Prev Page 3 of 16 1 2 3 4 5 Next » 386 replies to this topic

[baht&sold]

Thailand offers best value for British travellers
By Caroline Shearing/Telegraph
Last Updated: 7:35PM GMT 05 Jan 2009

Long-haul destinations such as South Africa and Thailand provide the best value for British holidaymakers, according to new research.

Thailand, which topped the poll of affordable destinations, was found to be 41 per cent cheaper than Spain

A combination of lower living costs and better exchange rates, together with an increase in the number of flight and accommodation deals has made far-flung destinations more affordable to British travellers, according to the Post Office's Holiday Costs Barometer Survey.

The survey, which compared the cost of everyday purchases such as evening meals, suncream and a cup of coffee, found that many tourist items were up to 50 per cent cheaper in a selection of long-haul destinations than the eurozone.

Thailand, which topped the poll of affordable destinations, was found to be 41 per cent cheaper than Spain, where a bottle of mineral water was almost three times more expensive than in the Far East. In second place was South Africa, where a bottle of suntan lotion was less than half the price of those in Italy.

Andrew Spice, of Post Office Travel Services, said: "Despite its recent troubles, Thailand remains a great prospect for UK holidaymakers. The Thai baht may have strengthened against sterling but prices remain very low in the country and the discounts now available to top resorts like Phuket and Hua Hin will make Thailand unbeatable value."

Other countries offering good value to British tourists were Kenya, where a cup of coffee (£2.01) was nearly 40 per cent cheaper than in Greece (£3.26), and Malaysia, where a bottle of beer (£2.56) was 31 per cent cheaper than in France (£3.72).

Original article & chart comparison



*Basket of goods comparisons aside (and airfare costs)...
Particularly for UK pensioners living in Thailand over the past few years (and Aussies, S/A, Danes, etc..) all have suffered a massive drop in real terms:



Sterling/Baht 5 year view

Edited by baht&sold, 2009-01-08 15:42:39.

[Tyree D.]

Scott, on 2009-01-07 20:40:09, said:

Yes, it's getting expensive.  Several months ago, I went to the States for a couple of weeks and had Thai friends ask me to get things for them--a laptop computer, a digital camera and a few other things.  I asked why and they said it was because they were cheaper!!  I opted out of getting things because I was going to be too busy to do much shopping (I told them there was the difference in the electrical current--110 vs. 220).  

They had checked this stuff out on the internet.  It was always the other way around before.

today's digital appliances automatically adjust to the local voltage, especially laptops and cameras.

[brahmburgers]

flyguyj1, on 2009-01-08 10:52:19, said:

Being resident in HK, and considering moving to LOS, I cant wait for a less expensive lifestyle.....my current rental is 225k (Baht) per month here in HK

wow, 225k/month ...that's over $6,600!  did you get one too many zeros in there?  That's enough to rent an airline hangar with the airplane.  

Check out C.Rai if you want a reasonable rent.  there are decent houses here for under Bt.6k/month.  You could rent 225 of them for the price of one HK place, and you'd get cleaner air, and friendlier neighbors.

I reside in Thailand, but when I go visit the States (about a week every 2 years) - I enjoy going to thrift stores and garage sales - mostly for clothes which are a whole lot cheaper than anywhere in Thailand - but also for the cheap do-dads - roller skates, lamps, electronic stuff, books, ....you name it.  I wish Thailand could also have places for used furniture and building supplies.   There was a place in my former home town in California that was an outlet for 2nd hand building supplies.  It was my 1st stop - any time I had a building project.  Greeeaaaat savings - and a lot of the items were like new.  Couldn't happen in Thailand.  

As for food, 2 of my favorite restaurants in C.Rai are Moslem places.  35 baht gets you chicken (so tender you could cut it with a plastic fork), excellent curry/saffron yellow rice (Thais don't know how to make it like that), salad, and soup.   ....and no MSG.  Plus, the bathroom sinks have bars of soap bigger than a slivered almond - apparently Muslims give more credence to cleanliness, at least as it relates to eating.

[henryalleman]

ashacat, on 2009-01-07 06:15:04, said:

Nickbk: Firstly, the currency here in Thailand is called the "Baht" not bath.
Secondly, Bberg stated; "The currency I represent is the Norwegian Kroner and like the pund it has fallen dramaticlly" so he is obviously aware that the decline in these currencies is the primary reason for the recent changes in exchange rate.

