Bill
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 60,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I'm a director of studies at a language school and my salary is 60,000 baht a month.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Zero
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 14,000 baht a month for a 3- bedroom townhouse in Bang Na
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
15,000 baht a month on car loan repayments, 6,000 baht a month for the diesel to take my daughter to school and go to and from work
Utility bills
Utility bills are usually around 3,500 baht / month for electricity and around 300 for water.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Around 10,000 baht for regularly eating American fast food and restaurants in shopping malls.
Nightlife and drinking
Around 6,000 baht a month on a weekly trip to Sukhumvit.
Books, computers
I don't spend anything on books and computers.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Unless you are a bachelor living in a shoe-box style room it isn't as good as my home country (the UK). Trying to live a Western lifestyle (houses, cars, food) means I would probably be better off elsewhere, but as my wife and child are from here, I'm not sure how to get out!
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Water bills
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
To have a family (including school fees and everything) I'd say at least 80,000 to survive. More if you want to save anything!
Phil's analysis and comment
I think Bill is the first director of studies that we've had fill in one of our cost of living surveys. He's the man who controls the teachers and probably looks after a lot more besides. You have my sympathy Bill. I had a director of studies job once upon a time and held the position for six months before resigning. I hated every minute of it! I couldn't wait to go back to being a plain old teacher again. The teachers earned more money than I did and they had far more freedom to come and go when they pleased. 'Director of Studies' might look good on your business card but as my wise old dad used to say - "titles on business cards don't pay bills"
Another thing my wise old dad used to say - and I remember his words when I finally passed my driving test - "a car will keep you poor". And he was right. I think in your case Bill, it's the car and the family combined. It sounds like you need to find a way to reach that magical 80,000 baht figure but it can be difficult when you have a full-time management position that takes up all your time and energy. Good luck to you though.
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