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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 12:30:22 GMT 7
I have been coming and going to Pattaya for 5 years, so have a pretty good idea as to costs, so this is a guide, as suggested by Banjo have ploughed up the middle and tried to keep it realistic. Monthly costs,in bht. Rent (1br Jomtien 45sqmts opposite beach)12,000 (can find them for 10k if lucky) Elect/Water700, Food (for 2) 5,000, Transport (m/bike fuel,rego,service) 800, Entertainment(a few dinners out, a few beers 3 times a week at the local, bt.scotch) 4000, laundry 500, clothing/haircuts/sundries 500. TOTAL.23,300BHT (Conv.28.5) $820mth rounded. Food is also a bit individual but this is for basics but more than adequate (plenty of access to Aussie food here even Vegemite!). If you want to start eating Aussie beef etc, the price blows out a bit, but you still do have a bit up your sleeve on pension. Hope this is helpful. I stay in Jomtien as it is out of the hum drum just have to put up with the Russians. There are some other issues such as medical,visa, airfares that are variable from person to person. I think this relatively reflective. Banjo, if you can find me $150 mth on the beach here, I will gladly should you several cold ones!!!
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Post by Banjo on Feb 24, 2014 18:02:52 GMT 7
I have been coming and going to Pattaya for 5 years, so have a pretty good idea as to costs, so this is a guide, as suggested by Banjo have ploughed up the middle and tried to keep it realistic. Monthly costs,in bht. Rent (1br Jomtien 45sqmts opposite beach)12,000 (can find them for 10k if lucky) Elect/Water700, Food (for 2) 5,000, Transport (m/bike fuel,rego,service) 800, Entertainment(a few dinners out, a few beers 3 times a week at the local, bt.scotch) 4000, laundry 500, clothing/haircuts/sundries 500. TOTAL.23,300BHT (Conv.28.5) $820mth rounded. Food is also a bit individual but this is for basics but more than adequate (plenty of access to Aussie food here even Vegemite!). If you want to start eating Aussie beef etc, the price blows out a bit, but you still do have a bit up your sleeve on pension. Hope this is helpful. I stay in Jomtien as it is out of the hum drum just have to put up with the Russians. There are some other issues such as medical,visa, airfares that are variable from person to person. I think this relatively reflective. Banjo, if you can find me $150 mth on the beach here, I will gladly should you several cold ones!!! Sounds about right, I quite liked Jomtien; a few years since I was there now, 2003 I think so it's probably changed a bit. I drink very little now and never when I go out. I usually grab a couple of bottles of something in Burma and stick them in the cupboard if I feel the urge or visitors drop in.
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Post by Banjo on Oct 21, 2014 8:57:17 GMT 7
I live in the far north of Thailand and the life style and cost of living suits me fine. Economically Thailand falls in between developed nations and places with serious poverty issues which means while some things may be more expensive you don't have people scavenging in your bins for food. It also has huge expat communities in most areas so the culture shock isn't all that bad. Accommodation is a "how long is a piece of string" question, you get what you pay for but $50 to a $100 a week will fix you up fine. There are cheaper options, I knew an American who lived in a residential hotel for $150 a month for a serviced room with aircon and wifi. It was opposite a major hospital and the place was full of student nurses who were a bit noisy coming and going at change of shift but he said he could handle it. The visa can seem difficult but basically you can meet the requirements for a retirement visa on the single pension and about $10,000 in a Thai bank account. This is your money and can be withdrawn at at any time. Cities like Chiang Mai are extremely expat friendly and many foreign couples work or are retired there. The stereotype picture of an expat community consisting solely of older Western men with Thai wives does not apply here.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2014 14:33:45 GMT 7
Chiang Mai
Costs in the North are much cheaper then Bangkok or Pattaya. Room for a month is average of $150 including power and water. For something nicer, you will pay $250. I stay in a serviced apartment and it costs me $170 a month with power and water and free wifi. You can do a lot better but it is all I need.
