Typical thai incomes

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Who has used that term and is complaining about nanny states?

Did you just join this forum?

Heh...

[CharlieH]

Bickering removed.

[ableguy]

.most answers on this thread are not worth reading  and less heeding.

 

seems to me where I live in Korat but also having lived in Bkk  and Hua Hin

a young married professional couple will be lucky to make 50,000 baht per month, from that  pay a mortgage and two car payments  but they think they are hi so.

go figure the Thai mentality I cannot.

[sunny17]

1 hour ago, ableguy said:

 but they think they are hi so.

They must have taken the "farm laborers from Issan" as their reference point. 

 

But come to think of it, house + 2 cars = middle class in developed countries - so they are definitely "almost" hi-so in a "middle income" country like thailand. 

[Kim1950]

A better indicator would be distribution of income in Thailand. For example, even in the US at minimum wage with no expense sharing with family and friends you might be living out of a car. Through media, you might think most people live in two car garage houses with two SUVs and work for Google or Apple. Not complaining, but it ain't all Disney World. And, many inner cities are beltway drive over or past war zones. The elderly held economically hostage in one room project housing. 

[kannot]

On 7/14/2017 at 6:19 AM, Aussieroaming said:

I think you need to recognise the fact that many of these Thais earning 15 000 - 30 000 are likely to be living in a family environment (not all but some) where income and resources are re-distributed to ensure that all are looked after. So that strong family connection helps those with a lower income.

or the  one's with a  good  work ethic  support the idle..............is how i see it

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎7‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 3:31 PM, akirasan said:

Nope, what I'm saying is that if you don't have a network of good friends or family here, or have to start from scratch (find accommodation, buy a car, house furnishings etc) you'll find it difficult to get by on that amount.  

Have to disagree 100%. Accomodation is easily available at 15,000 or less most places in Thailand. My ex rents a reasonable place for 3,000 in a popular town.

Unless one chooses to live in a western style place and eat in expensive restaurants an absolutely acceptable lifestyle can be had for 20,000 a month or less.

However, I agree it is not possible to have nightlife or paid company on that amount.

[thaibeachlovers]

15 hours ago, sunny17 said:

They must have taken the "farm laborers from Issan" as their reference point. 

 

But come to think of it, house + 2 cars = middle class in developed countries - so they are definitely "almost" hi-so in a "middle income" country like thailand. 

house + 2 cars = middle class in developed countries

Not in the countries I've been in. In my home country, house ownership is no longer possible for most young people, and even middle aged are having a problem.

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎7‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 5:54 PM, Craig krup said:

 

The hard thing to grasp is how the world looks through someone else's eyes. When I was young the need to go out on the lash was like a physical thing: I absolutely could not imagine sitting at peace. My libido was off the scale so I did some terrible stuff - like shagging my mates' [note apostrophe] girlfriends. Now I've got no desire to drink and it's so long since I've "been to church" I'm struggling to remember where I sit. 

 

Now the state of mood, disposition, affect and taste that I'm at right now is the mood some people are in when they're young. I could easily live on 20,000 baht right now because reading books, posting inflammatory comments on the web, working out and eating big bowls of starch doesn't cost very much. But the 22 year old me couldn't have done it. He'd have blown through it in three good nights. 

Agreed, but the thread is discussing if it is possible to live a good life on what some on here consider a low ( Thai ) income, and not about the extras, which may be desirable, but not essential.

Indeed, if I were here 20 years ago, my outgoings would be considerably higher than now, but even then, when I was poor, I had to ration my nightlife.

[jeab1980]

15 hours ago, sunny17 said:

They must have taken the "farm laborers from Issan" as their reference point. 

 

But come to think of it, house + 2 cars = middle class in developed countries - so they are definitely "almost" hi-so in a "middle income" country like thailand. 

Does that make the farm labourers any less of a person. Being able to manage to feed there families pay there bills on 300bht a day and work dam hard to get that. I think not. I think it makes them more of a person to be admired.

[sunny17]

1 hour ago, jeab1980 said:

Does that make the farm labourers any less of a person. 

I never said it did. I was pointing out their "Earning slab"

[muffy]

On 7/8/2017 at 8:33 AM, Briggsy said:

Be aware that a Thai salary may only represent as little as 50% of the remuneration or less in some cases.

 

Extras such as an annual bonus often of several months' salary, housing allowance, phone allowance, meal allowance, petrol allowance, etc. (plus fiddles on the side!) paint a truer picture.

 

As ever in Thailand, scratch the surface and a different picture emerges.

Tea money

[Craig krup]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Agreed, but the thread is discussing if it is possible to live a good life on what some on here consider a low ( Thai ) income, and not about the extras, which may be desirable, but not essential.

Indeed, if I were here 20 years ago, my outgoings would be considerably higher than now, but even then, when I was poor, I had to ration my nightlife.

 

Well, George Orwell (IIRC) said that it was precisely when you had damn all that the luxuries became necessities. What counts as a luxury isn't a given. My PhD supervisor was sponsored by an oil company to write a book on this, funnily enough. 

