Leo
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 55,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I make 55,000 baht monthly from my full-time teaching job. I could make more money if I taught after school for about an hour but I don't. I'm pretty tired by the time school ends so I just go home.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I can save about 25,000 baht a month. I don't spend much on clothes or high tech items.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
Right now I spend 8K baht a month for a studio apartment next to the BTS train line. The 8,000 baht a month includes 2,000 for utilities such as electricity, wifi, water and a parking spot. The studio is pretty small for two people so I plan on moving out very soon.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
1,500 baht, It costs me about 50 baht to get to work and back. Taxis are so cheap here so I take one everywhere I go. Taxis, when shared, are much cheaper than taking the train line
Utility bills
2,000 baht a month - It's standard in my apartment. I know it sucks
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
10,000 baht a month. Lunch is free at my school. I always eat out for dinner. I eat out almost everyday, because its easy to do. I know I should eat at home more often because it's healthier but I usually get home too tired to cook
Nightlife and drinking
500 baht. I don't drink very often or go to any clubs. I'm not much of nightlife party person. Kinda lame I know, but that's just me
Books, computers
I just bought myself a new computer for about 28k baht but I normally don't do that of course. I normally spend about 500 baht on miscellaneous computer stuff. I don't normally buy books, I know I should but I haven't.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Extremely comfortable and simple. I eat anything I like without caring too much about the price. I'm not worried about not having money to pay for important bills like rent, transportation and food. All my needs are met here.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Transportation - taxis are incredibly cheap. Food - you can eat some delicious chicken with rice for about 1 US dollar. It does not get any better than that.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
25,000 - 30,000 baht a month, In my opinion all your needs are met with that amount of money every month. Housing, food and a little extra for whatever else you want.
Phil's analysis and comment
I don't think that 25-30k is enough in Bangkok so sorry to disagree with you there Leo. However you do sound like someone who wouldn't have much trouble surviving on that amount (only 500 baht a month on going out will certainly help)
Good point about sharing taxis. If you have three people travelling a short to medium distance, a taxi can work out half the price of the skytrain. Plus you are going door to door.
Free school lunch is always a decent benefit too. I know it probably isn't five-star cuisine but it's going to save you best part of a thousand a month. It all helps!
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