News Forum - European tourists decline by 50% in Koh Kut amid global tensions

[Khunmark]

Some of the things I’ve noticed about the tradesmen in Thailand is they do practically everything in situ. And it takes them 10 times as long to complete a job. Also they don’t use any of the money they make in reinvesting in tools. Their tools are crap without exception. Maybe they all live hand to mouth and can’t afford to buy good tools. If that’s the case it’s a sad state of affairs.

[yselmike]

On 11/13/2023 at 3:58 PM, Marc26 said:

I've argued for awhile that the price increases for flights is just part of traveling and we've had it really cheap n expensive and in the middle for 20 years of flying to Asia

But it really is putting a huge cost on us now flying with these high prices going on 3 years now

The worst thing is the prices are so high that it's almost impossible to change your flights during your trip if you went to stay longer or need to go home earlier

By the time you are your trip the prices to change are astronomical 

Before it used to be just the change fee and maybe a slight fare difference 

I booked with EVA in June to fly out from Amsterdam January 9 return February 6 paid €1089.Extended last week now return march 5,cost €448.Extended last year cost €220.The prices for some extensions was the same as the original flight,march 5 was the first available reasonable priced flight.Reason for extending my trip was the chance to stay with friends at their villa on Bali.Return Bangkok - Bali €338.

I've booked and paid for my flights and accomodations Bali is free,so I only need to pay for food,drinks etc. luckily I don't party like I used to or I wouldn't we able to do the long trips,it would bankrupt me.If you want a gogo girl in your bed it's gonna cost you.

[Manu]

On 11/14/2023 at 9:24 AM, PhuketBloke said:

Thailand is still dirt cheap compared to Europe even if the air fare is taken into account. 

Totally agree. Things have indeed gone up here, but in Europe the last 2 years prices of everything have skyrocketed, which to me is also one of the main factor together with flight prices explaining the decrease of tourists from Europe. I would like to see the stats with tourists from the UK for a start. I would bet there are far less coming today than before covid. And why? Gas and electricity bills some months this year have doubled and even tripled (and that indeed it is directly linked to the war in Ukraine). Prices of food, including essentials, have increased insanely. Petrol too, of course. etc... etc... So for many of the most modest earners, who used to do their annual 2/3 weeks trip to Thailand (and others), it is not possible to save enough anymore. And for those who did manage somehow, a quick check on flight prices is the last nail of the coffin. To me, those are the ones missing amongst the mass tourists currently + for sure some who could afford but do not want because they feel it is too much money (so for those definitely because of the flight prices). But yes, whatever your lifestyle is, Thailand is way cheaper than the UK and suddenly France too (And I would bet that it is the same for pratically all Western European countries). I was in the UK over the summer, I have been to France too, I am here now and I am experiencing this every single day.

[TheDirtyDurian]

Personally, I find my living costs for a family of four broadly similar in the UK to those in Thailand. If anything UK is slightly cheaper.

[Manu]

1 hour ago, TheDirtyDurian said:

Personally, I find my living costs for a family of four broadly similar in the UK to those in Thailand. If anything UK is slightly cheaper.

How that could be? No way near similar, to me. No way near the slightest !! Give us examples cause I do not get it. Just one specific example I can give you: my gas and electricity bills in the Uk have gone so high in my home there although I am not even there. I can afford it but this brought so much pressure on low earners, many choosing to cut off on heatings. How much are the same bills here? A fraction. With my farang earnings it is ridiculously cheaper than in the Uk. When I was there over the summer, I for example even hesitated to buy lamb although I can easily afford it, the price was so ridiculous, no way any low earning family can afford it. Today at lunch I had a duck noodle soup for 60 baths, what can you actually eat for that price in the Uk? Absolutely nothing, you can get a pack of pasta for that price, that’s it. I am all ears to what your perception of things on that one that makes you say anything is cheaper in the Uk, unless of it is high luxury lifestyle, which in this case it is irrelevant for the vast majority.

