A lot of Filipinos and Westerners have decided to try their luck in Thailand.Most of the time the idea that they get on the internet is how to live in Bangkok Central.
It is very different to live 1 hour away from Bangkok, I have decided to live in Nonthaburi Province instead of Bangkok Central.
You can get here using a bus with number 522 from Victory Monument or you can also ride on the ferry on Chao Praya River.
If you will take the ferry boat from Central BKK the cost would be around 15 baht, the cost is the same when you are going to use Bus 522.
There is something profound and charming about Nonthaburi, the sound of wind chimes in the morning as well as the people riding on their bicycle on a windy afternoon.
Every day you will see a person smiling on the bus, a random act of kindness being performed by a man or a woman willing to give up their seat for an elderly or a child.
It is a Thai custom to give their seat to a child or an elderly person even if it means standing up for 20 minutes or more.
People in here do not rush to take the bus seat, they allow others to sit ahead of them. A tradition that made me respect them.
One time I nearly got teary eyed when a 20 year old something woman asked another 20 year old looking stranger if she can carry her bag so that she will not have a hard time standing up on the bus...
I prefer this place rather than Bangkok Central because the people here are still pure, there are very few instances of someone asking you to pay more for a taxi fare.
In central Bangkok it is possible to get swindled by a taxi driver for 300-500 baht for a taxi fare, this has not happened to me in Nonthaburi.
Thai residents are more enduring and helpful in this area that is why a lot of Filipinos prefer to be here.
You do not have to worry that someone will snatch your bag while walking on the streets, the people are peaceful and the sunny weather motivates people to get up and work.
People seem more content in this area and are just mindful of the work that they do. You can wear the shortest skirt you can think of or get a hair dye in the shade of blue or red and Thai people will not mind.
Most tourists end up on Khao San Road because it is well advertised on the internet.
I have been there for almost a week and despite the fact that there are so many interesting goods to buy and interesting foods to taste Khao San road is not exactly for people who want to live for 6 months or longer here in Thailand.
Khao San road is for the party people, for tourists who like to forget their work abroad. The price is more expensive in Khao San road, expect to spend around 200 baht for a single person for daily food if you decide to visit the area.
Khao san Road is for people who like getting drunk and while the mood is always festive, it is not fit for someone who wants to see feel the spiritual side of Bangkok.
It is good to visit Khao san once in a while due to the excellent Pad thai being served there for 40 to 80 baht depending on the quality, but if you plan to stay longer find an apartment that is atleast 1 hour away from Central Bangkok.If you are planning on getting a job here in Thailand, it would be best to try and get an apartment in the province, although you would normally have to travel 45 minutes to 1 hour to get to the city center it is worth it due to the fact that the food is cheaper here, the people friendlier and the atmosphere is calm.
Perks of Living In Nonthaburi Province:
Cheaper food:It is possible to find food for as low as 15 baht, usually this will contain meat and sticky rice, you can also get fruits and vegetables from 20 to 30 baht.
The food expenses will not exceed 100 baht for one day, the same thing with drinks. Most of the foods in central bangkok are priced at 45 baht or higher but here in Nonthaburi provice it is possible to find foods that are priced at 25 baht.
It is also possible to find Apartments here priced at 2500 baht for 1 month, the total cost of living including electricity and water will just add up to 2900 baht. ($100) (in pesos it is only 4,048)
The place where I am living is a quiet subdivision near Pranachiwet Community 3.
The water bill no matter how much I use it only costs around 130 pesos or even less, there are times wherein the water bill will only be for 60 pesos or less.
My place has a veranda, aircon, tables are already provided including a large cabinet plus a bathroom with shower.
Most of the condominiums here are very cheap, you can rent an entire house for 5,000 baht good for 4 or more people, you can also rent a 4500 baht place that will provide facilities like a gym, pool and laundry service.( 4500 baht=6200pesos)
Something that is not possible in the Philippines due to the expensive rate of apartments nowadays.
There are songthaew or jeepneys equivalent to Philippines all over the place.
You can ride for as long as you want for only 7 baht no matter how far the location is.
Most of the time you have to travel for a very long time, but the good news is that the transportation fee here at Nonthaburi Province is very cheap.
This is the songthaew one of most commonly used transportation vehicle in Nonthaburi Province, the fare is only for 7 baht no matter how far the location is.
For example for only 10 pesos you can travel from Baguio City to La Trinidad or even longer.
A lot of Filipino teachers
prefer living in Nonthaburi Province.
Filipinos are well loved and respected in Nonthaburi Province, and we hope that this respect would be maintained by Filipino teachers who are living in here.
The food is truly exquisite and not only that it is also very affordable.
You can buy pork meat for 2 sticks for 10baht (13 pesos) or you can also get a complete meal for 25 baht only (35 pesos).
Usually this will contain fruits or vegetables, chicken or pork meat, you can also try their noodles that will usually contain shrimps, chicken meat, pork or beef.
This meal on the picture with rice, steamed tilapia fish and bits of pork meat and water costs around 150 baht 209.00 in pesos.
It is a very fulfilling dish despite the simple preparation, the vegetables below only costs around 30 baht or 41 pesos, it contains a special sauce with mustard, mayo, honey and some secret ingredients that I have yet to discover.
It is very easy to lose weight in here due to the fact that the foods are composed mostly of vegetables. I have seen some KFC and Mcdonalds restaurant in here but surprisingly people do not patronize it that much due to the fact that the burger is too costly.
A simple cheeseburger from Mcdonalds cost around P125 and frankly you would not even need to think about fast food chains here due to the fact that the street foods are far more excellent in taste and in quality.
Fruit juice abound the area, some of the juices contain yogurt and some will contain pure fruits or vegetables upon request.
This lovely drink only costs 20 baht or 27 pesos.
Almost every drink in Thailand no matter how expensive looking it maybe will only cost around 15 bath to 35 baht.
You don`t need to spend 50 pesos or higher for a very delicious drink.
Thailand has a lot of cold tea, cold coffee varieties.
You will not be reminded of the need to go to Starbucks or any fancy coffee shop because you can get the your coffee craving anywhere on the streets for a very cheap price.
The taste of the food is mostly sweet and spicy with lots of herbs and spices.
This papaya mixture called Som Tam is one of the best appetizers in Thailand, it is usually mixed with red eggs.
You can add it with bbq chicken or pork and it will surely taste divine.
....more to come regarding Nonthaburi, Province in the coming weeks
