Surviving Thailand on ROCK BOTTOM finances

[@pondo1988]

Congrats on living the chilled life in Pattaya, and doing what us in Australia are too scared to do i.e. quit jobs and move over there on minimal income.

[@liamharding5704]

I do enjoy your videos but what is your future plan coz i think your gonna get pulled up on your visa runs eventually being on a tourist visa..

[@PatOG99]

At least a bandaid solution or goal. Save to 5k USD and start rocking the METVs. I don't think they are in a rush to restrict those since savings requirements are met. They have been trying to counter cheap charlies with land visa runs and even some education visas. I think the new digital nomads visa is also to start taxing foreign income but also make it easier for people of means to stay there.

[@mikeyboy3054]

FYI petrol is much more expensive at those little roadside pumps than PTT, for example, on Thepprasit Road or Shell. I have a car and motorbike and the difference adds up. My wife and I are comfortable in life but we still like to budget and know where our money goes. Excellent Video Sam. The way you break down all the costs from monthly to daily is smart.

[@StanleyStuart-e3v]

There pumps are of there not regulated ether

[@mactvtravel]

Great breakdown of costs Sam, living cheaply here may sound easy but in reality it can be difficult if you want to enjoy yourself

[@GoneAdrift]

*Requesting a MacTV special on this topic*!! I’d love to see your perspective

[@mactvtravel]

@@GoneAdrift hey man only just saw this this comment I’d love to do if you still wanted too let me know mate 👍👍

[@allanwilliams1814]

G'Day Sam, makes you think about how and what we spend on, Live on the Gold Coast , I own everything and it cost me 1000 AUD a week to live.

[@vintageexcellence]

Probably about the same for me in San Diego California

[@tjmctube]

So the girlfriend's "incidental expenses" were about a third of the total and she didn't even bat an eyelash.

[@GoneAdrift]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@1bazbo]

Been coming to Thailand for 27 years ,and lived in Issan for 6 month,s Your video was most enlightning, so keep them coming.

[@stevechapman4325]

I'm Aussie and live in thrapraya I go to 7/11 you can get a croissant for breakfast 15 thb, I go home and make coffee, then go to T5 for lunch bacon eggs potatos toast jam coffee and juice for 99 thb, then buy chicken kebabs from street vendor 10 thb each buy pre cooked rice 20 thb for dinner and play beach volleyball at dongtan in the afternoon for free....

[@GoneAdrift]

Hell yes!!!

[@user-bg2ig5xc3e]

No tips on the 99b ? Is that ok?

[@averagejoe4700]

Did street vendor food ever give you any stomach problems? Eating street food would be way to go for me, I don't like cooking.

[@GoneAdrift]

@@averagejoe4700 11.5 months no food poisoning so far. Am a vego though

[@averagejoe4700]

@@GoneAdrift Cool, good to know. Sometimes it seems like a luck of the draw.

[@lordrossmacca]

Grea vlog Sam So interesting to see what it costs to live the great life in Pattaya. My 4x4 took $150 worth of diesel yesterday and still not full.

[@GoneAdrift]

Ouch!

[@lmapicas3279]

Damn !!

[@Ulbre]

Petrol prices are roughly the same here in Thailand....maybe one or two percent cheaper.....but diesel is like 20 to 30% cheaper here. I first visited here in 84, and continued visiting regularly, but didn't drive here much back then and can't remember the prices.....do remember though back in 2000 that Diesel was about 25% more than petrol.......and that was still the case ten or so years later.......then diesel started getting more expensive and the prices crossed soon after.....they crossed the other way again maybe just before covid and diesel was cheaper except when petrol halved during the peak of covid (YAY, covid had a couple of good things come out of it), Cheers from Chiang Mai :)

[@onlyme2030]

Good vid this similar to my budget but I add about 150bt for bike hire/transport and 50 baht for phone & data. Oh and 50baht for household items like detergent etc

[@franclyspeaking]

Great video my man! Super easy to follow and great to see the expenses broken down as they were. Keep up the amazing work!

[@GoneAdrift]

Miss you guys

[@dover121]

We all make our choices in life. You are blessed to be part of a Thai family. Keep it up. Godspeed.