[Marc26]

58 minutes ago, Manu said:

How that could be? No way near similar, to me. No way near the slightest !! Give us examples cause I do not get it. Just one specific example I can give you: my gas and electricity bills in the Uk have gone so high in my home there although I am not even there. I can afford it but this brought so much pressure on low earners, many choosing to cut off on heatings. How much are the same bills here? A fraction. With my farang earnings it is ridiculously cheaper than in the Uk. When I was there over the summer, I for example even hesitated to buy lamb although I can easily afford it, the price was so ridiculous, no way any low earning family can afford it. Today at lunch I had a duck noodle soup for 60 baths, what can you actually eat for that price in the Uk? Absolutely nothing, you can get a pack of pasta for that price, that’s it. I am all ears to what your perception of things on that one that makes you say anything is cheaper in the Uk, unless of it is high luxury lifestyle, which in this case it is irrelevant for the vast majority.

As I said above it all depends on your lifestyle 

 

I think you can settle in to Thailand and definitely live pretty cheap

And very happy doing so....

 

 

But

Higher end meals are just as expensive in Thailand or more expensive than in Canada

I will be going to dinner Friday in Bangkok and it won't be any cheaper than in Canada

 

I just bought 10 drumsticks last night and it was 220 baht in Canada

That amount of chicken is going to be very similar price in Thailand 

 

 

As I said above cars same price if not more in Thailand for a new car

I was looking for a 2nd hand car in Thailand for my son and I couldn't fine anything remotely decent for less than 300k

I drive a gorgeous BMW 750 that cost me 260k baht 

 

 

But my monthly spending is around 60-70k here in Canada without accommodation 

It wouldn't be all that much different if I lived full time in Thailand 

[riclag]

On 11/14/2023 at 5:20 AM, Magnus said:

Suggesting Russia-Ukraine or Gaza conflicts as a reason why the number of european tourists dropped is really naive or just a simple lie. The truth is the plane tickets prices skyrocketed 100% to 150% since last 3 years. I used to fly to Thailand twice/thrice a year before, booking flights for around 18-20k baht for the round trip. Nowadays finding 38k-40k flight from Europe is like a promotion. Also hotels/restaurants are much more expensive. I was in Thailand feb this year, 2 person 4* hotel in Bangkok 4k baht per night, on holidays or weekends even 5k. Dinner in a good restaurant for 2 people - 1,5k baht. It's pity but Thailand from "land of thousand smiles" became a "land of rich Russians", "land of afroamericans trying to sell you illegal stuff on the street" or "land of thousand ways how to suck your money". I love this country but I dislike what happend to it. Not gonna come back soon.

Your right about the expense but having a concern about terrorist activity around the world while  traveling has crossed my brain

[riclag]

21 minutes ago, riclag said:

Your right about the expense but having a concern about terrorist activity around the world while  traveling has crossed my brain

To dismiss it is like denying shit doesn’t happen!

 

[TheDirtyDurian]

3 hours ago, Manu said:

How that could be? No way near similar, to me. No way near the slightest !! Give us examples cause I do not get it. Just one specific example I can give you: my gas and electricity bills in the Uk have gone so high in my home there although I am not even there. I can afford it but this brought so much pressure on low earners, many choosing to cut off on heatings. How much are the same bills here? A fraction. With my farang earnings it is ridiculously cheaper than in the Uk. When I was there over the summer, I for example even hesitated to buy lamb although I can easily afford it, the price was so ridiculous, no way any low earning family can afford it. Today at lunch I had a duck noodle soup for 60 baths, what can you actually eat for that price in the Uk? Absolutely nothing, you can get a pack of pasta for that price, that’s it. I am all ears to what your perception of things on that one that makes you say anything is cheaper in the Uk, unless of it is high luxury lifestyle, which in this case it is irrelevant for the vast majority.

Well I did say personally. Some things are a bit more and some things are a bit less, but overall the costs are broadly similar which would be about £2000 in the UK, or 90k baht in Thailand. 

If anything UK is cheaper because some running costs for Thailand come from that £2k like the gardener when we're not in Thailand and a monthly car payment we're still making. 

Also, schools in the UK are free but I didn't include that in the 90k anyway. 

And re the electric, heating costs about the same as what we spend on A/C in Thailand. Fuel is cheaper in Thailand but we do less driving in the UK. Don't have gas in the UK. Obviously council tax in the UK but can't do anything about that. 

Food costs are pretty much the same overall. We tend to eat at home mostly.

Booze is cheaper and better in the UK ..

