cost of education , sorry I was educated before I came to Thailand and I don't think Thais could teach me anything except how to steal and cheat. Why would I need to pay for education.? And about formaldehyde, this chemical has been banned from food and vegetables for over 40 years here in Thailand .. Get a life mate... or better still....GO HOME.... Thailand does not need cheap Charlies or Grumblers...

[Thai at Heart]

I am not sure what exactly there is to be so jealous of in a Bangkok lifestyle anyway. Everyone is crammed in a traffic jam 4 hours a day so no time to enjoy anything anyway. Horrendous pollution, humidity and heat stuck walking around the CBD under the sky train in some weird mad max type of existence.

[Thai at Heart]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Yes, Heineken costs more.

Yes, european cars cost more.

Yes, imported fruits and vegetables cost more.

Yes, organic food has its price.

I dont know which country you are come from but in electricity in every western-europe country costs at least double as much as here, not to mention water costs which for example in Germany costs at least 10x times more.

Yes if you want Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and other brand names which are made for Western market then expect to pay more. You can buy the same quality for half of the price without and Lacoste crocodile or Ralph Lauren tag on it....

"live like a Thai pay like a Thai, live like a foreigner pay like a foreigner... it is the way you choose to live..."

You lost me when you said you can buy the same quality for the half the price.

That is today manifestly untrue when comparing Thailand and the West. Similar quality costs the same or more most of the time in Thailand.

[northernphil]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Don't know where your home country is, but by the sounds of it you should go home... I have just been back to the United Kingdom and let me tell you I am so glad to be back in cheap old Thailand... Beer was 5 pounds sterling a pint, Hotels were extortionate as were restaurants, never mind a hooker for the night to keep me warm .... Thank God I do not smoke... Try taking a taxi.... (and you say cars are cheaper) And as for the cost of education , sorry I was educated before I came to Thailand and I don't think Thais could teach me anything except how to steal and cheat. Why would I need to pay for education.? And about formaldehyde, this chemical has been banned from food and vegetables for over 40 years here in Thailand .. Get a life mate... or better still....GO HOME.... Thailand does not need cheap Charlies or Grumblers...

I left the UK summer of 2005 , not been back since . but like you ,I have heard of the price of living there. We all want different things in our lives. My daughter bought me a present of a massage at The China Fleet Club in 2004 , cost 30 quid an hour. beer was proper beer and was 2.50p a pint ,now you tell me a fiver. A proper oil massage in the provinces up north here is 300B the same price as 10 years ago. My state pension allows me to drink and eat out up here , back in the UK it would just about pay the rent and electricity . Another reason to live here. Chok dee.

[Muzarella]

In my opinion, and by my findings..

Cost of life is about 70% higher than in Northern cities....and for more stressful and less quality of living. Probably Hua Hin, Phuket, etc is the same..... Close to BK, life in Cha Am and Rayon is good and cheap now, if you like the beach. For a limited time.

Too close to Hua Hin and BK, and its are growing..unfortunately.

[Duvidl]

The 2br/2ba townhouse I rent in a nice neighborhood in Chiang Mai would cost me 6x more in California where I lived. So it really doesn't matter to me what I have to pay for everything else. Water is 10x more expensive in California and electricity is about the same. Cable TV and internet are twice as much back in the US. A meal at a nice western-style restaurant is usually 1/3 less for an equivalent feed. A movie 1/2 as much. The bottom line is: if I l lived in California I would still be working at 67. Here I'm retired and - no problemo.

[SoilSpoil]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Don't know where your home country is, but by the sounds of it you should go home... I have just been back to the United Kingdom and let me tell you I am so glad to be back in cheap old Thailand... Beer was 5 pounds sterling a pint, Hotels were extortionate as were restaurants, never mind a hooker for the night to keep me warm .... Thank God I do not smoke... Try taking a taxi.... (and you say cars are cheaper) And as for the cost of education , sorry I was educated before I came to Thailand and I don't think Thais could teach me anything except how to steal and cheat. Why would I need to pay for education.? And about formaldehyde, this chemical has been banned from food and vegetables for over 40 years here in Thailand .. Get a life mate... or better still....GO HOME.... Thailand does not need cheap Charlies or Grumblers...

Comparing the price of hookers in the UK and in Thailand and then telling someone to get a life is rather amazing.

I am sure Thailand needs sexpats more than old grumblers.

A pint of beer is no way 5 quid in your local supermarket, You're comparing pub prices with retail.

What do you think a pint of proper beer goes for in your average Bangkok or Pattaya beer garden? About the same, if not more.

Comparing prices and come to the conclusion that living in Thailand has become more expensive than back home does not mean I don't like it here or an a Cheap Charlie. Just as example: the price of my daughters' education here is about 500% more expensive than back home.

Maybe read the following, for you shocking truths, maybe useful when you nibble on your carrot stick next time:

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/health-ministry-warns-increasing-use-formalin-vendors-fresh-markets

Edited October 20, 2015 by SoilSpoil

[SoFarAndNear]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Yes, Heineken costs more.

