Thailand is no longer cheap unless you can live like a local Thai 100%.
Costs have risen in major tourist hubs and for imported goods.
The cost of any western food is higher here than in your own country.
Gas for your vehicle is more expensive.
Cars are more expensive.
Anything western you want or need will be more expensive.
The only thing you will save money on is rent.
That is a fact, no matter what the 1,000’s of Youtuber’s claim.
If you can live like a Thai, out of the tourist areas and steer clear of anything western, you will be able to say living in Thailand is cheaper.
However, if you mix in tourist areas and western goods, no way is it cheaper in 2026.
In rural Isaan, the daily labor wage is 300 thb per day.
People live and survive on that paltry amount.
Because they are not eating pizza, burgers, KFC or anything else western.
Everything is local.
All local Thai food, most of which westerners have probably never heard of and couldn’t stomach.
Thailand was cheap 15 years ago, but that is no longer the case.
In the west, when you have a western salary, you can afford things on that salary.
Once you move here on a fixed income, you will find the cost of western things out of reach.
Yesterday I was at Topps Supermarket.
A single serve frozen microwavable macaroni and cheese was US $8. These are $0.99 at Walmart in the US.
That is not cheap.
Westerner’s here can still be better off than locals due to the currency exchange rates, however, they will be spending 10x more than the locals that live here.
Being on a fixed budget and living in Thailand, means you have to adapt to the way things are here.
Can no longer afford that US $40 Polo tee-shirt you love? How about spending $2 for a counterfeit version.
Adapt to the way things are here and how people manage to survive with so little.
Live the like locals, shop where the locals shop, eat what the locals eat, and don’t do much of anything.
I have lots of relatives that have never even seen the ocean because they cannot afford to go.
There is a way to live cheaper, however, only if you can adapt to the Thai way.