[thargeagsaf]

Please forgive me if I mis-communicate my thoughts, nonetheless:

Q: Is Thailand considered a third-world country?

I've been told products and merchandise are EXTREMELY inexpensive in Thailand. I'm doing my currency conversion math and $1US = 50Baht. I'm looking around on the web to notice a cheeseburger in Thailand is just as expensive as it is here in the US. I was under the impression for a 1 US dollar I could get (5) cheeseburgers.

Can someone answer the following. How much is (...) in Thailand:

a) Monthly Mortgage for a (3) Bedroom 2-Story, 2000 Square Foot Home.
b) Typical bi-weekly groceries for a family of 4. Mine is $200.00US
c) Average monthly SUV payment: Mine is $425.00 US
d) Fuel? I'm paying $2.30US per gallon.
e) Slacks? $32.00 US for (1) Pair of Docker Pleated Slacks...

Thanks for any insight.

[cokLoolioli]

No, Thailand is not a third world country. Thailand actually is one of the leading models of the countries in South East Asia.

It is difficult to compare with Western society when it comes to the actual cost of the things you mentioned. 5 cheeseburger's? Not in Thailand. Nobody eats like that. Speaking of eating, I have a family of 6 and we spend about $65 per week in groceries. But we don't eat Western food. If you eat Western food (and obviously you do with the amount you spend) you will probably spend close to that in Thailand. However if my family buys groceries in Thailand the $65 would be dropping to about $20. Most of what we eat are noodles, rice and vegetables. Richard has often mentioned in his blogs on Thai-blogs.com how he spends 20-30 baht and gets more food than what we would consider a full meal in the USA. But if you are the type to get 5 burgers, you may need a couple of orders.

The SUV? Well in the USA I have an SUV too, but in Thailand I certainly would not be able to afford it. You pay the same for the vehicle as you do in the States, but you make far less money. Most spend $2k on a motorcycle and that is their transportation. But as in any major US city, public transportation is usually the choice of the majority. Bangkok has all kinds of taxis, city busses, and even a brand new skytrain. Most don't need a car, same like New York city or LA.

Fuel is measured by the litre, same as Canada and every other country in this world. 4 liters is slightly over a gallon. Fuel is currently about the same, but it is just as unpredictable in Thailand as any other country.

Clothing will be about 25-50% less than what we pay in the States. You can go for fakes and spend 70-80% less, but like they say, you get what you pay for.

The monthly rent is where you will likely notice your major difference. Unless you demand to live in a Westernized condo in a Westernized neighborhood.

All in all if you can not adapt to a Thai lifestyle easily, you will not save much money if you are considering moving. But if you truly are a simple person, you may fit in after a few years.

[Assunkkensatt]

Please forgive me if I mis-communicate my thoughts, nonetheless:

Q: Is Thailand considered a third-world country?

A: No, it's a 'developing nation'.

David

[thargeagsaf]

Ok, so I went to www.thai-blogs.com and read everything (that I could find)Richard had to say - a bit surprising, but mostly amusing!

I was surprised to know A/C units are $425US....geezz! and that most Thai homes have none.

I was amused to 'ripping the Thai toilet out and replacing it with a westernized version'.....LOLOL

"A large tub of cold water for bathing?" That sounds extreme!

Thanks guys for directing me to the web site. That is some wonderful reading to know how Thailand differs from the US. And the pictures of the floating market is incredible...the fruits and vegetables look delicious. The culture looks very disciplined and well mannered.

Now for the truth......I'm 100% Thai and have very little memory of my home village "Ubon Thani" as I immigrated to the US back in 1973.

I'm soul-searching at the moment and trying to learn about Thailand as much as I can before visiting.

[cokLoolioli]

You are Thai?!! You will adapt quite easily then. I am sure you too were raised on Noodles and rice rather than McDonalds. You will do fine on grocery side, I stand corrected. I feel guilty, I have only read about 20 of Richard's blogs so far. He has far too much for me to dive into like that. Too you may find Stevesuphan's blogs amusing, he is sort of a 'house favorite' among many members here.

The A/C unit made me laugh too, knowing we can walk into any Wal-Mart and grab one for $69 USD. Some crazy differences between the two worlds. Best of luck to your quest. If you have any other questions there many many people here happy to help.

