COST OF LIVING
Cost of living in Thailand
Thailand is quite an easy place to live provided you are earning a decent salary. But this definition of ease varies from person to person and the lifestyle maintained. A monthly remuneration of 30000 - 50000 baht can give a comfortable standard of living, however the more the better. This figure could cover all expenses including entertainment, transportation, food, both eating in and out, new clothes, miscellaneous expenses.
Expect to spend up to 15,000 baht a month for an apartment of your own, and a further 3,500 baht in utilities. Making a phone call using a fixed line costs 3 baht regardless of the duration of the call.
Supermarket prices :
Pork, chicken and beef : All priced below 150 baht per kilo.
Milk (800 cc) : 35 baht
Cola drinks : 13-14 baht
Beers : 35-45 baht
Local fruits and vegetables are cheap, but imported goods can be really expensive.
Salad bars charge depending on supermarket and quality of goods provided. At Foodland you pay 7 baht per 100 grams, at Tops 12 baht per 100 grams, and at Emporium or Siam Paragon Gourmet Market, the same amount will set you back 25 baht.
A bread costs between 30 and 60 baht a loaf. Rolls are 7-10 baht. Bagels at Villa Market costs about 15 baht, at Au Bon Pain (shameful really) about 40 baht.
Using the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (subway system) costs between 10 and 40 baht for a one-way trip Taxis are cheap with a minimum fare is 35 baht. For about 50 baht you can take a 4 km ride. Buses are frequent, but less comfortable. Fares start at 8 bath (for the non-air-conditioned buses). 20 or 30 baht can take you to the other end of town in air-conditioned buses.
As on August 2010, US$ 1 = about 31.92 baht, the prices stated below can surely be of help :
McDonalds Big Mac combo (incl. Coke + fries): 99 baht
KFC fillet burger combo (incl. Coke + fries): 79 baht
Burger King Whopper combo (incl. Coke + fries): 139 baht
Can of Coke / Pepsi in a supermarket : 13 baht
5 km / 20 km metered taxi ride : 50 / 125 baht
Plate of fried rice on the street / in a food hall : 25 / 35 baht
950 ml bottle generic brand drinking water : 5 baht
1.5 litre bottle of brand name drinking water : 12 - 15 baht
Kodak gold 100 print film 36 shot : 79 - 140 baht
Local call from phone box (every 2 minutes): 1 baht
Singha beer 330ml / 640ml in supermarket: 30 / 50 baht
Heineken beer 330ml / 640ml in supermarket: 35 / 65 baht
Jack Daniel's 700 ml bottle: 899 baht
Portion of fruit from street vendor : 10 baht
Bangkok Post / The Nation newspaper : 25 baht
Packet of cheap / expensive noodles : 5 / 14 baht
Cheap / Expensive men's haircut : 50 / 350+ baht
Levis 501 jeans - genuine, not fake 2,350 baht
Paracetamol 500 mg 10 tablets generic brand : 10 baht
New release English lang. paperback novels : 300 - 450 baht
New release English lang. hardback novels : 595 - 995 baht
New release movie ticket at cinema : 100 - 140 baht
Nightly new release VHS video / DVD movie hire : 30 - 50 baht
New release DVD (copied) : 100 - 150 baht
New release DVD (original) : 120 - 1,000+ baht
Local phone call (direct phone line / apartment line) : 3 / 5 baht
Durex condoms, pack of three : 50 baht
6 x 4 inch photograph print : 3 - 5 baht
1 litre of 91 / 95 octane petrol : 24.69 baht/ 25.49 baht
1 litre of diesel : 25 baht
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TESTIMONIALS
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I heard great things about this TESOL course from 4 different people who went through it last year. I have always wanted to travel and teach, so this program was perfect for me. -
After looking at other programs in Thailand, I found ACT was offering the lowest price. Also, Kiersten and I came together and her friends had previously done the ACT program and they had nothing but good things to say about the program. -
The ACT program seemed to be a great way to receive hands on training. It was a great learning experience. Sangeeta and Pak did a great job throughout and I was continually impressed with them and how professional the company was.
