Housing Cost in Thailand
Let’s understand the first factor, that is, how the cost of living depends on the place you choose to reside in.
What You’ll Actually Pay:
- Bangkok: ฿8,000 – ฿100,000+ ( ₹23,520 – ₹2,94,000+ approx) per month.
- Chiang Mai: ฿7,000 – ฿45,000 (₹20,580 – ₹1,32,300 approx) per month.
- Koh Samui: ฿10,000 – ฿120,000+ (₹29,400 – ₹3,52,800+ approx) per month.
- Pattaya: ฿8,000 – ฿60,000 (₹23,520 – ₹1,76,400 approx) per month.
- Phuket: ฿10,000 – ฿100,000+ (₹29,400 – ₹2,94,000+ approx) per month.
The Extras Nobody Warns You About:
- Visa extension fees are charged if you extend the duration of your visit to Thailand.
- You will be charged for withdrawing money from an ATM in Thailand and using cards also adds up to the expenses.
- Entry fees for tourist attraction spots in Thailand are relatively higher
- The local transportation cost of taxis and tuk tuk exceed the budget if not planned well.
Utility Bills
Utility bills may vary depending on the residence's occupancy.
- Basic Utilities(Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage): ฿2,716.65 (₹7,985.99 approx) per month.
- Mobile Phone Plan: ฿424.62 (₹1,248.53 approx) per month.
- Broadband Internet: ฿612.39 (₹1,800.36 approx) per month.
Transportation Expenses
Public transportation like taxis and tuk tuk are available all around the city.
Car Ownership Reality:
- Small Economy Car: A compact car costs ฿1,050,000 (₹30,90,500 approx).
- Fuel (monthly, moderate use): ฿3,000–5,000 THB (₹8,820 – ₹14,700 approx.).
- Parking: ฿1,500–3,000 THB/month (₹4,410 – ₹8,820 approx.).
- Insurance: ฿10,000–30,000 THB/year (₹29,400 – ₹88,200 approx.).
- Maintenance: ฿2,000–5,000 THB/year (₹5,880 – ₹14,700 approx.).
Public Transport Option:
- Bangkok: ฿3,000–6,000 (₹8,820 – ₹17,640 approx.) per month.
- Chiang Mai: ฿2,000–4,000 (₹5,880 – ₹11,760 approx.) per month.
- Phuket: ฿3,000–5,000 (₹8,820 – ₹14,700 approx.) per month.
- Province / Isan: ฿1,500–3,000 (₹4,410 – ₹8,820 approx.) per month.
Food and Groceries to Survive in Thailand
Most expenses incurred in Thailand are from eating out or buying groceries.
Weekly Grocery Run:
- Students: ฿1,200–2,000 (₹3,528 – ₹5,880 approx.) per month.
- Bachelors: ฿2,000–3,000 (₹5,880 – ₹8,820 approx.) per month.
- Couples: ฿3,000–4,500 (₹8,820 – ₹13,230 approx.) per week.
- Families: ฿5,000–8,000 (₹14,700 – ₹23,520 approx.) per month.
Restaurant Prices:
- Fast Food: ฿249(₹731.06 approx).
- Meal for Two: ฿900 (₹2649.09 approx).
- Simple Cafe Lunch: ฿100(₹294.34 approx).
What Things Cost:
- Milk: A one litre milk box costs ฿59.89(₹176.64 approx).
- Fresh White Bread: ฿ 46.63(₹137.25 approx).
- White Rice: ฿42.75(₹125.83 approx for 1kg).
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg): ฿97.68 (₹287.18 approx.).
- Local Cheese: ฿547.75 ( ₹1612.26 approx for1kg).
Education Cost
The international education fees are lower in Thailand for children than in India.
Annual Cost:
- School: Government schools cost ฿10,000 (₹29,434 approx) per year and ฿100,000(₹2,94,342.90 approx) for a private Bilingual school.
- International Schools: ฿300,000-฿1000,000 (₹8,83,028.70- ₹29,43,429 approx).
- Undergraduate: ฿65,209.96 – ฿326,049.82 per year (₹1,91,798 – ₹9,58,592 approx.)
- Master’s Programs: Up to ฿1,476,579.00 per year (₹43,40,100 approx.)
Other Educational Expenses:
- Administrative Fee: ฿20,000 (₹58,800 approx.) per year
- Health Insurance Premiums: ฿9,781.49 – ฿19,562.99 (₹28,752 – ₹57,504 approx.) per year
Healthcare Expenses
The healthcare benefits in Thailand are immense which include physician care and medical insurance. Depending on the insurance policy you should:
Insurance Cost:
- Health Insurance: ฿40,000/year (₹1,17,600 approx.) for mid-range plans with ~฿5 million (₹14.7 crore approx.) coverage.
