The local currency in Thailand is Thai Baht and the easiest way is to count 1USD = approximately 30THB and 1 EURO = approximately 35THB.
Certainly, it’s true that is possible to live in Thailand very cheaply. How much you adapt to Thai lifestyle habits makes a big difference to your costs though – having johk or khao dtom (both types of rice soup) for breakfast every day will cost you almost nothing, while a bowl of cornflakes may well cost considerably more than you would expect. Unfortunately, luxury goods are taxed extremely heavily in Thailand which makes regular shopping in supermarkets quite expensive.
Costs and prices:
- A plate of Thai food, some rice and a soft drink at an average small restaurant 50-100THB
- A plate of western-style food and a soft drink in tourist-orientated restaurant 150-350THB
- Meal for 2 at a high-quality Thai restaurant 300 – 500THB
- Regular pizza in Italian restaurant 300-400THB
- Steak in Western Steakhouse 600-1000THB (good quality beef guaranteed though)
- Grilled chicken and sticky rice from a street vendor 20-40THB
- Large (630ml) ‘Chang’ beer from a 7-11 store 60-70THB
- Small (330ml) ‘Chang’ beer in an average bar 60-150THB
- 1 liter of bottled water from a store 7-12 THB
- Bottle of wine from a supermarket 500-800THB
- 20 cigarettes (Western brand) 100-120THB
- 20 cigarettes (Thai brand) 40-60THB
