Dream of Siam

How much does it cost to live in Thailand? How long is a piece of string....

It all depends on what you mean by "live". It also depends on what you intend to do in Thailand - will you be holidaying? Will you be working, or retiring?

Cost of holidaying

So, how much to take on holiday? It's only really possible to give ball-park figures here because everyone's needs are different. There are hotels and guest house to suit all budgets - and even camp sites if you are really "on your uppers". Here's what I would budget:

• Hotel/accommodation 3000 Baht
• Food, drinks, sundries 1000 Baht

That's 4000 Baht a day. Again - that's a rough guide. 3000 Baht will get you a pretty decent room in Bangkok, with a breakfast and good facilities. I typically spend a few hundred Baht a day on food, but I don't drink alcohol much so you'd need to budget for that.

So, if you are planning a 10 day holiday budget 40,000 Baht - somehow though, you always end up spending more than you planned.

Living

This is a topic that I've discussed elsewhere. My monthly figure for having a decent life in Bangkok is 70,000 Baht a month. Many westerners live on far less though, as the typical teacher's salary in Bangkok is around 35,000 Baht and seems to have been for years!

Retiring

The minimum you should budget for your retirement in Thailand (in theory) is 65,000 Baht per month, as this is the minumum required by the O-A visa (but OK if you can show 800,000 Baht in the bank every year this doesn't apply). I usually budget 70,000 Baht. You can live on much less than this though. Around 35,000 Baht will give you an OK living in Bangkok and a much better living in the provinces. Note the provinces are generally quite a bit cheaper than Bangkok for most things but in particular rent. You might even be able to live on around 25,000 Baht in the provinces - but it depends - if you have a wife or girlfriend for example then expect to have additional expenses.

There are so many variables that it is really difficult that will quote a monthly income that is a "one size fits all" figure. I would suggest budgeting 70,000 a month if you are currently planning your retirement - if you can live on less then all to the good.