The dude is just making comparisons. I don't see it as whinging.
I used to make long lists like that, including things that can't be found in Thailand, such as travel trailers, etc.

As for cheap/expensive, it's a mixed bag. I'm somewhat of a cheapskate, so during the course of my 11 years residing here, I've found ways to make ends meet.

Hard to get away from vehicle costs being twice what they are in the States, though.

other more expensive things, in Thailand, than farangland:

>>> anything related to computers, and electronics, including monthly service costs for internet/phone.
Doesn't apply to pirated software, which is unethical to buy (and yes, I sometimes do it).

>>> most clothes, when one takes in to account thrift stores, where I can buy a large suitcase packed full of fine quality 2nd hand clothes for a pittance. No way in Thailand, as clothes are available as new/retail, with few exceptions, like roadside stalls with discarded Chinese stuff.

>>> pet dogs, or any type of pets. In the States there are scores of people in just one small town who would be glad to give a pet away for free.

>>> furniture and building supplies. Again, this applies to 2nd hand places which are everywhere in the States, and often the quality is like-new.

>>> ID card for hill triber wanting to get a drivers license or such. Going rate is about 250,000 baht. The closest comparison would be a US Green card for foreigner who wants to gain citizenship, which (unless I'm mistaken) is essentially free.

On the other side of the coin, Thailand is dirt cheap when it comes to repairing things.
I just had 6 small repairs to my old pu truck that would have cost about $850 in the States. Here, my local guy charged me just $60.

....and many other things in Thailand are cheaper, some of which have been mentioned herein. Oh and medical costs - geezo, didn't anyone mention that yet?! All told, I'm doing things in Thailand, like developing a park in a rural setting, which I'd have to be a multi-millionaire in the States to even consider doing. Construction isn't a whole lot cheaper here in Thailand, but the peripheral costs building dept. Planning dept, school mitigation fees, etc. make building in the States prohibitive. I was a licensed California buildling contractor, so I know about high standards, yet here, on my non-titled properties, I'm able to let my creative juices flow, and it's a gas. It's not a lot different than the rush I got when 5 years old building sand castles at the beach. BTW, I just found out that Russia's Catherine the Great was a building nut also - always building new creations. ok, off track again, sorry.

This post has been edited by brahmburgers: 2009-11-06 19:24:50

I think you can drive yourself crazy unless you look at the overall picture. Yes, beef (for example) is really expensive. On the other hand, spices are remarkably cheap. Taxi fares, subway fares are half what I'm used to...perhaps even less. After 6 months I am spending less per month than I almost ever did at home, yet I am living comfortably. Next month I will buy a car. Oh, oh!

6mths in uk now after 7years in los,and some things are cheaper here,food but this is farang land so should be,but the one commidity that los has which is in short supply here is the sun. freezing my proverbles off here,lol.i will be back,soon.

why would anyone want to live in Australia?

It can be remarkably cheap (although I'd rather say cost effective) if you delegate as many menial tasks/routines/responsibilities to employees at 200-500 Baht per day that aren't either enjoyable or profitable, and focus on maximizing the latter two. Certainly beats worrying about the price of beef, Fritos, or whatever.

Beautiful women
Beaches
Smiling People
Easy-going lifestyle
l

Why would any one want to live in Thailand erm? Actually I spent 7 years living in TL and now spend half my time in Oz and half in TL. I find all the annoying things about Thailand are forgotten and the annoying things about the west are forgotten - a bit like best of both worlds. Got a Thai wife with a decent job in OZ... ldoesnt mind me going to TL whenever I like

I guess this all depends on your lifestyle. If you want to go out every night, drink, pick up girls and live like a teenager (nothing wrong with that!) then TL definately better place. If you have a good income and family, probably better not to be in TL. Im talking to myself now!!! Im trying to do both.

I spend less in Australia and still have a good life, but its more quiet~!

On the other hand if i was dirt poor, and had no way of making more money in the west (like i was on sickness benefit or something) id rather be in TL. Maybe im contradicting myself now lol

This post has been edited by CrossBones: 2009-11-06 19:44:23

People tell these types to go home because they are annoying. They should stop being so lazy and make more money, then they won't have to complain about the cost of cheese and brag about the cost of fried rice. The self involved mantra is always along the lines of "This isn't fair! I want a second serving. Didn't I earn it? I wish my dad was a Chinese Thai Opium Lord. Why can't I legally sell pork balls from a motorcycle? Why are there immigration regulations? Why did that girl pretend she couldn't hear me when I tried to talk to her? Why won't they give me the Thai price? Why is it so hot? If I was Prime Minister, you know what I would do?"...

' Thecatman' has it banged to right. 10 out of 10

Crossbones,

Mate I read your post and just about fell out of my chair, no offence but what you have written is a complete load of rubbish, well not complete, but about 90% of it is wrong.

I've just spent 10 weeks in Oz and want to run thru what you have priced there for prices, I'm not going to comment on the thai prices because alot of stuff that youve mentioned I dont eat here, such as bread, so I will take you word for it on those matters.

Mate, you need to duck back to oz and check it out, things there are alot dearer than they were a few years ago, i dunno how far out of touch you are, but it seems as if alot to me.

I will go above in red for the real Aussie prices.

Ive got no idea what your talking about man, Thailand is way cheaper, you simply cant compare.