[@mikeysmallz7700]

Alright mate! Just a heads up..I really don't think you should be pushing safety wing on your subs. The hole thing is a total scam. I tried to make a claim last time in Thailand. I was in a car accident..totally not my fault and I even had a dash cam to prove it. I spent 5 days in Bangkok hospital Pattaya and they would not pay out. I have also heard similar stories from many people about Safety wing.

[@GoneAdrift]

That’s terrible to hear! A friend used it in a non emergency scenario with no issues. I’ll delve deeper ok

[@thatbritabroad]

Did it on a budget like this myself a few years ago for 2-3 years on and off, visa runs, ED visas, never again. I’m going to make sure I’m financially sound when I make the move again.

[@GoneAdrift]

I feel ya buddy

[@thatbritabroad]

@@GoneAdrift all the best to you man. Maybe grab a beer if you’re about next month, I’m mainly based in Bangkok but looking at a little stop over in Pattaya 🍻

[@maryziggy8802]

Very comprehensive thank you

[@BADQ]

Great vid mate, some interesting stuff. Cheers

[@trippinwitgeorge]

Solid video dude!!! Mannn I do miss the beach life. What you're making per video vs. what you're spending each day was super insightful. I banked $14 last month on KZbin...so trying not to let it go to my head and spend it all at once.

[@passportmarc]

Great video man 😎 i don’t feel like doing that breakdown, not sure ill like the results 😊👀

[@GoneAdrift]

Bahahaha! You should do one!!!! I’d loveee to see

[@AjayRohaz]

Great Breakdown of cost ! :)

[@HealingWithHammond]

The petrol station you used are always more expensive than PTT or even shell.

[@ladyboy_whisperer]

Great video mate - this was a surprising great video. Ive been going to South East Asia since 2015. Im finally pulling the trigger and moving there in March 2025!

[@mcb00m]

Is there a risk of not being allowed back in on a border run if you are using tourist visas to live there? I was warned about this when I flew into Phuket after doing a couple of border runs.

[@GoneAdrift]

Absolutely. Immigration will let you know upon departure when they’re going to flag you

[@shanethyssen8299]

Hope the shed works out and the bbq for the family bro

[@GoneAdrift]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Libteardrinker]

We share a lot of the same values, outlook, and dare I say issues. I am considering a move permanently at minimum trip later this year. Would love to have a conversation with you about this. Plus I’d like to make a possible solid connection before my trip. Thanks

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks for becoming a Channel Member brother!

[@seanmcgoldrick1702]

Should do a live soon Sammy!

[@GoneAdrift]

Sam and Lele on the beers at home!??

[@Skenners]

great vid, mate. 70 bux a day aint bad. mine is probably closer to 3x that. my visa cost alone is 9.55 per day (elite visas be expensive). although, i have super high debts for now. ah well. keep up with the vids as youre getting better and better and getting more and more views

[@GoneAdrift]

I always knew you were an elitist bastard! 🤣❤️❤️

[@Skenners]

@@GoneAdrift goddamn right!

[@stephenhoward8137]

Thanks

[@GoneAdrift]

Bless you sir 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Richless_Rich]

Great video. Well it's still a lot cheaper to live here in Jomtien beach , than CANADA ! keep up the entertaining videos

[@GoneAdrift]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rebeccaevans1513]

Thanks man great video, just subbed up coming out to Thailand in November for a few months,so thanks again for the informative video,sending love,peace and good energy ❤️🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@GoneAdrift]

Thank you! Catch you on the mean streets!

[@liamburns8554]

I watch many Thai KZbinrs. I am learning Thai, and I plan to move there. I understand the idea of visa runs, but I am totally confused. The official rule is you can do it one time, return and get a new visa on entry. Unofficially, it is on the discretion of the border agent. But even saying that, surely after doing it 10 times plus, it becomes very risky? It is definitely against the rules. Any advice is welcome! As I am under 40, The Thai Elite Visa seems my only option.

[@GoneAdrift]

More options become apparent once you’re here on the ground. Education visa, Muay Thai boxing Visa and there’s some trickier ones as well

[@liamburns8554]

@@GoneAdrift thanks for the response. Yes I am aware of the ED visa and the muay thai visa. But I thought they only lastes 1-1.5 years

[@Goldfinger555]

Just subscribed. Recommended by Keis. Like your style so it looks like I have some catching up to. From the USA and visit twice or more per year as a retiree. Until later…

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks for joining Goldie!!