Everyone's different and I can only speak for myself...

The big caveat to all this is paying no rent in either place. If renting in the UK that is gonna make a big difference!!

[Manu]

8 hours ago, TheDirtyDurian said:

Well I did say personally. Some things are a bit more and some things are a bit less, but overall the costs are broadly similar which would be about £2000 in the UK, or 90k baht in Thailand.

I kind of get what you say, and if some say that in some specific cases, this can be similar, I hear it - I just do not understand at all how it is possible, but like I said, I hear you. But overall in general for the vast majority of people, this cannot be the case in any way... In many cases, your lifestyle is upgraded for the same amount of money. And certainly even more the past 2 years with prices of absolutely everything skyrocketing in the UK. To me, there is no way with the same 2k lifestyle in the Uk it is not cheaper here. And if your lifestyle is more like a 10k monthly revenue, all the same, even better.

Quote

If anything UK is cheaper because some running costs for Thailand come from that £2k like the gardener when we're not in Thailand and a monthly car payment we're still making. 

Who has a gardener in the UK? How much would a gardener cost you in the UK comparing to your Thai gardener? Cheaper or more expensive? Actually it is a good example: a lot of British people could afford a gardener in Thailand while no way in the UK.

Quote

Also, schools in the UK are free but I didn't include that in the 90k anyway. 

Yes, it is free compared to Thailand (well it is free for Thai kids until a certain grade) where you would have to pay for private schools if you come to live here with your foreign kids. However people in the UK still have to pay for the uniforms, bags, sport kits, etc...which can be a burden if the familly revenues are 2k, all this would be much cheaper here. But what about universities then? £ 45 000 (nearly 2 million baths). That is the average debts of a uk student after studying. Education is not quite that free in the UK. It is quite expensive if anything. I might be wrong, I do not know, but I have never heard of a Thai student having a 2 million baths debts after studying.

Quote

And re the electric, heating costs about the same as what we spend on A/C in Thailand. Fuel is cheaper in Thailand but we do less driving in the UK. Don't have gas in the UK. Obviously council tax in the UK but can't do anything about that. 

Mate, no way. Ok, there is only my partner and I in my 2 bedroom house here, however we have to use a lot of A/C cause we get the sun on the house all day long, so I get if you have kids, an extended family using A/C in different rooms, etc.. I get that your bill would be higher than mine, but no way higher than in the UK, even less in winter, especially if you have central heating, which is pratically everyone in the UK (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/constituency-data-central-heating-2021-census/). My electrity bill in my house in the UK in October is 3 times more than my bill here (my bill here includes also water) - obviously I am here and my house over there is empty, running at the minimum, only Internet is on for my cameras, even the fridge is off. And so, you do not have gas...unlike 74% of households in the UK. Lucky you (I mean it). My bills electricity/gas combined in Jan. and Feb. this year, although I was obviously here and not there was over £ 600 both months (over £1200 for those 2 months - and I already deducted the 2x£70 given by the governement back then). And yes, there is council tax as well indeed for everyone.

Quote

Food costs are pretty much the same overall. We tend to eat at home mostly.

Again, I am not trying to contredict you for the sake of it, I hope you get that. But there is no way. Fish, meat, rice, and essentials are NO way at least cheaper in Thailand. Personally I eat pratically always out here, about 90% Thai food. So price for 2 goes always between 120 baths for 2 cheap noddle soups up to 600 baths for some more elaborate Thai food with different dishes  - £13 - where do you eat (well) for 2 in the Uk for £13 (apart from dirty kebabs)? Now of course price go hugely up if you go to restaurants using European imported products (as it does if you go to a Thai restaurant using proper imported Thai ingredients in the UK obviously). But then... I do eat regularly in an Italian restaurant where I am, not only because I know the Italian owner (and I get 20% discount ha ha) but because he uses proper imported Italian products, the food is great. I found this pic with one his day special menu, on it there is Homemade Bigoli with Italien sausage in truffle sauce which I ate before - 350 baths / £8 (https://fr.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g580110-d10331818-Reviews-Mordi_e_Fuggi-Ko_Chang_Trat_Province.html#photos;aggregationId=101&albumid=101&filter=7&ff=575464580). Now please tell me where in the UK you will pay in an Italian restaurant that price for that meal although Italy is much closer to the UK than to Thailand? It will cost you double at the very best.

