What is a reasonable monthly budget for a single retiree living in Bangkok on an LTR visa?

@Chris ****

Good onya mate, we do the same. Don't listen to the people who think living a simple lifestyle is not fun. Most of them only spend to impress others.

@Trav *********

Yes, Peace bro 🙏🏻

@Mike **********

where is here that sucks?

@Mike ******

I love this country and so much about it. Just getting expensive and I can say women are a little crazy when they get older.

@Mike **********

Oh yeah, if in the U.S , the dating pool sucks. The women here are just delusional. I’m in florida but will be retiring soon and heading to SE Asia (Vietnam, Thailand) first stops

@Mike ******

insurance is out of control there. Yes I’ve met many from Florida. Nutz. I spent 5 months I. Thailand , Cambodia and Vietnam. Loved all 3 but Thailand is still my favorite.

@Griff ******

all true. But what are you saving it in the Scwab account for? Maybe something significant. But i saved for a fun retirement. And Thailand gets fantastic luxury for a great price. You can't find that in many countries. May as well enjoy

@Eric ******

It’s meant for whoever can meet the financial requirements.

@Eric ******

still a great price. Gets you a massive penthouse in BKK?

@Jeremy *****

I find it hard to believe you survive on only ฿13k per month. I live with my partner and baby daughter in CM and we average ฿80k per month. Here's a basic list of expenses; Rent - ฿25k per month

Electricity - ฿3k per month

Car, bike & scooter insurances - ฿40k per year.

Health insurance - ......

House water - ฿300 per month

Drinking water - ฿800 per month

Fuel - ฿2000 per month

Food/household items - ฿20,000 per month

Phones/internet - ฿800 per month

Outside activities/coffee - ฿3000 per month

Kid stuff/clothes/toys etc - ฿1-฿2000 per month

Schooling for kids - hasn't started school yet but will be around ฿200k-฿400k per year.

Birthday/chrissy presents - ฿5000-฿10,000 per year.

Haircuts/clippers etc - ฿1000-฿3000 per year.

Clothes - ...

Hobbies - ....

Gym - ฿10,000 per year.

Animals food/vet bills - ....

Dr appointments - ฿15,000+ per year

Funerals/weddings etc....

Travelling during smoky season - ฿100,000 for 2 months each year.

Personally we don't smoke or drink any alcohol but if you do -...

We don't buy anything from big shopping centres. Usually just window shopping, we buy our food from makro/lotus/local markets mostly and we also choose the cheaper option. No massages, no partying etc.

@True *****

He lives in Bangkok. Doesn't need most of the things you've listed. You have an expensive lifestyle, he cuts corners. It's like I've said elsewhere - you can choose your own budget, especially in Bangkok.

@Mark *******

for sure if he's got no outside hobbies, eats on a shoestring budget, doesn't use Aircon, has no healthcare coverage, no vehicles or insurances, no rent costs, no animals, no partner or children, doesn't travel etc then the ฿13k per month is likely enough for him to survive...

@True *****

And that's how some people choose to live. And freedom of choice is a wonderful thing.

@Mark *******

฿150k a year is just surviving, far from living.

@True *****

Again it's all about perspective. Not everyone needs what you think they should. Thai people live happy lives on less than that, and some farangs want nothing more than to "live like a Thai". Your reasoning is very subjective.

@Mark *******

obviously Thai people live on much less, they are locals, it's their home country. Locals don't need health insurance, they live with their families etc. We are talking about foreigners living here providing next to nothing for the community.

@True *****

But I see health insurance isn't on your budget, but you're still spending 15,000+ baht per year on doctor's appointments! Many rely (and get quite successful with) GoFundMe appeals when the going gets tough! Not everyone needs a car, motorcycle and a scooter. I live in Bangkok so I don't need any! It doesn't bother me what people "provide to the community". Whatever they do bring in, they spend here. Every baht matters

@Mark *******

I have pre-existing conditions so it's not easy to find providers. I usually pay out of pocket for health issues for myself, which depending on the issue, eg; if it's a pre-existing injury I'm reimbursed from my home country (although I am trying to obtain insurance again, currently being assessed by the underwriting team). I like to keep a couple mil on hand in Thai banks though just incase of any big issues/accidents that may occur. The ฿15k is just for my daughter's vaccination and check-up appointments. Most Thais own a scooter, even if it's only one for the family. Appears the guy isn't bringing in anything and lives/lived on less than the Thai minimum wage.