Food; depends on what you want. I can live on a 100 baht a day pretty easy on Thai food. Most days I spend about 200 baht but I eat pretty well and enjoy my food. I do not drink at all due to medications. You get the usual promo deals at 3 Leo beers for 150 Baht at Thai bars compared to 150 baht for a Chang beer at a Farang bar. I mostly visit Thai bars with a English friend as we both know where to go.
Motorbike is on average 60 baht a week in fuel and the car is around 500 baht but I an converting now to CNG as with CNG I would then only spend 500 baht a month.
Insurance I use is another matter. Because I still come in an out every 6 months, I buy my insurance in Australia at around $400 a year. If I was living in Thailand, it would cost me $800-1000 but I will always be covered. Seen to many bike accidents now.
With the pension coming in and savings in a Thai bank around 300,000 baht (or $AUD11,000) and you are over the age of 50, a visa is easy. You can see a lawyer and get the Visa done for around 6,000 baht without the need of stepping a foot into immigration itself.
The only careful thing you need to do is be super careful of the girls. They will be a bigger trap then all above. Think with your right head and you will be fine. For most new guys, all the attention can be overwhelming (and I am not just talking from the bars) and you cannot let it get to you at all.
We have many expats here and the food is so good; you can eat very good farang foods to very nice Thai foods. I found I like to keep to myself here but I have a huge amount of Thai friends now. Some you can count on but some that you cannot count on. Just like all people but mostly, the Thai's are a good lot. Prices for most things are printed out so you cannot get ripped off buying stuff. Household goods are cheap to buy; from fridges to TV's, etc,etc. I love the service as well. Always same day as you buy and everything is done for you in the price including delivery.
Haircuts are around 80 baht and they take like 40 minutes to do. They are so super careful in what they do and perfection is to be expected. You can go to a named hairdressing salon at the big shopping centers for around 350 baht an you will most likely be pampered very well, get your haircut by a gay guy or ladyboy but expect a job done to super perfection.
I get a massage done once a week by the blind people at a Temple. Costs me 150 baht plus a tip of 50 baht.
As you can see, you have plenty of options for a good life. Medical services are another matter but to see my doctor here once every two weeks is 500 baht.
Chiang Mai is growing and with it we are getting huge amounts of Chinese tourists coming in. Things over the last 5 years have changed but I can live with them. Getting around Chiang Mai is easy. Once you work it out, it all is pretty simple. I ride around on my bike but during the middle of the day, it is very hot an you need to be careful of the heat. If you are taking medication here like I have to every day, you need to drink lots of water due to the heat.
All up, I love it here. I also like Chiang Rai very much; just a country town to be that also has all you need. Great place...
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Post by Banjo on Oct 28, 2014 16:37:15 GMT 7
And if people suggest somewhere for a business dinner and they look as if they may have a little cash to spare.... The Dukes!!! Or Sunday lunch at Le Meridien.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2014 17:33:36 GMT 7
The Dukes for cash to spare for sure. Big meals but The Dukes at the Pavilion is the best place now to go. I found the food there to be the best of the lot and a nice overview to the Gardens below. Le Meridien Sunday lunch is good value but I have a German Buffet Dinner that is to die for out on the Lumphun bypass .... called Auf-der-Au .... you can find on Facebook... 250 baht all you can eat on Friday, Sat, Sunday nights. When I need my fill of farang food, that is were I go. Sorry for the poor photos of the buffet. Was taken from my shaky hands using a iPhone... For Thai food, you can go anywhere but I have a few places over on the Lake near the Stadium that has really good meals. Like anywhere, it is just looking around and you will find good food. We have a bakery near the North Gate that cooks a Butter Bun. It is not good for your waistline at all as when it is just cooked and smoking hot, the butter runs out of it and is is so sweet. It is coated in flour... hmmm Attachments:
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Post by Banjo on Oct 28, 2014 19:30:55 GMT 7
Chiang Mai is full of culinary surprises, a couple of years back a mate and I went looking for a German guy who was making this special Dutch Christmas bread... cake??
