“How much a month do I really need to retire comfortably in Pattaya?”
My answerShane Ruddle, 20+ years in PattayaA single person in a one-bed condo, eating out every meal, spends roughly ฿50,000 to ฿55,000 a month. Cook some meals and it drops a lot.
That's about ฿18,000 for rent, around ฿30,000 eating out every meal, and a few thousand to get around.
What catches people out is going out, visas and admin, and health insurance, which I'd never skip.
For the retirement visa you'll also need to show ฿800,000 in a Thai bank, or ฿65,000 a month in income, or a mix of the two.
Up to date as of November 2026. Rules in Thailand change often, so check the current position before you act.
The full story
Is Pattaya Expensive? What It Really Costs to Live Here
Is Pattaya expensive? Real monthly costs for a single person and a family, from rent and eating out to school fees, and what's cheaper or dearer than people expect.
ArticleRetiring in Pattaya: Advice From 20 Years Here
Why retirees choose Pattaya, what really catches them out, and the one thing a Pattaya business owner of 20 years advises every retiree to do.

Ask Shane