Anyway. For me (having my base currency as the UK Sterling) Thailand has become dramatically more expensive in recent years. I now pay a similar amount in going out i.e. drinking and eating here as I do in my home town in the UK. Also buying decent clothes here is now far more expensive than the UK.

Out of interest Britmaveric, to what are you referring when you say;

Quote

Still cheap as chips!!!!!

I wonder where you buy your clothes and where you out to dinner. I still buy first class shirts like the brands Alain Delon, Dior or YSL for a fraction of the price in Belgium. I go to eat whit 4 person at Chockchai for the price of 1 person in Belgium. You can not even have a decent meal in  a normal restaurant in Belgium under the price of 2500 baht a person. A bread  cost in Belgium 90 baht. A bottle of Coke  1,5 L 85 baht. So I do wonder where you are shopping. Or do you buy a few bottles of wine every day, because wine is indeed unbelieveable expensive in Thailand. sigarettes are in Thailand 5 to 6 times cheaper.

Where in Europe you can buy an 4WD 3L diesel Automatic  SUV like an Foruner for the same price as in Thailand, not yet to mention the price of taxis, benzine or diesel. A pick up is in Thailand half the price comparing to Thailand. Where in any  European capital  you can find an 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom appartment with 3 airco fully furnished and have an completely western installed  kitchen for 15 000 Baht a month in a new secured building.


Please keep some sense of reality

[henryalleman]

wasabi, on 2009-01-07 07:48:00, said:

Renting an apartment and eating Thai food is still very cheap. Medical care is still relatively cheap as well however just about everything else has inflated dramatically. Movies, supermarket goods, pharmaceuticals, airfare hotels. I often end up spending as much or more than I used to in Farangland.

Hotels expensive in Thailand? WOW, you can find a first class hotel in Chiang Mai, Chian Rai, Udon, Khon Kaen, Mae Hong Song and many other cities below 1500 Baht. In Europe you can not even have an break and breakfast for that price.

Did you ever stayed in an comparable Hotel in Paris, Venice or Rome? You pay at least 10 000 Baht, and much less good service.
I wonder how long people who complain about Thailand becoming  expensive didn't visit Europe or their home country.

[citizen33]

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 00:21:45, said:

wasabi, on 2009-01-07 07:48:00, said:

Renting an apartment and eating Thai food is still very cheap. Medical care is still relatively cheap as well however just about everything else has inflated dramatically. Movies, supermarket goods, pharmaceuticals, airfare hotels. I often end up spending as much or more than I used to in Farangland.

Hotels expensive in Thailand? WOW, you can find a first class hotel in Chiang Mai, Chian Rai, Udon, Khon Kaen, Mae Hong Song and many other cities below 1500 Baht. In Europe you can not even have an break and breakfast for that price.

Did you ever stayed in an comparable Hotel in Paris, Venice or Rome? You pay at least 10 000 Baht, and much less good service.
I wonder how long people who complain about Thailand becoming  expensive didn't visit Europe or their home country.

I think quite a few people are missing the point that much of this discussion is about the rise in Thai prices and the consequent narrowing of the gap with Western prices that was indeed big some years ago. This rise is in baht prices and is in addition to currency exchange rate fluctuations.  Provincial hotels aren't as pricey as Bangkok hotels but still provide some examples of what we are talking about.  One of the few really first class hotels in Isaan was the Sofitel in Khon Kaen, which could indeed be had on promotion for 1500 a night a few years ago.  It has recently been re-branded as the Pullman.  Visit the website and take a look at current prices.  Incidentally I have also stayed in Italy, Turkey, Canada, Brussels, Paris and Belfast in the last 12 months and did not find the prices quite as steep as the survey suggests.  In Southern Italy I thought prices were very reasonable.  For example, I was getting a small bottle of Moretti or Nastro Azzurro in bars for around Euro 2.50 and restaurant meals at much lower than the quoted rate.

Edited by citizen33, 2009-01-08 23:49:00.

[tb86]

thailand expensive???????? im sorry guys, have you been to the west latley? ok im sure thailand is more expensive now than it was 5-10 years ago but so is the west. There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

[samuibeachcomber]

tb86, on 2009-01-08 23:42:32, said:

thailand expensive???????? im sorry guys, have you been to the west latley? ok im sure thailand is more expensive now than it was 5-10 years ago but so is the west. There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

yes agree with you,what makes thailand seem more expensive for many that live here is the worsening exchange rates,and declining interest rates on investments back home.