Quote

Booze is cheaper and better in the UK ..

Ok, that's debatable. But again, if you compare what is comparable, like industrial lagers, well not so much. A pint of Carling in my local pub (Swansea S. Wales, not London) is £ 3.55 (160 bths), so yes similar to a big Leo, but still a little more expensive. But then, some of my friends like to drink nowadays a pint of the Spanish lager called Madri (never heard of it before this summer) - the price is £4.85. But there, ok, if your lifestyle in Thailand includes daily 2 or 3 bottle of decent imported wine, then overall monthly costs will surely come closer than in the UK

Quote

 

Everyone's different and I can only speak for myself...

The big caveat to all this is paying no rent in either place. If renting in the UK that is gonna make a big difference!!

 

Oh yes. A big difference is an understatement. But then so is buying a house. The average price of flats in London is £565,147 (nearly 25 million baths - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices-in-london.html) - average prices of houses in BKK is 3.7 million baths (£ 85 000K - https://www.retalkasia.com/news/2019/04/26/bangkok-home-price-among-cheapest-key-global-cities-cbre/1556233830).

Now I respect when you say it is similar for you, I guess it is, that goes without saying, I just really genuinely do not understand how it is possible when living the same lifestyle. For example when you say that if you come with your family and kids here, you have to send them to private school. So it is not the same lifestyle than sending them to free public school in the UK, you come here knowing that you have to upgrade your lifestyle in this case. Same lifestyile would be if your kids were in private schools too in the Uk. Now how much would a private school in the Uk costs comparing to a Thai one? If you have no kids so if you can live the same lifestyle without having to upgrade because you have kids, there is no way I can understand how life here could cost near the same as in the UK. Just moving around here  for a start is just way cheaper. A private taxi from my home to BKK airport costs 3500 baths (£80): across the island + ferry + 186 miles to the airport. From my home in Swansea to Heathrow (180 miles), it would cost me between £100 to £150... by train (so I have to add another £20 taxi ride from my home to the station) -  a taxi would cost me £250.

Anyway, like you said, each their own. So maybe it is that apart from a few specific cases, which as you said  costs are similar for you, for everyone else it just cannot be else than from cheaper to much cheaper.

[Manu]

14 hours ago, Marc26 said:

As I said above it all depends on your lifestyle 

I think you can settle in to Thailand and definitely live pretty cheap

And very happy doing so....

But

Higher end meals are just as expensive in Thailand or more expensive than in Canada

I will be going to dinner Friday in Bangkok and it won't be any cheaper than in Canada

I just bought 10 drumsticks last night and it was 220 baht in Canada

That amount of chicken is going to be very similar price in Thailand 

As I said above cars same price if not more in Thailand for a new car

I was looking for a 2nd hand car in Thailand for my son and I couldn't fine anything remotely decent for less than 300k

I drive a gorgeous BMW 750 that cost me 260k baht 

But my monthly spending is around 60-70k here in Canada without accommodation 

It wouldn't be all that much different if I lived full time in Thailand 

I cannot really speak afor Canada, I did answer to Dirtydurian comparing the UK with Thailand, but I guess I could make the same points with Canada or most western countries.

Now like I said to Dirtydurian, I hear you guys, I just do not understand it, I do not understand how overall costs are similar, especially between the UK and Thailand... yes surely apart from cars, I haven't personally been driving for years, I am not a car person, but yes I can hear around me everyone saying that cars are more expensive here. But for everything else? Food? All I see if I compare a similar shopping here or there, it is much more expensive in the Uk. Rent/buy a flat/house? Hugely more expensive in the UK. Gas & electricity? Hugely more expensive in the UK. Transports (buses, trains)? More expensive. Taxis? Hugely more expensive. etc...

Quote

But my monthly spending is around 60-70k here in Canada without accommodation 

Yes, so how much with accommodation then? When you buy or rent a house in Canada or in Thailand, where would it be cheaper? Surely you know where it is cheaper, far much cheaper. So then if you add accommodation to the overall costs you mentioned (60-70k), which is at that stage you say it is similar to your costs in Canada, you then can only agree than still although you have a different view, overall life including accommodation would be more expensive in Canada...unless you live for free in both countries.

