Bangkok is very fast becoming one of the more expensive cities in the world. I was surprised at the number of Australian cities in the top 20.

 

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/shanghai-now-more-expensive-new-york-307238?hpt=hp_bn1

I go through money quite quickly in BKK, although gogo bars & massages are one of the main causes for that.

Satisfactory hotels can still be had for just over 1000 baht.

 

Unless the new Thai government screws up, I expect the wealth gap to the US & UK to partially narrow, hence continuing to make BKK more expensive.

So it will be necessary to ensure future income is sufficient to cope with this, or bank on places like Cambodia remaining affordable for the next 30 years or so.

Bangkok is very fast becoming one of the more expensive cities in the world.

With respect, Michael, whilst that's what the article says, it only hints at the main reason. Bangkok may have risen from 108th in 2001 to 66th now, but that's over a 10 year span. At the start of 2001, the Baht was making its slow climb back from the low of 57 to the US$ after the start of the Asian economic crisis. In 2001, it was around 40 whereas now it is around 30, Such a level of currency appreciation is bound to be reflected in a jump up the 'most expensive city' charts.

 

Same is true in reverse of Hong Kong, as the article does mention. It's currency has been fixed to the US$ since 1983. The US$ has dropped dramatically in ten years - hence Hong Kong has dropped from 3rd to 22nd.

 

Having visited Sydney quite regularly since 1999, I am not at all surprised at two Australian cities being in the top 10. I can't remember the exchange rates in 2001, but around 2004/5 the Ozzie dollar was worth only 48 to the US$. Now it is around 107!! So again, currency movements are partly the reason.