 

When I was young jeans that didn't have big holes in them, shoes that didn't leak, haircuts not done with clippers yourself, meals that weren't always turkey burgers, spuds and beans, were all less important than getting wrecked.

 

What is essential pretty much depends on who you are. From a biological point of view there are certain things that are essential, but we all know that people will compromise their ability to meet their biological needs in order to have other things. People are weird, or - if you prefer - complex. I would never spend massive money on cars, clothes, eating out and all the rest. I like knowing that no matter what happens I'm financially fine. But that taste isn't shared by all; in fact it's shared by very few people. 

 

A fair amount of it is due to education. If someone is highly educated they can conceptualize and rationalize things differently, they can amuse themselves cheaply and they don't rely on outward signifiers to establish their identity. So when people talk about "living" what they usually mean is "spending". I'm re-reading Tim Harford's "Adapt - Why success always starts with failure". I've just walked about five miles. This morning I did twelve sets of chest and triceps in the gym. None of this costs very much. But I'm surrounded by fat BMW drivers who've never read an entire book and can't imagine a decent Sunday that doesn't involve a load of spending. If there car was repossessed they'd have to kill themselves. They're one paycheck from financial meltdown. These people would need a lot to live anywhere. 

[sunny17]

3 hours ago, Craig krup said:

A fair amount of it is due to education. If someone is highly educated they can conceptualize and rationalize things differently, they can amuse themselves cheaply and they don't rely on outward signifiers to establish their identity. 

"There are two kinds of education - one that teaches us how to earn a living and the other that teaches us how to live" - John Quincy Adams

[theguyfromanotherforum]

On 7/16/2017 at 2:29 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Have to disagree 100%. Accomodation is easily available at 15,000 or less most places in Thailand. My ex rents a reasonable place for 3,000 in a popular town.

Unless one chooses to live in a western style place and eat in expensive restaurants an absolutely acceptable lifestyle can be had for 20,000 a month or less.

However, I agree it is not possible to have nightlife or paid company on that amount.

 

What is this popular town? I don't understand why not say it.... I doubt you will get sued for defamation because the rent is cheap.

 

BTW, I see "apartments" here on Ramkhamheang (Bangkok) for rent for about 1200 baht a month. Good location too.... across Big C

[kannot]

On 7/13/2017 at 0:56 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

So basically you are saying most Thais don't have a good quality of life.

In my experience, most do, but they don't want or need a western life filled with useless crap and expensive food.

funny they all seem to want EXACTLY that, Mc  Donlands  Pizza  Hut  the latest Phone car etc etc

[Craig krup]

18 hours ago, sunny17 said:

"There are two kinds of education - one that teaches us how to earn a living and the other that teaches us how to live" - John Quincy Adams

There's evidence that people who're good at mental arithmetic are better able to cope with reversals and life events. It might be because they're better at thinking of the same event in lots of different ways. When you think about it there's a lot of truth in that. The people who can't be at peace, and who equate "living" with "spending" are exactly the people who can't cope with plural perspectives. 

 

If somebody says, "Swimming's the best exercise; it does your whole body", never, ever say, "What do you mean by "does"?". Interrogating the meaning of a term is about as welcome to a bore on a bar stool as is a leopard in a lavatory. I used to live in a small village and the local pain in the arse hated the fact that I could buy what he valued but didn't. Why was he bothered? Because, 1) if I could and didn't it implied that I thought the things he valued were pants, and 2) he thought that I might be right, and would rather soldier on to the grave valuing things which his best judgment said were pants, rather than admit that he'd wasted forty years, and should recognize that fact to avoid wasting the last ten. 

 

Folk are weird. As soon as they sort into self-selected groups they become still weirder. Digital gonads - for example - are a self-selected group. They're going to have some "interesting" characteristics. People who move to a poor country because they really enjoy consuming service sector goods - what they'd really like is a slave - are also likely to have "interesting" characteristics. 

[Craig krup]

On 7/17/2017 at 6:27 PM, kannot said:

funny they all seem to want EXACTLY that, Mc  Donlands  Pizza  Hut  the latest Phone car etc etc

 

Here's a thing. How do Thais react if you're happy to buy them (say) Unlucky Fried Kitten, but refuse to eat it yourself? What do kids do is daddy buys the Micky D fries and shakes, and then sips a coffee, saying, "I'm not eating that sh*t. You wire in. I'd rather not be a fat <deleted>". 

 

Does that hit home in the way that mere words don't? Swensen's isn't really expensive, so what happens if you buy the in-laws what they want and then smile knowingly while they eat? 

