There is so much information out there that it’s hard to know exactly how much money you REALLY need to live in Thailand. Depending on where you live in Thailand, and your proximity to a city center, your accommodation budget will vary. However you can live quite comfortably on the following budget, which is in the medium range. This Blueprint recommends that before you move to Thailand, your savings cover your set-up costs before arriving here. This is especially important for people who earn the minimum income of 30,000 baht per month because you wouldn’t be able to save any money.
All figures in Thai Baht (2013)
Main Costs
Visa 25,000 per year
Insurance 15,000 per year (these premiums increase with age)
Housing 96,000 per year (@ 8,000 baht per month for rent)
Utilities 24,000 per year (including electricity, gas and water)
Transport 30,000 per year
Total 190,000 per year
One-Off Costs
Scooter 30,000 baht for second hand (or 55,000 baht for brand new)
Rent Deposit 16,000 baht (two months’ rent)
Total 46,000 baht
Your first year expenses include a scooter (unless you live in Bangkok, where transport costs are much higher). However this blueprint recommends that you do not live in Bangkok your first year.
The sum of the above medium-range costs for the first year works out at 236,000 baht, or $7,866 at today’s exchange of 30 baht to the dollar. Even if you’re moving to Thailand with a monthly income in excess of 30,000 baht, make sure you have 236,000 baht in savings before you move to Thailand. Anything can happen and budgets can get blown. Remember that this is your first time living in Thailand and you will probably start off having lots of fun, possibly getting scammed, and overpaying for many purchases. Knowing that your main costs are covered can take a lot off your mind.
As for day-to-day expenses, such as soap, smokes, clothes and food – if you’ve already been to Thailand, you know how much these things cost. The average person in Thailand has a daily budget of no less than 500 baht, and this includes entertainment costs (but not sexpenses). Of course, you could spend much more than that. If you save up your day-to-day expenses in advance, then an income of 30,000 baht per month would allow you to live in any major city in Thailand.
