Every new arrival wants to know if they can survive or live well in Thailand on X thousand baht a month?
It's a difficult question because each person has different needs. However, the following surveys and figures are from teachers actually working here! How much do they earn and what do they spend their money on?. And after each case study, I've added comments of my own.
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Chuck
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 92,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
My salary after tax is 92,000 from my English program school in Bangkok. During term, I can make another 4k-8k, after tax, with after-school classes
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Realistically, I could save 55k if I were quite careful. I actually save 35k - 45k.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
14k all-in for a 45m condo in the heart of Bangkok. It's an old building but convenient for everything.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Gas for my scooter runs 200 baht per month. I rarely use public transport or taxis but let’s say 200 baht per month for those.
Utility bills
Zero, as it's included in rent.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Too much. I love Thai food. I also love Western food. I’d say maybe 16,000. I rarely cook. I take home food from the street, supermarkets and have food delivered. I also eat out somewhat regularly. Sunday roasts and buffets. Nice restaurant meals with friends and the occasional date. However, if I have to pay for everything on a first date, there ain’t no second date!
Nightlife and drinking
I spend extravagantly. I’m a happy hour fiend that knows no boundaries. Hotels, British and Irish pubs, sports bars and venues mother need not know about. However, my chief expense is in clubs, where prices are higher and ‘products’ more diverse. I hasten to add that I don’t ‘take-away’ from the risqué venues. I’ve nothing against it, but I don’t do it. I love craft beer too. All in all, around 20k some months. Other months under 10k. It’s ridiculous at times, but there’s never a dull moment.
Books, computers
Chuck did not answer this question.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
My standard of living is quite good. My day-to-day life is a better experience than living back home.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
There are several bargains here. Most forms of manual labour, taxis, cell phone subscriptions, street food, raw chicken and pork, bottled water, cigarettes (I don’t smoke), utilities, cinema tickets, inter-city bus and rail services and probably a ton of stuff I have forgotten because I take them for granted. I would not add gym membership. They aren’t pricey, but gyms are packed – it can be frustrating at times.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
‘Survive’ is a loose term. If you mean what’s the minimum hand-to-mouth, pay check to pay check existence, I’d say 15,000 baht.
Phil's analysis and comment
An interesting survey there from Chuck. After reading so many surveys where teachers no longer spend money on nightlife (if indeed they ever did) along comes Chuck. He's a night owl and proud of it! LOL
Chuck also had the following to say on his standard of living;
I'd hesitate to say that my standard of living is higher, because I have no retirement fund from work. The long-term future causes me some anxiety. However, I'd never have this much fun back home, except when I went on holiday to Thailand or elsewhere! It used to annoy me to read ajarn.com ‘guides' and people describe their lives as comfortable earning 40k, rarely going out and saving next to nothing. That's not comfortable. That's a ticket to skid-row. Also, earning 40k and saving 25k is not a lifestyle I enjoy imagining.
And on the topic of how much does a teacher need to earn to survive, Chuck added;
I know one person who had monthly expenses run 15,000 baht. He earned much higher but was paying off debt. As soon as the debt cleared, his expenses rocketed, as did his happiness. Unless I were under 25 years old, I wouldn't want to live on less than 50,000 baht. In fact, if I had to live on less than 70k, I'd go back home and enjoy a better lifestyle than that while also saving money and having a retirement fund. I know I don't sound friendly when I say these things, but if this is a guide, let me say that there is no such thing as a friendly warning. 30k shouldn't be your salary - it should be your savings per month. Have health insurance. Enjoy your life as you want to enjoy it. If you can't do these things, change. If you're young, enjoy it while you can.
Sarah
Working in Koh Samui
Monthly Earnings 58,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
My salary at a private school is 38,500 baht a month but I bump up my income with 10,000 from extra tutoring at school and 10,000 from private students.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I socialise a lot and eat out most days. I also pay for gym membership etc. I save about 10,000 per month
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 10,000 for accommodation. It's a bungalow set back from a resort with a pool.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
2,500 for motorbike rental. 1,500 for repair and maintenance bills and 500 a month on petrol
Utility bills
Sarah did not answer this question so we assume utility bills are included in the 10,000 baht a month accommodation cost.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
3,000 baht a month at the supermarket for breakfast and lunch food, plus toiletries and household items. Add another 2,000 baht for eating out
Nightlife and drinking
Nightlife differs - one night at the evening markets comes up at around 500-1000 (depending how much you eat and drink!), a night out in Chaweng can cost easily 1000+.