[marko kok prong]

My expenses vary,i give the girlfreind 30,000 a month,she has here own house,i often stay but not all the time ,so i rent a small house in town for 4,500 a month plus electric and gas,bit of diesel for the car ,she has her own bike,laundry, food,beer ,smokes,i would reckon at least 50,000 to 70,000 a month,and i don't live in Bangkok but up country,i could not see how you could survive on 30,000 in Bangkok.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

My expenses vary,i give the girlfreind 30,000 a month,she has here own house,i often stay but not all the time ,so i rent a small house in town for 4,500 a month plus electric and gas,bit of diesel for the car ,she has her own bike,laundry, food,beer ,smokes,i would reckon at least 50,000 to 70,000 a month,and i don't live in Bangkok but up country,i could not see how you could survive on 30,000 in Bangkok.

You could if you didn't give your gf "30,000" a month.

Btw, are you the same guy who brags about always giving women orgasms?

I'm sure my wife would fake one too for 30k every month....maybe even agree to a threesome??

[Momofarang]

On 7/8/2017 at 10:33 AM, little mary sunshine said:

Well off Thai Family with posh BKK Flat

B 175,000-240,000/ month, Benz too!

And.. probably plenty of debts... I am living out in Issan, no mortgage, no loans I we go go through 150k monthly without splashing out, driving only a CRV + March...

[Flustered]

5 hours ago, Momofarang said:

And.. probably plenty of debts... I am living out in Issan, no mortgage, no loans I we go go through 150k monthly without splashing out, driving only a CRV + March...

Seriously, 150,000 baht a month with no mortgage and no splashing out? That is around US$ 5,000 per month in Issan.

[Momofarang]

7 minutes ago, Flustered said:

Seriously, 150,000 baht a month with no mortgage and no splashing out? That is around US$ 5,000 per month in Issan.

New house, two kids, holidays, yes. Life isn't any cheaper in Buriram (province). Unless you go native. 

Edited July 19, 2017 by Momofarang

[Flustered]

1 hour ago, Momofarang said:

New house, two kids, holidays, yes. Life isn't any cheaper in Buriram (province). Unless you go native. 

But what on earth do you spend 150,000 baht on? As I said, that's some US$5,000 per month and you have no debts to speak of.

[Momofarang]

1 minute ago, Flustered said:

But what on earth do you spend 150,000 baht on? As I said, that's some US$5,000 per month and you have no debts to speak of.

Used to spend three times that in Europe, so not complaining too much..

[Flustered]

Seriously, good on you. It's nice to know that there are some people who do not whine about the cost of living in Thailand. Normally when someone mentions they have a Thai Elite Visa or they have bought a 20 million baht condo they are shouted down by the POGS (Pathetic Old Geezers).

[Momofarang]

2 minutes ago, Flustered said:

Seriously, good on you. It's nice to know that there are some people who do not whine about the cost of living in Thailand. Normally when someone mentions they have a Thai Elite Visa or they have bought a 20 million baht condo they are shouted down by the POGS (Pathetic Old Geezers).

Well, I don't know how much I've spent on my house, probably in the 4 to 5 millions range plus another million for the in laws. Sometimes thinking about elite, but I don't trust the Thais, anything can happen here in 20 years... But I won't blame those who have less, or more, to spend. 

 

The only real worry I have is to secure an education, in Australia, for my daughters, and I might not here. Have the cash right now but the Thais tend to frantically get rid off the money they can get their hands on.

[Flustered]

31 minutes ago, Momofarang said:

Well, I don't know how much I've spent on my house, probably in the 4 to 5 millions range plus another million for the in laws. Sometimes thinking about elite, but I don't trust the Thais, anything can happen here in 20 years... But I won't blame those who have less, or more, to spend. 

 

The only real worry I have is to secure an education, in Australia, for my daughters, and I might not here. Have the cash right now but the Thais tend to frantically get rid off the money they can get their hands on.

Stick with it. An overseas education will be the best thing you could do for them.

 

Despite being a first world country, we brought our Singapore nieces to the UK for their Uni education. It paid dividends. Education is the best gift you can give anyone today.

 

Why is it that Thais do not hang on to money? We have a Thai "Sister and Brother" in Phuket. Been part of our family for over 35 years. Now they are retired, they are spending their savings as if money was going out of fashion. I have tried telling them to budget but they think their sons will look after them. Some hope.

Edited July 19, 2017 by Flustered

[kannot]

On 7/17/2017 at 8:52 PM, Craig krup said:

 

Here's a thing. How do Thais react if you're happy to buy them (say) Unlucky Fried Kitten, but refuse to eat it yourself? What do kids do is daddy buys the Micky D fries and shakes, and then sips a coffee, saying, "I'm not eating that sh*t. You wire in. I'd rather not be a fat <deleted>". 

 

Does that hit home in the way that mere words don't? Swensen's isn't really expensive, so what happens if you buy the in-laws what they want and then smile knowingly while they eat? 

i try not to bother with social experiments............and have no friends  which makes it easier

[Jim Turner Mad Punx]

The problem with these constant income questions is that it's all subjective.

 

there is no required amount. Incomes range from a couple dollars a day to highly compensated politicians.

 

theres always someone above or below you.

 

these questions are really about what "you" are comfortable with, not what "they" make.

 

when you have figured that one out you have figured out everything.