Am I over or under budgeting for a 6-month stay in Thailand?

Overbudgeting by a long shot. A decent condo with utilities can be less than half in Chiang Mai, and your food & transport are also way higher than necessary. Unless you intend to never eat Thai food, you will be spending less than half of $10 for breakfast & lunch.

you can do better on the rent and maybe start cooking/ eating at home . just a suggestion 😀

Definitely overbudgeting

You missed a few little things ,

But no worries ,

Rent is about right BKK wise. If you're coming from the states and want to live in a nice area, it will be easy 1 bed for 30k thb. Especially if its 6 months, you'll have to pay more for a shorter lease.

Phone PAYG and Wifi probably total to 35 usd

Clubbing is same as the west, drinks / cocktails are 10 usd a pop. Bottles for seated service, 300-400 usd.

It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it. You can get cheaper rent in some areas and you can chose to just drink beer.

Cut your rent and utilities in half unless your renting to own, at 700 your paying western prices

Have you been to Thailand before?

Eat local food. Your spending way too much on food.

You could easily half the monthly expenses rent , transport , food , phone WiFi

Health insurance?

You'll be fine. Don't plan so much. Just go with the flow and be careful with how you spend your money. It was easy for me to spend less every day. I just did a lot of walking to parks, wats, and malls. Mostly free too.

If you want to burn money your in good hands

Sick buffalo ?

I’m assuming only for 1 person living moderately in bkk.

1. Rent> you could do with $200-300 per month. You can actually reduce it to $100-150 if you want to budget.

2. Transportation> Rent or buy a bike, Get a license(via agent or self), and you can go anywhere in the city without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money for taxi. Initial cost may be a bit higher but later on, your weekly transportation cost will not be more than $30. Getting a car is a different story due to higher insurance, tax, maintenance, toll etc.

3. Food> well, it depends on how you can adapt to Asian food. If you’re fully adapted to Asian food, you can get by with less than $5-10 a day, assuming you always eat out. But, if you want to cook yourself and eat in, you’ll save a lot especially when you buy from wet market.

4. Phone & WiFi > dtac monthly unlimited data plan is around $10 per month. AIS 300 mbps monthly plan is around $15 per month. A maximum of $25 should be more than suffice.

So, mandatory bill will be 300+100+300+25=725 USD. A moderate amount. It can even be reduced to $400-ish or increased to $- - - - .

There are pretty good massages with around 250 thb(approximately $8) per hour. You will become a jello after that massage. Clubbing and partying is your choice. Khao San road is like the headquarters and you will probably spend around $100 per night just for fun but if you opt to spend more for others, it’s really up to you.

Tickets and stuff won’t cost you as much.

Dreamworld/safari world/several amusement parks- around $30 with all inclusive buffet. The only two things that will cost you a lot of money are travel(if you don’t opt for bike) and snacks(you will end up eating tons and tons of snacks because they are delicious and very eye-catching).

.

500 a month is not enough

Transport and food is mental lol

Where and when are you planning to go? As you mention island hopping, and club scene, the rent amount is questionable. The rent will be very dependent on location and time of year. If you plan any type of hotel accommodation for your island trips that will add up quite quickly too. Even simple places on the islands are pricier than they used to be. 700 to 1000 baht a night used to be quite common even in high season. Now it’s hard to find anything under 2500 unless you’re very far from a desirable location,

Who gives a f*CK , you seem like a proper narcissist. I hope you get taken for everything by the vultures you will inevitably encounter 😡

I’m looking at spending £1,200 - £1,400 a month when I move there , all in ?

$2100 fixed cost in Thailand is mid-high can do much cheaper .

For a couple <$500 a room is fine

Plan your rental close to stores bars restaurants keep transportation low <$150

Phone and WiFi dtac <$30 phone with hot spot get an apartment with WiFi inc

Electric I need aircon $100

Food $300 and that’s eating well

Lots of temptation available here so can spend thousands or it’s a thousand depends on your lifestyle

A fun night out as a couple can be done for $100

Partying with ladies till the bars close can easily hit $500

There’s something for everyone and every budget in Thailand

I'm not sure you've given this enough thought!

