David
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 100,000 baht
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I get 100,000 baht a month as a full time teacher at a mid-range international school.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
About 30,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 13,000 a month for a 2-bedroom condo in Dao Kanong.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I used to get taxis to and from work for 4,000 baht (not anymore as I am working from home.) Grab taxis to go downtown add up to another 2,000 ( this is less now as I am not really leaving home)
Utility bills
1,500 baht for electricity (it’s usually less when I am at work) 100 baht for water and 600 baht for the phone + internet.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Due to the pandemic, I am ordering in a lot more so anywhere between 5,000-6,000 baht on Grab Food/ Food Panda, otherwise I get breakfast and lunch at school. Shopping at Tops / Big C every fortnight comes to about 600-1,200 baht. I also spend about a thousand baht at 7-11 every few days, buying things I don’t need but just want. I can most definitely spend less on food but I choose to order from the more expensive restaurants, etc.
Nightlife and drinking
I used to go downtown (pre- lockdown) once a week. A night out with good wine and food typically cost about 2,000 baht. A staycation downtown for two nights at a fancy hotel costs 3-4 thousand baht. I used to do this once a month pre-lockdown days.
Books, computers
I buy a few books on kindle every time I go to the beach but that feels like a long time ago.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
My condo is small for the rent I pay. However, everything else is cheaper than back home.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food (if you eat local), hotel costs (you get some really good deals if you look around)
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
Anything above 50,000 baht is good, however you won’t be saving much and will have to go on budget holidays and eat and drink more locally. No wine or cheese from supermarkets for you.
Phil's analysis and comment
In terms of living costs, working from home creates a swings and roundabouts situation doesn't it? You probably spend more on food because you order more expensive delivery options and of course, your electricity bill is going to increase. But as we can see in David's case, he's saving a considerable amount of money by not taking taxis to and from work and he's not doing any socializing.
Submit your own Cost of Living survey