[kasandrasikl]

igotno wrote I stand corrected. I feel guilty, I believe shimmyshamrock (you sure you havent any Irish blood?) wouldnt think you needed correcting igotno. Yours was a very well considered post and will be of interest to people from places other than US/Canada. I am in UK and wish that our fuel was a comparable price

On the original post ...... it seems a western misconception perpetuated by the media that Thailand is a 3rd world country. As others have already said.. this is not the case and should be classed more as a developing country.

The comparisons between the two economies is more difficult than it would at first appear, maybe do some comparisons the other way? ie:

how much does som tam and rice cost in US?

How much is an 8 stop ride to work on the river express boat?

How much is a CD by the latest Thai pop sensation or better still how much is a copy?

How much does the latest cellphone cost and how much to download ringtones?

How much does a coke cost at Hardrock (seeing as 1 coke is all I need to order to enjoy a full night of entertainment and fun)

It all depends what you consider important.

[Cerilopasei]

It's tricky to figure what Thailand really is. From the comforts and social structure of the West, it looks inferior. From the perspective of its Asian neighbors, it's a leading model.

Heck, even one person can have varying perceptions. When I first saw the flea-ridden, skeleton-like streetdogs digging on top of huge piles of trash-heaps right on the street; when I first smelled the small klongs reeking of putrid foetor, replete with human feces, trash and floating animal carcasses - it's definitely a third-world feeling.

And then there is the MBK and the Grand Palace, ancient and modern features that are comparable to the best any Western country can offer.

Prices - it's been well-covered already. Eat Farang food, pay Farang prices. Eat local food, pay local prices. Buy western goods at western rates, Thai stuff at Thai rates. Exceptions: numerous.

Just gotta live it to know it.

[DOWNLOADnowADOBEphotoSHOP]

There are basically 3 categories for countries
these are the 2004 statistics from http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
although these rates do fluctuate quite a bit due to currency exchange rates this will give you an idea.
1) A Developed country e.g. the USA GDP - per capita = US $40,000
Australia GDP - per capita US $30,700
2) A developing country e.g.Thailand GDP - per capita = US $8,100
3) A third world country e.g. Somalia GDP - per capita = US $600

[thargeagsaf]

Last night, I told my wife about the conversation-blogs here and the different questions I posed on this site. She replied, "Honey, you're not Thai. You're a redneck with a Thai exterior."...LOLOL

Is she American? Yes - from the South; hence the term "redneck".

I do recall being raised on "sticky rice" and "ba-dack" or "ba-la"?? I just know it's fermented fish....I've since developed a "hankering" for hamburgers instead.

My mother is Thai and lives 30 miles from us. She makes "qui-tio" (Thai beef soup), Som Tum, and many other Thai dishes I love with a passion. Bty, Som Tum with rice is $7.00...moms is free! Ever notice all Thai moms have herbs, spices, and vegetables growing in their front yard, back yard, side yard, and even at their son's and daughters yards? LOL

Before I met my wife she loved Chinese food. Now, she doesn't think there's not enough spices in Chinese to her liking. Her favorite Thai dish is...uh...uh...all of them...

I earlier mentioned the floating markets intrique me. I've been told that tropical fruits are to die for in Thailand...i.e. Logans, custard apples, durain, lychees, Mangosteen, rambutan, rose apples.

Would someone please describe their taste, if not email them to me...

[Assunkkensatt]

A travel guide book on Vietnam that I have to hand describes eating Durian as having the texture of blancmange but the aroma of eating it whilst sitting on a toilet!

*Every* hotel I have been to in Asia has "No Durian" signs.

David

[kasandrasikl]

I've been told that tropical fruits are to die for in Thailand...i.e. Logans, custard apples, durain, lychees, Mangosteen, rambutan, rose apples. I agree with this, the taste of fruit just doesnt compare to the air-freighted rubbish we get in the west. I guess living in US you do get fresher fruit (ie pineapple from Hawaii?) But to taste fruit that hasnt been travelling for 7 days before you get to taste it well ....... (need mouth drooling smiley here)

My Thai teacher here in UK tries to time her visits home to coincide with the main harvest season for rambutan and mangosteen as her family grow fruits in Southern Thailand. She constantly talks about how different fresh fruit tastes in Thailand.

As a side note : She makes "qui-tio" (Thai beef soup) Qui-tio I think just means "noodles" although I would hate to argue with your mom