[satiariyan]

sassienie, on 2009-01-08 05:39:48, said:

satiariyan, on 2009-01-08 00:46:21, said:

sassienie, on 2009-01-08 01:04:25, said:

I brought my Thai wife, daughter and myself over here in 2003. Have investments in property, bank savings and now completely established in Thailand.

But as lately, been having regrets for investing here, which means I am not able to be able to just walk away and leave it.

Those investments - aren't they of a kind that provides Thai based income somewhat adjustable with respect to Thai based expenses? If 'no' you're free to feel as doomed as you wish, but if 'yes', hey - lighten up, your better off than about 97% of the doomsday posters, who has no means of adjusting their income while living their easygoing dreamlife in Thailand.

And for us English speakers?

Step one: Ignore the few grammatical mistakes non-native speakers may make and try to understand their posts regardless.
Once step one is mastered - and not a split second before - proceed to step two.
Step two: Learn to think a tiny bit outside your habitual box.

[tb86]

samuibeachcomber, on 2009-01-09 00:03:06, said:

tb86, on 2009-01-08 23:42:32, said:

thailand expensive???????? im sorry guys, have you been to the west latley? ok im sure thailand is more expensive now than it was 5-10 years ago but so is the west. There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

yes agree with you,what makes thailand seem more expensive for many that live here is the worsening exchange rates,and declining interest rates on investments back home.

yup that will make this place feel more expensive, i feel for the retired guys, can only imagine what it must be like to watch your life earnings shrink, well i only have about 20 years till i have to worry about retirement, so i dont feel that bad for em' could be in the us watching the same thing happen, least you can afford to go have a beer to kill your sorrows here

[henryalleman]

citizen33, on 2009-01-08 17:41:23, said:

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 00:21:45, said:

wasabi, on 2009-01-07 07:48:00, said:

Renting an apartment and eating Thai food is still very cheap. Medical care is still relatively cheap as well however just about everything else has inflated dramatically. Movies, supermarket goods, pharmaceuticals, airfare hotels. I often end up spending as much or more than I used to in Farangland.

Hotels expensive in Thailand? WOW, you can find a first class hotel in Chiang Mai, Chian Rai, Udon, Khon Kaen, Mae Hong Song and many other cities below 1500 Baht. In Europe you can not even have an break and breakfast for that price.

Did you ever stayed in an comparable Hotel in Paris, Venice or Rome? You pay at least 10 000 Baht, and much less good service.
I wonder how long people who complain about Thailand becoming  expensive didn't visit Europe or their home country.

I think quite a few people are missing the point that much of this discussion is about the rise in Thai prices and the consequent narrowing of the gap with Western prices that was indeed big some years ago. This rise is in baht prices and is in addition to currency exchange rate fluctuations.  Provincial hotels aren't as pricey as Bangkok hotels but still provide some examples of what we are talking about.  One of the few really first class hotels in Isaan was the Sofitel in Khon Kaen, which could indeed be had on promotion for 1500 a night a few years ago.  It has recently been re-branded as the Pullman.  Visit the website and take a look at current prices.  Incidentally I have also stayed in Italy, Turkey, Canada, Brussels, Paris and Belfast in the last 12 months and did not find the prices quite as steep as the survey suggests.  In Southern Italy I thought prices were very reasonable.  For example, I was getting a small bottle of Moretti or Nastro Azzurro in bars for around Euro 2.50 and restaurant meals at much lower than the quoted rate.

few very good hotels I stayed this year under 1300 Baht, Venice  april 2009 high season.
Charoensri Grand Royal- Udon, Charoensri Thani Princess - khon kaen, Park hotel-Chiang mai, Wangcome-Chian Rai, Imperial tara-Mae Hong Son.
Where you can find such hotels in Europe for the same price

You mention Southern Italy, I think you know that is the most poor part of Italy can compare with Isan,the same go's for Turkey, Hollidays there are much cheaper than Thailand and its also very poor and one of the lowest  living standards lower than in Thailand?

I talked about Venice, Rome and Paris.  First class hotels in Brussels have 70% discounts in weekends and holliday season because there clients are bussines people and EU officials. The same go's for my home town Antwerp (diamond bussiness people.
Antwerp Radison 4 star weektime 8200 Baht a night standard room.
Paris 4 star hotel starting 12 000 baht standard room
venice 4 star hotel starting 13 000 baht standard room  


A bed and breakfast cost minimum 2500 Baht in Antwerp almost dubbel as a first class hotel in Thailand.

