Living Costs are Low In Thailand

[jacko 8,762]

How do you go about only having to go on a visa run every 2 months?

 

If you have a multiple entry 12 month, its every three months and single entry are good for 90 days then you have to go every month...so what kind of visa do you have where you go every 2 months?

 

Regarding buying a bike, get one under a year old and the depreciation would be neglible...buy a nouvo for 56000 baht new will be worth 40k on leaving the shop...buy a wave 125i for 46000 and it will be worth 38000.

Tourist visas are valid for 60 days. Multiple....2 or 3 entries.

 

Second hand bikes are a risk here....the local people change components.

Mileage cannot be trusted.

 

I shall shop around.

 

Owen, Gary's post put some numbers to your points, the Expats club does offer insurance, have the leaflet by me now. A lot cheaper than BUPA but these policies are hard to compare.....The Expats one is a deal.

 

Afraid I fly biz class and flights look about the same price from UK as from Thailand - more consolidators.

Not extracting anything from my 'portfolio' yet, but inflation IS

Edited July 6, 2006 by jacko

[kolobos 0]

Tourist visas are valid for 60 days. Multiple....2 or 3 entries.

 

Second hand bikes are a risk here....the local people change components.

Mileage cannot be trusted.

 

I shall shop around.

I was under the impression a 60 day tourist visa allowed you 60 days initially and then you could get a 30 day extention and from there on you had to leave the country every 30 days.

 

I have a 12 month multiple business visa and when that 12 month expires I have to exit the country every 30 days unless I go back to the UK and get another 12 months.

 

Regarding bikes again, why buy off a Thai (if you dont trust them) many farang buy bikes then move on after 6-12 months...plenty of farang owned bikes about..take it to a reputable dealer to get it checked out and do a deal if OK...I nearly sold my bikes after recently aquiring a vehicle though changed my mind, both 6 months old 2000klms on clock and would have accepted the prices quoted on my last post, plenty to be saved for someone like yourself.

[kolobos 0]

I note Jacko you have recently rented on 'the other side of the Suk', where abouts are you?...how old are you, if you wanted to rent one of my bikes you could have one for 2000 baht per month

[jacko 8,762]

I note Jacko you have recently rented on 'the other side of the Suk', where abouts are you?...how old are you, if you wanted to rent one of my bikes you could have one for 2000 baht per month

Just 51, and live up Soi Siam CC about a km.

 

2000 baht/month would save me a grand...I am interested but GF wants us to buy one. I have a UK trip in 4 weeks and might contact U when I return.

 

Multiple Tourist visa....trip to Cambodia, one entry and 60 more days, cost 2k.

Extension for 30 days, save 1 entry but 1900 baht.

Visa only has a life of 6 months......as I go back to UK soon I will just get another, cost £25/entry.

 

Border run makes more financial sense......get me some duty free too!

 

Visa Info....thanks to Pattaya Expats Club

Edited July 5, 2006 by jacko

[kolobos 0]

Just 51, and live up Soi Siam CC about a km.

 

2000 baht/month would save me a grand...I am interested but GF wants us to buy one. I have a UK trip in 4 weeks and might contact U when I return.

 

Multiple Tourist visa....trip to Cambodia, one entry and 60 more days, cost 2k.

                                Extension for 30 days, save 1 entry but 1900 baht.

Visa only has a life of 6 months......as I go back to UK soon I will just get another, cost £25/entry.

 

Border run makes more financial sense......get me some duty free too!

I am up Siam CC also, about 7 klms...dont know if you have ventured around the area but here is a map with most of the drinking houses and some restaurants...

MAP

 

Will meet up on your return if you are up for it!

[jacko 8,762]

I am up Siam CC also, about 7 klms...dont know if you have ventured around the area but here is a map with most of the drinking houses and some restaurants...

MAP

 

Will meet up on your return if you are up for it!

Thanks for link to map.

Was it you that posted about some of the ST places East of Sukhumvit a while ago?

 

Yes I have looked around over here, but tried only 1 place to eat.

 

I am up for it before I go to UK...Tilac off to her village next week.....I need to take care of house so cannot go.....yeah right. So got a free week, name a place up Soi Siam CC on your map. Be nice to go out for a beer and not worry about getting back over that crazy highway.

[kolobos 0]

I am in the UK as we speak and just waiting for my VAT inspection to be completed so I can sign it off and get back...you could always pop into Nois Bar on Soi Khao Noi and see either Chris, my best mate or Noi (his Missus) or even my missus 'Chongdee' if you wanted to check the bikes out...I expect to be back in the next 10-14 days so I will make an effort to contact you on my return.

