We could not have said it any better, so we are are copying and posting. Here's the credit and the original link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/790820239756288/search/?q=divisive%20subjects%20in%20thailand
One of the most divisive subjects in Thailand expat circles and new resident forums is discussions regarding budgets . You'll see the comments thread go on for hundreds and hundreds of replies. People calling each other all kinds of names.
Here's the simple answers to the budget discussion..
There's no right or wrong answer. 
Thailand can be as expensive as you want and as inexpensive as you want.. there is no minimum or maximum you should be spending .
Condos and housing can range from 10,000 per month to 300,000 per month Or more
Meals can cost anywhere from 30 to 10,000
Your entertainment can be a 200 baht three beer special or it can be losing 20,000 at a Go-Go..
Not only do lifestyles vary but the different geographic locations in Thailand can be like apples and oranges. ..
Some locations may be extremely more comfortable to live on a lower budget than others..
Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way to plan your life here.. just ensure you have the essential bases covered.
1. Insurance - one small accident or illness without insurance in Thailand can cost you upwards of $10,000 very quickly . My surgery was well over the 200,000 Baht range , I have a friend that was in an accident and his medical bills were over 400,000
Regardless of budget , a medical insurance plan is an essential part of living here.. your time in Thailand may be short-lived without insurance.
2. Backups of backups..
I lost access to one of my major US Banks when a SIM card was stolen from me. It doesn't cost a lot of money to get backups of your phone number stored on extra SIM cards.. or have a cheap backup phone that has all of your banking apps on it and the same verification code..
Keep in mind you cannot add a Thai phone number to a Western bank account as a 2fa.. and many banks will not allow things like Google voice as well.
I have a phone that does nothing but sit in the drawer.
Purely for emergencies and if something happens to my primary..
I've done the same with a bank cards as well..
Five accounts linked to my main account so no matter what happens I have a backup.
Expect the unexpected and plan for some " WTF" situation to come your way eventually..
In my case ...the stolen SIM card was an ex trying to make sure I didn't talk to any other women
3. Secondary income or emergency fund
Pension, retirement. , automated side hustle. Whatever it may be.
The expats that I know that seem to have the best quality of life are people that have a guaranteed deposit on a specific day every single month. They're not relying on luck. They're not relying on some kind of online job that is commission-based..
If they stayed in bed all day and drank all night, they would still get paid every single month.
The really horrible situations I've seen typically stem from people coming over here with the dream and without proper preparation..
For example I saw an American that lost his job basically overnight. And had a 90,000 Baht condo to pay for every month along with his living expenses.
If you're working remotely and you lost your job tomorrow... How long could you survive.?
That's an important thing to consider and factoring in what it would take if that occurred. How long could your emergency fund support you?
We can't predict the storm , but we can keep an umbrella in the backseat.
4. Before you make a commitment to move to a certain location or City in general . Spend three or four weeks there without making any commitments to see if it's truly for you..
What you like after 2 weeks you may hate after 4 weeks..
My opinion or anyone else's opinion is totally irrelevant when you're deciding where you're going to live and how you're going to live..
Your housing budget , daily budget, rental payments and nightlife activities..
You're going to get 9 million answers online as to how much you need , and what you should be spending, and what is too much, and what is too little..
" Showoff" , " cheap Charlie" expat circles are very quick to label others, disregard all the BS and just make sure you've got what you need for your style of living+ unforeseen circumstances that may come your way.
When you're on the ground you will be able to make those calculations fairly easily.
It'll be a different number for every person and there's no such thing as a right or wrong way to do it..As long as you feel comfortable , other people's opinions are totally irrelevant.Just make sure you have the basics covered so that you're prepared in case of an emergency. .
" How much does is cost to live in Thailand?"
And
" How much does it cost to survive in Thailand?"
These are two very different questions.
Decide what you want and plan accordingly, but always make sure you're ready for that storm .