Every new arrival wants to know “can I survive or live well in Bangkok or rural Thailand on 30,000 baht a month”? or perhaps 40,000 or even 50,000? It’s always a difficult question to answer because each person has different needs, but I thought it would be interesting to compare the lifestyles and spending habits of some teachers currently living and working in Thailand. We are concerned with what they earn, but more so about what they spend money on and what it costs each of them to enjoy a certain kind of lifestyle. After each case study, I’ve added comments of my own.
Approximate conversion rates as of February 2011
30 baht to one US Dollar
50 baht to one Pound Sterling
But check an on-line exchange rate for the most accurate figures.
Graeme
Working in: Samut Prakarn
Monthly Earnings: 52,000
Q. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
A. 52,000
Q. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
A. 10-15,000
Q. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
A. My rent is 7250 a month. I share a two bedroom apartment with a friend. It has a kitchen, two bathrooms, lounge, dining room, two bedrooms and a study + entrance hall.
Q. What do you spend a month on the following things?
| a) Transportation | 2,000 |
|---|---|
| b) Utility bills | 4,000 |
| c) Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping | 8,000 |
| d) Nightlife and drinking | 5,000 - 8,000 |
| e) Books, computers | 2,000 |
Q. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
A. I live very comfortably, but do worry about lack of financial security in the future.
Q. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
A. Food and clothes
Q. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
A. For foreigners who are used to western standards of living I would estimate about 40,000 in Bangkok and 30,000 in rural areas
Phil's analysis and comment
I like the look of Graeme's numbers - I really do. It sounds like he lives in a really nice place, he spends quite a bit on the pleasures in life and he still sticks 10-15,000 in the bank every month. Like many teachers, Graeme worries about financial security in the future but if he's living for the now, then he's sure enjoying himself. I disagree with his inferring that 40,000 baht salaries will see you living in a shoebox. Again, it depends on your priorities.
Bob and Lom
Working in: Chiang Rai
Monthly Earnings: 58,000
Q. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
A. 29000 baht times TWO.
Q. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
A. Not sure, maybe 25 000 baht
Q. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
A. 8000 Baht 1 bedroom furnished condo including internet and all ancillaries
Q. What do you spend a month on the following things?
| a) Transportation | 2000-3000 baht fuel for motorcycle depending on the number of week end out of town trips we take. |
|---|---|
| b) Utility bills | 1000 baht (electricity, phone, internet) included in 8000 above |
| c) Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping | 7000 baht, maybe 6000 shopping, 1000 restaurants, more if away for the weekend. |
| d) Nightlife and drinking | 0 nightlife 400 for beer in the fridge |
| e) Books, computers | the 500 Baht included above for net access |
Q. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
A. Good, two people happy together with really no worries.
Q. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
A. The ability to buy a great motorcycle for 20 000 baht and travel two up every weekend as far as 500 km away, or closer, along fantastic uncrowded roads through beautiful scenery and stay in nice guesthouses and eat good food for almost no cost. All factors considered, North Thailand has to be the best place in the world for someone who appreciates that lifestyle.
Q. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
A. If we didn't travel weekends we would be 'just surviving' and that would cost maybe 20 000 baht for both of us.
Phil's analysis and comment
Nice to hear from a teacher living in Chiang Rai because it's quite possibly my favorite place in the whole of Thailand. I certainly have an idea in the back of my mind to move there one day, in fact I sat down with my wife not long ago and we worked out how much it would cost to maintain a decent lifestyle, living in Chiang Rai, not working, and still enjoying a holiday or two abroad every year. We got the figure to about 85,000 baht a month but I can certainly see how Bob and Lom manage on about 60K - without the holidays abroad. Take care on those roads though Bob.
Martin
Working in: Nakhom Phanom
Monthly Earnings: 28,000
Q. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
A. 28,000
Q. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
A. 10,000
Q. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
A. Nothing. I live in a school house.
Q. What do you spend a month on the following things?
| a) Transportation | 100 baht gas for a motorcycle |
|---|---|
| b) Utility bills | About 200 baht (no air-con) |
| c) Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping | 7,000 |
| d) Nightlife and drinking | 2,000 - 4,000 |
| e) Books, computers | 1,000 (I have internet connection at home) |
Q. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
A. Comfortable, but I miss socialising with farang.
Q. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
A. Food.
Q. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
A. In Nakhon Phanom, 20,000bt to survive. I have satellite TV and play golf. Not a lot to spend your money on here, but it's nice and quiet and friendly. (by the way, native speaking science teacher required!)