Also I believe the difference between our views on this comes from different meanings of "same lifestyle". But on that, I already said my view to Dirtydurian, no need to bore you saying the same again

[Marc26]

2 hours ago, Manu said:

I cannot really speak afor Canada, I did answer to Dirtydurian comparing the UK with Thailand, but I guess I could make the same points with Canada or most western countries.

Now like I said to Dirtydurian, I hear you guys, I just do not understand it, I do not understand how overall costs are similar, especially between the UK and Thailand... yes surely apart from cars, I haven't personally been driving for years, I am not a car person, but yes I can hear around me everyone saying that cars are more expensive here. But for everything else? Food? All I see if I compare a similar shopping here or there, it is much more expensive in the Uk. Rent/buy a flat/house? Hugely more expensive in the UK. Gas & electricity? Hugely more expensive in the UK. Transports (buses, trains)? More expensive. Taxis? Hugely more expensive. etc...

Yes, so how much with accommodation then? When you buy or rent a house in Canada or in Thailand, where would it be cheaper? Surely you know where it is cheaper, far much cheaper. So then if you add accommodation to the overall costs you mentioned (60-70k), which is at that stage you say it is similar to your costs in Canada, you then can only agree than still although you have a different view, overall life including accommodation would be more expensive in Canada...unless you live for free in both countries.

Also I believe the difference between our views on this comes from different meanings of "same lifestyle". But on that, I already said my view to Dirtydurian, no need to bore you saying the same again

I live in downtown Vancouver in a fairly nice apartment 

 

The same apartment in Bangkok in a similar location, say Thonglor, would be just as much for what I consider a less quality build

 

But I also posted a house we bought that I am totally satisfied with for 2.7mil baht.....which I obviously couldn't do in Canada

 

 

I guess I would put it this way

I will be out with my stepson and his GF next Friday in Bangkok

And I will spend just as much as I do on a decent night out in Vancouver 

Probably 5-6k baht 

A few days later I will be in Kamala Beach Phuket and there will be some days I spend 1500 all day

And that's going out and having 10 beers or so( I hit Happy Hour when im in Kamala) and a decent casual western meal at my friend's bar

 

 

I guess the bottom line is if we were all stuck to a 60-70k budget we could get by very happily in Thailand 

I know a lot of friends that do so 

 

 

[Manu]

26 minutes ago, Marc26 said:

I guess the bottom line is if we were all stuck to a 60-70k budget we could get by very happily in Thailand 

I know a lot of friends that do so 

Yes, I totally agree. That was my bottom line.

But then you agree with me:

Can you get by very happily with that budget in Vancouver, even if you have already paid for your home? Can you get by very happily in Vancouver if you have to pay a rent within a 70k budget? Even in other places in Vancouver outside downtown?

In the Uk, if you are single and your monthly revenues are 70k and you own your home, then you struggle  but get by, even more so since the past 2 years. If you do not own your home and have to rent, you are poor. If you are a familly or a single parent, you are very poor even though you do get governmental help (well you do get it cause you are poor). And living in London with that budget...well no, you cannot.

This is all I was saying by it is from cheaper to much cheaper to live in Thailand than to live in the UK.

[Marc26]

4 hours ago, Manu said:

Yes, I totally agree. That was my bottom line.

But then you agree with me:

Can you get by very happily with that budget in Vancouver, even if you have already paid for your home? Can you get by very happily in Vancouver if you have to pay a rent within a 70k budget? Even in other places in Vancouver outside downtown?

In the Uk, if you are single and your monthly revenues are 70k and you own your home, then you struggle  but get by, even more so since the past 2 years. If you do not own your home and have to rent, you are poor. If you are a familly or a single parent, you are very poor even though you do get governmental help (well you do get it cause you are poor). And living in London with that budget...well no, you cannot.

This is all I was saying by it is from cheaper to much cheaper to live in Thailand than to live in the UK.

At 51yrs old yes 70k is ok for me in Vancouver 

 

At 34yrs old when got here....no

[KhaoYai]

I thought this thread was about European Tourist numbers declining.  We seem to be discussing the price of living in Thailand which is entirely different.

