Bangkok is the 61st most expensive city to live in. Not too far behind NYC.
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/03/04/shanghai-is-more-expensive-than-new-york/
I know people can eat for a buck or whatever and there are rooms you can rent for a few thousand baht per month but, really, when you look at western style accommodations and dining, this doesn't seem too far off.