Stefan
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 50,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I work at a large Thai private school in North Bangkok and I've been there almost five years. I started on about 32,000 baht a month but seen my salary rise by over 50% in the last five years to 50k.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
It depends. You have a month where you feel like you're doing well and you might save 20K but there's always an expense around the corner. This month is a prime example when my mobile phone stopped working and I had to buy a new one.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I rent a very nice studio apartment near where I work for 12,000 baht a month. That might sound a lot for a studio but it's a lovely building with a gym and swimming pool. And even though I don't have a separate bedroom, I live alone and the living space is huge because it's a corner unit.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Next to nothing. I can walk to work in less than 10 minutes. I might catch a taxi for 50 baht if it's raining but that doesn't happen very often. I sometimes take the aircon bus into Bangkok if I crave somewhere a little more lively, but that doesn't happen all that often either.
Utility bills
Water and electricity are billed by the apartment building and usually come to about 3,000 baht. I use the air-conditioning quite a lot because I'm at home most evenings and at the weekend.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I have about four Thai restaurants that I use in my neighborhood. I get on well with the staff at each place and they know what food I like. I rarely eat Western or fast food. I guess about 100 baht a day - so 3,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
I'll occasionally go out with friends into Bangkok or we'll find a bar locally and just chill out. This isn't a big expense for me - probably 2,000 baht a month at most.
Books, computers
I do a lot of reading and buy about 3-4 books a month for my kindle. That comes to about a 1,000 baht. And my three-year old laptop is still going strong. I keep thinking about upgrading it but why spend money when you don't have to?
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
It's extremely comfortable but I live a very quiet life. I gave up on Bangkok's 'bright lights' some time ago. I would rather just relax at home with a good book after doing a few laps of the pool (which is totally empty in the early evening)
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Thai food from local restaurants. I can get a huge plateful of food and maybe an ice cream dessert for 50-60 baht in my local neighborhood
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
It's funny but I feel I have less disposable cash now I'm earning 50K than I did five years ago when I was earning about 30K. Bangkok has got more expensive. No doubt about that. I'm just glad I don't live in the real heart of the city where there would be far more temptations to spend money. But to answer the question - I wouldn't like to survive in Bangkok on less than I earn now.
Phil's analysis and comment
Interesting. This is a teacher who doesn't feel any better off than five years ago - despite the fact he's earning 50% more than he was five years ago. Is this an indication of just how much prices and the cost of living have risen in Bangkok? Could be.
Here's a teacher who has taken my past advice on board as well. Always rent the nicest apartment that you can afford. That way you don't mind spending time relaxing at home and you're less likely to want to spend time outside. Walking around shopping malls and frequenting entertainment areas too often can play havoc with your budget if you're not careful.
If you would like to do a cost of living survey and let other teacher's in on your lifestyle, I would love to hear from you. E-mail me your answers to the questions and I'll do the rest.
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