Thailand, the Southeast Asian country, is one of the favorite destinations for some travelers due to its tropical climate and safety. Among them is Denisse Molina, the Ecuavisa journalist who changed her job and moved to the other side of the world. If you are interested in following in her footsteps and moving to Thailand, you should know how much it costs to live there.
The first thing to keep in mind is that getting legal and permanent residence in Thailand can be very difficult if you do not have any family ties in the country. However, its immigration laws bend before the Thai Elite Visa, a residence permit of up to 20 years that is only obtained by people of a very high social class, as its name indicates.
On the Thai Elite Visa website, the benefits of this permit are detailed, which costs from $19,000 to $68,000:
- Access to long-term residence that allows you to reside in the country for the entire duration of the residency program
- A multiple-entry residence permit with no minimum stay requirements
- Attractive tax regime
- Complimentary VIP Services
- Access to numerous benefits and discounts throughout Thailand
If you only plan to reside in Thailand for a few months, either telecommuting or taking a long vacation, there are other visa options that you can access.
The cost of living in Thailand
Taking as reference to Bangkokthe capital of Thailand, these are the approximate costs of living in the city:
Accommodation
- Study in the center of Bangkok: between $150 and $200 per month
- Apartment: between $400 and $1,200 per month, depending on the number of bedrooms and the area
Basic services
- Water: $3-$5 per month
- Light: $30-$40 with moderate use of air conditioning
- Internet: $20-$30 a month
Feeding
- 500 gr (1 lb.) of chicken breast: $1.39
- 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole milk: $1.59
- 12 eggs, large: $2.26
- 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes: $1.46
- 500 gr (16 oz.) of national cheese: $8
- 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes: $1.33
- 2 liters of coke: $1.25
- Menu of the day (including drink) in the expensive area of the city: $4.77
Transport
- 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gasoline: $1.01
- Monthly pass for public transport: $28
Hygiene and health
- Cold medicine for 6 days: $1.71
- Private doctor visit: $20
- 1 box of 32 tampons: $3.68
- Roll-on deodorant (50ml-1.5 oz.): $2.36
- 4 rolls of toilet paper: $1.55
- Basic Haircut: $6
Extra expenses, such as health insurance, entertainment and clothing are more varied and depend on the luxury you want to live with. Keep in mind that, being the capital, the cost of living in Bangkok is higher than in other cities in Thailand. A single person, a foreigner, moving to Bangkok will need at least $1,000 a month to live comfortably. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
