Sammy
Working in Hat Yai
Monthly Earnings 32,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
My boyfriend and I both work at a government school and earn the same salary (32K)
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
10,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
We live in a 3-bedroom apartment (2.5 bedrooms would describe it better) and we pay 10,000 baht a month which includes wifi, pool, sauna and laundry facilities.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Scooter rental is 3,000 baht a month with fuel costing roughly 300 baht on top.
Utility bills
Water is cheap - the most we've paid so far is 70 baht and electricity usually comes to 800 / 900 (we hardly ever use the a/c as we're on the corner of the building so there's always a good breeze, however, the fan is on 24/7) We have gym memberships too, costing 1,100 each month
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Food varies - we cook and go out equally as much so I'd say about 7- 8,500 p/m. We've found a place that serves amazing Thai food for under 60 baht per meal so that's the usual spot. My boyfriend eats much more than me though so he probably spends about 11,000 or so p/m
Nightlife and drinking
Hmmm, we've made a few mistakes here and blown over 1,500 baht in a night (umm, each) so we're trying to limit it - but we enjoy the odd Chang with friends so I'd say about 1,000 baht per month.
Books, computers
I still have both from home but the boyfriend is into games so I guess he could easily spend over 2-3000 baht a month on those.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
It's really comfortable for us. We try save as much as possible to travel so sometimes it could be better but for now we're happy and are able to explore and eat well and do 'coupley' things like movies and picnics quite often.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Definitely the price of water! Thai food, scooter taxis (if you know how not to get ripped off) and market clothes / household items (we got a big fan, iron + ironing board, hangers and plates for 1,100 baht - something unheard of back home.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I would say no less than 32,000. I think if our accommodation was cheaper then it would be fine but after a while you need your own space, especially if it's a long-term venture. 40,000 baht would be awesome though.
Phil's analysis and comment
I think you're paying the perfect amount for accommodation. 64K a month coming in between you and your partner and just 10,000 of that going on what sounds like a very nice place. Sounds good to me.
I'm sure 64,000 baht a month affords a couple a very nice living in Hat Yai, which although a large city, doesn't have the temptations of Bangkok I'll bet.
Almost 20,000 baht a month on food though. My word, you guys must eat like kings! What are you eating when you're not at the 60 baht-a-meal Thai restaurant?
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