[citizen33]

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 02:37:24, said:

few very good hotels I stayed this year under 1300 Baht, Venice  april 2009 high season.
Charoensri Grand Royal- Udon, Charoensri Thani Princess - khon kaen, Park hotel-Chiang mai, Wangcome-Chian Rai, Imperial tara-Mae Hong Son.
Where you can find such hotels in Europe for the same price

Well, just sticking to my point about quite steep Thai price rises that are narrowing the gap, let us concentrate on Khon Kaen, where I often stay myself.  You did well at the Chareon Thani Princess, where the current price is about 1700 baht (significant inflation since early last year?). First class in Khon Kaen would mean the Sofitel (Pullman) at about 2900 baht.  Moving to a Western comparator, I stayed at the Hilton in Belfast last month for about 4000 baht, so I still think that the difference is narrowing. I never argued that the price was the same.

Edited by citizen33, 2009-01-09 02:18:09.

[brahmburgers]

tb86, on 2009-01-08 23:42:32, said:

thailand expensive???????? im sorry guys, have you been to the west latley? ok im sure thailand is more expensive now than it was 5-10 years ago but so is the west. There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

Am in agreement with those 3 items.   An old used p.u. or car in Thailand costs about twice what the same would cost in the States. Clothes at a cheapo market in Thailand - are more costly than better quality 2nd hand clothes at a thrift store in the States.  Electronic items, including computers, have a big price difference in favor of some overseas outlets.  

That's not to say there aren't many very good comparative deals on other things here.   Food (fresh or cooked) and repair costs (for nearly anything) are a couple stand outs - when searching for great deals in Thailand.  Bar girls' services are generally a good value for investment also - however, that applies more to short term relationships.   If the relationship becomes long term, the comparative value lessens - as dowries and financial support for the girls' families are expected.  Plus there's the later eventuality that the guy will lose the house and car (he paid for) after the break-up.   Come to think of it, not much different than the financial dynamics of farang with farang relationships.

[flyguyj1]

brahmburgers, on 2009-01-08 23:39:33, said:

flyguyj1, on 2009-01-08 10:52:19, said:

Being resident in HK, and considering moving to LOS, I cant wait for a less expensive lifestyle.....my current rental is 225k (Baht) per month here in HK

wow, 225k/month ...that's over $6,600!  did you get one too many zeros in there?  That's enough to rent an airline hangar with the airplane.  

Check out C.Rai if you want a reasonable rent.  there are decent houses here for under Bt.6k/month.  You could rent 225 of them for the price of one HK place, and you'd get cleaner air, and friendlier neighbors.

I reside in Thailand, but when I go visit the States (about a week every 2 years) - I enjoy going to thrift stores and garage sales - mostly for clothes which are a whole lot cheaper than anywhere in Thailand - but also for the cheap do-dads - roller skates, lamps, electronic stuff, books, ....you name it.  I wish Thailand could also have places for used furniture and building supplies.   There was a place in my former home town in California that was an outlet for 2nd hand building supplies.  It was my 1st stop - any time I had a building project.  Greeeaaaat savings - and a lot of the items were like new.  Couldn't happen in Thailand.  

As for food, 2 of my favorite restaurants in C.Rai are Moslem places.  35 baht gets you chicken (so tender you could cut it with a plastic fork), excellent curry/saffron yellow rice (Thais don't know how to make it like that), salad, and soup.   ....and no MSG.  Plus, the bathroom sinks have bars of soap bigger than a slivered almond - apparently Muslims give more credence to cleanliness, at least as it relates to eating.

Not too many zeros at all...my two mates who have just moved up here - one runs a multinational, his current rent is Hk$ 300 000 PER MONTH. The other is at Hk$ 120 000 per month. The cheaper of the two is for a 3 bedroom place, nice views, 2500ft...in my next life I want to be a HK landlord  

HK is an expensive city - if I am correct, this year it has moved into the pole position for most expensive rental properties on the planet.......

