Jennifer
Working in Bangkok (Phrakhanong to be exact)
Monthly Earnings 68,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
I earn 68,000 baht a month in total. My full-time teaching job at a bilingual school pays me 55,000 baht. I supplement that with private tutoring in the evenings, which brings in around 8,000 baht, and I also teach an IELTS prep class on Saturday mornings for an extra 5,000 baht. It’s a mix of steady school work and a few side jobs to top things up.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
I usually manage to save about 10,000 to 12,000 baht each month. After covering rent, utilities, food, and transport, I’m careful with my spending but still allow myself some small treats. Saving isn’t always easy in Bangkok, but with a bit of discipline, it’s definitely possible.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I rent a one-bedroom condo near Phra Khanong BTS for 15,000 baht a month. It’s not a luxury penthouse, but it’s modern and comfortable, with enough space for me to work from home when needed. The building has a pool and gym, though I’m more likely to use the pool to cool off after a hot day than actually exercise. Being close to the BTS makes getting around the city much easier, and the neighborhood has plenty of cafes and markets within walking distance. It’s a good balance between affordability and convenience - not fancy, but definitely a step up from shared apartments or older units further out.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I spend about 1,200 baht a month on BTS rides to and from school, which is my main mode of transport during the week. I don’t have a car or motorbike, so I rely on public transit and occasionally use Grab taxis when I’m running late or it’s raining. Those Grab rides add around 500 baht more each month.
Utility bills
My utility bills usually come to around 2,600 baht a month. Electricity runs about 1,800 baht because I use the air-con a lot. Bangkok summers are brutal. Water is fairly cheap, around 200 baht, and my internet costs about 600 baht for a reliable high-speed connection. I try to keep my usage reasonable, but comfort comes first when the temperature hits 35°C.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I spend roughly 10,000 to 12,000 baht a month on food, splitting time between cooking at home and eating out. I usually do a weekly supermarket shop for basics like fresh veggies, meat, and snacks, which costs around 5,000 to 6,000 baht. The rest goes on meals at local restaurants, street food stalls, and the occasional splurge at nicer places or cafés. Bangkok’s food scene is pretty varied, so I can eat well without breaking the bank, but I do enjoy the convenience of ordering delivery now and then.
Nightlife and drinking
I usually spend around 3,000 to 4,000 baht a month on nightlife and drinking. That might mean a few beers with friends at a local bar, the occasional night out at a nicer spot, or a couple of cocktails when I’m celebrating something. I’m not a party animal, but I like having the option to unwind without worrying about the cost too much. It’s enough to enjoy the social scene without going overboard.
Books, computers
I don’t spend much regularly on books - mostly digital versions or borrowing from the school library. When I do buy, it’s usually once or twice a year and maybe around 2,000 baht total. As for computers and tech, I keep things simple. I have a decent laptop that’s lasted me a couple of years, so I only set aside money occasionally for upgrades or accessories, maybe 1,000 baht a month averaged out. Nothing fancy, but reliable enough for teaching and staying connected.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I’d say my standard of living in Bangkok is comfortable. I have everything I need, some nice extras, and enough financial breathing room to enjoy life without stress.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
For me, a real bargain is street food. You get delicious, fresh meals for 40 to 60 baht that can easily beat anything I’d pay for in a café or restaurant. It’s tasty, quick, and won’t blow my budget.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
To survive in Bangkok, I’d say you need at least 40,000 to 45,000 baht a month to cover basic rent, food, transport, and utilities without too much scrimping. Below that, life gets pretty tight, and you’re likely cutting corners on things like eating out or leisure.
Phil's analysis and comment
Despite a decent income of 68K a month, I wonder if Jennifer is truly living within her means. I'd be interested what others think.
Fifteen thousand a month on rent alone in Phra Khanong is nothing to scoff at - that’s already a big chunk of her paycheck. Then factor in 10-12K on food, 2,600 baht for utilities, around 1,700 for transport, plus the occasional splurge on nightlife and coffee. Suddenly, that 68K looks a lot less like luxury and more like a careful juggling act.
Jennifer’s tutoring and weekend classes are her financial lifelines - without those extra 13,000 baht or so, her lifestyle would be closer to “surviving” than “comfortable.” Yet this is the reality for many Bangkok teachers who think a “good salary” means a fancy condo and plenty of free time. Nope. It means working evenings, weekends, and squeezing every baht to keep the balance.
Jennifer is not overspending out of greed, she’s spending to maintain a lifestyle that’s just within reach. That's kind of how it feels to me.
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