Patrick

Working in Bangkok

Monthly Earnings 65-70,000

Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?

Between 65,000 and 70,000 a month, at a good university

Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?

Up until recently, about 35,000 a month. I just bought a car, so my savings is down to 20-25k a month

Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?

Nothing, my wife (who is Thai) and I bought a small row house out in the suburbs which we stay in. (but see my transportation bills….)

Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?

Transportation

22,000 (12,000 for a car, and 10,000 for taxis

Utility bills

4,000

Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping

10,000

Nightlife and drinking

4,000

Books, computers

5,000

Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?

I love my job, I only have to go in four days a week (Tuesday to Friday), and teach about 15 hours a week. Outside the class work is high, but when and where I do it is flexible. The only thing I want is a nice, big house with a yard. I will buy it in about 3 years. When kids come along though……

Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?

Taxis (the “magic car” as I call it, since it is a car that drives, parks, fuels, navigates and maintains itself). Also food is great and cheap, and anything that involves labor (maids, laundry, gardeners, electricians).

Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?

I was quite happy back when I lived on 20,000, but I saved nothing. Now, I would have to say 35,000 – and that is only if you already have all the toys you need, and can stay away from sukhumvit.

Phil's analysis and comment

Patrick sent this to me by way of introduction
"I and my (Thai) wife are both university professors at a good Thai University (I teach economics and government). We live in a small row house up in Don Muang, about 30 km from work, while we save money for a larger house. Our combined income is about 1.5 million a year, and we save a bit more than half of it -- most months. Our biggest expense by far is taxis, we both use them a lot.

Phil says - You can have a very nice lifestyle with a combined income of 1.5 million a year and you can see from the figures that Patrick doesn't skimp on food and utilities, he runs a car and also fills his shopping trolley with gay abandon. I like the point that Patrick makes about labor. I'm always amazed how little it costs when you hire a Thai worker or 'handyman' to come and do a job for you. The most difficult part is finding one!


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