[phoolish]

I went to Thailand Phuket last Nov 08 for the first time.
Before I came there, I was asking ppl around on how cheap is Thailand.
They said, it's very cheap and you can live on $500AUD for 5 days stay.
I also did my research on the internet, etc....
Ok... my budget is $700AUD.
But then when I arrived and exchanged my money and started spending on things, I realised that I'm spending more there than being in Australia.
Mind you... The only thing that is cheap there is food and the rest are bloody rip offs.
I ended up spending $2k rather than $700.
Also, I blame this on a Bloody financial market crash!

P.S.
I can't wait to go back to Thailand

[Ulysses G.]

Phuket is BIG ripoff. Try Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai.

[BugJackBaron]

citizen33, on 2009-01-09 02:03:30, said:

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 02:37:24, said:

few very good hotels I stayed this year under 1300 Baht, Venice  april 2009 high season.
Charoensri Grand Royal- Udon, Charoensri Thani Princess - khon kaen, Park hotel-Chiang mai, Wangcome-Chian Rai, Imperial tara-Mae Hong Son.
Where you can find such hotels in Europe for the same price

Well, just sticking to my point about quite steep Thai price rises that are narrowing the gap, let us concentrate on Khon Kaen, where I often stay myself.  You did well at the Chareon Thani Princess, where the current price is about 1700 baht (significant inflation since early last year?). First class in Khon Kaen would mean the Sofitel (Pullman) at about 2900 baht.  Moving to a Western comparator, I stayed at the Hilton in Belfast last month for about 4000 baht, so I still think that the difference is narrowing. I never argued that the price was the same.

My 2 satangs. In comparison to to Eastern Asia Thailand is still cheap.
When I left Korea last year a CHEAP 4* hotel was
100 bucks. It was a shoebox and you were treated almost with contempt. No land of smiles there.
I usually can find, when traveling alone, clean reasonably sized budget hotel rooms for 500-600
Baht. In Buriram it was no problem and you can even find this in Pattaya if you look around.
In Japan and Korea it is probably impossible  to get anything this cheap.
So it is not just the relative price increase but also the range of choice available that makes
Thailand a good place to stay. But yes Western food is often absurdly overpriced.

[samuibeachcomber]

BugJackBaron, on 2009-01-09 09:51:05, said:

citizen33, on 2009-01-09 02:03:30, said:

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 02:37:24, said:

few very good hotels I stayed this year under 1300 Baht, Venice april 2009 high season.
Charoensri Grand Royal- Udon, Charoensri Thani Princess - khon kaen, Park hotel-Chiang mai, Wangcome-Chian Rai, Imperial tara-Mae Hong Son.
Where you can find such hotels in Europe for the same price

Well, just sticking to my point about quite steep Thai price rises that are narrowing the gap, let us concentrate on Khon Kaen, where I often stay myself. You did well at the Chareon Thani Princess, where the current price is about 1700 baht (significant inflation since early last year?). First class in Khon Kaen would mean the Sofitel (Pullman) at about 2900 baht. Moving to a Western comparator, I stayed at the Hilton in Belfast last month for about 4000 baht, so I still think that the difference is narrowing. I never argued that the price was the same.

My 2 satangs. In comparison to to Eastern Asia Thailand is still cheap.
When I left Korea last year a CHEAP 4* hotel was
100 bucks. It was a shoebox and you were treated almost with contempt. No land of smiles there.
I usually can find, when traveling alone, clean reasonably sized budget hotel rooms for 500-600
Baht. In Buriram it was no problem and you can even find this in Pattaya if you look around.
In Japan and Korea it is probably impossible to get anything this cheap.
So it is not just the relative price increase but also the range of choice available that makes
Thailand a good place to stay. But yes Western food is often absurdly overpriced.

agree western restuarants  more expensive than back home,i think whats making people's perception of thailand becoming more expensive is the exchange rates.

[think_too_mut]

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 03:37:24, said:

A bed and breakfast cost minimum 2500 Baht in Antwerp almost dubbel as a first class hotel in Thailand.

This is a bit of a stretch.

That would mean Sheraton, Marriott, Hyatt, Dusit Thani, Shangri La, Peninsula...hotels in BKK go for 1250B.

Could be, even lower, 800B - for breakfast only if you are not staying at the hotel.

Search them and compare room for room in the same chain, BKK and elsewhere.

Edited by think_too_mut, 2009-01-09 10:41:13.

[think_too_mut]

tb86, on 2009-01-09 01:42:32, said:

There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

That implies that the cars are imported too.

Which are not.

Locally made car ( I know of Honda Jazz) is about 2% more expensive in Thailand than in Japan.