Your over thinking it just sell everything and move here

Stay home safe and sound

WTF???!!!

You asking for everything your going to get. More research needed matey.

Hi Django

This is always a tough question as so many variables. Your overall budget is not far out but not high living, my spend would be different.

$700 if you are moving around in hotels that would be 750 baht a night. In Pattaya this would be staying in a hostel. Out in the sticks a hotel room with en-suite but would be 3 star. To rent a house / condo can reduce the cost but fixes you in one place but most Thais want a 12 month contract.

Some hotels do an expat long term stay rate if you book for three months or more. Save 40%.

you can “rent a room” (with a bathroom) in a block mainly full of working Thais for 4-6k baht a month. (Water and electric on top). I have done this 12 yrs ago perfectly fine.

Condos depending on where 12-80k per month.

My experience if there is two of you and you want a 4 star trip island hop trip:

We’re currently island hoping for our annual holiday trip, (wife and I). Samui, Koh pangang, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, phuket, Bangkok. 28 day trip and probably the best but most expensive part of Thailand, Hotels for the trip 104k baht, (110 USD pn) spending money 185k baht 5 Flights and 5 ferry,s 40k baht 330,000 baht or $9800 USD.

This is 28 nights away if you did this for 6 months it’s 59k USD. Your $2600 budget 15.6k so you will need to compromise.

last night:

Seafood dinner 2400 5 different dishes and 8 small bottles of beer. Then at the bar, bill 1500. Taxi about 1km 300 each way. Total 4500 baht. $133 USD for dinner and a night out. We were home by 11.00 so not a big night out.

My advice would be to plan your trip in detail, where your going to be, do research in accommodation cost, transport costs a daily budget for;

Scooter hire, clothes washing, restaurants for breakfast, lunch dinner, allowance for beers etc to calculate a daily budget. If you have a full time girlfriend (gulp! Probs double it and add $40 USD. Don’t forget those 2 nights a week were you go full on.

I live in Thailand monthly budget 130k baht. My wife and I own our cars. We rent a house for 23k per month. We have 30k each for spends for the month, 15k for farang food shopping (we eat at home Thai and western food). 10k Big C shopping (soap bread water beers). 3-6k electric (4 air cons), 15k for golf. etc etc.

That excludes holidays (which we have many short breaks to Mae Phim, Rayong Koh Chang Hua Hin) and excludes a monthly golf trip with the golf club for 2-3 nights.

We always overspend our budget.

Thailand is cheap in many ways bottle of beer 60baht, kapow lunch the same but real living costs of a good but not exorbitant life style, plus all the little things add up to more than you think.

It’s not worth coming here for 6 months and living poorly. My son came for three months he burned his money and 4k USD of mine, after 2 months I told him to go back home. He didn’t and had a miserable last month living but not LIVING.

You can do your 6 monthly trip on your budget but will need careful forward planning and a lot of self control once the Chang (lager) hits common sense flies out the door (I do it regularly).

Thailand is very large and living costs in Udon Thani are worlds apart from Phuket. So plan out a trip and ask for peoples opinions on your plan. Most western people come here either find the most beautiful girl in the world and travel with them, or have/ make friends with other expats. Bars and bar girls are fun but expensive - life isn’t fun if your on your own in a town or city we’re many if not all don’t speak your language. PS : Everywhere usually has an expat/sports bar.

Plan wisely my friend there is nowhere quite like Thailand it is the most beautiful and exciting place to visit but a fool and his money easily parted.

Good luck.

PS. I would not recommend leaving your property empty for 6 months. Squatters, leaks, infestations can destroy your property. Www.spareroom.com is a website to rent out rooms by the month.

If you had two bedrooms and a separate lounge. Move your stuff in the lounge and rent out the two bedrooms. In NY it’s approx 1000 dollars a month a room. An extra 2000 dollars a month would greatly improve your budget. Tenants have a 1 month rolling contract. They ensure that any problems are quickly identified/resolved. On your return you can easily reclaim all of your property, or keep the rooms rented to fund a return trip. A great way to earn a living whilst sitting in the beach in Thailand.

