Craig
Working in Surat Thani
Monthly Earnings 30,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I've had lots of expenditures recently, and this school term has been crap. For the first two months of term I was only earning 10,000 baht a month, made it up to about 15,000 depending on the reliability of the students in my private classes. Thankfully I now have a full timetable again, so I can now earn up to about 30,000 depending on private classes. I do a deal with local schools - 40hrs a month for 10,000 baht. I also unfortunately have an agent that hooks me up with work from time to time.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Last term I was able to save all my salary and just use the money from private classes to live on (the good old times). Sadly for the rest of this term I would say nothing, and all of February's salary will be used up when I go to Bangkok to study in the holidays. Surviving in Bangkok with 25,000 for a month or so should be interesting, maybe I'll stay at a nearby temple to lower costs, lol.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I don't pay anything, I stay with a very nice Thai family that have taken me in and accepted me as one of their own. My Thai mum is on the local government, and dad is a retired soldier. The house is lovely and is located in a quiet village surrounded by rubber and palm plantations as far as the eye can see. My room has everything I need; big comfy bed, wardrobe, fan and the bathroom has a hot shower fitted (heaven).
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I get about a bit on my scooter popping in town to see the Mrs, so I'd say about 5-800 baht in petrol a month.
Utility bills
No utility bills but university fees are 3,000 baht a month.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
At school its free and if I'm at home it costs me nothing, mum insists on feeding me plenty of lean pork in curry with veg, etc (heaven again). But it does cost me when I'm out with the Mrs, so I'll say anything from 1-3000 baht a month depending on funds.
Nightlife and drinking
I did one of these cost of living surveys before when I lived in Donsak which was an hour and half ferry ride away from Koh Samui, I'm glad to say I no longer blow thousands of baht pissing it up on Koh Samui. Life is a lot quieter now and I just focus on training and uni work. But I'll give myself a drinking budget just in case - 1,000 baht sounds fine.
Books, computers
Easier to download books now, but recently had to replace my laptop which set me back 35,000.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Unpredictable, but otherwise one of the most comfortable hobos in Thailand.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Live here long enough and very little seems a bargain.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
30-35,000 is comfortable for me away from the bright lights.. But I don't think money should be the only factor here, I can survive with very little if I have to, this is due to the support from a really great group of Thai friends/family and also a great supporting family back home. Narcissistic traits may also come in handy when being away from your family for years at a time.
Phil's analysis and comment
Craig describes himself as 'one of the most comfortable hobos in Thailand'. Hmmm, I don't think this kind of existence is for everyone and it certainly isn't one for me. At the back of my mind would always be the nagging question - "well, how long can I reasonably be expected to do this for?" I think Craig's biggest problem is the lack of stability in his teaching jobs. I don't know what the job market is like down in Surat Thani but there must be something available which would guarantee him a more reliable income. It's tough surviving as a teacher anywhere if one month you're earning 30K and then you find youself down to 10-15K the next. Living in rural Thailand might be cheaper than living in a big city but 10-15K ain't going to cut it anywhere. No sir!
They sound like a very nice Thai family who take care of him though.
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