Is Thailand really cheap?

[ThailandLOS]

Is an orange round?

Price level in Thailand is lower than in most parts of the world (if delimited to where most people would like to live). Is it cheaper than it used to be? No (it's called inflation).

[Nielsk]

Cheap or not cheap 30000 bth a month for a single person ?

It all depends on price of renting condo and if You have own transport etc.

I would rather hear what will be a realistic amount to have to spend, when overheads is paid ??

Overheads varies from person to person. it is more or less an academic discussion.

Some write about living as couples and own their home. A different subject !

[mulder12345]

I can live on 20k lean and 30k quite comfortably. My needs are simple and my wants few.

[abrahamzvi]

Sounds like you need to move,

30 k a month in the country is ample to live on, 2/3 thirds cheaper than Pattaya

Well, I don't know. I tend to agree with the OP. I know Pattaya, I know Bangkok and I do know Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and even Isan to a certain degree. Certainly, if one wishes to live in a village in Isan, then even 30K a month is too much, but if one doesn't own one's own accommodation, be it a house or a Condo(the upkeep of which is more expensive), it is really very difficult to live on in any bigger city or town for 30K. For a family, even of two, in order to live at a certain standard and comfortably (no bars, but a meal or two a week in a nice restaurant, Thai or European), run a car etc., I reckon one needs about 100k a month. Having said this, life most certainly is cheaper than in Europe, USA or Australia. To enjoy the same standard of living that one can here in Thailand for 100k a month, one would need there more or less 50% or so more(BHT100 k is app. US$3,300 or EUR2600)

[abrahamzvi]

it can be cheap if you want or have to live like a poor Thai person but if you want to live like a real human I don't think its cheap, you win a few and lose a few. l don't live here cos its cheap, the money it cost me to live here I could live anywhere in the world.

I had a very nice apartment in Din Daeng (Bangkok, Ratchada Soi 3) with an awesome view, 59sqm with living room and bedroom, two bathrooms, two blaconies, maid service twice a week, and a nice walk to Central, Fortune, Esplanade, the MRT, and endless street food. I had a swimming pool, gym, high-speed internet, cable TV, smart phone, air conditioning, and my sheets and towels were exchanged for me every weekend. I ate very well every day. All of this totaled 25,000 baht per month, which, on the 30,000 baht budget in the article, would leave me with 5,000 to go out on occasion (typically spending about 1000 to 2000 baht).

The apartment I had, if it were located in New York, would have cost a minimum of 150,000 baht per month, and that would not have been in as nice a location as I was in here. In San Francisco, it would have been at least 90,000 baht, but likely more. In my little tiny "cheapest place in America" home town, it would still have run 24,000+ baht per month. And none of those places would include the maid service or have a pool.

Clearly, I was not living the "high life", but I was comfortable, enjoyed myself, and was very happy. I was certainly not living "like a poor Thai person". Now, granted, I still have money in the bank to deal with emergencies, if they came along. I would not want to be living on that 30,000 with no ability to save up for those emergencies. And that budget does not include special events or travel. So I would admit that a budget of 40,000 baht would have been more realistic. But I was living very nicely on 30,000 baht, and in my opinion, living much better than I was in the US on 150,000 baht.

So, cheaper than the US? Very much so!

Why "was", why "had"? When???

[Kasset Tak]

I spend less money a month than I would pay just for rent and utilities for a 2 room apartment back home!

Thanks to some changes of my way of living here I spend far less money now compared to when I first came here and was living in BKK:
I was stupid enough to have an international health insurance from my home country, I changed to a local Thai insurance that cost me about 2,000 so I save about 6,000 Baht a month. (-6,000)
I used to drinking alcohol and beer everyday but I realized that it's not good for my health so now I only drink when there is a party, that way I save another 6-12,000 Baht a month. (-9,000)

In the past I stayed in BKK and spent 12,000Baht/month on rent for a small condo, now I live up country in a 2 bedroom house and spend about 4,000 Baht/month including electricity and water. (-8,000)

I get Thai massage at least 2 hours a week, in BKK that's 500 Baht/week here it's 200 Baht/week so in a year that's a difference of -15,600 Baht or 1,300 Baht a month. (-1,300)

I like Thai food so I spend less than 200 a day on my food and snacks compared with when I was living in BKK and spent about 500 a day eating western food! (-9,000)
The list goes on...

[Konaboy1]

now it has moved up to "inexpensive"

Soon to go to the next level.

[steve654]

Was for over a month in Thailand in many areas. My Wife, who is Thai, said that we have a much higher standard of living and quality of life in Canada compared to what our $$ would get us in Thailand. I have to agree as we were considering on retiring in Thailand, but after being there, we couldn't wait to get back to Canada lol. I use to take many things for granted here, but not any more.