[@TestyMcTesterson-w7k]

Being frugal is all well and good, as long as your using the time it gives you to build skills that will allow you to make money in the future.

[@GoneAdrift]

Grinding away every day

[@paulv5233]

Hi Sam, thanks for the video daily cost, I suppose because I don’t live there permanently not yet anyway. I’ve never really lived on a strict budget but you video really does help to see all the average daily costs. Counting the days June 2nd arriving in Pattaya actually there weather here in Dublin is surprisingly sunny and quite warm. Keep up the great work Cheers Irish Paul

[@GoneAdrift]

See you soon brother!!

[@dominotheory7331]

It adds up , would hate to calculate my daily expenses in Australia.

[@GoneAdrift]

Frightening right!

[@don.brasco]

Good info Bro, thanks 👍🏻

[@Pattayaman999]

Budget $2000/month to live a comfortable life. Since you cannot work in Thailand, you need some sort of pension or retirement income or other source of passive income.

[@goonerdoy]

Solid video brother! 👍👍

[@RoeMantic]

Well done video bro 🎉

[@michaelplowman876]

What a great video! Subscribed. Is internet included in your rent and also what's the daily cell phone cost?

[@stewartfarrall483]

Love you videos I'm over in august if I see you round I'll buy you a few beers

[@GoneAdrift]

Hell yeah!

[@thaicycle5249]

are you worried about living in Thailand on a tourist visa. Ive heard stories of many people being refused entry because of back to back tourist visas

[@tonyh6846]

Good luck with it all mate, Cheers. 🙂

[@GoneAdrift]

Cheers as always Tony 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@toolman4816]

Man, you're living on the old knives edge there Sam. Being close to 40 with no steady income but your job and what little you get from KZbin. If for whatever reason you couldn't work anymore, all you would have is the little you get from KZbin. I take it you probably have no pension or little to no savings and being a Aus citizen living in Thailand, not sure if you qualify for any assistance from the Aus government. The thing with KZbin, is everything is constantly changing and that income could disappear overnight. While Thailand is great for retirees who have pensions, good savings , investment and for US citizens Social Security, they have steady money coming in no matter what comes down the road. Not sure why people are saying your living " the chill life ", it seems to me your playing roulette and placing all your chips on red, can you say stressful, lol.

[@minimaxmiaandme.4971]

No money, no fun! Living like a poor native when they are fighting to get into North America. Don't get it!.

[@GoneAdrift]

I agree with everything you’ve said, playing roulette at the moment. Smart enough to be building passive income streams though. I grind every single day :)

[@toolman4816]

@@GoneAdrift Keep it up and good luck.

[@vintageexcellence]

So that is $17,479 USD per year. I hear often that $25k is a realistic number to live well, I think double that number and you can do anything you want in LOS? Good thing I’m setting up around $50k yr when I move there soon, I have a job waiting in BKk that will cover it but I still have to keep some of my life back home, house and car collection, which is another $40k yr 😮 oh the world isn’t fair Sam is young enough to drop everything and move to Thailand but not have money, I’m old enough to have far too many things that keep me from leaving and living there full time 🤦🏻 I’m in my 40s so not an old guy yet either. Good luck with the videos.

[@gazzatatts4228]

LEGEND MAN LOVE YOUR WORK XELLENT CHEERS GAZZA AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 😂😂

[@GoneAdrift]

Cheers legend!! 🍻

[@DNice..]

great breakdown

[@Davrosss]

Great video Sam.. that’s me until Tuesday night at 9.34 pm 😂 your rent is double mine obviously because I’m in surin, but the electricity bill.. that’s heaps Sam 😮

[@GoneAdrift]

Good rental costs in Surin hey!! :) Yeah these aircon units chew a bit of power! The ‘cheaper’ units aren’t fantastic

[@Masta2A]

Hey Good to see your having a go Aussie spirit … You have a good attitude and I know it’s becoming a bit difficult for you over there but stick at it .. As long as you have the support from your girlfriend YOU CAN MAKE IT no matter how difficult things become .. Your content is good so keep being creative and authentic and things will come your way sooner or later I will be in Thailand in the coming months so I’ll let you know I’ll see if I can help you out a little bit Don’t give up keep going and find a way

[@GoneAdrift]

Thank you Skipper 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@johnshores4745]

Sam I'm flying out on 31st July for 6 months how would you break down my VISA requirements ? I'm arriving on a 30 day entry VISA . Will i be able to get 2 extensions before having to fly out of country ? I will be going to Ayutthaya for my VISA not Jomtien immigration . I have booked Phu Quoc but not until day 90

[@GoneAdrift]

Unfortunately you’ll likely have to vacate the country on day 60. For that I suggest a land crossing (by bus) to Cambodia border and back. It can be done in a day and quite a pretty drive using a visa agent. Less than 5000baht total

[@matthewfriedewald8551]

excellent breakdown brother.

