Russian travel blogger breaks down monthly costs of living in Thailand

A Russian travel blogger who has visited Thailand several times has shared her breakdown of average living costs in the Southeast Asian country, posting the calculations on her personal blog "Interesting Travels" on the Dzen platform.

She noted that housing prices vary far more than expected. Among major cities, she named Chiang Mai in the north as the most affordable: a central studio runs 18,000–33,000 rubles per month, a one-bedroom apartment with a separate bedroom costs 26,000–44,000 rubles, and a spacious two-bedroom goes for 55,000–99,000 rubles. Phuket, she said, is the priciest destination for long-term stays, with a resort markup felt across every expense from rent to transport.

The blogger added that Thai street food is cheap, but familiar supermarket products for Russians cost about the same as a restaurant bill back home. Cooking mostly local dishes and shopping at markets brings food costs to roughly 13,000–22,000 rubles per person per month.

Scooter rental is another expense, at about 7,000–9,000 rubles monthly. Ride-hailing apps work as usual, but heavy use can quickly eat a noticeable chunk of the budget, she warned.

"A modest budget for living in the country's most affordable city, Chiang Mai, can realistically fit within 55,000–70,000 rubles per month with a studio rental, home cooking, and minimal private healthcare. For Pattaya and especially Phuket, that figure should be multiplied by one and a half to two," she concluded.

Earlier, Russian travel blogger Alexei Kutovoy debunked myths about moving to Asian countries, calling the biggest misconception the belief that long-term residency can lead to citizenship.