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
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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.