[@GoneAdrift]

🙏🏻🤘🏻

[@23ofSeptember]

I think I could live pretty frugal in Thailand, but the boredom would entice me to drink or smoke weed all day. If I could grow my own weed in Thailand or make my own alcohol I'd be set!

[@jonhobson3592]

3000b electricity wow 😅, a good breakdown of your costs here 🙏

[@andrewhuhn6006]

Super Sam... I do enjoy your Vlogs....

[@GoneAdrift]

Cheers homie :)

[@MK-gr9qz]

You are a legend👍

[@Eatpinktacos27]

Hey Sam I enjoy your videos and I’ve got 2 questions for you . Does LeLe work , if not why? Also I assume the income from her house surpasses what you spend on the housing expenses for where you’re currently both living . Does that extra amount cover your daily expenses?

[@GoneAdrift]

Yeah Lele works almost full time from home. She knits 🧶 doll clothes and sells online :) The grand plan is for rent $$ from her house (when it’s finally finished and leased) to earn us a little money back - but I suspect most earnings will go on her mortgage and house upkeep right!

[@GlitteratiLive]

Is getting a job a challenge?

[@theworldaccordingtohappyba2393]

I notice you say you pay, does that mean you are talking about your half of the expenses or does she pay the same?

[@lev1ato]

damn thats a lot more than I expected

[@henriverbeek6877]

Depending where you live in Thailand. . Prices around bkk are higher than that. 😉😉😉😉

[@workslave-y9o]

Internet and Netflix cost too eh?

[@hachimaru295]

interesting stuff do u think you will regret it in later life with no pension state or company and less work experience than ur peers to get a decent salary if u ever go back etc ?

[@GoneAdrift]

Nah, I’ll have a part pension and Super

[@massufiani7467]

you're good people mate

[@locospanish78]

Hi Sam. I havent been on youtube for a while.. Are you still a bar manager in Soi 7, still working for Nick?

[@GoneAdrift]

Hey mate, nah I’m doing YT full time now :)

[@locospanish78]

@@GoneAdrift nice one..

[@Richless_Rich]

It would be my pleasure to buy you and Lilly lunch. I'm sure we're are pretty close to each other.

[@lmapicas3279]

I cant see the next video yet ? Whats going on mate ?

[@GoneAdrift]

The latest video not showing!??

[@lmapicas3279]

@@GoneAdrift Yeah its so odd maybe it got taxed already

[@GoneAdrift]

What’s the title of the video you can’t see!??

[@lmapicas3279]

@@GoneAdrift A Vegans Survival Guide in Thailand

[@GoneAdrift]

@@lmapicas3279 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qomupmZuZ66fmaMsi=nEwW4b3YNcAy08KO

[@gregsmitz6310]

Not bad for a big bottle of water for 14 cents

[@youtuber-MGTOW]

What to learn from this video? Stay away from fake eyelashes! ☝🤓

[@GoneAdrift]

🏆 comment of the month!!!!!

[@neilblondell4235]

👍

[@sandgroper1980]

👍🏼🍻🇦🇺

[@roadsofjapan6009]

Lol😂 got listed finally as a non Australian resident by the ATO so no Medicare when I return so I guess I’ll use you link when flying back home for health insurance 😂🎉

[@GoneAdrift]

Bahahaha that’s wild!!???

[@Tony-eb5kh]

That’s not true unless your card expires now, otherwise it’s 5years out of the country as a non resident as long as you are an Australian citizen. Myself after 3.5years here in Los went back recently and used my Medicare without any issues.

[@roadsofjapan6009]

@@Tony-eb5kh hum that’s interesting cause during Covid and the following years I was still classed as a resident, so paying as per normal now got listed as a nonresident 6th year out of Australia for more then 6 month a year. So your saying that as I only got listed as a nonresident from 2022-23 financial year my Medicare will still be active unless it expires ?