Yes, european cars cost more.

Yes, european imported fruits and vegetables cost more.

Yes, Organic food has its price.

I dont know which country you are come from but in electricity in every western-europe country costs at least double as much as here, not to mention water costs which for example in Germany costs at least 10x times more.

Yes if you want Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and other brand names which are made for Western market then expect to pay more. You can buy the same quality for half of the price without and Lacoste crocodile or Ralph Lauren tag on it....

"live like a Thai pay like a Thai, live like a foreigner pay like a foreigner... it is the way you choose to live..."

Pay peanuts, get peanuts is what you mean.

Go to any H&M shop in Europe and you will find that t-shirts are lower priced than in Central. I am not talking about designer stuff. Try to buy a Philips shaving machine here, or a speaker set. Most Thais import their stuff from Singapore or Japan. The price of Japanese cars is significantly lower in the US or Europe than here. My electricity bill never topped 4,000 baht a month back home, not even in the cold winters. Here in Bangkok, with 2 aircon units only at night, this seems to be standard. Take the BTS, or MRT and compare their prices with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and you will find it expensive.

Its difficult to find a house, or even apartment these days, less than 4 million baht in Bangkok. That's a whopping 100,000 euro. The house you buy in Europe will still be there in 100 years. Have you ever seen the materials that are used here? Real estate, of comparable quality and size, is more expensive here. I know this because we just build a house up country. The price quality ratio is bizarre.

If you are prepared to live in a wooden shaft, without proper sanitation, ride a motorcycle and eat mama noodles, yes than you can say that living here is cheaper. But I don't know many Thais who like to live like that. Every time I cross the borders I get endless shopping lists from my Thai friends.

I am from germany by the way. Yes if you want H&M then you have to pay more. H&M is western fashion, they even have the winter collection in thailand with thick jackets. Foreigners and upper-middle class thais buy these things. They are limited to a few shops around the country. So of course they have to increase prices because of lesser sales then in western countries where H&M is clothes for the regular people with shops all over the country...

About quality. You can buy good quality shirts, polo and pants at central from local brands. They probably even produce in the same factories like RL, Lacoste or whatever. Just web another Brand logo on it... I buy an excellet Polo Shirt for around 1200baht which would cost 3000baht if there is a small crocodile on it.

About your cars. Like I said. Buy cars which are made in Thailand. Imported cars even if they are from japan were always much more expensive in Thailand. I have a Honda Jazz top model which did cost about the same like in germany expect the engine here is much bigger. The german model had something around 9x bhp and the Thai version has 121bhp l.

Please show me an 100sqm appartment in a major western city with swiming pool, fitness room, free car park and 24/7 security for under 500.000 EUR....

Edited October 20, 2015 by SoFarAndNear

[jpb1963]

try living in Perth what a joke Thailand is streets ahead, take your income into the country side and it is exponentially more powerful - for me there is no comparison

Housing - ridiculously cheap

Food out - same, you can eat an incredible meal with a couple of beers and it will cost about $15, lash out and $25.00. Last time I ate in Perth it cost me $85 for 2 beers and one course

New Wildtrak 4x4 $31k usd - same car Australia conversion is $47,000USD

chuck in government taxes......

I love Thailand and its people with all the third world nuances

[MobileContent]

A beer costs 1.5 euros in Thailand and only 40 cents back home. Cars are cheaper in Europe than here. Fruits and vegetables are more available, free of formaldehyde and much cheaper than here. My electricity bills in Thailand are higher than in my cold home country. The cost of education, well dont get me started there. Clothes or quality appliances are 40% costlier here.

Thailand is not the bargain it was a decade ago. And also, most foreigners are not paying 10k for a hotel room, not in Thailand nor in farang land.

Don't know where your home country is, but by the sounds of it you should go home... I have just been back to the United Kingdom and let me tell you I am so glad to be back in cheap old Thailand... Beer was 5 pounds sterling a pint, Hotels were extortionate as were restaurants, never mind a hooker for the night to keep me warm .... Thank God I do not smoke... Try taking a taxi.... (and you say cars are cheaper) And as for the cost of education , sorry I was educated before I came to Thailand and I don't think Thais could teach me anything except how to steal and cheat. Why would I need to pay for education.? And about formaldehyde, this chemical has been banned from food and vegetables for over 40 years here in Thailand .. Get a life mate... or better still....GO HOME.... Thailand does not need cheap Charlies or Grumblers...

I think SoilSpoil just made a point because I guess the Nation reporter only went to London. I just came back from Berlin and paid 1.50 Euros for a Paulaner beer at a local pub, bought a bottle of Coke (1.25L) for 99 cents without all that sugar but cigarettes of course are everywhere in Europe expesnive. For a 30 minute trip from the airport I paid around 20 Euros which is around 800 Baht and I pay the same price from DM in a Camry. Not everyone comes from the UK which was expensive.