@True *****

You appear to be judging others situations on your own personal position. I'm not Thai but I don't own a scooter (and never will to be honest). I live in Bangkok so public transport, taxis, Grab etc suit me fine. If I go out of Bangkok I hire a car. I'm retired so my kids are grown up, and many other expats are in the same situation. You're young, so you have a completely different set of standards. Retirees don't have the same obligations. My children have already been through school and university and are now working. They fend for themselves. Many other retirees are in the same position. They don't need much to live on, because they live a simple life. I bring in 100k each month, but I also use that to fund my airfares as I travel overseas three times a year, and travel extensively within Thailand. I also like to eat out and visit music venues at least three times a week. Not everyone wants that, and I respect that. My needs and wants are different to the next person. And I don't judge.

@Mark *******

I mentioned Thai people have a scooter as you said some foreigners want to live like a Thai person does. I don't think the guy living on ฿150k per year is retired as he mentioned working. Anyway, I listed my average monthly expenses above so the OP can see what I spend as a young retired person here with a Thai partner and toddler living on a modest budget. He can deduct or add to the list as he sees fit to suit his own situation and lifestyle needs. I commented on Jeremy's comment as I found it out of the ordinary for a foreigner to be living here on only ฿13k per month. People in that bracket are usually beg packers and as you said end up needing a go fund me when shit hits the fan.

@True *****

But the OP is retired, so his situation is totally different to yours. I think he's seeking feedback from people in a similar situation? As to

@Jeremy *****

's comments, I'm happy that I'm non-judgemental!

@Mark *******

I'm also a retired expat living here for the last 6yrs, and I didn't see the OP mention his age either so I shared my experience as he may have similar interests/lifestyle. Give yourself a pat on the back for being non-judgemental...

@True *****

By "retired" I mean 50+

@Mark *******

well if we're just assuming he means retired as being 50+ then I guess we should also assume he'll need to account for medications as many elderly people generally need medications, also nearly every 'retired expat' I know/see owns a big bike not just a scooter so I guess the insurances etc from my budget would apply to him too. What other generalisations should we make in that case, well the guys without big bikes are usually the bar stool occupants that like spending money on alcohol and drinking at new sky bars every night and usually indulge in ladie's services. Most older guys enjoy eating at nice restaurants instead of /70 baht Thai food for every meal, how much should we allocate for that...

@True *****

That's up to him to budget accordingly. As I said before many people rely on GoFundMe when they get sick. How do you know he has insurance in his BIG bike? I'm only speaking generally. If Thai people can live on meagre income, so can expats.

@Mark *******

exactly, that's why I listed most of my expenses individually so he can see if anything applies to him or not. Yes, those making go fund me are leaches on society instead of paying their own way and having health insurance or cash reserves like everyone else that pays their way here. Big bike insurance? Most that can afford a big bike also pay for 1st class insurance or they've got plenty of cash to fork out if they don't have it, but I've not met anyone with a 1mil+ bike that doesn't have comprehensive insurance, most use roojai after the 1st year complimentary insurance expires. Nobody said you can't survive here on a pittance, but it's definitely not living if you're a foreigner and actually many Thai live here without any income and have a better lifestyle than if a foreigner had no pot to piss in.

@True *****

Exactly my point. People choose how they want to live. And if they want to live on baht, so be it.

@Mark *******

do you think recommending that only ฿13k per month is a realistic figure for someone that's enquiring about what average living expenses are here for a retired expat? And that ฿80k is hugely overpriced?

@True *****

I don't think he recommended it. I think he was giving the lower-end perspective. What is possible. I couldn't do it, no way in the world, but my lifestyle is a little more lavish, but I'm sure many do. I think the OP was looking for feedback across the board so he'd get a good balanced "feel" of living costs

@Mark *******

so looking at the replies from over 60 people on this post, only 2 of them (which you wouldn't consider their opinion/experience anyway as they're under 50) have put their expenses from $1500-$1800 per month compared to the 60 other members advising they spend from $2000-$4000 with a few members saying over that amount per month. So I guess the only 1 guy (which isn't retired and still working so again not the target audience yhe OP is looking to hear from) commenting that he lives on a measly $400 per month will be considered a reliable figure to aim for...I rest my case lol.

