Cost of Living

The price of Asia staple food, rice has increased by a whopping 180% since 2004.
Wonder if the salary increments have matched the pace of rising food prices ?

RICE PRICES AVERAGE
(US$/Ton Ex-Country of Origin)

Thai 100% Grade B
2004 - 244
2005 - 291
2006 - 311
2007 - 335
2008 - 695
2009
Jan - 611
Feb - 624
Mar - 637
Apr - 606

Thai Fragrant 100%
2004 - 443
2005 - 404
2006 - 470
2007 - 550
2008 - 914
2009
Jan - 876
Feb - 879
Mar - 880
Apr - 888

The new kopitiam, next to Queenstown MRT is scheduled to open for business June 2009 set the rental for each stall at $9,000.00 per month.
The rental for the existing kopitiam next door is $3,000.00.
It is not hard to guess the price for a plate of chap chai png, or the cuppa.