Every new arrival wants to know if they can survive or live well in Thailand on X thousand baht a month?
It's a difficult question because each person has different needs. However, the following surveys and figures are from teachers actually working here! How much do they earn and what do they spend their money on?. And after each case study, I've added comments of my own.
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Approximate Thai Baht (฿) conversion rates as of 23rd April 2024
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Mark
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 90,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I work at an international school and my salary is 90k baht. I don't take any private students because the extra time just isn't worth it for me.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I save about 50,000 a month, which may sound like a lot but I also have my fiancee's income. She is a Thai doctor and earns a very good salary (far more than I do) so together we put away a nice figure in the bank.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
We pay 40,000 a month for a condo in Asok.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I catch a motorbike taxi everywhere, not because I'm cheap but because it gets me everywhere fast, and my condo is right near my work place so I would say 1,500 a month on transport
Utility bills
Bills are quite a lot, mostly because I have subscriptions to a lot of streaming sport services, so I would say about 5,000 a month
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
This is the big one. My fiance loves to fine dine, so sometimes she will spend 3,000 baht just on one meal, but she usually grabs the cheque :) She knows I could eat noodles on the street. So personally I would say 40,000 a month.
Nightlife and drinking
Even thought I'm a locked down man now, I was a massive party guy up until last year, and I still feel the need to let loose at RCA, sometimes I could wax 5,000 a night. But these days I will usually only spend that once a month
Books, computers
I'm an avid reader but not really sure what I spend a month on books.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Awesome. I eat well (too well), I travel 2.5 months out of the year, and my students are a dream to teach, plus I only teach 15 periods a week. Just turned 30 this year and things are really looking up.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food. Food. Food.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
You could survive on 40,000 but what's the point? For me, I'd need at least 60,000 to make it worthwhile.
Phil's analysis and comment
We've finally unlocked the secret to it all - marry a doctor!
In the survey that Mark did, he said he spent 4,000 baht a month on food, but considering his missis can blow 3k on one meal just didn't stake up. I'm guessing he meant to write 40,000. That's a lot of money on food each month.
DJ
Working in Khorat Province
Monthly Earnings 30,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I earn 30,000 baht per month plus 3,000 baht goes towards my accommodation
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Since I've quit drinking alcohol, I can save at least 13,000 baht per month
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
My accommodation is 3,000 baht for one room in a two-bedroom house (other teacher pays 3,000 baht too). I have a a typical rural Thai kitchen and bathroom, living room and balcony.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
2,000 baht per month on bike rental and 1,000 baht on petrol. And around 300 baht per month on train and bus rides to the big city.
Utility bills
Around 300 baht for water and electricity
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I eat out everyday, breakfast and lunch at school is cheap, and I snack all the time so in the end I spend about 3,500 baht.
Nightlife and drinking
Not much nightlife here in my small town and I quit drinking alcohol about two months ago so now I spend no more than 200 baht on anything resembling nightlife (maybe a movie or 2 at the cinema in the city)
Books, computers
I recently spent 1,500 baht on 5 novels. I spend about 300 baht a month on Thai massages and sometimes a 1000 baht on clothes.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
My standard of living is pretty simple.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Definitely the food. And public transportation.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
Just to survive? 10,000 baht. (no bike, no alcohol - still may be some room to save)
Phil's analysis and comment
DJ also had this to say about his lifestyle
I'm not really fussy with what I spend my money on, my accommodations and food I eat etc. If I want to buy something I can, if it's expensive I save up for it for a month and then buy it. I have medical and accident cover with my agency too. I get to go to places every weekend, either on my bike or by bus. My house is just enough for me, a lot of people couldn't handle living in rural homes like I do. Living in the small towns is quiet and peaceful and food is cheap, I get to save a lot of money and spend it on mini-holidays to the mountains or beaches. Overall I'm content with life as its very easy and stress free here. Far away from any rushed hustle and bustle.
Just a quick word about salaries. I see a lot of jobs advertised as let's say 40,000 baht a month. Then when you delve into details, the salary is 35,000 baht and there might be an accommodation allowance of 5,000 baht. That to me is NOT a 40,000 baht salary. It might be a 40,000 baht package but to quote it as a 40K salary is misleading. A salary is all about how much folding you're holding at the end of the month.
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.
A number of teachers complete the surveys with just a list of figures. I don't wish to sound ungrateful but that's not really what we're looking for. There needs to be some sort of 'story' behind the figures as it were (it certainly makes the surveys more interesting to read) Many thanks!
Brian
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 65,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I earn 65,000 baht after tax at an "international school" in Bangkok
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
23,000
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 18,000 baht for rent, utilities and internet for an apartment on Sukhumvit
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I'll typically spend 2,200 on taxis, uber and BTS
Utility bills
It's included in my rent
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
I like good food, so I'll spend around 15,000 a month on food, coffee and vitamins
Nightlife and drinking
Not much here anymore. Only when company comes to town or a meeting with old chaps. Probably an average of 3,000 baht a month
Books, computers
1,000 baht a month on books. Roughly 500 a month to replace/repair electronics.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
It's a careful existence, yet comfortable enough.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Massage (legitimate), dentists, medical care, Uber taxis, tropical fruit, haircuts, cheap clothes, phone plans, internet. Basically, everything except imported goods and Western marketed services and products.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
In Bangkok, you wouldn't want anything less than 40,000 in my opinion
Phil's analysis and comment
Brian also had the following to add to the final question.