 

Yes it was I that posted the map and info previously

Edited July 5, 2006 by kolobos

[jacko 8,762]

I am in the UK as we speak and just waiting for my VAT inspection to be completed so I can sign it off and get back...you could always pop into Nois Bar on Soi Khao Noi and see either Chris, my best mate or Noi (his Missus) or even my missus 'Chongdee' if you wanted to check the bikes out...I expect to be back in the next 10-14 days so I will make an effort to contact you on my return.

 

Yes it was I that posted the map and info previously

I think we can do something between your return and my departure.

PM me.

Tirac wants me to make you an offer on one of your bikes!

[Zidane 11]

I've lived in Thailand permanently for about 15 months and visited several areas.

The cost of living varies not only from your lifestyle but also where you live ie.Isaan much cheaper than,say,Phuket.

But from my experiences I would say this is what you need monthly to have a good lifestyle not a crazy lifestyle.A crazy lifestyle would be go-go's,massage,heavy drinking,different women every night etc ! (possibly you might be dead within 6 months but what a way to go ! )

A good lifestyle is maybe a game of golf a week,out for lunch most days,out for a meal and a few beers four or five times a week and paying for a woman two or three times a week.

 

This is what I reckon you need financially to have the good lifestyle.

 

Chaiyaphum,Isaan £600 per month (but dead boring with only 0ne farang bar,plenty of cheap Thai food and beer though )

 

Udon Thani,Isaan £ 750 per month (enough farang bars,restaurants and women but,certainly not the same as Pattaya)

 

Pattaya £1000 per month do you agree or what ?

 

Phuket £1300 per month (quite pricey in some places)

 

Bangkok £1200 per month (if you would be crazy enough to want to live there)

 

 

What do you guys think ?

 

 

Zidane

[Soi7 1]

What do you guys think ?

 

I think these numbers will different for every person.

[MIGHTYONE 309]

House Rent 15k

M/cycle rent 3k

Electric 3k

Water pennies

Cable 500 baht

Spending money to Tilac 12k

Meals Out 3-4k

my(or our) nights out 12k

Food/gas/mobile/etc 6k

If it were me on your budget I think I would try and get a live in who is prepared to work. Say she earns 5k let her keep it all and give her the 7k difference. That then leaves you with an extra 5k plus plenty of free time to do whatever with it. Soi 6 springs to mind.

 

Or is this just me with my Mongering head on ??

[pattysteve 34]

Multiple Tourist visa....trip to Cambodia, one entry and 60 more days, cost 2k.

Extension for 30 days, save 1 entry but 1900 baht.

Visa only has a life of 6 months......as I go back to UK soon I will just get another, cost £25/entry.

 

Border run makes more financial sense......get me some duty free too!

 

Visa Info....thanks to Pattaya Expats Club

Jacko,

 

you should be getting the multiple entry type O visa,valid for 90 days on entry to LOS.From then on visa run every 90 days,and if you are crafty these can last almost 15 mnths before a new one is needed.

 

At 51 shouldnt you be considering a retirement 1yr extension.

 

Steve

[jacko 8,762]

If it were me on your budget I think I would try and get a live in who is prepared to work. Say she earns 5k let her keep it all and give her the 7k difference. That then leaves you with an extra 5k plus plenty of free time to do whatever with it. Soi 6 springs to mind.

 

Or is this just me with my Mongering head on ??

Not sure if this is a serious question but I will answer as if it was.

 

She wanted to work, more for something to fill time than the monetary need.

Not so easy to find as she does not have qualifications and at 32 is 'getting on' in Thai terms. Part time jobs are scarce as hen's teeth. She had interviews at supermarkets, one place called back, but I answered the phone and that put paid to that...have farang means not need job.

 

The reality was that any job she got would be paying only about 4000 baht, she would be working 6 days/week/48 hours. I thought it a waste of time for 4k, also that taking care of home and me on top was too much, and we would have to buy/rent another motorcycle to get her there (we live other side of Sukhumvit).

 

Now she is looking at some schooling!

[jacko 8,762]

Jacko,

 

you should be getting the multiple entry type O visa,valid for 90 days on entry to LOS.From then on visa run every 90 days,and if you are crafty these can last almost 15 mnths before a new one is needed.

 

At 51 shouldnt you be considering a retirement 1yr extension.

 

Steve

Laziness perhaps.

 

I always felt that I would be bullshitting to get an O visa.

 

Not married here......

 

category O...visit friends or relatives....No does not apply.

category B....business, nope.

 

Having to prove some financial status, hate having to tell anybody anything in UK.

 

Whenever I get the form in UK, the tourist visa requires very little, the Non-Imm seems more complex, my time in the UK is limited, and normally return trip is booked.

 

I would appreciate advice on this.....

 

Retirement would be next logical step on.