Don't take other Americans as a reference. No offense but you generally don't know how to travel and they overcharge you.

Transport: a scooter is Usd.

Rent: for 400 you can already get something great

Food: a pad that is 1.5 Usd. You can easily spend 10 Usd per day and not per meal.

Internet: 100 is too much too.

you eat a cow? :) I eat good quality food in Thailand for 150$ monthly

My rent is $741/mo. I'm in a high rise building near the Phrom pong BTS station, walking distance. I have yet to spend less than $100/day for each day I go out to party at night, which is about 3 days a week. Meals at the average locals' restaurant is going to be around $8-12. The fancier places are obviously going to be more expensive. I found the most all-you-can-eat buffets roll around $35 to $50 per person. My prepaid AIS phone service was $135 for 4 months, but the highest end service they offer. Gym membership was the same. I almost exclusively use the trains and busses. I spend roughly $75/mo. Internet and utilities are roughly $75/mo. Misc tourist stuff, figure a generous $500/mo. And I'm just under $3k/month. And I'm having the time of my life!!

We live here full-time and we spend around $5,000 a month. It does not include our housing..

Many other expats will tell you a similar ballpark estimate..

I would say $2,000 a month is too little.

And keep in mind one bad night in a bar can cost you $1,000. 😂

The vocal minority on this group are vile. A person asks for advice and help and is met with derision and abuse.

You need at least $6k for that kind of lifestyle (about $200 a day)

For $700 a month, you can find a nice condominium with good amenities in a pleasant neighborhood. However, there are cheaper options available. We managed to secure a two-bedroom unit for $800, excluding utilities, so $700 seems reasonable. Keep in mind that you'll need to provide a two-month deposit along with the first month's rent.

Also, just a heads up: $2k-$3k in Thailand might not stretch as far as it used to. Everything's getting pricier, especially for foreigners. Luckily, you don't have school age kids, or you'd be totally broke. Lol.

During the first few weeks, it's advisable to avoid street food to prevent food poisoning, which could lead to a hospital visit so good health insurance is a plus. Enjoy your new place and good luck!

What visa do you think you are getting?

Less than 1200 a month in se Asia is poverty living 1500 to 2500 middle class 2500 and up baller

$30 every day for food. You can lower that.

Phone and wifi 100$? We are not in the west lol

900 for food?!

And people wonder why the prices in Thailand horizon

You forgot the Kateoy texperience

Is that in Thailand ? I can’t believe it.

You spending more money than a western country. Rent should half that, food should be half that.

Adapting is the key.

The “Girlfriend experience” is gonna be your downfall 😂😂

-Rent is high

-Transportation $400 WTF!!! I've never spent even $100 on transpo. I wouldn't rent a scooter unless you're going to be in an area where it's rural and required. The ride share app rates are cheap.

-I paid $80 for my cell bill for the year with AIS.

-Wifi is only like $17-$20 if it's not included with your rental.

You didn't mention health insurance.

$700 is not a lot for rent in BKK. It's enough though 👍

You won't be able to treat your GF too much though with what's left, especially if you wanna do any travel/trips with her.

Rent too high, agreed.

over or under it's depending in your lifestyle

Local even can live with wage under 15,000 baht

Daily meal 30 - 70 baht / each

Phone + Wifi 1000 baht

Rent start 10,000 baht (sukhumvit) (other area can be lower)

Utility : 1000 baht

that's your total monthly cost mandatory

฿100k per month should be enough but everyone lives different lifestyles. I've lived here for 6yrs and it averages out to around ฿85k per month usually, excluding health insurance, bike and car insurance etc.

Good Luck !