- Comprehensive Plans: ฿60,000/year (₹1,76,400 approx.) with coverage up to ~฿35 million (₹1.03 crore approx.).
Medical Costs Without Insurance:
- Monthly Healthcare Costs: Health check up for mid range hospitals costs ฿11,000 (₹32,377.72 approx).
- Hospital Stays: The cost of staying in a hospital overnight is ฿8,000(₹23,547.43 approx) and the cost of an ICU or emergency visit is ฿100,000 (₹2,94,342.90 approx).
- Specialist/Dentist: Dentists charge ฿1500(₹4,415.14 approx).
Entertainment and Leisure
Many leisure activities can easily be availed free of cost. Depending on your needs.
Activities:
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership: ฿1700.02 (₹4341.76 approx).
- Tennis Court Rental: The cost for one hour on the weekend is ฿377.90(₹1,112.32 approx).
- Cinema Ticket: ฿220.00 (₹647.55 approx).
Clothing and Personal Care
Clothing and personal needs cost as per the choice of individuals and the branding. Depending on your personal choices.
Clothing:
- Jeans: ฿1765.55 (₹5,196.77approx).
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store: ฿1082.47(₹3,186.17 approx).
- Nike Running Shoes: ฿3,017.86 (₹8,875.58 approx).
- Men’s Leather Business Shoes: ฿2,606.29 = ₹7,659.51 approx.
Grooming:
- Deodorant (Roll-on, 50 ml ~ 1.5 oz.): ฿89 (₹261.66 approx.).
- Hair Shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.): ฿113 (₹332.22 approx.).
- Toothpaste (Tube): ฿65 (₹191.10 approx.).
- Standard Men’s Haircut (Expat Area): ฿272 (₹799.68 approx.).
Childcare Services
Nursery and domestic help are rendered easily in Thailand.
Nursery Fee:
- Local / Thai Childcare Centres: ฿10,000 – ฿20,000 per month (₹29,400 – ₹58,800 approx.).
- International / Bilingual Day Care Centres: ฿20,000 – ฿50,000+ per month (₹58,800 – ₹1,47,000+ approx.).
Domestic Help:
- Full-Time Nanny (Bangkok): ฿13,000 – ฿40,000 per month (₹38,220 – ₹1,17,600 approx.).
- Experienced / English-Speaking Nanny: Around ฿24,500 – ฿33,000 per month (₹72,030 – ₹97,020 approx.).
- Babysitting (Hourly): Around ฿300 per hour per child (₹882 approx.).
Other Regular Expenses
In addition to most of the costs, the things you need every day also add up to steady amounts.
Monthly Bits and Pieces:
- House Cleaning Service (Hourly Help): ฿216 per hour (₹635 approx.).
- Laundry Detergent (3 L ~ 100 oz.): ฿125 (₹368 approx.).
One-Time Costs:
- 40” Flat Screen TV: ฿6,378 (₹18,751 approx.).
- Microwave Oven (800/900W – Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp or equivalent): ฿2,900 (₹8,526 approx.)
Comparison with Other Cities
There are some advantages and disadvantages of staying in Thailand.
Advantages:
- Affordable street food and dining options are cost effective and budget friendly.
- Accessibility is an important factor where public transportation like tuk tuk and taxis make your trip convenient.
- Rentals are comparatively cheaper than in other Western countries.
- Healthcare services are reasonable for expats and tourists.
Higher Costs Compared to Other Cities:
- Rentals in Chiang Mai and Bangkok are expensive.
- Prices of utilities like water and electricity rise in season time.
- Central Bangkok is costlier than other outer areas of Thailand.
- Private healthcare is costlier without insurance.
Money Saving Strategies in Thailand
Taking small measures to save money can be of great help in Thailand.
Practical Cost Reduction Tips:
- Choosing local apartments over centralised areas is more cost effective.
- Eating at home is much more useful than dining out in fancy places.
- Using public transportation like BTS and shared vans can be better than opting for personal cabs.
- Tourists can rent a scooter which can make driving comfortable.
- Shopping at local supermarkets is more pocket friendly.
- Staying hydrated and having lots of water is useful instead of buying aerated drinks which are costlier.
- Choosing internet plans is more convenient for data use.
Salary Expectations in Thailand
Salaries are dispensed in Thailand as per the qualifications and degree attainment.
Average Yearly Salaries by Qualification:
- Average Monthly Salary: ฿19,984.26(₹58,753.32 approx.).
Typical Benefits:
- Social Security Coverage (SSO)
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- Maternity Leave
- Work Injury Protection
Conclusion
The cost of living in Thailand varies depending on the location. Centralised Bangkok is slightly more expensive than other places like Phuket. Cost of living in Thailand for a single earner is ₹57,910.2 (฿19,638.3), whereas for a family of four it reaches ₹211,188.2 (฿71,617.5). Managing costs carefully prevents financial stress on a regular household planning basis.
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