Edited July 8, 2006 by jacko

[Eneukman 1]

Jacko,

 

There's no problem whatsoever getting a multiple entry non-Immigrant O visa from the Thai Consulate in Hull. The only thing you do need is a letter from a friend or relative guaranteeing that they will cover the cost of repatriating you should this become necessary. A style of the letter can be found on the Thai visa site - www.thaivisa.com

 

If you're over 50, you can easily obtain a retirement visa in Thailand. A non-Immigrant O visa is required (though a 30 day permit and tourist visa can apparently now be converted to a non-Immigrant O visa (for a fee). A medical certificate to certify you're alive and a letter from a Thai bank confirming that you have a balance of at least 800,000 baht are all you require.

 

Alan

[jacko 8,762]

Jacko,

 

There's no problem whatsoever getting a multiple entry non-Immigrant O visa from the Thai Consulate in Hull. The only thing you do need is a letter from a friend or relative guaranteeing that they will cover the cost of repatriating you should this become necessary. A style of the letter can be found on the Thai visa site - www.thaivisa.com

 

If you're over 50, you can easily obtain a retirement visa in Thailand. A non-Immigrant O visa is required (though a 30 day permit and tourist visa can apparently now be converted to a non-Immigrant O visa (for a fee). A medical certificate to certify you're alive and a letter from a Thai bank confirming that you have a balance of at least 800,000 baht are all you require.

 

Alan

I am going to sound a bit of a whiner here but.......

 

Do I have to go to Hull?

I have been outside of the UK now so long that I would never request any of my old friends to supply such a committment. I suppose my mother might!

 

Thanks for feedback.

[Eneukman 1]

I am going to sound a bit of a whiner here but.......

 

Do I have to go to Hull?

I have been outside of the UK now so long that I would never request any of my old friends to supply such a committment. I suppose my mother might!

 

Thanks for feedback.

No need to go to Hull - everything can be done by post so long as you have the right documentation. I did actually go to Hull, but that was my choice.

 

As for the guarantee leter, they'll accept it from anyone - they don't check up, which is just as well as I doubt whether my brother could pay for my repatriation from his own funds. I granted a power of attorney in his favour so he is able to sign cheques etc on my behalf.

 

Alan

[Dungheap 243]

Excuse me guys if this is somewhat off-topic but what do you have to do to avoid these demeaning visa runs once every three months?

 

Retirement visa?

O visa?

Student visa?

 

What else?

 

Must be one mega pain in the arse having to play 'crim on the run' and crossing your fingers they'll let you back in when you likely spend more in one month than many Thais spend in a year.

[jacko 8,762]

Excuse me guys if this is somewhat off-topic but what do you have to do to avoid these demeaning visa runs once every three months?

 

Retirement visa?

O visa?

Student visa?

 

What else?

 

Must be one mega pain in the arse having to play 'crim on the run' and crossing your fingers they'll let you back in when you likely spend more in one month than many Thais spend in a year.   

I would hardly call them demeaning.......just a day out with duty free included.

Retirement visa allows you to stay 1 year, but you have to 'register' every 3 months, a visit to the immigration dept or you can do it on-line.

 

O Visa lasts 3 months...

 

'crim on the run'......

 

You could apply for permanent residency or citizenship! Not so easy.

 

Better still make a trip to Cambodia and stay.. have some fun there for a few days. I had a very nice stay in Laos too.

A long weekend in Singapore....

Edited July 9, 2006 by jacko

[Dungheap 243]

Jacko, what I'm saying is if you have a retirement or work visa why do you have to bugger off cross border for a renewal? You sure this is right?

 

There have been several cases in the not too distant past where guys on tourist visas were denied re-entry cause of too many stamps in the passport, or some other trivial excuse.

 

The crim on the run statement referred to the way I would feel.

[pfotoguy 3]

When you are older and less demanding of life, you can afford it.

 

I love that statement. I'm quite comfortable living in my residential mode instead of a vacation mode.

 

I try to keep it as simple as possible. I have a live-in that takes very good care of me and we only go out about 3 or 4 nights a week, mostly dinners and entertainment with friends.

 

I probably am paying to much for an apartment and I need to scale down that expense. but it is a comfortable lifestyle for me. It would be a lot cheaper to get a house just outside of town. I'm still looking into that. Renting not buying.

 

As a side note that has really nothing to do with this. I was at a friends Karaoke party last week. My girl loved it so I went out and bought her a machine and at the moment she's lying on the floor feet propped up on a chair singing along to Thai music. which is kind of whine to begin with, unfortunately she couldn't carry a note in a bag. I need to go in and get my earplugs. But life is good and I am happy.

[jacko 8,762]

Jacko, what I'm saying is if you have a retirement or work visa why do you have to bugger off cross border for a renewal? You sure this is right?

 

There have been several cases in the not too distant past where guys on tourist visas were denied re-entry cause of too many stamps in the passport, or some other trivial excuse.

 

The crim on the run statement referred to the way I would feel.

I have no real idea about work visas...but I believe it would be a non imm B type, 3 month validity. When I worked here (ages ago) it was short duration and hence visa runs not an issue.

