Ray
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 63,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I work at a large government school in Bangkok and my salary is 43,000. I earn another 20,000 baht a month from private students.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Between 20,000 and 25,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 10,000 baht a month for a condo with a full kitchen.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
No more than 500 baht. I live in walking distance to my school and to the places where I tutor.
Utility bills
1,100 baht.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
6,000 baht.
Nightlife and drinking
Nothing really.
Books, computers
About 1,000 baht.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Quite comfortable.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food and housing.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
About 40,000.
Phil's analysis and comment
A quickie from Ray that reads a little bit like an Excel spreadsheet. It's the details that make these surveys interesting I feel. The 6,000 baht a month that Ray spends on food? Given the fact he has a 'full kitchen' does Ray mostly cook at home? Is Ray to be found wandering around local markets chatting with the vendors and squeezing their ripe tomatoes? Why does Ray spend nothing on nightlife? Is it something he's given up on?
If anyone fancies doing a cost of living survey, I've now put the questions on-line to make it easier and quicker for you. Please spare half an hour if you can.
A number of teachers complete the surveys with just a list of figures. I don't wish to sound ungrateful but that's not really what we're looking for. There needs to be some sort of 'story' behind the figures as it were (it certainly makes the surveys more interesting to read) Many thanks!
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