Chiang Mai on 35k baht a month?

[2Prick]

Question from a senior-ranked NGO friend who has to take a year out as part of a special project.

A sister charity org will subsidise his living expenses to the tune of 35k baht a month. Maximum.

Can a CM resident make an approx break down of monthly living costs, please?

He's asking this question because (a) this is the first time his NGO has taken on such a project, (b) he's only ever been to CM for a week as a holidaymaker, (c) he's currently based in Cambodia and (d) the sister charity org is staffed entirely by religious Thai females, who it would be improper to ask questions about the price of a beer, etc.

His kids will be staying in Cambodia with his (NGO) wife.

[terry57]

I was looking at a very nice Condo complex in Chaing mai a few months ago for 14000 baht a month but directly next door was a perfectly adequate self contained room for 5000 a month.

I recon if you watched your money it would be a peace of piss.

Across the road was a large Thai market selling everything with an eating hall selling great Thai food for 40 baht.

If one did not go mad on the beer and woman one could live for nothing really compared to the real world.

[2Prick]

^ Thanks, terry.

Keep the feedback coming, folks!

[Thetyim]

Can he survive on 35k pcm, yes
Will he enjoy it, no

Will he need transport?
Can he eat Thai food every day?
How much does he drink?

[misskit]

I agree with Terry.

My expenses in CM run about 25,000 baht per month for just myself. I could do it for quite a bit less if I wanted to save money.

[mao say dung]

From what I've heard and seen of the lifestyles of "senior-ranked" NGO-types in Cambodia, I would say 35K baht monthly would represent a major comedown for such a fellow. Gas alone for the giant black SUV getting around to all the best bars and restaurants would eat up a considerable chunk of that.

Guy like myself, now, I could be content for a year on that. But I do eat a lot of Thai food, in fact, our family heads up to Chiang Mai a couple times a year just to eat northern style and hang out.

Transport can be expensive, but a motorcycle would take care of that.

[Necron99]

Can he survive on 35k pcm, yes
Will he enjoy it, no

Will he need transport?
Can he eat Thai food every day?
How much does he drink?

Food - 6000 baht (thai)
Beer - 4000 baht
Room - 10000 baht

15000 baht left for travel and incidentals.

Thats pretty tight but certainly doable unless you are a very big drinker/smoker and like to party.

[terry57]

Of course it depends on what sort of person one is and what they want to do.

If he wants to live cheap, get a cheap gaff, rent a scooter, eat Thai food, drink a few beers from 7/11 or outside Thai restaurants 35 K no probs.

If he wants to party like fuk it ain't going to cut it.

Not hard is it. ?

[misskit]

Forgot to add, I don't have rental expense and I own a car and motorbike.

However, I do pay for maintenance of those things.

[Dillinger]

Piece of piss

[2Prick]

Can he survive on 35k pcm, yes
Will he enjoy it, no

Will he need transport?
Can he eat Thai food every day?
How much does he drink?

Food - 6000 baht (thai)
Beer - 4000 baht
Room - 10000 baht

15000 baht left for travel and incidentals.

Thats pretty tight but certainly doable unless you are a very big drinker/smoker and like to party.

Thanks, Necron. Much appreciated.

He isn't a 'big' anything and doesn't party nearly as much as he should. Family man!

[2Prick]

Can he survive on 35k pcm, yes
Will he enjoy it, no

Will he need transport?
Can he eat Thai food every day?
How much does he drink?

Work-related transport costs will be available to him, but he will have to reclaim them on a monthly basis.

He has a good idea of how much round trips from CM up until the hills and the tribes cost.

But thanks, Thetyim.

[harrybarracuda]

I was looking at a very nice Condo complex in Chaing mai a few months ago for 14000 baht a month but directly next door was a perfectly adequate self contained room for 5000 a month.

I recon if you watched your money it would be a peace of piss.

Across the road was a large Thai market selling everything with an eating hall selling great Thai food for 40 baht.

If one did not go mad on the beer and woman one could live for nothing really compared to the real world.

Where was that then El Tel?

[terry57]

The place was on Changphuak Rd near the Mercure hotel.

www.wipananmansion.com .

New complex very nice studio units, pool, Gym. Around 14 k can rent by the month and they take credit card which is very good for me.

In a local area so all the tourist muppets are far enough away. Right opposite where units for 5K.

.

[robbo]

i'd love to tell you that it can be done easily but the last time i said this i was shot down in flames by some people on this forum, but i know i enjoy my life here and i get by on less than that

[DrAndy]

If he wants to party like fuk it ain't going to cut it.

dunno, every time we have a party there always seem to be a couple of freeloaders!

cheap enough to blag your way around if desperate

[ENT]

A unit/sc room, Bt 5,000,

Eat out/bring home Thai food Bt 150 a day, or Bt 4,500/mth.

Eat out extra Farang food 3 or 4 times a week, Bt 1,500/mth and extra home cooking another Bt 1,500.

A few beers in the evening, around Bt 6,000/ mth, so the all up cost wouldn't add up to any more than Bt 18,500 a month.

Bt 35,000 a month for a single guy, no problems at all.

[DrAndy]

I know some rooms at B1800 a month, all in. No aircon

food, maybe three times foodcarts, B120, so say B4000 a month

laundry, self

cleaning, self

so a few materials around B200 a month

transport bicycle free

beers 3 times a week Large Chang at B60 each say B800 a month

so B7000 a month approx before any luxuries

Thais do it on less

[2Prick]

Thanks, ENT and DrAndy.

[Bung]

This may help people on a tight budget.

At Home Sukaphan on the super highway they have free coffee, biscuits, water and Thai juices. They sell tiles and home stuff so you just go in grab a coffee, look at some tiles, smile at the nice ladies and your good to go.

Just tell them "Baan Mai Set"- House isn't finished- and go everyday. It's nice and cool inside as well and they even have sofas and magazines.

Hope that helps you cheapskates

[Albert Shagnastier]

Everyone's right to a certain extent - other than those that are wrong. obviously.

never lived in CM, so I'll do this for BKK (doubt CM can be more expensive)

CHEAPEST (monthly):

Room (lower sukhumvit but cheap area) 3500/4000bt with aircon unit
Bills (air and water etc) 1500bt (air on 10 hours a day)
Food 40bt per meal

[misskit]

^^ Or you can go to Index on the Super Highway to eat their snacks and sit on their comfortable outdoor furniture. You can bet not one salesperson will bother you.

[ENT]

Everyone's right to a certain extent - other than those that are wrong. obviously.

never lived in CM, so I'll do this for BKK (doubt CM can be more expensive)

CHEAPEST (monthly):

Room (lower sukhumvit but cheap area) 3500/4000bt with aircon unit
Bills (air and water etc) 1500bt (air on 10 hours a day)
Food 40bt per meal

That's about the same as Chiangmai, really.

[poorfalang]

(d) the sister charity org is staffed entirely by religious Thai females

Any vacancies

[DrAndy]

At Home Sukaphan on the super highway they have free coffee, biscuits, water and Thai juices. They sell tiles and home stuff so you just go in grab a coffee, look at some tiles, smile at the nice ladies and your good to go.

how do you get there?