Job Discussion Forums

jhp03319 · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Hong Kong

Is $26 000 american a good salary for Thailand? It seems really low to me. I have a PGCE, TEFL and a Montessori Diploma (not that the Montessori qualification counts for anything in the eyes of most international schools). I have five years experience in both ESL and Montessori.

Housing, airfare and shipping costs are paid for by the school.

Thanks for your reply,
Jen

RikkiHoon · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 9

Hi Jen,

26,000 US is a mid-range salary for an international school, especially considering your relevant experience - did the school take this into account?

If the school is paying for your airfare, relocation fees, accomodation etc. then the 88,260 baht per month (equivilent to 26,000 US) is easily enough to live on and save too, especially if the school is outside Bangkok.

Perhaps you would care to look at a reply I posted in an earlier thread where I talked about the varying salaries and benefits at international schools in Thailand. The initial post is entitled Interrnational Schools in Bangkok.

Good Luck.

RikkiHoon

alejoviaje · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 9

o.k but what about the a 26, ooo salary WITHOUT the airfare tthe accomodation and all of that, is this still a reasonable salary what kind of lifestyle could one enjoy/suffer?

alejoviaje · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 9

I mean 26, ooo baht NOT US $

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

alejoviaje weites, "I mean 26,000 baht NOT US $."

That changes everything. You'll be just another low-paid ESL teacher. Get used to Ma-ma noodles for breakfast, kueh tiao for lunch, and maybe a small Beer Chang with your khao phad in the evening. Get used to interminable bus rides. Forget getting the latest bestsellers at Asia Books and start perusing the second-hand stalls at Chatuchak Market.

You might do better up-country (maybe a big bottle of Beer Chang with that khao phad).

26,000 baht is doable, but you had better accept that you will have a very modest and low-key lifestyle.

alejoviaje · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 9

I heard of the phenomenon of farangs who get "economically" trapped
in Thailand meaning they cannot afford to leave it. How does this happen and how could one avoid that?

barr43 · Joined: 05 Jun 2003 Posts: 11 Location: Qatar

I spent three years in Bangkok teaching at a university. The salary was Bhat 25,000 which included Bhat 8,000 for housing.

Farangs can get economically trapped in Thailand if they don't watch their satangs/Bhat and/or don't have enough cash behind them to leave when they decide to go.

How do you avoid this? Think ahead. There is a tomorrow, so plan for it. Either have cash on hand before you go (and keep it in the bank outside of Thailand, in a favorite sock or whatever), or save while you're there (which on Bhat 26,000/month will be tough to do).

Still, Thailand was a very interesting place - but money wise, forget it.

Best of luck!

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

*****

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

alejoviaje · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 9

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Someone apparently didn't appreciate my warped sense of humour. Rolling Eyes

Sorry 'bout that, mate. Embarassed

JezzaYouBeauty!! · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 86

This is my first ever message on Dave's forums. Just when I saw the figure 26,000 US....It looked very sweet. I worked at an international school. It was 1000 per month for me. But I was a complete beginner with no experience. But in Thailand, a couple of grand a month, is a very chunky salary compared to your average Thai Joe Blow. That's my 2 cents.....

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550