Graeme
Working in Samut Prakarn
Monthly Earnings 52,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
52,000
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
10-15,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
My rent is 7250 a month. I share a two bedroom apartment with a friend. It has a kitchen, two bathrooms, lounge, dining room, two bedrooms and a study + entrance hall.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
2,000
Utility bills
4,000
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
8,000
Nightlife and drinking
5,000 - 8,000
Books, computers
2,000
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I live very comfortably, but do worry about lack of financial security in the future.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food and clothes
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
For foreigners who are used to western standards of living I would estimate about 40,000 in Bangkok and 30,000 in rural areas
Phil's analysis and comment
I like the look of Graeme's numbers - I really do. It sounds like he lives in a really nice place, he spends quite a bit on the pleasures in life and he still sticks 10-15,000 in the bank every month. Like many teachers, Graeme worries about financial security in the future but if he's living for the now, then he's sure enjoying himself. I disagree with his inferring that 40,000 baht salaries will see you living in a shoebox. Again, it depends on your priorities.
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