Too sweet for me so I grabbed a couple of dark loaves and they were superb.
Took us an hour to find him even with a GPS and there he was, in the middle of nowhere and obviously busy.
The Lampung bypass place sounds good, I'll make a note. Old George at Gecko books at the ThaPae Gate is full of local food knowledge if you want to call in.
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Post by boku on Oct 29, 2014 8:36:09 GMT 7
I have one question about the north of Thailand. I read on another forum that there is a "smokey season" in north of Thailand that can be a bit hard t deal with. is that true?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2014 9:44:07 GMT 7
Im still finding about all the good places to go to
I enjoy the Local BBQ
Certainly different for a special meal
looking forward to my next trip next year
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2014 11:35:35 GMT 7
I have one question about the north of Thailand. I read on another forum that there is a "smokey season" in north of Thailand that can be a bit hard t deal with. is that true? Yes, if you have breathing problems, it would be difficult to live with. It starts up around March and it gets very smokey. On the highways driving sometimes, you can maybe only see a 1km or so into the distance clearly. I remember going to a friends Penthouse Condo that overlooked the Airport on the 22nd Floor up to the mountains and you could see jack shit. Then at the start of the wet season, I went there again an the view was just sheer amazing. Just the difference of a few months made such a big difference. It is a slash and burn policy here. Burn more so then slash.... I have been known at the worst time's to pack up and go south for a month during this period to get away from it. I just treat a month or so away like a holiday on the beach...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 13:33:49 GMT 7
I have one question about the north of Thailand. I read on another forum that there is a "smokey season" in north of Thailand that can be a bit hard t deal with. is that true? Yes, if you have breathing problems, it would be difficult to live with. It starts up around March and it gets very smokey. On the highways driving sometimes, you can maybe only see a 1km or so into the distance clearly. I remember going to a friends Penthouse Condo that overlooked the Airport on the 22nd Floor up to the mountains and you could see jack shit. Then at the start of the wet season, I went there again an the view was just sheer amazing. Just the difference of a few months made such a big difference. It is a slash and burn policy here. Burn more so then slash.... I have been known at the worst time's to pack up and go south for a month during this period to get away from it. I just treat a month or so away like a holiday on the beach... I see a few guys posting on about costs of housing in the Philippines now so I thought I would show you all my budget for Thailand. I try to save a few dollars of my pension at the end of each month but it is pretty hard to do.... Basic Budget (all in Aussie Dollars) Health: I have insurance that cost me $1500 a year. Covers the basics. I have changed my insurance now to a Thai Based one. Before I was doing cover by Insure an Go, but as I am spending so much time in the country now, I was worried they would not treat me as a tourist anymore and if I had a accident, not pay up. I have seen a few motor cycle accidents now that have cost over 250,000 baht for the person that has been involved to fix themselves up with... pretty horrid. Condo: $200 a Month (all power, water and electric) that is everything. My Condo is a bit of a shit box but I only sleep in it and most of my other time is spent at a friends house out in the Country about 30 minutes from the city. Fuel: $70 a Month (for a car and bike) Bike and Car Insurance: $700 a year. You need it to cover if you hit anyone at all... it is a must If you do not own a car or bike, you can get around for $5 a day Food: $15 a day (around $450 a month but most nights I eat with 2 people an I pay) Additional Medical Help: $130-$150 per month (if I need help from a Nurse for several days) Doctors Fee: $60 per month (I see a specialist every second week and this is also for medicine) Internet/Phone/TV: $25 per month. The internet here is super fast and you can download without a limit Going out with friends(I am not a bar person): $100 per month Fridge fillers (extra foods for snacks): $30 per month Washing: $35 a month (ironed as well) Cleaner for Condo: $35 per month Clothes: $30 per month Haircut: $3 every 2 weeks Manicure and Pedicure: $5 once a month Soaps, hair gel and shampoo: $10 a month Bank Fees: $10 a month Trip to Bangkok or the Islands twice a year for a break: $1000 for a week New Phone once a year: $800 New Laptop once a year: $800 So average Monthly spend is around $770 rounded then I have a buffer of $200 spare for any other toys I might need. So I spend $1000 a month. Added for yearly (insurance, Bangkok, phones and laptop) is around $5800 per year. So really I think I spend around $17800 a year or $1500 a month total rounded... So to live a good life here, a average pension of $750 a fortnight will cover your costs. You still need to be careful but. I have lived in a real nice condo before (gas to cook with, fridge, 45" Plasma TV, aircon, pool, view of the mountains) for $290 a month but I fond I never used the room to its full potential. With the currency going down (an I think it has a good chance with the glut in oil and other factors), I can see the baht maybe down at the average of 25 again. Over history, 26 baht to 27.70 is the average, so you need to take this into consideration as well. Interest rates next year are tipped to rise by 100 points (2015) an it will offset some of the hurt if you have some savings invested. If you are like me and under 50, I need to do a Visa run every 6 months and that adds cost as well on top of it all. I hope this helps.