[yselmike]

3 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

I thought this thread was about European Tourist numbers declining.  We seem to be discussing the price of living in Thailand which is entirely different.

There's zero good news if you read the newspapers.The media chatter is flights will only get more expensive.The UK and the EU heading for recession.Energy bill set to rise as government support ends.Whats going to happen with the exchange rate is anybody's guess,I can't imagine anyone expecting sunny uplands.The shops have filled with Christmas tat, desperation takes hold.Enjoy the holiday season folks.

[KhaoYai]

On 11/13/2023 at 9:45 AM, Thaiger said:

A drastic 50% drop in the number of European tourists visiting the Koh Kut district in Trat has been witnessed this year, as reported by the chairman of the Koh Kut administrative organisation.

I don't doubt Koh Kood (as most people tend to spell it) numbers are down - its my favourite island and absolutely stunning with the best snorkeling I've found in Thailand.  However, although in recent years its become much more affordable, it remains relatively expensive - especially if you don't know the ins and outs of accommodation and getting there. I don't think its a particularly good 'barometer' for European travel to Thailand in general - down yes but nowhere near 50%.

I will never forget the first time I did a hotel search on Koh Kood and the first place that came up was the Soneva Kiri - the prices will take your breath away.

A stay there next weekend, checking in Friday and out Monday will set you back:

122,435.00 baht (down from 156,000) for a 1 double bed Pool Villa Suite.

and:

755,212.00 baht (down from 888,484) for the 3 Bedroom Beach Pool Reserve.

(Prices from Booking.com)

If you need a bit more space, go for the 5 Bedroom Beach Pool Reserve, you'll at least get a little change from 1 million  (921,834.00). Mind you, all prices include a continental breakfast so that's alright then.

In fairness there are a lot more affordable places there these days and its possible to get a double room for next weekend for under 2000 but you've still got to get there.  You can fly but its a but like Samui - Bank Robber sorry I mean Bangkok Airways own the airport and charge accordingly. Most go be van/ferry but its time consuming.

It doesn't surprise me at all that Koh Kood is feeling the pinch more than other Thai tourist spots.

[KhaoYai]

18 minutes ago, yselmike said:

There's zero good news if you read the newspapers.The media chatter is flights will only get more expensive.The UK and the EU heading for recession.Energy bill set to rise as government support ends.Whats going to happen with the exchange rate is anybody's guess,I can't imagine anyone expecting sunny uplands.The shops have filled with Christmas tat, desperation takes hold.Enjoy the holiday season folks.

Don't get me started on flight prices!  I can't work it out, the airlines are still claiming its 'pent up demand' following Covid but my on my last 2 trips the Doha/Bangkok and Bangkok/Doha legs of my flights have had lots of spare seats.  September - less than 50% of the seats were taken and for the first time in a long time I got 4 middle seats, folded the armrests up and slept - both ways.  Manchester/Bangkok - Bangkok/Manchester legs were pretty much full though.

[KhaoYai]

23 hours ago, Marc26 said:

I drive a gorgeous BMW 750 that cost me 260k baht 

Are you followed at all times by a petrol tanker?

[Marc26]

1 hour ago, KhaoYai said:

Are you followed at all times by a petrol tanker?

That is absolutely true, especially in Canada.

 

But thankfully I live downtown and don't drive it much at all

Been doing about 3-3500km/yr 

 

But I love driving it on trips we do....

[PhuketBloke]

On 11/16/2023 at 8:02 PM, Manu said:

How that could be? No way near similar, to me. No way near the slightest !! Give us examples cause I do not get it. Just one specific example I can give you: my gas and electricity bills in the Uk have gone so high in my home there although I am not even there. I can afford it but this brought so much pressure on low earners, many choosing to cut off on heatings. How much are the same bills here? A fraction. With my farang earnings it is ridiculously cheaper than in the Uk. When I was there over the summer, I for example even hesitated to buy lamb although I can easily afford it, the price was so ridiculous, no way any low earning family can afford it. Today at lunch I had a duck noodle soup for 60 baths, what can you actually eat for that price in the Uk? Absolutely nothing, you can get a pack of pasta for that price, that’s it. I am all ears to what your perception of things on that one that makes you say anything is cheaper in the Uk, unless of it is high luxury lifestyle, which in this case it is irrelevant for the vast majority.