Books, computers
Zero.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I enjoy life here! I have a more than comfortable lifestyle here with extra money left over to send home or go on a boat trip or even pay for a new tattoo every month.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I live very well here on my wage! I have friends here living on much less (20,000 baht a month) that still survive. I think for a comfortable lifestyle though, 30,000 would be low enough.
Phil's analysis and comment
Good to hear from someone who is living on the tropical islands and making very decent money. It can obviously be done!
It sounds as though Sarah does a lot of contact hours each month though when you factor in the private teaching and the extra school tutoring. I hope she finds enough free time to enjoy all that the tropical island has to offer.
We would love to get your cost of living surveys and you can do so by filling in the on-line form. Tell us about your lifestyle!
Many teachers unfortunately fill in the form and just provide a list of figures and no back story. It's those glimpses into a teacher's lifestyle that make these surveys interesting and enjoyable. Many thanks for your contributions.
Mike
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 142,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
My main job at a mid-size international school (with 700 kids) pays about 115,000 baht after tax (there is also a flight allowance and a small bonus but these are only paid annually). On Saturdays I teach 6 hours of IELTS classes for 9,000 per day. Occasionally I miss a Saturday if something important comes up. So, in total an average of 142k a month.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Between 80k and 100k depending on expenses. I also find school holidays more expensive than term time.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I live in a relatively large one bed condo near Central Rama 9. It costs about 20,000 baht a month including all utilities. This is shared between my girlfriend and I.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Petrol for the scooter I run is rarely more than 100 baht a week. Including the occasional taxi or MRT ride my transportation bill probably comes to about 1,500 baht. This is not a major expense.
Utility bills
I bundled these in with my rent (earlier question). However, they're itemised on our monthly condo bill and come to about 1.5k - 2.5k for electric, water and internet.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Lunch and snacks come free at school and lunch has therefore become the main meal. During term time I'd say 8,000 baht per month, but in the holidays I probably spend 50% more than this
Nightlife and drinking
Taking on weekend work is not only bringing in more money, it's also put an end to big nights out (good for my health, but not great for morale). So, maybe 2-3k
Books, computers
Zero unless something breaks. My school has a great library which I make good use of.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I feel like I'm saving good money, I like my condo and am in a happy relationship with a local lady (she earns enough to take care of herself and contribute towards rent). My only concern is weekend teaching as I feel that one day off work during term time isn't enough - despite the extra money it brings in. To answer the question I think my salary allows for a good standard of living, but I've always thought that, even 10 years ago when I was earning 30k.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
The water bill. I probably spend more on salt than I do on showering. Transport is cheap too (taxis, buses & internal flights).
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
As a foreign teacher with no local support network, I think life would now be tough in Bangkok on 30,000. For teachers looking to spend a significant portion of their life here, it's vital to be able to save for old age. Therefore I'd say at least 60k (30k for living and 30k for saving).
Phil's analysis and comment
Now Mike really does sound like a guy I could go for a pint with. Not because he's one of the teaching 'high rollers' but because he took a lot of time and care in filling in this survey and at no time does it ever come across as 'bragging'. Even though Mike earns good money, this is still a sensible, level-headed guy who knows the value of a dollar.
What I like about Mike's figures is how he's taken advantage of situations (and I don't mean that in a negative way at all) He's found himself a partner who is financially comfortable and pays half the rent. He's made the free lunch at school his main meal of the day (therefore cutting down on food costs) He makes full use of the school library. And of course the Saturday work can bring in an extra 36k a month and keep him out of the bars.
Life has handed him lemons and he's made a great big jug of ice cold lemonade. Nice work Mike!