I dreamed that sunshine and beaches would lure me away, but it didn't.

But spend all day on a Thailand forum ????????

nope

[bobthomas]

Pattaya is Thailand like Los Vegas is the USA.

dear sir,

here is a bag full of "nope"

Pattaya is not like Las Vagas, not one bit.

Pattaya is not even clean,

not even safe,

there is no work pride,

have you ever spent so much money there that they give you free food? free room? FREE BOOZE? FREE LOBSTER BUFFET!!!??

tourist safety is NUMBER ONE concern in Vegas. ... not in pattaya.

in vegas, all the casinos work together. EVERY SINGLE ONE. yet, there is heavy competition.

Bribery is nearly unheard of from officials.

ZERO TAX AS A RESIDENT.

prostitution/drugs are taxed and regulated outside city limits

cheating the system... you will be punished and you cant PAY your way out even if you have a rich daddy.

so, tell me again how Pattaya is like, my home... las vegas?

Las Vegas is an interesting place. Unfortunately, living there has (inexplicably) failed to prepare you to navigate the vagaries of the English language.

Kevin's comment infers that, Pattaya is not Thailand, just as Las Vegas is not America.

You do make a good case for moving to Vegas though!

k

[Stevemercer]

now it has moved up to "inexpensive"

Soon to go to the next level.

Yes, I think the progression is:

Cheap

Inexpensive (Thailand is here)

Affordable

Affordable, if prepared to make sacrifices

Can still get a bargain

Lifestyle choice

Can be expensive

[mikosan]

Everything is relative, where you live, how you live etc. But personally, I have a far better quality of life living here, in a reasonable sized city, although not Pattaya, than I would where I originated from in the west. That is one of the reasons for living here. I am also happy to say I have more than 30000 baht per month to spend and generally I spend what I have. I could certainly make savings on what I spend in a month, without it adversely affecting my lifestyle, in truth it would probably make it healthier, but fortunately do not have to, or wish to, at this time. I do have a health insurance policy thought, which whilst fairly comprehensive, in relative terms is quite expensive, so I'd certainly like to know where you can get one for 3000 baht per month!

[ljd1308]

Of course Thailand is cheap, it doesn't matter if you can live off 30k or not as it is a comparative term.

I couldn't live off 30k baht in Sydney(hometown), I couldn't live off 150k baht there, so even if it costs me 100k to live here it is still cheap in comparison.

[Johnniey]

Then there is the occasional week end in Pattaya with the boys. 10K can disappear overnight without you remembering where they went ...

Only if you are an alcoholic whoremonger. NORMAL people remember what they do and don't go to whore cities

Edited January 21, 2016 by Johnniey

[Don Mega]

Then there is the occasional week end in Pattaya with the boys. 10K can disappear overnight without you remembering where they went ...

Only if you are an alcoholic whoremonger. NORMAL people remember what they do and don't go to whore cities

You get your fingers burnt by a lady of the night did ya Johnniey ?

[mikosan]

Then there is the occasional week end in Pattaya with the boys. 10K can disappear overnight without you remembering where they went ...

Only if you are an alcoholic whoremonger. NORMAL people remember what they do and don't go to whore cities

That's a little aggressive and unnecessary isn't it Johnniey? The original post probably contained a little literary licence, but I'd say it was quite easy to spend a great deal of money having fun with your mates on a boys weekend, without necessarily being a 'whoremonger'. Please don't tar us all with your brush.

Edited January 21, 2016 by mikosan

[stickylies]

If you live like a peasant, it is. If you want to have western standards, not.

Define western standards... I live the same here as there on exactly the same budget, 15000-20000thb. I have all I need. Do all I want. I share food most of the time with friends. Every day the same people, good company. Housing is 5000 all in (including cleaning lady). A large Leo in the local open air bar Is 75thb and in the local brothel karaoke joint it's 100thb. Life is good here

Replace that Leo beer with a pint of Guinness or Stella,that to me is western standard.

It's not 75 baht for a pint of Guinness,incidentally where I live a large Leo is 55 baht so your paying over the odds.

it's 55 here too but then it lacks young waitresses slash mixers slash soft legs company

fair enough but imo stella isn't special (at all)

u wanna impress me serve me a chimay draught or rodenbach grand cru

[Petchou]

30,000 baht per month is what you would pay in rent in the west

And that's average what you would pay for one bedroom condo in good location in Bangkok.

[Zob65]

Thats my weekly bar bill! So thats me stuffed.The trouble is the Thailand commercial mentality, when there is less customers put the price up. A beer in BKK is the same as Europe, some places are charging 100 -130bht.

