Why has it gone from 1,000 to 1,500 in just a few short years? Baht's buying power internationally hasn't shrunk. Has there really been that much inflation in Thailand?

Quote |

When was it last 1,000 baht in Bangkok? I think about 10 years ago. So it's not been "just a few short years". Creeping up at about 4 percent a year would mean something like 1,500 baht within 10 years.

4 percent per annum isn't a particularly high inflation rate.

Also, demography and economic growth are working against buyers. Thailand's birth rate has stabilised for the last generation or so. Whereas in the 1980s and early 1990s, there were plenty of young men from Isaan, etc, with no jobs, today, there are fewer young men available and somewhat better job prospects even if pay remains low. But the situation is not so bad that boys would want to stand under spotlights in their underwear (or less) to be bought like in a slave market. Those who want the money from working in the sex business nowadays tend to go into the massage business, not the gogo business. Thus the average age of gogo boys is now in their mid 20s and will soon be in their 30s. The really attractive young ones are getting fewer and fewer. That they can command a steadily increasing fee is hardly any surprise.

Quote |

Stillthrobbing:

"Why has it gone from 1,000 to 1,500 in just a few short years? Baht's buying power internationally hasn't shrunk. Has there really been that much inflation in Thailand?"

Yes! I've had masters students doing assignments on this recently, the cost of living in BKK has gone up quite a lot over the last ten years with some strong leaps even within the last few months.

'Working men' definitely can't survive (rent, food, clothing, tpt, etc etc.) on 500Baht tips and I hope that punters are not trying to get away with paying this rate.

I agree with ICON, given the cost of living, 1,500 for short time for just accepable service is now the norm.

Quote |

Almost everything has gone up 50% or more in the past 10 years.

1,000 baht was considered good for short time in 1990. Definitely not in 2010.

I'm not sure what "the baht's buying power overseas" has to do with it. Oh, yeah...nothing.

Quote |

So to recap, the recommended tips for off boys are:

For Pattaya:

Short time $1,000
Overnight $1,500

For Bangkok:

Short time $1,500 minimum
Overnight - ?

Quote |

I'd say 2,000 for overnight in Bangkok.

I have never done an over night -- sleeping with a stranger is of no interest to me, and I wouldn't get a good night's sleep -- so I can't be sure.

Quote |

Short time Pattaya 1000? If my January visit is anything to go by searching for an attractive boy in Pattaya these days is like a search for the Holy Grail. Any stunner should command a fortune.

Quote |

Agreed...that's anyone who is saleable gets his ass to Bangkok to make some money, and the dregs stay in Pattaya.

Quote |

Maybe not in 2010, but definitely not as long ago as 1990. Bht 1,000 was customary less than 10 years ago.

I said the baht's value "internationally," which means "against other currencies." Which means that imported goods in Thailand aren't getting much more expensive, because the baht isn't shrinking in international value. The cost of imported goods is part of the Thai cost of living.

Quote |

I don't see the cost of imported goods getting any cheaper. Inflation is not slowing that I'm aware of -- and that's all that matters to a local person.

2000 was ten years ago...back when some of these guys were eight years old. What worked then doesn't work now.

Quote |

FROM STILLTHROBBING

Quote:
Originally Posted by icon513
1,000 baht was considered good for short time in 1990. Definitely not in 2010.

Maybe not in 2010, but definitely not as long ago as 1990. Bht 1,000 was customary less than 10 years ago.


Quote:
Originally Posted by icon513
I'm not sure what "the baht's buying power overseas" has to do with it. Oh, yeah...nothing.

I said the baht's value "internationally," which means "against other currencies." Which means that imported goods in Thailand aren't getting much more expensive, because the baht isn't shrinking in international value. The cost of imported goods is part of the Thai cost of living.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inflation is currently 3.6% according to bank of thailand data.

I disagree that the cost of imported goods is part of the thai cost of living, except of course oil.

The thai baht has been floating to some extent for a few years, however it is still to some extent linked to the US$ rather than floating freely against all international currencies.

agree with ICON, can't see how "the baht's buying power overseas" is conected.

Can't see how any argument about when 1,000 became unnacepatable is relevant or producive in this discussion.

The ultimate point is very sraight forward; working men cannot survive any more, at least in Bangkok, and I suspect the same is true of Pattaya (which is also an expensive place to live and survice for Thais) on 1,000Baht tips.

Rent for even a quite small room is now super expensive, pushing people to live further and further out of the city, travelling late at night is very expensive for Thais. A simple bowl of noodles is double price to what is was perhaps 5 years ago. Plenty of working men are supporting families and children, although education supposed to be free, the cash costs are enormous. Kids buying lunch at school is typically 25 - 35 Baht.

1,000Baht is gone is 5 minutes.

Quote |

Apologies for an error in my earlier message #37. Ocean Boys' Grand Opening is this Sunday 19 Dec, not 18 Dec as reported earlier.

Also, Dream Boy and Boys Bangkok are celebrating their 11th anniversary this Friday 17 Dec.

Quote |

What is "super expensive" for a small room? I don't see how 1000 baht is gone in no time. I was under the impression that a small room costs less than 3000 baht a month.

Quote |

[quote=stillthrobbing;680861]Maybe not in 2010, but definitely not as long ago as 1990. Bht 1,000 was customary less than 10 years ago.


QUOTE]

NOT right-as 1989 was my first real year in LOS. And-just by pure coincidence, yesterday I reread the TMOT-book, on which I relied for those visits. The short-time quote was then 300-500 THB. At that time 500-the big purple notes, made the hearts of many a boy beat faster. I ahve 4 editions of that book-the last one from 1997, and then it quoted 500-800 as advice for short-time encounters with barboys. 1997 was the year of the the ASian financial crisis and the Baht-crash.
At that time soi Twy-ly was only barred by Twily bar itself (now Hotmail). I talso think there is a marked difference between the bars in that tiny soi and suburban BKK.

Quote |