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I’ve Been Solo Traveling Thailand for 1 Year... Here 14 Things I Wish I Knew

14 Real Truths About Living in Thailand

Author

Ark
May 30, 2025

It’s been over a year now. A year since I packed up my life, bought that one-way ticket to Thailand, and just jumped. No safety net, no backup plan, just me, two suitcases, and this crazy idea that maybe, just maybe, life could be different. Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this for you. That’s not what this channel is about. If you want some fantasy version of Thailand where everything’s perfect and cheap and the women are all waiting for you, man, there’s plenty of channels selling that dream. This is real talk Thailand. So today, I’m giving you the 14 things I wish someone had told me before I moved here. The stuff nobody talks about. The good, the bad, and yeah, the ugly. Because that’s what you deserve. The truth about what it’s actually like living in Thailand.

1. Transportation Reality

First up, transportation. Listen, delete Uber from your phone right now. It doesn’t exist here. What you need are two apps, Grab and Bolt. Here’s why this matters. If you’re hailing taxis off the street, you’re getting played. What costs 50 Baht on Grab might cost you 150 Baht from a street taxi. That’s triple the price. And don’t give me that “It’s still cheap compared to back home” nonsense. It adds up, trust me. And hey, Grab doubles as your food delivery app. In Thailand, delivery fees are dirt cheap. Like $1 to get food brought to your door. Back in the States,_you’re paying three times the price of the meal just to get it delivered, right? Not here.

2. The Western Food Trap

Now, speaking of food, this shocked me. Western food is expensive here. Sometimes more than what you’d pay back home for the same thing. So, if you’re thinking, “I’ll just eat burgers and pizza every day,” man, your wallet’s going to hate you. Thai food is where it’s at. Not just for the experience, but for your budget. And look, Thai food isn’t just pad thai. All right? The variety is insane. Rice dishes, noodle dishes, some of the most flavor-packed meals I’ve ever had in my life. You’ll adjust. Your taste buds will thank you, and so will your bank account.

3. Cash is Still King

Third thing, always, always keep cash on you. So many places don’t take cards here, it’s not even funny. If you’re staying long-term, try getting a Thai bank account. It’s not easy, especially on tourist visas. But there are agencies that’ll help you for a fee worth every penny because then you can use Scan Pay, which everyone accepts. Oh, and ATMs? They’re like little vampires sucking 220 Baht. That’s about seven bucks every time you withdraw. That’s before whatever your home bank charges you. It’s robbery, man. So, either take out larger amounts less frequently or use Western Union to send yourself money. The fees are actually lower than the ATM fees. Crazy, right?

4. The Airbnb Electricity Scam

Number four, this one pissed me off when I figured it out. Airbnbs are scamming you on electricity. They’ll charge you two to three times what the actual electric bill is. I’ve paid higher electric bills here than I did in the States, running AC in a small apartment. I’m talking like $160 a month. I asked some Thai locals about normal rates and yeah, it’s nowhere close to what they’re charging foreigners. Just be aware this is how they make extra profit off you. You might want to be more conservative with the AC or negotiate electricity costs upfront if you’re doing a long-term rental.

5. Language Barriers

Fifth thing, download a translate app. I know it sounds obvious, but trust me, you’ll need it. Most tourist areas, yeah, you’ll get by with English, but the moment you step away from that, trying to order food where the menu is only in Thai, buying something specific at a store, dealing with a landlord issue, that translate app is going to save your ass. Google Translate has this camera feature where you can just point it at a menu and it translates in real time. Absolute game-changer, especially for street food where the best stuff usually doesn’t have English menus.

6. Dating Reality Check

All right, number six, the dating scene. This is where I need you to really listen. I’ve seen guys get absolutely played. And I mean played. I’m talking sending money, paying bills, believing they’re in some fairy tale romance. And meanwhile, she’s got a whole ass fiance you don’t know about. This happened to me twice. Not the money part because I spot the game, but hanging out with women for months only to find out they had fiances the whole time. It’s common here. Look, if you’re back home and your Thai girlfriend is telling you she loves you and misses you while you send her money every month, hate to break it to you, but there’s probably another guy in the picture. And guess what? Your money is buying him dinner. Don’t hate me for saying it, I’m just the messenger, I’ve seen it. If you want something real, look for women with actual careers and jobs. The bakery worker, the hotel receptionist, someone with a real schedule and real responsibilities. If she’s freelance with no clear job but always has time to hang out, red flag, my friend. Massive red flag.

7. Meeting Women

So, how do you meet women here? Well, there’s Tinder, Hinge, Thai Friendly, which I haven’t used personally. And of course, going out to bars and clubs. But again, real talk, if that’s where you’re meeting women, understand what you’re getting. These aren’t typically relationships that lead to something serious. It’s fun. It’s casual. But remember, she’s not your girl. It’s just your turn. And it might not even be exclusively your turn. Have that mindset coming in and your heart won’t get broken.

