Graham
Working in Nakhon Pathom
Monthly Earnings 30,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
The 30,000 baht I earn each month comes entirely from my full-time job at a private language program within a Thai school. I don’t get any extra for overtime or clubs, and unfortunately, I haven’t been able to pick up any private students. Parents around here either want a younger teacher or just aren’t that interested. I’ve looked into online teaching, but most platforms require a degree or TEFL, so I’ve had no luck there either. So for now, it’s just the base salary - no extras, no perks, just enough to scrape by.
Nakhon Pathom is not exactly a tourist hotspot, but it’s affordable and relatively laid-back. I ended up here because it was one of the few places that would take me on without a degree or TEFL. The school’s nothing fancy, but they gave me a shot, and that’s more than I can say for a lot of places I applied to when I first arrived.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
Realistically? On 30,000 baht a month, I can’t save much, if anything at all. Most months, I’m just trying to stay afloat. After paying for rent, food, transport, and basic bills, I’m lucky if I’ve got a couple of thousand baht left over, and even that usually disappears if something unexpected comes up, like a trip to the clinic or some visa-related costs. It’s not a sustainable set-up and I’m well aware of that - but I’m doing what I can to hang in there, because I love Thailand!
Q3. Was this some sort of mid-life crisis or was teaching something you really wanted to do?
To be honest, it was a bit of both. I wouldn’t call it a full-blown mid-life crisis, but I definitely hit a point where I felt stuck back home - divorced, between jobs, nothing really going anywhere. I’d always liked the idea of living abroad, and teaching seemed like a way to make that happen. Turns out, it’s not as simple as just showing up and getting a job. I’ve come to respect the profession a lot more since being here, but yeah, if I’m honest, part of this move was about hitting the reset button and trying to find some meaning or direction in the second half of life.
Q4. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 4,500 baht a month for a small studio apartment in an old Thai-style block near the school. It’s nothing fancy - just a single room with a basic bed, a ceiling fan, a tiny bathroom, and a little balcony where I do my laundry. There's no kitchen, so I eat out most of the time or grab a cheap takeaway. The building’s a bit worn down, and there’s no lift or security, but it’s quiet enough, and the landlord doesn’t bother me. At this point, it’s all I can really afford, and honestly, I’m grateful to have a roof over my head that doesn’t eat up half my salary.
Q5. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I spend about 1,000 baht a month on transportation - mostly fuel for my old second-hand motorbike and the occasional songthaew or bus when needed.
Utility bills
My utility bills come to around 800–1,000 baht per month and that includes electricity, water, and the occasional top-up for mobile data.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I spend around 4,000 to 5,000 baht a month on food. Since my apartment doesn’t have a kitchen, I mostly rely on cheap street food and local restaurants, which are pretty affordable here. I usually eat simple meals like fried rice, noodles, or grilled chicken. I do occasionally buy snacks, instant noodles, and drinks from the supermarket, but mostly I eat out because it’s easier and often cheaper than cooking for one.
Nightlife and drinking
I don’t spend much on nightlife or drinking - maybe around 1,000 baht a month if I go out with friends for a beer or two. Mostly, I prefer quiet evenings at home to save money.
Books, computers
I usually spend very little on books - maybe 200 baht a month for Kindle reads. For computers and tech, I don’t have any regular expenses right now; I mostly use my phone and a basic laptop I brought from home.
Q6. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
My standard of living is modest but comfortable enough to get by while enjoying the simple pleasures Thailand offers.
Q7. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
A real bargain here is definitely street food . You can get a full, tasty meal for 30 to 50 baht, which is hard to beat anywhere else. Also, motorbike fuel is cheap compared to back home, and basic accommodation like my studio apartment is surprisingly affordable.
Q8. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
Living outside the big cities and the toursit traps, I’d say around 20,000 to 25,000 baht a month is the minimum needed to cover basic living expenses like rent, food and transport without too much stress.
Phil's analysis and comment
I'd take a guess, Graham, that you're probably in your fifties. All I can say is I hope that you've got some savings behind you because while your current modest lifestyle is OK for now, it's just not sustainable in your old age - and you surely know that. Trust me Graham, and I'm speaking from personal experience, Thailand's landscape looks very different when you hit 60. Graham needs to develop an entrepreneurial spirit because the private students and perhaps even a bit of corporate work are out there. You can't sit in the corner of a coffee shop nursing a latte and saying "yeah, English teaching, I've been there, it's a tough racket" You've got to get out there and make things happen.
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