Cost of Living in Thailand
The cost of living in Thailand is very cheap compared to other expat destinations and international cities. Expats who are paid salaries equivalent to those in their home countries will be able to afford new luxuries. Often expat families even hire a maid who can live-in or visit daily.
A resident of Thailand (in Thailand for more than 180 days per tax year) is liable to pay tax on local income and on any income that is brought into Thailand. Non-residents are subject to tax only on Thai-based income. The tax rate for residents is calculated on a progressive scale starting from 10% for annual income exceeding THB 150,000 to 37% for anything exceeding THB 4,000,001.
Food is extremely inexpensive in Thailand. Street meals should cost around THB 185, a good mid-range meal at a restaurant will cost closer to THB 263 and a beer will be about THB 78 at a bar. Furniture, crafts and handmade goods are also inexpensive so decorating an unfurnished apartment may be more cost effective than renting a furnished one.
Transportation is cheap; a 3km city centre bus fare is about THB 22. Most things bought at markets can be bartered for and it is not expected to pay the first asking price. Memorising some Thai will substantially cut the costs of transportation and market goods. See Word Travels for currency exchange rates.
|
Accommodation (monthly rent in good area)
|
|
|
Furnished 2 bedroom house
|
THB 13,079
|
|
Furnished 2 bedroom apartment
|
THB 12,955
|
|
Room in shared apartment
|
THB 3,300
|
|
Food and Drink
|
|
|
1 litre milk
|
THB 51
|
|
500g cheese
|
THB 338
|
|
Bread (white)
|
THB 35
|
|
12 eggs
|
THB 34
|
|
1kg sugar
|
THB 57
|
|
500g ground coffee
|
THB 374
|
|
Tea bags (25)
|
THB 84
|
|
1 litre Coca-Cola
|
THB 40
|
|
1 litre mineral water
|
THB 32
|
|
1kg minced beef
|
THB 203
|
|
1kg chicken (whole)
|
THB 164
|
|
Beer per can
|
THB 33
|
|
Bottle of wine
|
THB 496
|
|
Cigarettes (20)
|
THB 50
|
|
Household
|
|
|
2.5kg laundry detergent
|
THB 65
|
|
500ml dishwashing liquid
|
THB 60
|
|
Bath soap
|
THB 40
|
|
Toothpaste
|
THB 63
|
|
200ml shampoo
|
THB 94
|
|
Deodorant
|
THB 71
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
Telephone line (monthly rental)
|
THB 229
|
|
Mobile/cell phone
|
THB 1,859
|
|
Electricity costs - apartment (100sq.m)
|
THB 1,158
|
|
Eating out and entertainment
|
|
|
Three-course restaurant meal
|
THB 263
|
|
Fast-food meal
|
THB 185
|
|
Coffee in café
|
THB 51
|
|
Beer in bar
|
THB 78
|
|
Taxi per km
|
THB 61
|
|
City bus
|
THB 22
|
|
Internet café (30min)
|
THB 25
|
|
Health
|
|
|
Consultation – private doctor/GP
|
THB 469
|
|
Aspirin (100 tablets)
|
THB 112
|
|
Antibiotics (12)
|
THB 84
|
Tags