8. The Cost of Living Question

Number eight, what’s the cost of living? Man, that question drives me nuts because it depends entirely on your lifestyle. I’ve been in groups where someone asks if they can live on $1,000 a month and one person says easily, while another says, “I spend that in a week just going out.” The truth? You can live on $500 a month if you’re really pinching pennies. You can live on $1,000 pretty comfortably if you’re careful. But if you’re a single guy wanting to party, eat Western food, live in a nice place, and date regularly, you’re looking at $2,000 minimum, probably more. Don’t let anyone tell you Thailand is so cheap without specifying which lifestyle they’re talking about. It’s all relative.

9. The Drinking Myth

Speaking of lifestyle, let’s talk nightlife. Everyone says drinking in Thailand is cheap. In my experience, that’s bull. It’s no cheaper than a regular night out in the States. Yeah, you can get a bottle at a club for maybe $100, which is cheaper than the US, but who’s buying bottles every night? Not me. A normal night out, I’m easily dropping $100 plus. The people who claim they spend $10 to $15 on a night out? I think they’re lying, honestly. Here’s my typical night. Pregame at 7-Eleven with some rum and coke, about $7 total. Great start. But then you hit the bars and clubs, those cheap 99 Baht cocktails, that’s still about $3 to $4 each. And because drinks are cheaper, I don’t drink less, I drink more. Plus, once I’m tipsy, I stop caring about money. I’m buying rounds, taking shots, it adds up fast. So, if saving money is your goal, staying in is your best bet because once I go out, my wallet’s getting hammered just like I am.

10. Income Streams

Number 10. Don’t try to live here on savings alone. Have an income stream or multiple streams. Savings have a depletion rate. You will run out eventually, but income that’s continuous. Even if you overspend one month, you know more is coming in the next. Get a remote job, start an online business, do freelance work, whatever it is. Make sure money is flowing in, not just flowing out.

11. 7-Eleven is Life

Okay, this one’s basic but essential. 7-Eleven is everything here. They’re everywhere and they sell everything. The food is actually good, too. Those microwave meals, they’ll heat them up for you right there, and they’re surprisingly tasty. I eat 7-Eleven food way more often than I’d admit back home. It’s your one-stop shop for snacks, drinks, toiletries, pregame alcohol, everything. 7-Eleven is your best friend in Thailand. Trust me on this.

12. Visa Reality

Number 12, visas. If you want to stay long-term without constant border runs, get an education visa. Me, I’ve managed eight months on no visa at all. When I arrived, they were giving 45-day exemptions on arrival, plus you can get a 30-day extension at immigration. That’s 75 days per stay. Now, it’s back to 30 days on arrival with a 30-day extension possible. So, every 60 days, I’ve got to leave the country and come back. It works, but it’s risky. There’s always a chance they’ll deny re-entry if they think you’re living here without a proper visa. So, if you’re serious about staying, do it right. Get an education visa or another long-term option.

13. Budgeting is Essential

Nearly done. Number 13, create a budget and stick to it. If you discipline yourself to live on say 1,500 Baht a day, about $45, you absolutely can. Transportation might be $5 a day if you’re using a motorbike. Food could be $10 to $15 whether you eat at 7-Eleven or order delivery. What else are you really spending on daily? If you’re living here, not vacationing, and you’re not drinking or partying every night, 1,500 Baht a day is totally doable. But you need that discipline. The budget is your lifeline.

14. The Loneliness Factor

Last thing, and this is personal, solo traveling can get really, really lonely. At first, it was hard for me. Now I might go a whole week without meaningful in-person interaction. Just me, my laptop, my thoughts. That’s the reality sometimes. If you’re coming here alone, be prepared for that. Sure, you can plug into communities, make friends, but it takes time. It’s not instant. And it’s different from having your established circle back home. And some people can’t handle that kind of isolation. Know yourself before you make the leap.

So, there you have it. 14 real truths about living in Thailand. Not the fantasy version you see on Instagram. Not the horror stories your paranoid relatives warn you about. Just reality. Thailand can be amazing. I don’t regret coming here for a second. But it’s not paradise. It’s a real place with real challenges. If you found this helpful, do me a favor, hit that subscribe button. This channel is all about giving you the unvarnished truth about expat life in Thailand. No BS, no fairy tales, just real talk. Drop a comment below with what surprised you most or what questions you still have. I read every comment. And hey, thanks for listening to my story. Sometimes I think the most valuable thing we can share isn’t advice. It’s just our honest experience. This is Real Talk Thailand. I’ll catch you in the next one.

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