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.
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Ajarn Guests
Going Home
I possess ten years of classroom EFL teaching experience, plus a solid education, and this was the type of work available to me. There were many moments, such as when I was cleaning a toilet bowl, or when a housekeeper ordered me to do something, that frustration welled up inside me.
Teacher nightmares part two
More stories from teachers in Thailand who have found themselves in difficult situations often through no fault of their own. Can you offer them some good advice?
Fear of change?
In Thailand the government has set 2012 as English Speaking Year with a goal of encouraging students to converse in English every Monday. Such policies are useful but the major leap of enacting legislation to make English an official language for Thailand is also needed
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.