When living on foreign income in Thailand it is much cheaper to live here.

My pension income means I have 4200 baht a day to spend if I wish to but on some days I barely spend 200 baht.

My utility bills here including having the aircon in at least one room nearly all day and night are 2300 baht a month, the heating and water bills in the UK used to cost me 9500 baht a month.

I pay a service charge here for the street lights, the security guys, and the rubbish collection of 6000 baht a year, my council tax in the UK used to cost me 144,000 baht a year.

Petrol here is half-price.

I eat at home 95% of the time. 

Cars are much cheaper here than in the UK.

The three-bed house here cost about 4,200,000 baht at the time, in Phuket, an equivalent house at a seaside resort in the UK for example Brighton would cost, 34,000,000 baht.

But we have to compare like for like, it is cheap for us farangs on our farang overseas income to live here but life is not cheap for Thais living on their much-reduced salaries.

So Thailand is a cheap place to retire to, but not good if you have to work here for life on a much lower income.

 

 

 

 

[Manu]

30 minutes ago, PhuketBloke said:

When living on foreign income in Thailand it is much cheaper to live here.

My pension income means I have 4200 baht a day to spend if I wish to but on some days I barely spend 200 baht.

My utility bills here including having the aircon in at least one room nearly all day and night are 2300 baht a month, the heating and water bills in the UK used to cost me 9500 baht a month.

I pay a service charge here for the street lights, the security guys, and the rubbish collection of 6000 baht a year, my council tax in the UK used to cost me 144,000 baht a year.

Petrol here is half-price.

I eat at home 95% of the time. 

Cars are much cheaper here than in the UK.

The three-bed house here cost about 4,200,000 baht at the time, in Phuket, an equivalent house at a seaside resort in the UK for example Brighton would cost, 34,000,000 baht.

But we have to compare like for like, it is cheap for us farangs on our farang overseas income to live here but life is not cheap for Thais living on their much-reduced salaries.

So Thailand is a cheap place to retire to, but not good if you have to work here for life on a much lower income.

Exactly. I also posted similar examples in other posts later on in this thread including some that you are giving in your post. While I respect it, I cannot understand anyone else who has any other conclusion than life is cheaper here than in the UK as to me (and to you too it seems), it is simply an obvious fact.

EDIT: yes of course, with uk / farang overseas income, I forgot to mention it but that goes without saying.

[PhuketBloke]

On 11/21/2023 at 11:42 AM, Manu said:

Exactly. I also posted similar examples in other posts later on in this thread including some that you are giving in your post. While I respect it, I cannot understand anyone else who has any other conclusion than life is cheaper here than in the UK as to me (and to you too it seems), it is simply an obvious fact.

EDIT: yes of course, with uk / farang overseas income, I forgot to mention it but that goes without saying.

It is even cheaper when a person's wife/girlfriend/partner has an income as well. 

I think some farangs feel it is more expensive as they have to support a wife, a couple of her kids, the wife's parents, and the sick buffalo. 

[Manu]

14 hours ago, PhuketBloke said:

It is even cheaper when a person's wife/girlfriend/partner has an income as well. 

I think some farangs feel it is more expensive as they have to support a wife, a couple of her kids, the wife's parents, and the sick buffalo. 

Oh yes.

I guess you're right. Mind you, imagine you have to support a wife, a couple of her kids, the wife's parents and the sick Hostein-Friesen back in the uk... that too would be far more expensive than the Thai version

[PhuketBloke]

2 hours ago, Manu said:

Oh yes.

I guess you're right. Mind you, imagine you have to support a wife, a couple of her kids, the wife's parents and the sick Hostein-Friesen back in the uk... that too would be far more expensive than the Thai version

I did support my two kids,  they went to private school(s) all of their lives in the UK, then to universities, and then on to good jobs where they support themselves.

I don't know of any guy in the UK who has to support his wife's parents, it is unheard of, so is the case with sick horses etc. 

But in those days I was a freelance software guy and also had another business with my ex-wife so we had no problem those days financially.

Time is more important than earning extra money now so I just downsized and life is much simpler, there is no point in a person killing themselves over work when they do not need the extra money.