Dan
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 85,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I earn 85,000 baht a month at an international school (this also includes a rent allowance)
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
In theory I could save about 20,000-30,000 baht a month but I never do. There always seems to be something I make a big expenditure on such as going on holiday, flights to the UK, new phone etc. Realistically I save 5,000 - 10,000 - and frequently nothing!
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I share a condo with my girlfriend, of which I pay 20,000 baht in the city centre. I know I could go cheaper but I am very comfortable and feel it is worth the money.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Including travel to work and various journeys at the weekend it's around 4,000 baht.
Utility bills
Around 3,000 a month for my share of electricity, high speed internet, TV package, land line and mobile phone package.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
This expense fluctuates a lot depending on other expenditures. If I have cash to spare, I will eat well at restaurants and order food in. Anything between 10,000 - 20,000 baht a month. This is an area I could certainly cut back on - but I love eating well!
Nightlife and drinking
It ties in with food as eating out is a big part of a night out for me. I don't drink all that much anymore and have just one or two big nights (getting drunk) a month. Maybe 2,000 - 3,000 on drinking not including food covered above.
Books, computers
It's hard to put a regular amount on this. Occasional necessities such as printer ink and the odd book. I frequently go to the cinema and will occasionly buy new clothes. Anything from 1,000 - 5,000 baht a month I suppose.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I feel quite lucky to have my standard of living. There is no chance I could live like this as a teacher in the UK! I have not had to really worry about my spending here, which makes life very comfortable.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
I think transport is ludicrously cheap, be it a taxi to work or a train down to the south of Thailand. In comparison to home it is extremely cheap in that regard.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I think in Bangkok you could survive on 30,000 baht. I've done it before - just about. I wouldn't want to do it for long though!
Phil's analysis and comment
I think one important piece of info missing from the survey above is whether or not Dan's girlfriend works and brings in a monthly salary. A working partner will always make life easier.
I can only go by the figures - and while 85K a month is a very good wage, it doesn't sound like Dan saves much money at all. His accommodation might appear expensive at first glance but it's still only 25% of his income. The other 75% goes on enjoying life!
Keep these cost of living surveys coming guys. You're doing a great job! Apart from the jobs page, this is the most popular section of the ajarn website. People love reading this information. And don't worry if you've sent me a survey and it's not on-line yet. I have it safe. I just like to space them out a bit.
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.
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