[@roadsofjapan6009]

@TC-lw5qy yeah tax all income is from Australia

[@roadsofjapan6009]

@@GoneAdrift well I had a good run 5 years out of Australia was meeting all the requirements as their was some sort of rules in place for us that got stuck oversea , remember this is what the government told us “ if you can stay where you are please do ” only last year it changed but that’s also inline with Japans foreign income laws / tax treaty. We will see first time lodging tax as a nonresident, don’t worry I’ve been paying the nonresident tax rate since I got stuck in Japan so the refunds were a blessing but will not be able to get that part back now 😢

[@TheSurfrer1]

Here in California, we get taxed for breathing the air!

[@simonyee5524]

Hey you for telco expenses. Doesn't your gf work???

[@GoneAdrift]

Yeah mate she works from home, online design stuff. Ahh forgot phone costs didn’t I!! 🤦🏼‍♂️ 300baht a month

[@Bngn_Snkrs]

Gday from down under

[@GoneAdrift]

Happy to see the business is doing well!! Catch ya at Chrissy!?

[@gkprivate433]

A decent start but the devil is in the details. Are you maintaining connections back in your home country? For example semi annual auto insurance policy? Still yearly registration for your auto back home? How about real health insurance? If you are a US citizen, and of medicare age, you should be paying that even though it is basically useless in Thailand. If you don't pay your medicare part B, a 10 % increase is accumulated every year and then applied when you do start medicare. Social/entertainment should have a much bigger budget if you want to have a life and have some fun besides just existing, be it girl friends, going out, traveling around the country, etc.. Food budget should be much higher if you want any western food, be it German, English, Mexican, etc,.. Visa costs if retired can vary. Non Imm O requires a monthly transfer in of 2,000 USD equivalent or you can put 800 K baht on deposit or work some angles with an agent which is a bit sketchy. Transportation and real solid motorbike accident insurance can be much more than many realize. If you are NOT licensed in your home country to ride/drive a motorcycle, you need to really read the fine print on whatever accident insurance policy you have be it from your home country or in Thailand. Hospitals can be very picky on payments up front, holding your hostage in the hospital pending payment, etc. sadly there are many nightmare stories that just are not that rare of people running into all sorts of problems being under funded. Can one exist in Pattaya cheaply? Absolutely you can. But what level of existence are you willing to accept and for how long?

[@GoneAdrift]

Perfect summary. This video is intended to show folks what bare minimum looks like.

[@keepitrollin3977]

👍👍👍

[@basc5026]

SMASH THE LIKE BUTTON!

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks bro 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Adrianjohn-q3e]

Good video. I live in Bangkok & I think you could add 50% to your total if the same experiment was done here Best wishes

[@GoneAdrift]

Thanks for watching :)

[@StanleyStuart-e3v]

I can't drink thai beer it's piss water lol.samsung for me only drink beer in the Philippines nice and strong less sugar more alcohol

[@GoneAdrift]

My favourite here is funnily enough, a Filipino beer!

[@L8STARTN8]

Hang in there brother aloha n8

[@GoneAdrift]

Cheers for your support homie 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@muajin]

Don’t forget about the gf allowance of 10-30,000 baht. lol

[@GoneAdrift]

Haha my man!

[@muajin]

😎👊

[@robiewonga6539]

No money for her family or does she have a job umm ?

[@GoneAdrift]

Designer, working from home

[@robiewonga6539]

@@GoneAdrift Should be able to pay for her own eyelashes then lol

[@Tony-eb5kh]

Why your gf not pay for herself?

[@paulmillward7009]

Thai girlfriend never pay for anything. Only take your money.😢

[@GoneAdrift]

^^ What Paul said

[@jonhobson3592]

@@paulmillward700990% of time yes 😅

[@Mataios_World]

😂 truth man, I think we are alike on this one, found me a cool chick to go out with/stay with me who has a regular job, doesnt hassle me for money but I am more than happy to pay for whatever while we are out & about having a great time & she is super appreciative of that 👌

[@GoneAdrift]

@@Mataios_World Yeah great scenario!!

[@Jason-zh7wo]

😀😀👍👍

[@echoesofnaught576]

👍👍