[Johnniey]

Then there is the occasional week end in Pattaya with the boys. 10K can disappear overnight without you remembering where they went ...

Only if you are an alcoholic whoremonger. NORMAL people remember what they do and don't go to whore cities

That's a little aggressive and unnecessary isn't it Johnniey? The original post probably contained a little literary licence, but I'd say it was quite easy to spend a great deal of money having fun with your mates on a boys weekend, without necessarily being a 'whoremonger'. Please don't tar us all with your brush.

I'd certainly remember where my 10k went in one night, unless I was an alkie who blacked out. Also. do you know how much alcohol 10k would buy?

[trogers]

Anything that is mainly just labor is still very cheap - food preparation, haircut, massage, girls, building, repairs etc. You might be able to live comfortably on <30,000 Baht a month if you are single, have no family demands, no car and only drink once or twice a week, and stay away from the girls.

Why do you have to stay away from girls?

Don't need to stay away. Cost only 5Bt to use the toilet.

[seancbk]

30,000 baht per month is what you would pay in rent in the west

Yes, totally depends what you are comparing to.

In Hong Kong my rent would be 10 times what I pay here in Bangkok; and I'd have no pool, no gym and very small rooms.

Dining out and drinking in classier bars in Bangkok is comparable with HK prices, but the amount I save in rent makes Bangkok seem very affordable.

[trogers]

30,000 baht per month is what you would pay in rent in the west

And that's average what you would pay for one bedroom condo in good location in Bangkok.

Cost 3x that for a Studio in a choice street of Manhattan or Tokyo... ?

[Farangdanny]

If you only pay around 3,000/month for medical insurance, I wonder what little would be covered when you need it and can not argue ??

I have MID LEVEL BUPA, which only covers up to 2 million Baht, and that is 9,000/month ! The same cover when I was in UK was three times as much !!!

[ttthailand]

If you don't go out to drink much, don't have to support a lady in any way and you eat breakfast and one other meal in your home then 30k a month is do able.

[lovelomsak]

The longer i live here the more it costs me. 30 years ago I could come on a holiday stay in 150 baht air con hot water,tv rooms.Now that room is 750 baht. Noodles were 15 or 20 baht. Now 35 or 40.. Female company 200 baht. Suzuki Caribbean was the vehicle.of choice for those who could afford it. Buy a rai of land 35,000 baht. Good 3 bedroom house 400,000 baht.No bar fines many places and if there was one it was a little 200 baht or so.Meals were served with free rice. Medical services were cheap.

i could come here and spend less than 1000 baht a day and have a good room eat in decent places,travel around,different gf every night,use taxis,and not worry about the costs.This was holiday costs which are far greater than living costs.

Now I live here and I go through 30,000 before the end of the first week of each month. Yes it has got quite a bit more expensive. In the last 5 years pork has doubled in price. House purchasing has gone off the chart. Some will say still cheaper than their home country. that may be true but Thailand is a long ways from as cheap as what I knew it as when I first came,or as enjoyable.

[Bernard Flint]

If you don't go out to drink much, don't have to support a lady in any way and you eat breakfast and one other meal in your home then 30k a month is do able.

Not forgetting if your gf works too.

[Bernard Flint]

The longer i live here the more it costs me. 30 years ago I could come on a holiday stay in 150 baht air con hot water,tv rooms.Now that room is 750 baht. Noodles were 15 or 20 baht. Now 35 or 40.. Female company 200 baht. Suzuki Caribbean was the vehicle.of choice for those who could afford it. Buy a rai of land 35,000 baht. Good 3 bedroom house 400,000 baht.No bar fines many places and if there was one it was a little 200 baht or so.Meals were served with free rice. Medical services were cheap.

i could come here and spend less than 1000 baht a day and have a good room eat in decent places,travel around,different gf every night,use taxis,and not worry about the costs.This was holiday costs which are far greater than living costs.

Now I live here and I go through 30,000 before the end of the first week of each month. Yes it has got quite a bit more expensive. In the last 5 years pork has doubled in price. House purchasing has gone off the chart. Some will say still cheaper than their home country. that may be true but Thailand is a long ways from as cheap as what I knew it as when I first came,or as enjoyable.

30 YEARS AGO HEHEHEHEHEHEH???

Do i need to say any more

[oldsailor35]

30k is possible but is a very bare minimum IMO, 40-50k is more realistic

All depends on the lifestyle you lead. Bar girls and booze every night plus expensive restaurants, i guess you really do need 40-50.

[condo bought]

cheap living gets old quickly.

30k p/m long-term??

Must be joking.

[oldsailor35]

Try to keep up with the "two week millionaires" ( young tourists) on 50k and you will soon be in the poo !