Generally a lot of things are still cheaper in Thailand but the gap isn't as big as it was. Probably 54baht to the GBP has a lot to do with that. Thus my weekly shop from Tesco Lotus
doesn't seem much cheaper than my weekly shop when I'm in the UK (and I have done a lot of shopping in LOS). Admittedly this may partly be because family members add on the odd item. Strengely enough I wouldn't say reasonable quality clothes are any cheaper in the 'sales' in Bangkok malls than in UK stores like TK Max. Away from London and the big city centres the price of beer isn't so different anymore either. On the other hand I am very impressed with the price of things like car repairs. So I don't think the OP is as wide of the mark as some say.

the same reasons you listed above, silly! and thanks for taking my comment with a bit of humor. i was only joking. i've never been there but i've seen that show Bondi Beach, looks like nice place

When I lived in Oz inthe 70s, they were called stubbies and thongs.

But back on topic, sure, if you want to eat farang food and live the high life, then there's probably not a lot to choose between them. When I'm in LOS however, my living costs are a fraction of what I spend here in Europe.

This post has been edited by nisakiman: 2009-11-07 00:18:50

I can see this must be your biggest problem. Yes it's totally outrages!! How dare they raise the price on?

If it's your plan to make people move to OZ you failed miserably.

Latter skippy.~~~~~~

EDIT- LMFAO

This post has been edited by RakJungTorlae: 2009-11-07 00:38:20

For anyone who likes to sit on a beautiful beach gazing out over shark infested water Oz is a paradise.

This post has been edited by smokie36: 2009-11-07 00:59:33

You make some good points and I find your analysis very interesting.

It`s true, that if one can be content living a basic Thai lifestyle in Thailand, than it is possible to subsist on a very low budget here.

But for those who find it difficult or impossible to adapt their way of living and hope to continue on a Farang lifestyle the same as in the home country, yes, It`s going to be much more expensive.

Those thinking of settling in Thailand should consider these facts before making the big move.

C'mon Neverdie, for a ThaiVisa poster, that ain't bad !

Of course the cost of living has not changed in Australia in the last 10 years has it?? Bought a little weatherboard house in ningi 8 years ago for 62000 dollars, sold same house 3 months ago for 300000dollars and at that time it was 1 of the cheapest houses in the area, cost of living is changing everywhere,as pensioners we try and spend 6 months a year in aus and 6 in Los,of course in thailand I dont have to pay centrelink 50cents on the dollar on my overseas pensions, so its awin win situation,

Well i moved from nyc and i would disagree with you on almost every point, but i guess the concept of expensive is relative to what your used to,

drinks in manhattan at a nice bar 15-25 usd
dinner at a nice place 75-100 usd per person
nice 2 br apt 3600-4500 per month
taxis to work 20 usd a day
cigarettes 8.75
cell phone 120 a month
maid once a week 400 a month
forget about "professional" girls 250++ for 30 min
grocerys for the month 500++
gas elect. 100

im pretty sure you could spend the same here but your gonna have a nice life,
hel_l i spend half of what i did in nyc and get 10x the fun out of it

Crossbones does make SOME good points. Thailand is not so cheap if you try to have a totally western style of living. But it is like trying to compare apples to oranges. Things are just different. And, as the old saying goes..."Vive la difference!"

There are many things I can do in Canada that I can't do in Thailand, and the reverse is true. We've debated these topics continually and no need to go over them all again.

And what price to live in Thailand and not among Australians?

Some of we more civilised expats would put a premium on that.

Cheap at half the price ...........

Of course you are CORRECT Maigo6, I stand corrected .

Seriously though, life in Oz is as expensive as, then theres the taxes, Income tax, GST, Stamp duty, Fire levies, Capital gains tax, tax tax and then when you finally neck yourself because of the taxes they hit you with death tax, not to mention GST on ur coffin and a carbon tax when they cremate your ashes .....meanwhile deadshites like kevin rudd just keep handing money out hand over fist for assssholes who couldnt be bothered getting off their 6 foot wide backside.

NONSENSE!! Why would I live in Thailand if I only wanted to eat farang food? No doubt farang food is expensive here, but it also is back home (USA). Any Thai food in USA is at least 3 times the cost of Thailand and not as good. Most average restaurant food in USA is microwaved crap at 300-400 bht + per dish. Quality restaurants maybe 1,000 bht up per person. Transportation ? Purchase of new cars maybe cheaper in USA, but insurance is not and cost of maintenance very high. Labor cost per hour ridiculous. I can drive a motorcycle in Thailand, which I would not dare do in USA (to dangerous). Female "entertainment" per hour? How about 4-8,000 bht per hour, if you can find it and don't get arrested in the process. Your are welcome to the "good life" back there. I'll take Thailand.

So many of the posts make me think that many posters are talking about their life in Thailand as if they were on perpetual holiday.

How much is a breast of chicken, some potatoes and veg in Thailand.........to cook yourself? More than Farangland? I don't think so.
How much is a regular house......... away from the tourist areas?
How much is a beer where a middle class Thai on 30,40 or50k a month drinks?
Caught hungry out shopping in Thailand spend 40bt.....caught hungry in England......?
Take a nice girl out here......A 500bt dinner is enough if you aren"t a loser. How much would a dinner date cost back home?

I don’t think in terms of cheap or not, but I certainly couldn’t keep a mia noi, 30 years younger then me, in the States for $1,500 a month.

TH

Lived in a simple house in the rural American and can't imagine many places being more affordable. Also lived in beautiful beach towns that are nearly as expensive as London and Paris. My time in NE Thailand was comparable to country living in the USA. The list could go on …

My point being, there are so many factors that determine individual living expenses. Probably better to take a non-individualistic approach, using purchasing power parity (PPP) pertaining to a basket of goods. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund both calculate Thailand's per capita income doubles using this approach. As you would expect, most countries in Europe per capita GDP drops substantially.

One caveat - because of Thailand's large income disparity service related costs are much lower here than developed countries. Tourist benefit the most from this but even X-pats benefit more than the average Thai.

This post has been edited by siamamerican: 2009-11-07 10:45:24