Phil's analysis and comment
Martin enjoys his life out there in the rurals - but it certainly isn't for everyone. You surely wouldn't want to live in school digs forever and eventually the lack of things to do is going to wear you down ( I know plenty of teachers in that boat) But for now it sounds reasonable enough. He's saving a third of his salary and manages to get out on the golf course from time to time. It doesn't sound as though he goes hungry either. I'm sure 7,000 baht buys you plenty of grub in that part of the world. I bet Martin sinks his teeth into a nice Joe Blake whenever he feels like it
Christopher
Working in: Bangkok
Monthly Earnings: 70,000 - 75,000
Q. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
A. 70-75,000 per month (two jobs)
Q. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
A. 15,000 or more.
Q. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
A. 12,000 + 4,000 utilities & DSL. I rent a two bedroom townhouse about 1 km from a subway station.
Q. What do you spend a month on the following things?
| a) Transportation | 2-3,000 for work, plus more on the weekends. |
|---|---|
| b) Utility bills | 1,500 (I rarely use AC) |
| c) Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping | 10 - 15,000 |
| d) Nightlife and drinking | 2-3,000 |
| e) Books, computers | 2-3,000 |
Q. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
A. I'm comfortable
Q. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
A. Dining out.
Q. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
A. It really depends on your lifestyle. If you are single and eat Thai food, as little as 25,000 would be OK. If you are married, I'd say 40K would be your minimum. If you have kids, your costs will skyrocket!
Phil's analysis and comment
70-75,000 baht a month means a very comfortable standard of living in Bangkok but Chris did contact me to tell me that he was married with one stepson. I'm glad he said that because I would be surprised if a single guy earning 70,000+ was only putting 15,000 a month in the bottom drawer. Chris' other job by the way, is a proofreading and editing position that pays 25K a month on top of the 50K he gets from teaching. Sounds like there might be a lot of hours to work there but when you're married with children, those are the sacrifices you make I guess.
Darren
Working in: Bangkok
Monthly Earnings:
Q. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
A. 40,000 - 50,000 Baht
Q. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
A. About 5,000
Q. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
A. 8,000 Baht for a 1 bedroom apartment (living room and seperate bedroom) on the river.
Q. What do you spend a month on the following things?
| a) Transportation | 2000 |
|---|---|
| b) Utility bills | 1500 |
| c) Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping | 6000 |
| d) Nightlife and drinking | 0 |
| e) Books, computers | 1000 |
Q. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
A. We do pretty well, we are not living in luxury but we are not struggling either.
Q. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
A. Definitely the food, we can eat out everyday for under 200 Baht.
Q. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
A. If you are single, 25,000. Married I would not want to live on less than 35,000
Phil's analysis and comment
I think Darren would probably fall into the category of 'typical western teacher' in terms of lifestyle (apart from the fact he doesn't spend money on nightlife and the demon drink) He earns 40-50K a month, which is enough to get him a decent apartment and he seems to be doing OK. Saving 5,000 baht a month is better than nothing, but stuffing 60,000 baht a year under the mattress is never going to give you a golden retirement. One trip home every year and that little nest egg is wiped out in an instant. I don't know of Darren's plans but perhaps teaching in Thailand is something he only wants to do for a few years and that's perfectly OK.
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About Ajarn.com
Ajarn.com was started as a small hobby website in 1999 by Ian McNamara. It was a simple way for one Bangkok teacher to share his Thailand experiences and pass on advice. The website developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. In 2004, Ian handed over the reins to Phil Williams and 'Bangkok Phil' has run the ajarn website ever since.
Ajarn.com has grown enormously and is now the most popular TEFL site in Thailand - possibly even South East Asia. Although best-known for its vibrant jobs page, Ajarn has a wealth of articles, blogs, features and help and advice. But one principle has always remained at Ajarn's core - to tell things like they are and to do it with a sense of humor. Thailand can be Heaven or Hell for an English teacher. It's always been Ajarn.com's duty to present both sides of the equation. Thanks for stopping by.
