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
reflects a modest lifestyle and would not include owning a car. Frequent visits to European restaurants or other evening entertainment would not feasible. Nevertheless a comfortable, interesting lifestyle is quite possible.
- 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.
Of course, anything above the amounts suggested is possible. For example, it is no problem to rent a house for 100000 Baht per month. Luxury obviously knows no limits. To give a general idea of the average prices to expect, I have researched the most important costs to consider as of June 2008. Money Apartment/House (long term rental) A furnished apartment (one room) with bathroom starts at 5000 Baht per month A furnished house (for example living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms) starts at 15 000 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 3000 Baht per month.
Water costs 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 450 Baht per month. An apartment on the other hand would require a much smaller amount. Telephone the basic rate is 100 Baht/month Telephone ADSL-Internet
starts at approx. 500 Baht/month (flat rate) Internet Cable-TV 3 500 Baht/year = approx. 300 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.
Health insurance (Thai insurance companies) Over the age of 60, the monthly cost can be 9400 Baht - 90000 Baht per year. The monthly share of the cost can be roughly estimated at between 900 - 9000 Baht. Current international health insurance companies are generally considerably more expensive. Health insurance
Groceries (as of June 2008 in Foodland Supermarket) Rice 126-233 Baht/5 kg
Potatoes 45 Baht/kg
Spaghetti 49 Baht/500 g Green apples 13 Baht/kg
Bananas 30 Baht/kg Tomatoes 40 Baht/kg
Iceberg lettuce 95 Baht/kg
Cauliflower 89 Baht/kg
Onions 27 Baht/kg Cooking oil 47 Baht/Litre Sugar 23 Baht/kg
Flour 44 Baht/kg Vienna sausages 34 Baht/100 g
Hot dogs 34 Baht/100 g
Sliced cold cuts 31 Baht/100 g
Sliced ham 36 Baht/100 g
Black Forest ham 64 Baht/100 g
Salami 56 Baht/100 g Chicken wings 115 Baht/kg
Beef 305 Baht/kg
Pork135 Baht/kg
Chops 205 Baht/kg
Eggs 41 Baht for 10 Gouda cheese 680 Baht/kg
Edam cheese 520 Baht/kg
Camembert 86 Baht/125 g Butter 76 Baht/225 g Fresh milk 58 Baht/Litre
Long life boxed milk 34 Baht/Litre Jam (Schwartau) 130 Baht/340 g
Sour dough bread 72 Baht/320 g
Whole wheat bread 58 Baht/250 g Nescafe 115 Baht/200 g
Teabags (Lipton) 166 Baht/100 bags Chocolate (van Houten) 57 Baht/100 g
Chocolate (Ritter Sport) 72 Baht/100 g Cola 25 Baht/1.25 Litre
Alcoholic beverages Singha beer 46 Baht/630 ml
Chang beer 40 Baht/630 ml
Heineken beer 59 Baht/630 ml
French wine 325 Baht/700 ml
Cigarettes 48 Baht for 20 Household cleaner Body care | 
