You guys are painting a very gloomy picture. What I don't understand is how does the average Thai survive in such circustances? If inflation is running at 6%+, surely the average Thai is going to be broke.
IMHO, there would be a Thai revolution before Pete's crystal ball was proved right.
GBP vs THB
Good question BB but they survive. I've seen 6% many years going back to the 80's. Their 'base' is what Thais use, not fancy imported items. If I recall, some of it is rice, cooking oil, cross section of vegetables, pork, chicken etc. But, fuel is in there also so that item alone could decrease the yearly impact for many locals.
I have no clue what inflation may be for those of us who shop at Villa, buy cars and houses every few years.
I do know though that with no mortgage or car payments, and just living a comfortable lifestyle here in terms of bills to be paid, food, school tuition, day to day expenses, an occasional special trip somewhere in-country, it comes out close to 100K Baht per month. That's about upper middle class in Thai terms, but almost lower than entry salary in USA white collar terms for a 22 year old.
Before I am descended upon by those who 'rough it', wait until you get older before you comment. A daily diet of Thai food won't satisfy you, and living like your Thai neighbor and experiencing the 'experience' won't be so exciting forever.
Off Topic above, but forget about people evolving as they get older. This country is evolving economically as it matures. Pete
I have no clue what inflation may be for those of us who shop at Villa, buy cars and houses every few years.
I do know though that with no mortgage or car payments, and just living a comfortable lifestyle here in terms of bills to be paid, food, school tuition, day to day expenses, an occasional special trip somewhere in-country, it comes out close to 100K Baht per month. That's about upper middle class in Thai terms, but almost lower than entry salary in USA white collar terms for a 22 year old.
Before I am descended upon by those who 'rough it', wait until you get older before you comment. A daily diet of Thai food won't satisfy you, and living like your Thai neighbor and experiencing the 'experience' won't be so exciting forever.
Off Topic above, but forget about people evolving as they get older. This country is evolving economically as it matures. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
The rate was 50.45 today. PeteBaaBaa. wrote:Based on what?prcscct wrote:I get no pleasure in saying the Pound is probably going to drop below 50 to the ฿ by the end of the month.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Worse than that midday rate. It closed at 50.16 today.prcscct wrote:The rate was 50.45 today. PeteBaaBaa. wrote:Based on what?prcscct wrote:I get no pleasure in saying the Pound is probably going to drop below 50 to the ฿ by the end of the month.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
[quote="BaaBaa."] Wasn't.
Let's not be silly. It's not a national disgrace. You can tell me when the USD goes below 30. It will probably happen.
http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Ba ... Rates.aspx
Let's not be silly. It's not a national disgrace. You can tell me when the USD goes below 30. It will probably happen.
http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Ba ... Rates.aspx
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
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HuntingTigers
- Specialist
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:46 pm
- Location: Manchester, England
Tourist rate in UK
Travelex tourist rate as of Thursday 19 Feb 2010 - 47.804BaaBaa. wrote:Didn't, see above.prcscct wrote:Worse than that midday rate. It closed at 50.16 today.
Source: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/
This is a slight increase on the published rate in the Travel section [p3], Sunday Times 14 Feb 2010 which was 47.560.
When I visited LOS last September I bought some Baht in the UK at 52. Most of my money I exchanged in Thailand at 54, some at 56.
But you know, it struck me then that Thailand was not cheap. 75THB for a large 65cc bottle of Leo. I could buy at the time a full pint of cask ale beer in the UK for GBP1.35.
Some may say it is like comparing apples to oranges, i.e. not a valid comparision - well they're right there, Thai beer is crap when compared to the UK beverage. Incidentally, Guinness cost me THB 200 / 180 at O'Neils bar in Hua Hin last year. You can get pub draft Guinness for GBP 2.20 where I live now.
Friends are inviting me to visit again this year but in Koh Samui this time- how expensive will that be?
HT.
It may be rubbish - but by golly it's British rubbish.
Re: Tourist rate in UK
Buying your Baht this way is a mug's game. If you need Baht immediately when you arrive in Thailand, change some at Bangkok Airport. Compared with what you get in the UK, you'll get a lot more for your hard earned £.HuntingTigers wrote:Travelex tourist rate as of Thursday 19 Feb 2010 - 47.804
Source: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/
This is a slight increase on the published rate in the Travel section [p3], Sunday Times 14 Feb 2010 which was 47.560.
When I visited LOS last September I bought some Baht in the UK at 52.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
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Korkenzieher
- Guru
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:45 am
- Location: Hua Hin.
Have to agree with you HT. Thailand isn't so cheap for the residents.
But I think there is a case to be made that it is cheap for holiday makers. By which I mean that the average holiday maker gets skinned less in Thailand than he might do in say Corfu, and I suspect a lot of that has to be due to the much cheaper cost of hotels, rather than beer.
But I think there is a case to be made that it is cheap for holiday makers. By which I mean that the average holiday maker gets skinned less in Thailand than he might do in say Corfu, and I suspect a lot of that has to be due to the much cheaper cost of hotels, rather than beer.
Had enough of the trolls. Going to sleep. I may be some time....
Re: Tourist rate in UK
I agree that Thailand isn't as cheap as it was but travelex isn't the current exchange rate, that's just throwing money away. Current rates are HEREHuntingTigers wrote:Travelex tourist rate as of Thursday 19 Feb 2010 - 47.804BaaBaa. wrote:Didn't, see above.prcscct wrote:Worse than that midday rate. It closed at 50.16 today.
Source: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/
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JimmyGreaves
- Legend
- Posts: 2923
- Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:06 am
- Location: HuaEireHin
BAD BAD news for us sterling holders, a big drop today, below 50 
:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8543007.stm
:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8543007.stm
Diplomacy is the ability to tell a man to go to hell so that he looks forward to making the trip
Hi
Question for you financial gurus out there
Got my daughters and friends coming out in 5 weeks and they want to know what to do about getting Bht
I have Bht here brought in at 52 so could fund them but any other advice welcome bearing in mind it is 5 weeks from now
Question for you financial gurus out there
Got my daughters and friends coming out in 5 weeks and they want to know what to do about getting Bht
I have Bht here brought in at 52 so could fund them but any other advice welcome bearing in mind it is 5 weeks from now
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.