Thaïlande 2026 : Pourquoi votre budget va EXPLOSER.

Thailand can give the illusion of wealth due to inexpensive activities and food, but this can lead to financial ruin if not managed carefully. The cost of living in Bangkok has increased by 15% in the last three years, while the purchasing power of the Euro has stagnated. Many expatriates arrive with high hopes, sharing success stories, but others return home ruined, having lost their savings or been victims of scams. The notion of living comfortably on €600-1000 per month, which might have been possible 8-10 years ago, is now very difficult. The "low cost" era in Thailand is over. Prices for everyday items, like sushi, have seen rapid increases. Visa regulations have also tightened; the previously lenient "visa runs" are no longer easily tolerated. While visas like the DTV (around €350) or LTR (initial cost €15,000-€25,000) are available, even marriage or student visas incur costs. Many individuals who don't meet the requirements for certain visas (e.g., retirement visa requiring €1750 monthly income) resort to agencies in places like Pattaya or Phuket, which can charge between 20,000 and 60,000 baht to facilitate the process, often by arranging necessary documents—a practice that, while common, is not condoned. Hidden expenses are a significant factor. Air conditioning, for instance, can lead to monthly bills ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 baht, depending on the size of the condo and usage. This can amount to a substantial sum over time, sometimes equaling or exceeding half a month's rent for some. Another subtle but impactful expense is the desire for Western food. While Thai street food is cheap (e.g., 200-300 baht for two people), eating Western cuisine, especially imported items like cheese or wine, can be three times more expensive than in Europe. Dining in upscale malls can easily cost four times more than street food. While it's easy to eat Thai food daily for a short vacation, long-term residents often crave familiar European foods like bread, pasta, or cheese, making it difficult to completely forgo Western meals. Cooking at home isn't always a cheaper alternative. Ingredients, especially if bought from supermarkets catering to foreigners, can be more expensive than street food. Additionally, cooking takes time, which could be allocated to other activities. However, cooking does offer the advantage of knowing what's in your food, as street food often contains sodium glutamate (Panchurot), which can be harmful to neurons in the long term. The speaker personally cooks 2-3 times a week, finding it a way to ensure healthy eating and a manual activity to disconnect from screens. Convenience services like Grab and Food Panda (similar to Uber Eats) also contribute to expenses, with delivery fees and tips. While these services make life easy, the speaker reflects on the societal impact of such convenience and wonders how people would cope if these services were suddenly unavailable. Thailand offers even more informal services than Europe; for example, condo security guards can arrange package deliveries, private drivers, or trips to other cities within an hour. Currency exchange loss is another silent drain on finances. Many expatriates use apps like Wise for transfers, but transferring money when the Thai Baht is strong against the Euro (e.g., 1 Euro = 38-40 baht) can result in a loss of up to 12% of the deposit compared to when the Baht is weaker (e.g., 1 Euro = 35 baht). When renting a condominium, a two-month security deposit is typically required. Landlords sometimes abuse this by fabricating reasons to withhold part or all of the deposit upon departure, such as claiming damage or requiring repainting. Some tenants counter this by not paying the last two months' rent, though this can lead to disputes, with penalties for late rent (500 baht per day) and even agents attempting to block tenants from leaving the country. Condominium common area fees also increase annually. Consumer choices play a role in escalating costs. While a local coffee might cost 20-40 baht, a branded coffee can be 140-160 baht, often without a significant difference in taste. Similarly, a standard cinema ticket is 200 baht, but a VIP seat can cost 1000-1500 baht. A common pattern among new expatriates is an initial willingness to embrace cheap local options, but over time, their demands for comfort increase, leading them to gravitate towards more expensive, Western-style amenities and moving away from the low-cost Thai lifestyle. Healthcare is a critical and potentially ruinous expense. Health insurance for younger individuals might be €1000-€1500 per year, but for others, it can reach €4000-€6000 annually. It's crucial to obtain comprehensive insurance early, as pre-existing conditions might be excluded, and upgrading coverage later is often refused by insurers who suspect hidden health issues. Accidents or infections can quickly lead to bills of €4000-€5000 (around 200,000 baht) if uninsured. The speaker recounts a personal experience with food poisoning, where a visit to the expensive Bumrungrad Hospital for what was a minor issue resulted in a 40,000 baht bill for tests. Another incident involved a broken tooth costing over €1000. These unpredictable expenses highlight the difference between budgeting for a vacation and for expatriation. While a travel insurance might suffice for a trip, long-term residents need financial reserves to cover unforeseen costs. It's recommended to have at least six months of financial reserves (rent, food, etc.) and to budget with a 20% buffer for unexpected events, as exact budgeting is impossible due to evolving desires and living costs.