Bangkok Cost of Living: Around THB 21,000 to 38,000 a Month

A lean month in Bangkok costs around THB 21,000 for one adult, and a comfortable month around THB 38,000. Rent decides the gap, from THB 12,000 in On Nut to THB 22,000 in Sukhumvit for a one-bedroom. The first 200 units of electricity cost THB 3.0000 each.

If you are on your own in Bangkok, a lean month runs around THB 21,000, and a comfortable one around THB 38,000. Rent is what moves the total most, so pick your neighbourhood first.

What a month costs

These are estimates for one adult living alone. Each line is a published price times a realistic amount, before VAT and service charges.

The lean month assumes 40 BTS rides, mostly cheap local meals and a small flat that uses 200 units of electricity. The comfortable month doubles that to 400 units and adds mid-range dinners.

Rent: where you live sets the budget

A one-bedroom can cost anywhere from THB 12,000 to THB 55,000 a month. The areas most people compare start like this:

On Nut is the budget pick: it saves THB 10,000 against Sukhumvit, and the price is about 10 more minutes on the train.

Electricity and water

Your electricity bill comes from MEA. The first 200 units cost THB 3.0000 each, the next 200 cost THB 4.1584, and the service charge, the Ft charge and VAT go on top. Water is cheap: THB 8.50 per cubic metre for the first 30 cubic metres, with a minimum bill of THB 45.

If you rent, your landlord may not charge more than the state rate for either, and may add no service fee or profit. Electricity must stay at or below THB 4.88 a unit. If you are overcharged, call the consumer hotline 1166. A breach can mean up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to THB 200,000, or both.

Internet and phone

Home fibre is the easy win. AIS BROADBAND24 starts at THB 499 a month for 300 Mbps on a 12-month contract, and THB 600 gets you 500 Mbps. Prices exclude VAT. For mobile, True 5G Super Gamer costs THB 599 with 50 GB of data. For your first weeks, a tourist SIM is simpler: see the eSIM guide.

Getting around

A BTS ride from Siam costs THB 17 to the next station and climbs to THB 47 along the line. MRT Blue Line fares run from THB 17 up to THB 44. A new Rabbit card costs a THB 120 issuance fee. Line-by-line fares are in the BTS and MRT fare guide.

Eating

Street and inexpensive restaurant meals are where Bangkok shines, at THB 100 for a meal. A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range place costs THB 1,200. These are crowd-sourced prices, so treat them as a guide.

What the budget leaves out

• Visa: a tourist extension of stay costs THB 1,900. See Thailand immigration fees.
• Health: see expat health insurance and hospital costs.
• Cash: ATM fees on a foreign card.
• Bank account: how foreigners open one.
• Other cities: Thailand cost of living by city.

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Not confirmed: The MEA monthly service charge and the Ft charge are not in this guide; they print on your bill, and the MEA Call Center answers on 1130. Supermarket prices from Makro or Lotus were not readable, so food rests on crowd-sourced Numbeo prices.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not financial or tax advice for your situation. Rules and fees change; confirm with your bank, the Revenue Department or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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