Ed
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 43,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
My salary from a government high school is 39.000 baht with an extra two lessons on Saturdays. I also make around 4,000 baht from translating documents from my native language to English. So, I would say I make 43.000 a month.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I can save around 10.000 baht every month.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
With this I believe I'm lucky. I have a good landlord. I live 10 minutes away from a BTS station. (3 minutes with my bike.) My condo has a swimming pool and a gym. I pay 8.000 Baht for this condo because I made a contract for 2 years. I'm very happy here.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I spend 800 baht on petrol for my motorbike. Also I spend around 700 baht for BTS and taxis. So total 1,500 Baht a month
Utility bills
Electricity, water and internet at home costs me 2,000 baht
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
That I would say is my biggest expense as I'm not into Thai food or any street food. I try to cook at home most of the time or eat in a restaurants. I also buy lots of imported food. This all costs me 9,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
I don't drink or smoke. That is my advantage here I believe. I only go out once a month and only have a soft drink. I mostly spend my money on travelling
Books, computers
Honestly, I don't read much. I prefer watching movies when I'm free.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I have a very relax and comfortable life for a single person.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
I think transportation and local food are the real bargain. I can easy travel somewhere once a month in Thailand.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
In Bangkok, the minimum is 30.000 baht but you really need at least 45,000 baht to live comfortably. I believe no native speaker should take job offer below 40,000 baht anyway.
Phil's analysis and comment
Ed earns what I would consider to be the minimum a foreign teacher would need to live in Bangkok, but he seems happy enough with his lot doesn't he? He runs a motorcycle, travels around Thailand, eats Western food and saves 10,000 baht a month. And he manages all of that on a salary of just over 40K. Well done Ed. Think about how much more you could save if you were to develop a taste for Thai food but actually, probably not much at all if you are someone who cooks at home a lot.
Colin
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 40,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I've worked at the same Thai secondary school for about five years and my salary recently went up from 35K to 40K. It's the first time teachers have had a raise for many years but the school saw a need to stop the high turnover of teachers. Whether the extra 5,000 a month will put an end to that it's too early to say.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
5,000 baht if I'm lucky.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I rent a condo just a couple of sky-train stops from the school and it costs 8,000 baht a month. The condition of the building is not the greatest but I love the convenience. It's a large studio apartment but over the years I've divided it up so it feels like a one-bedroom place.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
No more than about 1,500 a month even with the odd weekend taxi fare. I would love to buy a car but I can never seriously see me driving in Bangkok.
Utility bills
We rarely turn on the air-conditioning so bills are deliberately kept very low. Probably around 800 - 1,000 baht a month for electricity and water. The free wi-fi is a real bonus.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I live 100% on Thai food purely because I think Western food is such poor value for money in this city. If we eat street-food and shop for fruit and salads at the local market, I can keep the food bill down to about 6,000 a month. My Thai partner is currently unemployed so I am having to keep her as well. She only has an earning potential of probably 20,000 a month but even that would be a nice extra income.
Nightlife and drinking
We very rarely go out even at the weekend.
Books, computers
I download a couple of books a month from Amazon and buy the odd paperback at a second-hand shop so maybe about 500 baht. My four-year old laptop is still going strong.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Not great at all. We have to watch every penny because it's not easy to support two people on a 40,000 baht salary.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Definitely food if you know where the bargains are.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
For a single person living in Bangkok, I would say 50,000 to 60,000 would give you a reasonable standard of living. If you have an unemployed Thai partner then add 50% to that.
Phil's analysis and comment
Colin, good to see that your school has finally raised teacher salaries. I think we are definitely beginning to see more and more schools offering something better than that 30,000 baht 'survival package'. Long may the trend continue if indeed it is a trend.
We would love to get your cost of living surveys and you can do so by filling in the on-line form. Tell us about your lifestyle!
Many teachers unfortunately fill in the form and just provide a list of figures and no back story. The survey from Colin above is how I think most readers like things. The figures are there but there are also glimpses into the teacher's actual lifestyle. It's those glimpses that make these surveys interesting. Many thanks for your contributions.
Showing 5 Cost of Living surveys out of 437 total
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