@True *****

If you only want to consider that $400 one, I guess that's your choice! Personally I'd be looking at all of them, but I'm not seeking feedback. I've lived here for 15 years, so I've got a pretty good idea of my living expenses

@Mark *******

are you as selective with your hearing in person as you are with your reading 🤣 do you also realise how you continually contradict yourself in your comments throughout this entire post...lol. And no, I'd not even consider the one single comment from a member saying $400 is enough to life on but I'd rather focus on the other 60 members advising between $2k-$4k as I just mentioned above.

@True *****

And that's your freedom of choice, which is great. I haven't contradicted myself once, you perhaps have some comprehension issues. It's not you who's requesting feedback is it? So you don't have to consider every single comment. Jeremy started his post with the comment "by my standards" but you're reluctant to accept that. I suggest someone with the name True Blue is a fake profile who enjoys trolling.

@Mark *******

surely you can't be that oblivious in seeing how you've constantly contradicted yourself throughout this post. Ignorance is bliss I guess or possibly you're just getting a little senile as you get on. Yes, I must be AI or something, even though I'm one of the only commentors that provided a detailed breakdown of my monthly/yearly expenses instead of just giving a round figure, very troll worthy lol.

@True *****

Your breakdown in your expenses is stupid and unrealistic. Christmas presents? Doctor's appointments? Coffee? 3000 baht? You've plucked figures out of the air. The OP wants a ballpark figure. He's retired. You're young. Where's the similarities. He doesn't have kids. Jesus man, you're way off the mark

@Mark *******

yes, Christmas and birthday presents, you don't buy anything for your partner? Doctors appointments I already explained above when you questioned me, that figure is the exact cost for my daughter's vaccination and check-up appointments, it does not include mine or my partners costs as they are sometimes nothing per year. Coffee, yes coffee but you'll also see (must be your selective reading playing up again lol) in front of coffee it says 'outside activities/coffee' for ฿3000, so I've probably underestimated on that for someone that enjoys a coffee at a Cafe etc each morning and that's without considering the outside activities part, but for my family (it is my budget after all), yes it's about ฿3000 as I only get a coffee on the days I go to the gym, so roughly times per week. The outside activities part could be anything but in my case it's usually paying for an hour at a play zone etc for my daughter every few days. It also includes the expenses I incur when going on a ride with a group where we stop for lunch etc. So no, the figures aren't plucked out of thin air, they are taken from averages over years of living here. Again on the retired thing, I am also retired, and again as I explained above, if you're an elderly retired person you'd probably need to actually account for more expenses than a younger retired person due to medications, more expensive insurance premiums etc. As to the ballpark figure, the OP has certainly received that, mine and the other 60 commentors have all said about $2500, well except for the 1 individual comment which said $400 per month lol.

@Mark *******

according to your comment; "But the OP is retired, so his situation is totally different to yours. I think he's seeking feedback from people in a similar situation?" So why did Jeremy bother to even comment then if it's completely unrealistic to expect other foreigner expats to live on only ฿13k per month and also as you say his situation is not similar to the OPs as Jeremy was not retired, he was working here etc...now you say the OP is looking for "feedback across the board" make your mind up...So now you assume he wants feedback across the board, but you tell me my itemised list of expenses isn't relevant because I'm not retired, which I am actually retired, so you say well he wants feedback from people over 50, so why is Jeremy's meager budget of a non retired person working here so important to be considered, when you then tell me, a retired person who happens to be under 50 (which the OP never mentioned an age group anyway) is so irrelevant?

@Darren ******

of course.

@Darren ******

Fair enough I suppose, I know Thailand it's way of life concerning men and their partners. I don't think it's in our western ways , especially today,to expect a man to give us " house keeping money" ( as it was called in my mother's day).

Very different if you are the breadwinner with wife/ partner who keeps house, of her own choice of course, or with kids who are a lot of work. All the ladies in my family and friends have worked and had their own money , so it's not in my way of thinking. I had a friend, now passed away, who had an absolutely beautiful Thai girlfriend. I stayed with them in their beautiful house in Bangkok . He worked as an agriculture expert for the French government but in Thailand. She had everything, but left him after a few years for an older man who spoilt her more. My friend was devastated. It can happen to anyone I suppose.

@John *************

the difference is that some people don’t wanna live on less than 30 sqm.

Hes a retiree ok, but especially for people who are working at home, you should love your home, and for 2 people 30sqm are defo not enough.

I have 62 sqm for 25k for 2 people and thats just fine.

@Christopher *******

thank you. I usually stay in On Nut and that's also my budget

@Jo**

fair enough bro. Smoking weed everyday and drinking every night would add up. Thanks for sharing your expenses ✅

@Alex ******

idiot