Cost of living | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Cost of living Thailand

June 22, 2021 by David Herd

Cost of living Thailand

Cost of living Thailand compared to Australia is is quite surprising. As a rough estimate it is around 35% lower in Pattaya which is a beachside city 90 minutes south of Bangkok. I will highlight some examples including services which I would not be able to afford in Australia, such as pedicures & massages. 🙂

Cheap Charlies is a good example, breakfast starts at B89 or $4.84 AUD including tea or coffee.

Cheap Charlies

Located in Soi Buakhao beside the Sutus Court Hotel.

Cha Bear coffee

Diagonally across the road from Cheap Charlies & opposite Sutris Court Hotel, a hot coffee latte is only B40, or $1.68 AUD.

I love a foot massage

Normal price in Pattaya is B200 for 1 hour, or $8.40 AUD, I usually leave a B60 tip.

Some parlours in Pattaya Klang have slashed their price to B100, or $4.20 AUD.

The Covid crisis has forced may to close their doors or offer a discount. This is one of them located near 3rd Rd. The average price in Australia is around $70 as opposed to $8.40.

If you want to spend a little more on breakfast

This is B175 or $7.36 AUD, naturally the 1/2 avocado & the smoked salmon is the reason at Robin Hood Tavern.

If you have trouble reaching your toes…..

A pedicure is definitely the answer for B150 or $6.30 AUD + tip.

The view from my studio apartment

Rent is B4,150 or $175 AUD per week, for a view like this in Sydney or the Gold Coast you would pay $500 t0 $600 per week.

Now an example of low cost living close the the action of Soi Buakhao

Air conditioned room with a sports bar & restaurant downstairs. B4,500 per month or $190 AUD.

Only 2 minutes walk to Cheap Charlies. 🙂

Great location for $44 AUD per week.

Low cost lunch in Pattaya Klang

One of the many Chinese restaurants in Pattaya Klang or Central Road. Total cost including a bottle of water B240 or $10.90 AUD.

Massaman chicken curry at Robin Hood Tavern

Only B185 or $7.80 AUD, not only was it delicious I ordered take-away & got two full meals.

Transport in Pattaya

These Songthaews or Baht busses are a fantastic method of transport in Pattaya, there are hundreds of them, you rarely have to wait more than a minute. It’s hard to believe the cost of each ride is only B10, or 42 cents Australian. 🙂

Great value at Jasmine’s Cafe in Pattaya Klang.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner, excellent good low cost food.

Prawn & broccoli at Jasmine.

Only B140 or $5.90 AUD, + breakfast at B119.

The best value breakfast in Pattaya.

Foodland at Terminal is the place to go if you are looking for a low cost breakfast, only B65 or $2.70 AUD. This low price is available everyday between 6.30 & 9.30 am. Includes Tea or coffee, orange juice 7 toast & jam 🙂

Sewing lady

These nice ladies set up on the footpath and repair anything that needs sewing. She fixed up a pair of shorts for me for 80 cents AUD, so I I gave her an extra 80 tip. You gotta love Thailand.