While Thai workers who made it are paid 10% of what Japanese get.

[henryalleman]

BugJackBaron, on 2009-01-09 03:51:05, said:

citizen33, on 2009-01-09 02:03:30, said:

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 02:37:24, said:

few very good hotels I stayed this year under 1300 Baht, Venice  april 2009 high season.
Charoensri Grand Royal- Udon, Charoensri Thani Princess - khon kaen, Park hotel-Chiang mai, Wangcome-Chian Rai, Imperial tara-Mae Hong Son.
Where you can find such hotels in Europe for the same price

Well, just sticking to my point about quite steep Thai price rises that are narrowing the gap, let us concentrate on Khon Kaen, where I often stay myself.  You did well at the Chareon Thani Princess, where the current price is about 1700 baht (significant inflation since early last year?). First class in Khon Kaen would mean the Sofitel (Pullman) at about 2900 baht.  Moving to a Western comparator, I stayed at the Hilton in Belfast last month for about 4000 baht, so I still think that the difference is narrowing. I never argued that the price was the same.

My 2 satangs. In comparison to to Eastern Asia Thailand is still cheap.
When I left Korea last year a CHEAP 4* hotel was
100 bucks. It was a shoebox and you were treated almost with contempt. No land of smiles there.
I usually can find, when traveling alone, clean reasonably sized budget hotel rooms for 500-600
Baht. In Buriram it was no problem and you can even find this in Pattaya if you look around.
In Japan and Korea it is probably impossible  to get anything this cheap.
So it is not just the relative price increase but also the range of choice available that makes
Thailand a good place to stay. But yes Western food is often absurdly overpriced.

last year  I stayed in Buriram in Vonghtong hotel for 500 Baht an unbelievable big room for that price. Nice staf, but one of the most boring towns in thailand.

And you are correct you can find very decent and comfortable hotels for 500 Baht outside the tourist areas.

[henryalleman]

think_too_mut, on 2009-01-09 04:39:31, said:

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 03:37:24, said:

A bed and breakfast cost minimum 2500 Baht in Antwerp almost dubbel as a first class hotel in Thailand.

This is a bit of a stretch.

That would mean Sheraton, Marriott, Hyatt, Dusit Thani, Shangri La, Peninsula...hotels in BKK go for 1250B.

Could be, even lower, 800B - for breakfast only if you are not staying at the hotel.

Search them and compare room for room in the same chain, BKK and elsewhere.

I didn't mean a five star hotel, but a 4 star hotel you find plenty of them below 1500 baht.

or is a 4 star hotel a dump in you idea?

[henryalleman]

think_too_mut, on 2009-01-09 04:45:06, said:

tb86, on 2009-01-09 01:42:32, said:

There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

That implies that the cars are imported too.

Which are not.

Locally made car ( I know of Honda Jazz) is about 2% more expensive in Thailand than in Japan.

While Thai workers who made it are paid 10% of what Japanese get.

Imported cars is a complete different issue. Price in Thailand are at least 100%  higher than in Europe;
the Thai car market is lousy, the  choices in sedans  are very limited and very expensive except pick ups, Fortuners or MU7's.
Its almost impossible  to find a diesel sedan, while in Europe almost 30% of sedan cars are Turbo diesels. In Belgium even over 50%.

[bkkjames]

henryalleman, on 2009-01-09 11:42:56, said:

think_too_mut, on 2009-01-09 04:45:06, said:

tb86, on 2009-01-09 01:42:32, said:

There only three things i have found more expensive in thailand than the west imported food, wine and cars. amazing

That implies that the cars are imported too.

Which are not.

Locally made car ( I know of Honda Jazz) is about 2% more expensive in Thailand than in Japan.

While Thai workers who made it are paid 10% of what Japanese get.

Imported cars is a complete different issue. Price in Thailand are at least 100%  higher than in Europe;
the Thai car market is lousy, the  choices in sedans  are very limited and very expensive except pick ups, Fortuners or MU7's.
Its almost impossible  to find a diesel sedan, while in Europe almost 30% of sedan cars are Turbo diesels. In Belgium even over 50%.

volvo, bmw and merc have diesel sedans, as for your other numbers, thailand compares well to North America in terms of the number diesels on the road.

[mrtoad]

Ulysses G., on 2009-01-09 09:47:59, said:

Phuket is BIG ripoff. Try Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai.

Agreed, Phuket is rip off central.