Cost of Living in Thailand If you are thinking of immigrating to Thailand, surely you would like to get an idea as to how it may affect your standard of living. The Thai Immigration Office estimates that a foreigner living in Thailand requires a monthly income of approximately 65,000 Thai Baht. Although I would not want to contradict this estimate, I would also add however, that I know of many foreigners living in Thailand on a variety of
different amounts. A person's lifestyle as well as their living requirements represents a far more reliable measure of the amount a person needs to live in Thailand. - 500 Euros a month income would necessitate a very modest lifestyle and would certainly not include owning a car. Frequent visits to European restaurants or other evening entertainment would not be feasible. Nevertheless an interesting
lifestyle is possible, but only if one is willing or able to live without many of the creature comforts associated with a western lifestyle.
- 1000 euros a month allows for somewhat more financial freedom in what one can do.
- Any amount above 1500 euros a month
provides a relatively comfortable lifestyle.
Since even Thailand is suffering from a noticeable price increase of even the most essential necessities, combined with the unfavorable exchange rates of western currencies, life in Thailand has become substantially more expensive for westerners these last few years.
Of course, anything above the amounts suggested is possible. For example, it is no
problem to rent a house for 100 000 Baht per month. Luxury obviously knows no limits. Foreign Exchange Rates [more] - Money Important costs, January 2011
Apartment/House (long term rental) A furnished apartment (one room) with bathroom starts at 4 000 Baht per month A furnished house (for example living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms) starts at 12 000 Baht per month Utilities (garbage removal, security, street cleaning, etc.) cost approximately 500 Baht per month The location and furnishings of course play a role in the price of housing. With a view of the sea and better accommodation, or even sport facilities, the prices can easily double or even triple. Electricity costs start at 1000 Baht per month. According to how much air conditioning is used, this cost can easily be as much as 3 000 Baht per month. Water costs 10-15 Baht per cubic metre. A house that requires intensive watering of the garden can easily use 30 cubic meters per month. This would then be 300-450 Baht per month. An apartment on the other
hand would require a much smaller amount. Gas tank filling 350 Baht (11,9 Baht/kg)
Telephone the basic rate is 100 Baht/month Telephone ADSL-Internet starts at approx. 590 Baht/month (flat rate) Internet Cable-TV 5000 Baht/year = approx. 420 Baht/month TV Automobile costs Gas or diesel costs almost 40 Baht per litre. Personal car insurance, complete coverage for a Honda Jazz at
16000 Baht per year for example = approx. 1300 Baht per month insurance Car tax 1700 Baht per month = approx. 140 Baht per month For automobile repairs, the most expensive part of the bill by far will be for replacement parts. Because
the replacement parts for imported cars are very expensive, if possible you should try to drive a car made in Thailand.
current prices PTT Bangkok, petrol, diesel, gas [more]
Health insurance (Thai insurance companies) Over
the age of 60, the monthly cost can be 52 000 Baht per year. The monthly share of the cost can be roughly estimated at 4 300 Baht. Current international health insurance companies are generally considerably more expensive. Health insurance
Groceries (as of June 2008 in Foodland Supermarket)
Rice 95-230 Baht/5 kg
Potatoes 45 Baht/kg
Spaghetti 49 Baht/500g Papaya 45 Baht/kg
Apples 69 Baht/ (six pack 800g)
Bananas 30 Baht/kg Tomatoes 40 Baht/kg
Iceberg lettuce 95 Baht/kg
Cauliflower 35 Baht/kg
Onions 25 Baht/kg
Cooking oil 47 Baht/Litre
Fish sauce 21 Baht/700ml Sugar 34 Baht/kg
Flour 49 Baht/kg Vienna sausages 36 Baht/100g
Hot dogs 38 Baht/100g
Sliced cold cuts 36 Baht/100g
Sliced ham 42 Baht/100 g
Black Forest ham 64 Baht/100g
Salami 60 Baht/100g Chicken wings 130 Baht/kg
Beef 305 Baht/kg
Pork 180 Baht/kg
Chops 165 Baht/kg Gouda cheese 470 Baht/kg
Edam cheese 520 Baht/kg
Camembert 86 Baht/125g Butter 76 Baht/225g
Margarine Flora 85 Baht/kg
Eggs 50-60 Baht for 10 Fresh milk 43 Baht/Litre
Long life boxed milk 39 Baht/Litre Jam Schwartau 133 Baht/340g
Jam Snuckers 105 Baht/340g
Nutella 149 Baht/375g
Honey Fragate 246 Baht/500g Sour dough bread 78 Baht/320 g
Whole wheat bread 65 Baht/250 g Coffee Mocca 120 Baht/125g (Boncafe)
Nescafe 485 Baht/200g
Teabags (Lipton) 166 Baht/100 bags Chocolate (van Houten) 55 Baht/100g
Chocolate (Ritter Sport) 74 Baht/100g Coca Cola 33 Baht/2 Litre
Fanta 33 Baht/2 Litre
Orange juice 81 Baht/Litre
Alcoholic beverages Beer Leo 45 Baht/630 ml
Berr Chang 40 Baht/640 ml
Beer Heineken 66 Baht/630 ml
French wine 350 Baht/700ml
Cigarettes 58 Baht for 20 Household cleaner Body care Soap Lux 49 Baht 4x115g
Shampoo Sunsilk 122 Baht/375ml
Toothpaste Colgate 48 Baht/big
Toilet paper 129 Baht/24 rolls
Farang Restaurants Farang food 165-195 Baht/soup, main-food, dessert
Thai food 80-155 Baht
Soda water 45 Baht
Cola 40 Baht
Orange juice 45 Baht
Beer 50-65 Baht
Thai Restaurants Thai food 45-80 Baht
Cola, Sprite, Soda water, Coffee 25 Baht
Beer 50-55 Baht
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