I rent a studio in a great building no contract just month to month for $300. I rent a small scooter $80 a month. Unlimited data and calls mobile package around $15 a month, wi fi is free in my building. Eating out Thai food/ street food around $ 12 a day but depends on what you prefer if you want western food or enjoy nice restaurants then its going to be more. I think you're way over on most of your budget but I live pretty cheaply. Main costs are booze and women 😆. I've lived here 4 years so any questions just ask.

Good Luck.

Dude you can live in Thailand like a Thai for like 1000$ USD per month

I think you can save a bit of money on food if you can prepare some home cooked food.

Talking about your transportation, you can buy a cheap Honda Jazz for 130k baht to get around the area

5

Rent seems high… food low and entertainment low

Your budget looks pretty sound. If you eat ‘local’ your food bill will be a fraction of that. I could eat for $10 a day quite easily.

The rent looks reasonable. Are you renting a condo? Where will you be based?

You can sleep on the beach for free. You can pay someone $1000 to cook you a $100 steak while you sleep on the beach for free. A very common expression in Thailand it's all "Up to you".

<- that's a pretty good site to find local prices. You can get cheaper if you want.

500/month walking around money, its ok. You can have a good time that you will remember the rest of your life. If you're some working stiff and this is your big once in a lifetime get-away.... I would say, go for it.

However, I think you maybe over budgeting on your 'mandatory'. I don't think you have the money for "island hoping" but you probably have the money for 'Island staying'.

Koh Samui is a large lsland, you can visit a couple of the smaller islands for the weekend. You could get monthly rental off the beach for much cheaper than $700/month. A motorcycle rental is $150/month.

You can do similar for Krabi. If you rent on the beach $$$$ if you rent 2 or 3km from the beach $$. If you have a Thai companion $ (because they know their country better than we do).

Where you trying be in Thailand. The prices very wildly. In Pattaya I spend 3000k USD a month for a central location clubbing every weekend eat out daily. In Udon Thani, I spend less than 1500 USD. I’ve got places in both and my wife and I split out time between.

I use house Internet and messenger as a phone for uk calls all free,on messenger so as far as America phone goes how do you use that pal ??,

If you eat at food courts you can trim that food budget in half. The food is better anyway for the most part.

Your food bill is a bit high. You ever thought to cook or learn how to cook? It saved me a lot of money.

Phuket.

It depends on the standard you’re used to. If you want a tiny room in a condo and the cheapest food, feel free to cut costs in half.

But if you want a villa with a pool and a decent European-style restaurants, then somewhere around $3k will be it (not including bar ladies, I have no idea about their prices).

RENT 1Bedroom 6k - 50k baht

TRANSPORT Bike 4.5k+ car 10k+ baht per month

FOOD Eating Thai 500, Western 800 + baht per day

SIM CARD Unlimited data 1.8k per year

Rent will vary in Thailand depending on where you are and what you want eg ac,pool

It looks like you put a lot of thought to this, and it’s going to depend what you fill your days for the six months. If traveling to other parts of Thailand the cost of living can vary based on your needs. Are you a budget oriented person when it comes to accommodations? Based on your needs, the monthly budget for accommodation can be as low as couple of hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. Clothes are cheap, if you buy polyester, which is a fabric not ideal for hot humid🥵 weather. Food can be quite inexpensive if you can go with eating Thai food most of your days. If you opt for something different, for example, my husband I spent around 1700(~ 50 dollars) baht going to a Japanese restaurant last night.

As others have said, budget in travel insurance. Things happen that you might not expect, such as medical care.

Note: Partying, massages, island hopping, and girlfriend experience costs can vary greatly depending your needs and wants. These items are what you want to “budget,” on a weekly and monthly basis and stick with it. There’re travelers that do run out of funds based on their activities.🫣

Lastly, try not to over think about the budget stuff. Budget and stick with the budget. Safe travels. 😁

All very well, but what is the bus timetable to Pattaya

Send me a private message. I don’t mind offering you any advice I can. I’m Canadian and live here.

Do you have Internet access here pal ????

Yes INSURANCE IS Compulsory!!

3000baht per day

10 times the lowest thai wage earners

I dunno, maybe you can just manage it.

