Comments on: Budget for Living in Thailand

By: David Walden

David Walden — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 08:04:50 +0000

If you have equal to Bt800,000 in Australian Bank you can get a Retirement visa in Australia and you do not need any money in Thailand (that’s how I do it). It you have Bt800,000 in an a retirement Govt approved fund which you can access this is also acceptable also by the Thai Embassy as proof of sufficient funds. You will get a retirement visa good for 2 years including the 1 year extension. .Look up requirements on Thai Embassy web site…all will be OK. You do not need to have a bank account in a Thai Bank. I have never had a bank a/c in Thailand.
Also available in most other countries.

By: Godfree Roberts

Godfree Roberts — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 02:19:35 +0000

In reply to Paul Francis. Me too. It never gets old.

By: Paul Francis

Paul Francis — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 16:15:03 +0000

I love Thailand in general and Chiang Mai in particular. Great bog – very interesting.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 14:13:49 +0000

In reply to Mark Olwick. You cannot make a decision based on what other people think is a reasonable standard of living. Some enjoy scraping by and some like to live it large. Come for six months, write down every cent you spend and on what, then sit down and work out whether you can live like that for the rest of.

By: Mark Olwick

Mark Olwick — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:14:57 +0000

I wish this would be updated for 2018, and put a third option between the dirt cheap $500/mo and the rich $2400/mo. Something along the lines of $1,100 or $1,200 budget.

By: Nigel and Diane

Nigel and Diane — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:03:13 +0000

In reply to robert & cathy scantlebury.

Hi Robert and Cathy
Diane and I also live in Perth, have just retired two years ago (we are not yet of pension age). Just wondered whether you are living there now? We have been to Chiang Mai a few times now and we love it there–clean, safe, very affordable lifestyle, friendly Thais and expats; in other words, cheap living compared to Perth! We are seriously planning to live there six months of the year or so.
Regards
Nigel and Diane
Kingsley Western Australia

By: Godfree Roberts

Godfree Roberts — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 04:58:05 +0000

In reply to robert & cathy scantlebury. The figures quoted depend on the visa service you're using. Ask your local Thai consulate what they require for a couple: it varies depending on the individual consul. If you don't qualify, contact me using the contact form on this site and I'll organize a way around it for you. You can find apartments and houses furnished and unfurnished in all locations.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 01:31:01 +0000

In reply to robert & cathy scantlebury.

To Rob and Cathy.
If you wish to use the retirement visa’s you need to show 800000BHT, $27000AUD, in a Thai Bank when you renew your visa.
Be careful with regards to receiving a Centrelink pension. If you are you, need to return to Australia every five months and 27days to keep your pension. If you are fully self funded then no problems but, leave the majority of your money in an Australian bank and draw down from that account for your needs each month.
Chiang Mai is a beautiful city. We return there every Australian winter for 3/4 months.
You can get fully furnished condos. Riverside condo for example, a 1 bed, 1bath on a year lease from $540AUD a month plus utilities. Closer to the city and malls can be more. A house in say Hang Dong, San Kampeang, San Sai, 2bdrm 2 bath furnished, in a moo baan (complex gated with security anything from $450AUD a month plus utilities. You can get studio rooms, basically furnished with maybe a fridge and microwave for less but……….
Living simply like the Thai do an average meal, from a roadside stall for two, under $3AUD. Eat like you do at home, big meals and it will cost the earth.
Like I said Chiang Mai is a beautiful place. If you learn the language it is even better.
Regards
QLD

By: robert & cathy scantlebury

robert & cathy scantlebury — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 06:50:11 +0000

Thinking seriously of moving from Perth WA to chiang mai. we are both healthy retirees just turned 70.
Want to know as much as we possibly can about the city. Need more time to digest all this info, but we are very interested at the parts we have so far read. Can’t afford to live comfortably here for much longer!! Are the figures quoted (money required in a thai bank) per person or per couple. Are apartments/rentals furnished, or does it depend on cost/location