Thomas
Working in Buriram
Monthly Earnings 34,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I work at a government secondary school and my full-time salary is 34K
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
At least 15,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 3,500 baht a month for a very nice one-bedroom cottage by the river.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
500 baht
Utility bills
500 baht
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I like to eat healthy so food comes in at about 6,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
This is Buriram so there's little or nothing in the way of nightlife. I don't have one of those expensive girlfriends either.
Books, computers
Nothing
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
My standard of living is simple but great. I do not make a lot of money but I do not spend a lot either. For summer vacations or mid semester breaks I always go away to either another country or to the islands in southern Thailand. I do not blow my money on mindless partying or expensive girl friends which an eat up a huge amount of one's salary.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Rent is a huge bargain. The place I am renting now back home would go for at least 20,000 baht or more. Transportation cost are a real bargain in Thailand and you can always find nice inexpensive hotels or resorts to stay at. Food cost is very reasonable too and I can get a big bag of laundry done for just a 150 baht, about the same cost as the detergent back home! Oh yeah I get a weekly Thai massage for 150 baht and you cannot beat that.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
It all depends where you live in Thailand. I live in a rural area of Thailand so you can get by on 15,000 but then you could not save any money. But on at least 30,000 baht you can live comfortable outside of say places like Bangkok or Phuket as long as you do not have any expensive habits.
Phil's analysis and comment
We don't get many teachers describe their abode as 'a cottage by the river'. It sounds wonderful! I would love to see some photos.
This is a teacher living the simple life out in rural Thailand. It's not a life that suits everyone but Thomas seems happy enough. He's managing to save half of his salary as well. This is what happens when you don't have the temptations and the bright lights.
If anyone fancies doing a cost of living survey, I've now put the questions on-line to make it easier and quicker for you. Please spare half an hour if you can.
Submit your own Cost of Living survey