I think I spent $10k in 6 weeks. In 2011. 🙈

Dude this post gave me life 🤣

interest from the savings are already counting with 3% inflation ?

You clearly have a certain lifestyle and budget, because 20k for 6 months is a lot for some, but not enough for others.

Health insurance

It really depends on your lifestyle and where in Thailand you intend to stay. My first time in Thailand I ran through $10k+ in a month and spent most of my time in Bangkok and Phuket. I had an amazing trip, but it wasn’t necessary to spend this much. Your current budget is definitely doable but I would try and increase the $500 leftover to $1000 to be safe.

If you're in Bangkok the expenses should be fine, but you're going to need a lot more than 500 for the other things.

Where are you going, if you’re going to spend $100 a week on travel??

Phone and wifi $100 It doesn’t even cost me that much in Australia, so you definitely need to fix that.

I’ve looked at condos over there for around $100 a week including power, water and wifi, so you need to change that.

You can get food way cheaper than that, maybe $10 for dinner, street food cheap as.

So really your whole budget needs fixing up. 🤔😊

Girlfriend experience ? Really ? Do you need to put that there ?

Too much for rent and food but consider travel insurance as a must. Every other week some poor farang begging for go fund me donations after an accident. Sorry to sound insensitive but if one chooses to bypass insurance then don't ask friends and strangers to bail one out.

.

way too much

Be careful massages can be deceptively expensive. Let me tell you how. Sure 350.to 400 baht massage. Then tip say 200 to 300 baht for tip. All the sudden that is $21. But because you think it's so cheap , you get a massage every other day, where as at home you might get s massage one every two years.

Now , I didnt even add in , the persuasive young therapist that convinces you to give her an extra 700 baht tip to make the massage real good you like.

Brothe money goes fast when you are trying to enjoy yourself in Thailand. You will be surprised at all the unexpected cost.

LB experience

Rent a tad high unless you need it fancy. But 30 bucks a day for food? Man, are you planning to eat western? Make eggs in the morning yourself (get organic fro the store), eat local once a day and western dinner. You can easily cut it in half

Also, where are you transporting yourself for 400 bucks? To Kuala Lumpur and back?

Isn’t it like 150$ to rent a bike? Don’t quote me, I Grab or walk

I keep editing 😂

Phone and internet should be half of what you are paying

Question of the day, are you already in Thailand or is it a YouTube wisdom?

Americans 🤦🏻‍♂️

considering it came up a few times, the 'girlfriend experience' seems somewhat high on your agenda so you will definitely need to allocate more budget to that... as others have said you can definitely save on transport and rent, food too if you go local

Rent is way too high and stop eating at western restaurants. You should easily be able to cut those two items in half. Phone and wifi should cost you $20 a month tops here. Just pause your US plan and get a plan here.

As others said, you can cut rent in half, food will be nothing like that unless high-end dining every day ($5-$10 PER DAY is plenty), phone / wifi $20, transport, again, significantly lower. Maybe $50 per month, assuming bus / train use. For elephants, I'd recommend WFFT in Chiang Mai as it is one of the few genuinely ethical experiences. Avoid Phuket as others have mentioned, Samui is expensive. Many nicer experiences, e.g. Koh Phayam, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta. Krabi / Ao Nang may suit your needs. Massages are around $7-12 for 'standard' massage. No idea of the cost of 'special' massages as I don't partake... Anyway. Sounds like you've thought of most things so have a great trip. Recommend to bring mosquito repellent as the strongest ones here are insufficient for me. Also sunscreen is expensive and / or whitening.

What a tool

$3,000 USD per month is a good starting point. Rent is going to be your biggest variable.

Rent a motorbike for about $100 a month save a fortune on taxis

Bro…

Partying and ladies are 150 USD a night at least

150 times 7 = 1050 a week…

And that’s on the cheapest end of the spectrum

Is really 2-250 USD a night if you really want to get your freak on 🤣

Where do these people come from ???

With these unrealistic expectations and budgets..

Geez Louise