Thailand in 2025: Expenses, Experiences, Life

So how much does life in Thailand really cost? Without any lyrical digressions and existential reflections, I’ll try to help and provide a concrete answer: how much money do you actually need to enjoy a vacation or even settle down.

* Prices may vary depending on the season, location or individual choices, so the table should be used only as indicative information, not an exact budget plan.
* Price data updated March 2025. 1 EUR ≈ 35.6 ฿ (THB) (you can monitor the real-time exchange rate at Google Finance)

Thailand Bangkok

Bangkok: What Can You Do with 100 Euros Per Day?

Bangkok – remains one of the most impressive cities in the world – a place that makes you feel alive and young. Here you can wake up with a Wat Arun sunrise, spend the day searching for the best Pad Thai, and end the evening at a rooftop bar. But how much does it all cost?

• Street food – cheaper than coffee in Lithuania: Steaming Pad Thai in Chinatown costs 75 baht (about 2.10 €). And if you want something refreshing, legendary Thai tea costs 30 baht (0.84 €). For that price in Vilnius, you might only get half a cup of coffee.
• Places to visit: Wat Arun temple now costs 250 baht (7 euros) for foreign tourists. The ferry across the river – 20 baht (0.56 euros).
• Accommodation: For 70-80 dollars per night you’ll get a hotel that would cost at least double in Western countries. Rooftop pool? Spacious room with city view? Easy!
• Transportation: “Grab” motorcycle costs only 45-60 baht (1.70 euros) for a 20-minute ride through the city – a great way to avoid Bangkok traffic!
• Night markets: For 250 baht (7 euros) you can eat well and drink local beer. If you’re a food enthusiast – fried scorpion costs 120 baht (3.40 euros).

Thailand, Phuket

Phuket: What Can You Do with 1000 Euros Per Month?

Phuket remains Thailand’s most popular island destination, offering a combination of authentic culture and Western conveniences:

• Transportation: The most popular transport is scooters, their rental costs up to 300 baht (8.50 euros) per day.
• Beaches: Patong beach remains stunningly blue, and both international and local businesses operate around it.
• Luxury accommodation: For 150-200 USD per night you can stay in villas that would cost 500+ dollars in the West. Many of them offer private pools, large spaces and impeccable service. Food: Hotel breakfast offers everything from croissants to shakshuka. I recommend Thai iced coffee (costing about 120 baht (3.36 euros)).
• Entertainment: “Green Elephant Sanctuary” – an organization dedicated to the care and protection of rescued elephants. In this park, elephants live in a natural and safe environment. A visit now costs about 2800 baht (80 euros), but it’s a worthwhile experience where elephants are well cared for and kept ethically.

Vacation in Thailand (Daily Expenses)

I’ve compiled a table providing approximate daily and weekly expenses when traveling around Thailand, considering three budget categories: economy, medium and luxury. Main expense categories such as accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment.

Living in Thailand in 2025: Real Costs

Now let’s move on to a more detailed expense analysis based on my and other long-term residents’ experience:

Accommodation (largest expense item)

I lived in Bangkok, in the Pralong district, in an apartment building with a pool, gym and coworking space. I paid 20,000 baht (560 euros) per month. This apartment is about 35 sq. m., has a large window with city views. I’ll try to review how much accommodation costs in different cities:

• Bangkok (city center): 15,000-25,000 baht (420-700 euros) for a one-bedroom apartment with amenities.
• Chiang Mai: 12,000-18,000 baht (335-504 euros) for an apartment similar to my former one.
• Hua Hin: 15,000-20,000 baht (420-560 euros).
• Phuket/Samui: 18,000-28,000 baht (504-784 euros) in resort areas.

Utilities and Internet

Water and electricity bills in Thailand are quite inexpensive, but mostly depend on air conditioning usage (which is hard to live without):

• Electricity: 2,000-3,500 baht (56-98 euros) per month (with intensive air conditioning use).
• Water: 200-500 baht (5.6-14 euros) per month.
• Internet: 600-1,200 baht (16.8-33.6 euros).

Food and Beverages

• Home-cooked food: One home-prepared dish costs about 80-100 baht (2.24-2.80 euros).
• Local restaurant: 150-250 baht (4.20-7 euros) per dish.
• Western restaurant: 300-600 baht (8.40-16.80 euros) per dish.
• Drinking water: Costs about 1800-2000 baht (50.40-56 euros) per month for one person.

In total, I spend about 400 baht (11.20 euros) per day on food (eating twice at home and once out), or about 12,000 baht (336 euros) per month. Adding socialization budget (dinners with friends, for example, twice a week), it reaches about 20,000 baht (560 euros) per month.

Transportation

• BTS (Skytrain)/MRT (metro) in Bangkok: Average 40 baht (1.12 euros) per ride, about 1,280 baht (35.84 euros) per month with regular use.
• Taxi: about 5-10 baht (0.13-0.26 euros) per kilometer. At airports or tourist places, taxi drivers may try to offer a fixed price or you can suggest one yourself.
• Scooter rental: 3,000-4,000 baht (84-112 euros) per month for long-term rental.
• Fuel: 1 liter costs 40-45 baht (1.05-1.20 euros), which is about 500-1,000 baht (14-28 euros) per month for a scooter if you travel ~20-30km per day.

Phone Service

• Unlimited calls and 5G data: 700-1,000 baht (19.60-28 euros) per month.

Health and Fitness

• Gym membership: 800-1,200 baht (22.40-33.60 euros) per month
• Muay Thai training: 5,000-8,000 baht (140-224 euros) per month for 10-15 sessions.
• Massage: 250-600 baht (7-16.80 euros) per session.

Entertainment and Travel

• Temple visits: 0-250 baht (0-7 euros), many are free for locals.
• Weekend getaways: 5,000-15,000 baht (140-420 euros) for trips to nearby islands or cities.
• Cinema tickets: 200-400 baht (5.60-11.20 euros) depending on the theater and seat.

Visa and Insurance

• Tourist visa (60 days): Free for many nationalities, extension 1,900 baht (53.20 euros).
• Education visa (ED visa): About 30,000-40,000 baht (840-1,120 euros) per year (including course fees).
• Elite visa: 600,000-2,000,000 baht (16,800-56,000 euros) depending on duration (5-20 years).
• Health insurance: 1,000-3,000 baht (28-84 euros) per month depending on coverage.

Total Monthly Expenses

Comparison by Location

Vacation and Long-term Living

I decided to compare vacationing and long-term living in Thailand because prices can differ significantly. When you come for a short time, you usually spend more – choosing hotels, restaurants and excursions. Living longer, you notice how you can save: rent housing cheaper, eat at local places.

Conclusion: Thailand in 2025 – Still the Cheapest Country

Although prices have risen in recent years, Thailand remains an incredible place for both short-term travelers and long-term residents. The quality of life to price ratio offered still surpasses many places in the world. Before traveling, I suggest learning more about Thailand.

Sources:

Cost of Living in Thailand – Example Table of Expenses in 2025

The cost of living in Thailand – updated in 2025 | Expatica

Cost of Living in Thailand – Moving To Thailand in 2025

Cost Of Living In Thailand | Thailand Cost Of Living