I personally wouldn't consider living here if I couldn't make less than 60,000 a month. It's not just about survival here; it's the future too. By working in Thailand, you are not paying into Western pensions and by being out of your country, you have to forgo even your basic state pension. Many teachers don't think about this. This is a major mistake.
I've known a few ESL teachers that have worked here for many years before finally going home with nothing: no marketable skills, savings, connections, or contributions to their state pension. As cheap as it is in Thailand, it costs a lot to live here in the long run. If you are not smart and somewhat careful, you could be screwing up your whole life by staying here.
Wise words from Brian methinks.
I've just come back from a trip to England and found myself several times getting into conversations about pensions. My uncle in his sixties has just one year left at work until he retires with a nice big fat pension that will look after him for the rest of his life. My brother is in a similar situation, albeit with 15 years still to do. And that got me thinking about long term English teachers in Thailand. Brian is absolutely right. You could find yourself going home with nothing if you're of a certain age and don't plan for the future. It must become a scary thought for many.
Bill
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 60,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I'm a director of studies at a language school and my salary is 60,000 baht a month.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
Zero
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 14,000 baht a month for a 3- bedroom townhouse in Bang Na
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
15,000 baht a month on car loan repayments, 6,000 baht a month for the diesel to take my daughter to school and go to and from work
Utility bills
Utility bills are usually around 3,500 baht / month for electricity and around 300 for water.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Around 10,000 baht for regularly eating American fast food and restaurants in shopping malls.
Nightlife and drinking
Around 6,000 baht a month on a weekly trip to Sukhumvit.
Books, computers
I don't spend anything on books and computers.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Unless you are a bachelor living in a shoe-box style room it isn't as good as my home country (the UK). Trying to live a Western lifestyle (houses, cars, food) means I would probably be better off elsewhere, but as my wife and child are from here, I'm not sure how to get out!
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Water bills
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
To have a family (including school fees and everything) I'd say at least 80,000 to survive. More if you want to save anything!
Phil's analysis and comment
I think Bill is the first director of studies that we've had fill in one of our cost of living surveys. He's the man who controls the teachers and probably looks after a lot more besides. You have my sympathy Bill. I had a director of studies job once upon a time and held the position for six months before resigning. I hated every minute of it! I couldn't wait to go back to being a plain old teacher again. The teachers earned more money than I did and they had far more freedom to come and go when they pleased. 'Director of Studies' might look good on your business card but as my wise old dad used to say - "titles on business cards don't pay bills"
Another thing my wise old dad used to say - and I remember his words when I finally passed my driving test - "a car will keep you poor". And he was right. I think in your case Bill, it's the car and the family combined. It sounds like you need to find a way to reach that magical 80,000 baht figure but it can be difficult when you have a full-time management position that takes up all your time and energy. Good luck to you though.
Leo
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 55,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I make 55,000 baht monthly from my full-time teaching job. I could make more money if I taught after school for about an hour but I don't. I'm pretty tired by the time school ends so I just go home.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I can save about 25,000 baht a month. I don't spend much on clothes or high tech items.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
Right now I spend 8K baht a month for a studio apartment next to the BTS train line. The 8,000 baht a month includes 2,000 for utilities such as electricity, wifi, water and a parking spot. The studio is pretty small for two people so I plan on moving out very soon.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
1,500 baht, It costs me about 50 baht to get to work and back. Taxis are so cheap here so I take one everywhere I go. Taxis, when shared, are much cheaper than taking the train line
Utility bills
2,000 baht a month - It's standard in my apartment. I know it sucks
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
10,000 baht a month. Lunch is free at my school. I always eat out for dinner. I eat out almost everyday, because its easy to do. I know I should eat at home more often because it's healthier but I usually get home too tired to cook
Nightlife and drinking
500 baht. I don't drink very often or go to any clubs. I'm not much of nightlife party person. Kinda lame I know, but that's just me
Books, computers
I just bought myself a new computer for about 28k baht but I normally don't do that of course. I normally spend about 500 baht on miscellaneous computer stuff. I don't normally buy books, I know I should but I haven't.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Extremely comfortable and simple. I eat anything I like without caring too much about the price. I'm not worried about not having money to pay for important bills like rent, transportation and food. All my needs are met here.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Transportation - taxis are incredibly cheap. Food - you can eat some delicious chicken with rice for about 1 US dollar. It does not get any better than that.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
25,000 - 30,000 baht a month, In my opinion all your needs are met with that amount of money every month. Housing, food and a little extra for whatever else you want.
Phil's analysis and comment
I don't think that 25-30k is enough in Bangkok so sorry to disagree with you there Leo. However you do sound like someone who wouldn't have much trouble surviving on that amount (only 500 baht a month on going out will certainly help)
Good point about sharing taxis. If you have three people travelling a short to medium distance, a taxi can work out half the price of the skytrain. Plus you are going door to door.
Free school lunch is always a decent benefit too. I know it probably isn't five-star cuisine but it's going to save you best part of a thousand a month. It all helps!
Showing 5 Cost of Living surveys out of 426 total
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