 

As I stated, with a retirement visa you do not have to do visa runs and leave the country. But are required to 'register' every 3 months to confirm where you live etc. The initial visa is actually an extension of your non-imm visa taking it to a total of 12 months validity.

 

I do not have a retirement visa, but a tourist visa. (this is not what you get at the airport, but is issued outside Thailand)

 

As U stated some guys had problems when their passports showed too many tourist visas.......but I believe these were people with a LOT of them..maybe several years worth, but this is why I am considering a non immigrant visa, (and probabaly going on to a retirement later). I still have ties with home and wish to go back maybe 2 times each year anyhow.

Edited July 9, 2006 by jacko

[jacko 8,762]

I love that statement.  I'm quite comfortable living in my residential mode instead of a vacation mode.

 

I try to keep it as simple as possible. I have a live-in that takes very good care of me and we only go out about 3 or 4 nights a week, mostly dinners and entertainment with friends. 

 

I probably am paying to much for an apartment and I need to scale down that expense. but it is a comfortable lifestyle for me. It would be a lot cheaper to get a house just outside of town. I'm still looking into that. Renting not buying.

 

As a side note that has really nothing to do with this. I was at a friends Karaoke party last week. My girl loved it so I went out and bought her a machine and at the moment she's lying on the floor feet propped up on a chair singing along to Thai music. which is kind of whine to begin with, unfortunately she couldn't carry a note in a bag. I need to go in and get my earplugs. But life is good and I am happy.

Glad you like the phrase, off the top of my head and bottom of a beer bottle -honestly.

 

But you know someone once said 'an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of typewriters will come up with a Shakespeare play eventually' ...maybe that was my moment!

 

Coincidentally I was sat on a friends balcony recently enduring an overly loud Karaoke nearby....I HATE karaoke......although my girl likes to sing a song!

 

Can't be doing with all that adolescent rushing around to do as much as possible before I die! You only get so many allocated heartbeats, use them sparingly.

Edited July 9, 2006 by jacko

[winner 0]

As far as a computer any old rag will do if all you are doing is the Internet, email and surfing. I have an antique Toshiba laptop that I sometimes drag around with me. It IS old and it's just as fast in the Internet as my high powered desktop. I gave my old desktop to a friend of mine. I bought a new one and got tired of seeing it sitting around. Second hand computers are very cheap.

 

My retirement visa cost 1,900 baht per year, I don't have to ever leave the country. The 90 day address verifications are free. I have no desire to leave the country and would just as soon take a beating as to travel.

 

My health insurance is about 20,000 baht per year. It does NOT cover pre existing conditions. Drugs are cheap here anyways and it does NOT cover drugs, doctor visits or dental. There is zero deductible. I'm not sure if it is good or not but last year I had acute appendicitis. The bill was 48,000 baht for the surgery and hospital. The insurance paid all except 15 baht. I don't know what the 15 baht was but I didn't question it. If I remember correctly there was a 30 day waiting period before they would cover any claims.

Gary

 

20,000 is a good price. What company is it with and how old are you? (I sound Thai). LOL Did you get it through a particular organization? (Expat club etc)

[winner 0]

I've lived in Thailand permanently for about 15 months and visited several areas.

The cost of living varies not only from your lifestyle but also where you live ie.Isaan much cheaper than,say,Phuket.

But from my experiences I would say this is what you need monthly to have a good lifestyle not a crazy lifestyle.A crazy lifestyle would be go-go's,massage,heavy drinking,different women every night etc ! (possibly you might be dead within 6 months but what a way to go ! )

A good lifestyle is maybe a game of golf a week,out for lunch most days,out for a meal and a few beers four or five times a week and paying for a woman two or three times a week.

 

This is what I reckon you need financially to have the good lifestyle.

 

Chaiyaphum,Isaan £600 per month (but dead boring with only 0ne farang bar,plenty of cheap Thai food and beer though )

 

Udon Thani,Isaan £ 750 per month (enough farang bars,restaurants and women but,certainly not the same as Pattaya)

 

Pattaya £1000 per month do you agree or what ?

 

Phuket £1300 per month (quite pricey in some places)

 

Bangkok £1200 per month (if you would be crazy enough to want to live there)

 

 

What do you guys think ?

 

 

Zidane

I would disagree with you on cost of living in BKK. I have been here about 4 years now and rent a very nice condo--2 bdrooms and two baths with a combined living room and dining room plus a small kitchen. Buy a lot of Falang food at Villa Market and do anything that I want to and my monthly costs run between 50 and 60 thousant baht. More often the 50,000 number. I love Bangkok. Prefer living here to Pattaya because there are more people not associated with the bar scene. I do not live in the Falang area. (Sukhumvit or patpong), so I pay Thai prices for everything except my food weakness. LOL