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Argofoto
Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia
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 Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:55 pm Post subject: Realistic Living Expenses in Bangkok |
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So I'm trying to run some numbers, and honestly none of it is encouraging.
I figure I should hopefully get a 35K salary for a start in May 2013.
Now that's about 1140 USD a month...
take away about 300USD for loans on my B.S.
I've looked online for some apartments but can't figure a consensus on what a studio would be in Bangkok, preferably near the NIST school.
for food expenses I will most likely go quite ascetic... mainly grains and vegetables as I don't eat meat or fish anyway.
I can go without alcohol
I'm not sure how much to take away for taxes, but at least if I will be here for hopefully 1.5-2 years, I should not have to worry about U.S. taxes...
I also plan on takin a TEFL course that will lead-in to the Master's, where the courses run for 44.5K Baht..... BUT, they are accredited by SUNY Buffalo, and New York is my home state, so I have a backup to go back to NY and complete the degree there while finding local work or shippin out somewhere for a short time...
I have a feeling it is pretty much impossible to sustainably go about this as the salary can not afford this... even if I could supplement my cash by doing online teaching which is about 8to10 USD an hour. If I don't go crazy doing teaching and studying at the same time from that alone.....
One good thing which I have been informed of, is that once you have 15 graduate credits, then you can work at a Thai Catholic school, which pays DOUBLE the 35K that I mentioned earlier.... This of course would help a lot! Otherwise, I will either end up paying for some courses on my credit card (an old APR rate that is thankfully not suicidal) or have to go back home and resume there....
In total I should have at least 10,000USD upon my arrival (in the bank)... Depending on how much I can sell my vehicles for... (I have a car, motorcycle, bicycle, longboard)
That's what an adventure is I guess, not knowing if it will work out! I am taking it all seriously of course.
So my question is how much can one expect to have to pay on rent, taxes, and food monthly, and then a small portion for "other" things?
Also, what is the salary norms at "Catholic" schools (and I have read the St. Francis Xavier school in Pakkret extensively so that place is out of the question) ? I have heard that the pay is roughly double the 35K baht a month I previously mentioned. IF you can get in of course, and that you specifically need at least 15 graduates credits in TEFL to get in as well... |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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You could get by on as little as 20k or starve on 60k.
On average, in the area you are talking about, a studio will cost you about 10k.
Utilities (electric, water, internet) and transportation) will run you another 5k.
Rent will run about 10k for a studio (you get get rooms for as little as 5 or as much as 30). You won't find anything on the internet and what you do find will be priced about double what you will find on the ground.
You can live on 35k but there won't be much left after paying off your loans.
ALSO be aware that banking will be problematic until you get a proper visa and work permit. You'd better figure out a way to deal with your banking at home from long distance.
Getting into a better paying job is based more on who you know, who knows you and what your classroom performance is like and much less on your paper qualifications (beyond what the school needs for you to get a visa, work permit or for their accreditation).
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btsmrtfan
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 193
Location: GPS Not Working
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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About banking, try Kasikornbank and you should have few hassles. Take your passport with you and know your complete address in Thailand.
It will cost you 500 baht to open the account and 400 baht for their Visa debit card that they will give you before you leave the bank.
Good luck! |
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MaiPenRai
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Location: BKK
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| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 1:24 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| One good thing which I have been informed of, is that once you have 15 graduate credits, then you can work at a Thai Catholic school |
Lots of Thai catholic schools. Many dont require any more than an original Bachelors degree, transcripts, letter of degree confirmation and maybe a criminal records check. The higher end (better paying) "International" schools will need a B.Ed/PGCE and probably want 2+ years experience. The mid range ones will want those quals, but may accept less if the timing and person are right.
| Quote: |
| Also, what is the salary norms at "Catholic" schools (and I have read the St. Francis Xavier school in Pakkret extensively so that place is out of the question) ? I have heard that the pay is roughly double the 35K baht a month I previously mentioned |
I wouldn't say that double is the norm. Been a while since I looked into it but I would guess that 35-50/mth would be closer to the norm for most Thai catholic schools. There are a few bigger/better catholic schools that will probably prefer a B.Ed and/or home country license, but will pay 50-60+++/mth. There may be a couple in this range that you heard about that may accept your Masters credits. Assumption can pay well for someone with your resume, although they tend to prefer CELTA certified teachers if no B.Ed/PGCE.
As mentioned by another poster, its who you know and timing.
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I'm not sure how much to take away for taxes |
On 35K/mth, Thai taxes will be minimal. First 150,000 (or so) p.a. tax free and then about 10% after that up to 500,000 p.a. So probably about 1000-2000 baht a month on that salary for a year. Depends on when you start obviously. I believe the Thai tax year is Jan-Dec. So if you start in April/May (when the school year starts), you wont pay much at all for year 1. Taxes may not even be an issue if you work at language school. If you have a work permit, you should be paying taxes and vice versa.
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Rent will run about 10k for a studio (you get get rooms for as little as 5 or as much as 30). You won't find anything on the internet and what you do find will be priced about double what you will find on the ground. |
Not really true at all. The big expat rental sites focusing on 30,000K/mth and up will have jacked up prices because they know that most of these are paid by large companies. But for your salary range, there are options to look at on the Internet which will at least give you some idea of what you will find for 3000-15,000 baht/mth. Saying it is double the price is ridiculous. Its not 1996. Its 2012, times are changing even in Bangkok.
Try www.9apartment.com for the cheaper end stuff (2-10,000/mth) and www.mrroomfinder.com for 5-20,000/mth baht range. mrroomfinder site is almost all posts from direct sellers. Few agents, so actual price (you can probably haggle for 10-20% of the listed price anyways, especially if signing a 1 year agreement). I think 9apartment is as well (not sure).
Expect to pay at least 1 month security deposit and some places ask for 2 month security deposit.
If you want easy access to NIST, try looking at places along the BTS line or even along the San Saeb Klong (canal-not river) as NIST is right off one the stops (Nana Chard I think). This will allow you to find much cheaper accommodation options. Along Ramkhamhaeng Road (follows canal) or at the far end of Sukhumvit on the BTS line.
Obviously, before renting anything, you should see the place in person, lots of pictures on these sites are years old. Kind of like the pics you see about Thai beaches that are from 15-20 years ago.
| Quote: |
| Getting into a better paying job is based more on who you know, who knows you and what your classroom performance is like and much less on your paper qualifications (beyond what the school needs for you to get a visa, work permit or for their accreditation). |
Quite true in most cases.
Keep in mind that you can always supplement your income by doing private classes (takes a couple months to find clients) or by taking an evening/weekend classes job part time (usually pay cash so no tax).
Good luck! |
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Argofoto
Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the info! I'm thinking of waiting another year to save up more cash... Seeing as the Master's I want to get is 13,000USD and the need to save an additional 5,000USD, I won't have all that on hand in April, so suppose I need to save another year... get some more practice instead.
Are there good chances of being hire in the Fall or is it early Spring pretty much the best time of year? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Argofoto wrote: |
Thanks for all the info! I'm thinking of waiting another year to save up more cash... Seeing as the Master's I want to get is 13,000USD and the need to save an additional 5,000USD, I won't have all that on hand in April, so suppose I need to save another year... get some more practice instead.
Are there good chances of being hire in the Fall or is it early Spring pretty much the best time of year? |
Best time is March to May.
There is a bit of a bump in hiring at the mid-year break in October (2nd term starts Nov 1).
The rest of the year is pretty flat with a noticeable slump from Dec-Feb. (end of the academic year).
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