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Post by Denis-NFA on Nov 30, 2014 5:16:41 GMT 7
I see a few guys posting on about costs of housing in the Philippines now so I thought I would show you all my budget for Thailand. I try to save a few dollars of my pension at the end of each month but it is pretty hard to do.... I hope this helps. Thanks for that @mra It is interesting for me to compare and contrast and my costs are similar, and different, to yours. Your food cost is probably the biggest difference but I normally prepare and eat at home. And I don't run a car nor a bike. I saw a report, some weeks ago, that inflation is running about 8% here and it will be interesting to see what happens when the ASEAN countries finally get there 'free trade block' up and running. Take care and all the best.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2014 13:41:35 GMT 7
thegreenman
I eat out most nights as I cannot cook at all. Burn water is something I can do very well. It is funny but as during my JCA this fact was bought up as my short term memory is poor and it was mentioned that I could forget that a oven or a gas stove was on and that I could burn the place down. I have never cooked before and I like my food, so my bill for eating is pretty high.
We will have our ASEAN agreement late next year and I am wondering what extra 'freedoms' we are going to get. I hope just a little easier on the Visa's would be nice but I can never see that really happening...
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Post by Denis-NFA on Dec 1, 2014 0:33:03 GMT 7
thegreenman I eat out most nights as I cannot cook at all. Burn water is something I can do very well. It is funny but as during my JCA this fact was bought up as my short term memory is poor and it was mentioned that I could forget that a oven or a gas stove was on and that I could burn the place down. I have never cooked before and I like my food, so my bill for eating is pretty high. We will have our ASEAN agreement late next year and I am wondering what extra 'freedoms' we are going to get. I hope just a little easier on the Visa's would be nice but I can never see that really happening... LOL.. burn water... haven't heard that expression in a long time. Not saying your food costs are expensive, just more than mine. If I ate out like you do I think my food cost would be similar. But by the same token I have someone prepare all my meals so it is probably not that much different anyway. Transport cost for a tricycab is 7 pesos (about $0.18) for anywhere around town but I pay them 10 pesos (about $0.26) because I cannot see how they can make any money at 7 pesos. Fuel is about 55 pesos ($1.45) per litre. A bus either North to Cebu or South to Liloan Port for Dumaguete costs about $2.25. Because I have spent most of my life driving on the left side of the road I am not confident that my reactions would necessarily translate to driving on the right hand side of the road. I think the main intent of the ASEAN agreement is to allow a greater 'freedom' for the passage of goods and services between the member countries. The Philippines already buys Thai rice. Anyway, great to see your costings and I will be interested to see whatever thoughts you have. All the best.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2014 8:48:22 GMT 7
Mra
Thanks for the extensive list
I hope mine is not so much lol When i retire next year in Chiang Mai
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