Job Discussion Forums

[rbos]

It looks like I'm being offered a position for 30,000 bahts + a free accomodation + medical insurance of some kind. But, I'm a recent college grad and have ~$182 in debt (+ more in deferment that I'm not too worried about at the moment) that I'm paying back each month.

-Could someone help me understand how feasible living on this salary would be? So far, its unknown whether I will be in Bangkok or out in the provinces (a TESOL certificate company is basically promising to guarentee a job placement for me once I finish the course, for the above listed salary)

-Also, could someone please give me a breakdown of the cost of living expenses for Bangkok vs the provinces (e.g. utilities, food, local travel expenses, eating out at a local restaurant once a week, cinema once a week, monthly cell phone service + likely long distance fees to the US to call family, cost of getting a haircut, cost of doing laundry, local gym membership, and anything else you can think of that would be important). *I doubt I'll have enough for all the above mentioned things-but I'm really just trying to get a feel for how much things would cost.

-Also, if I end up in the provinces, my goal will be to make it to Bangkok and back once a week (on the weekend), and so if someone could approximate how much it might cost for me to travel, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

[roguegrafix]

30K plus accommodation does not sound like Bangkok. So you'll probably be up-country where things are much cheaper (haircuts 60 baht for example). Servicing roughly a 6,000 baht debt per month would be feasible if you don't drink and don't go to Bkk once a week. If you cannot adapt to country life (i.e everything in Thai, no or very few westerners, little English conversation, no western food/fast food, music, tv etc etc), it could be difficult for someone so young. I don't think the money will be too much of a problem, I think your mental attitude could be. I'm not trying to dissuade you -- I wouldn't work in Bkk again -- but it is pretty much in the deep end. If you are sent to Bkk then 30K would mean like living in a monastry and servicing your debt would be out of the question IMO. Good luck.

[tttompatz]

^^^ What he said.

Up country it is doable PROVIDED you are not drawn to the big city lights.
A weekend trip into the city will cost you b5000+ by the time the dust settles (not including the adult distractions like Nana or Soi cowboy).

In BKK and servicing your debt would be impossible on those wages.

.

[Skyblue2]

It's a pretty small debt, but would eat up a relatively large amount of your disposable income in the LOS. Why don't you go someplace where you can easily save more than that each month and then pay down your debt and save a bit of money before moving?

[roguegrafix]

A couple more things re your inquiry: Living in the countryside vs Bkk: I estimate that the countryside is about a third as expensive as Bkk. You can live quite well on 200 baht per day (that's sans beers). You eat out ALL the time as it's so cheap. On 400 baht per day, that gives you food and 3-4 big bottles of beer (depending on your brand). Of course this will vary depending on your preferences. In BKK, 1,000 baht does not go far hence I agree with that estimate of a weekend trip.

Rent varies from place to place but expect to pay 3-5,000 for a townhouse per month cf (and here I'm guessing) 8,000-15,000 plus for Bkk. In the countryside you'd buy yourself a cheap motorbike cf taxis / hot sweaty buses in Bkk.

I'm not talking about Pattaya, Phuket or Chiang Mai on those prices. Perhaps someone who lives in Bkk might be able to give more realistic / up-to-date prices for the big mango. But again, it's really a mental thing to live in the countryside.

[MaiPenRai]

TBO, its a bit of a myth that Bangkok is more expensive than the "provinces". Plenty of Thais get by on 10-20,000 baht per month in Bangkok and are able to go out as well...BUT

The other truth is that Bangkok offers so many "distractions" and ways to spend your money that it is near impossible for a new foreigner to get by on 24,000/month in Bangkok. You can find apartments in BKK for 3-5,000 baht/month but they will be a box and will not be in the city center.
Also, transport will cost a lot more unless you fancy riding a non-A/C bus for 2-3 hours everyday. It is really hard to pass Western restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, theaters, western pubs and bars, etc. etc. and not spend some money.

Basic food costs the same everywhere. Utilities are basically the same everywhere. Cheap clothes can be found everywhere. Cheap beer can be found everywhere.

Most non tourist cities shut down (save 1-2 bars/clubs) by 9:00 at night so not many options to spend money in these places.

Either way, if you make less than 30,000 in Thailand, you will live a simple lifestyle.

ALl in all , I would not suggest living in Bangkok unless you make at least 35,000/month. 40-45,000 and you can have a good time. 50,000+ and you can enjoy life and save as well.

Anywhere you live, you should be able to get extra work doing private classes if you are sociable and make some contacts (and are a good teacher). Make an extra 5-10,000/month working a couple nights a week.

I strongly second the comment that a weekend in Bangkok will run you 5,000 at least. I mean you are going to the city to have fun and get away from the monotony of the country life so you will be spending money.

[rbos]

I wanted to update you all on where they want to place me. The school would be in Ban Phe, Rayong, Thailand. Also, I don't drink alcohol at all, and so I wonder how much that would save me based on your figures. In addition, as far as weekend trips to Bangkok, I was thinking more on the lines of merely going to my church each Sunday (which is located in Bagkok) and then coming back; but I don't plan on spending money while I would be in BKK. How much do you think a trip to Bangkok and back from Ban Phe might cost without spending money on any entertainment, etc.?

Also, does anyone know how much living expenses in Ban Phe would compare to the living expenses you have outlined so far in your previous posts?

Also, as far as the accomodation, it looks like they might be offering just a 3,000 baht compensation for rent (in addition to the 30,000 baht salary) which has me worried-because 3,000 baht = just over US $100, if I've converted the currency correctly. Is that even realistic to find rent in Ban Phe, Rayong for this cheap?

-Thanks

[Nuolan]

A room in Ban Phe can be had for 3,000 baht, but this won't cover your utilities... I'd be skeptical if you could find a room with an A/C this cheap.

To get to Ko Samed it's required to stop off in Ban Phe as this is where the ferry service is located. The bus from Bangkok to Rayong was around 200 baht if I remember correctly. After hanging around Rayong for a bit, it was 25 baht to take a van-truck to Ban Phe. Same price going back.

Ban Phe is, obviously, a lot smaller than Bangkok. Your transportation costs will be minimal. The food prices don't seem much different as far as Thai food goes. I can't comment on western food prices.

[ScottishGringo]

[jumpamonkey]

Everything is negotiable. Ask for 38-42k baht and see how they respond. I got wildly varying offers but ended up taking the lowest one because it was only 15 hours per week. Find out how many teaching hours in classrooms you'll do. How many additional hours onsite? What about front door duty greeting arrivals every morning? Lesson plans? Are you teaching kids? Do you have to actually fill out their lesson assignments for them if they don't do the work so mommy and daddy see what a good job junior is doing in your class? How many weekends of service will you do? What's the overtime pay if any? How much time off do you get and when? These are just some of the things to think about before you even get started on whether you can survive on the pay.