Many expats live in Thailand on less than 45,000 baht a month

[Odysseus123]

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I won't pay more than 30bht for a coffee.

Coffee shops are an awful waste of money, I always think they are filled with bored people who think spending money is a way to fill their empty life. I guess if you have to live in a condo it's a way of getting out, but I'd rather have a cup of tea at the table in my front garden.

Snap!

 

There's one born every minute..(Emoji for laughing one's guts out)

[tingtongtourist]

2 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

Not sure if you missed my sarcasm or I'm missing yours but let's cut the bolox... The only reason guys don't leave 800K in the bank is because they can't afford to do so

 

No shame in that, but no need to call us guys who do/can "Brain Dead" or worse... 

 

 

Totally agree.

And theres probably a few like me, who put 800k in the bank a few years ago when exchange rate was 20-30% higher.

 

Ask them again who is the brain dead one.

5555

[tingtongtourist]

Living on 45k per months is quite doable actually in Thailand.

for easy rough example..

rent: 15k/month. include power+ water

daily expenses: 1000 per day give or take. 

 

nothing about being a cheap charlie.

I can afford to go buy pizza and red wine everyday but just dont feel the need.

 

[Fred white]

11 hours ago, Max69xl said:

Don't you have to register your marriage and also get a thai marriage certificate from your wife's amphoe (district office)?

I'm not sure we had a certified true copy of our marriage certificate. Unless they change the savings amount I ok like it is

[Max69xl]

23 minutes ago, tingtongtourist said:

Totally agree.

And theres probably a few like me, who put 800k in the bank a few years ago when exchange rate was 20-30% higher.

 

Ask them again who is the brain dead one.

5555

Exactly!

[Max69xl]

1 minute ago, Fred white said:

I'm not sure we had a certified true copy of our marriage certificate. Unless they change the savings amount I ok like it i

I do think you need a Thai marriage certificate + a lot of other stuff. But when you have it,you just need >400k in the bank. Do you need a better reason than that? Just Google it. 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, tingtongtourist said:

Living on 45k per months is quite doable actually in Thailand.

for easy rough example..

rent: 15k/month. include power+ water

daily expenses: 1000 per day give or take. 

 

nothing about being a cheap charlie.

I can afford to go buy pizza and red wine everyday but just dont feel the need.

 

 Monthy spend

 

900 lecky and water

600 Mrs Owl's new handbag and shoes

120 Daughter's ice creams and other treats

 40 Mrs Owl's treats

400 catfood

1600 fish food

1100 pick up fuel

100  m/c fuel

120 lao khow

600 food and drink (me)

400 food and drink (family)

250 buddha donations

450 gas bottle

1500 set aside for visa

1500 set aside for farm work

1300 set aside for MinL's insurance

1350 another MinL insurance

1200 set aside for daughter's school expenses

1000 bus expenses for school

800 daughter's school spend

250  set aside for wife's insurance

3200 wife's lottery transactions

500 house maintenance

300 wash bed clothes (sheets etc)

600 internet and tv

100 medicine

100 village rubbish collection

  20  clothing (me)

300 clothing (family)

200 kitchen stuff

200 bathroom stuff

300 other household stuff

5000 set aside for unexpected

6600 monthly debt repayments

 

Grand total 33000

 

Right at the moment I'm just about OK. If the baht to pound goes down to 28 then something will have to go. Start on wife's lottery I think (big fight over that). Take the daughter out of school and teach her myself. But I reckon I'll be forced out before then. Insurance on the horizon. And this 'shop a farang' will gather momentum (best I save for the fines).

 

 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2019 by owl sees all

[jaffas21]

On 8/5/2018 at 9:16 AM, coulson said:

Didn't know 7/11 paid so well

graduate government teachers are on 15k with a degree, bank workers are supposed to be on around 20-25k according to what i hear, but I hear about lot richer ones. seven eleven workers would on 12 max, unless they are doing overtime id say

 

that is rubbish about newly graduated thais on 25k, a reasonable percentage of non native english teachers are on less than 25

[Odysseus123]

28 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 Monthy spend

 

900 lecky and water

600 Mrs Owl's new handbag and shoes

120 Daughter's ice creams and other treats

 40 Mrs Owl's treats

400 catfood

1600 fish food

1100 pick up fuel

100  m/c fuel

120 lao khow

600 food and drink (me)

400 food and drink (family)

250 buddha donations

450 gas bottle

1500 set aside for visa

1500 set aside for farm work

1300 set aside for MinL's insurance

1350 another MinL insurance

1200 set aside for daughter's school expenses

1000 bus expenses for school

800 daughter's school spend

250  set aside for wife's insurance

3200 wife's lottery transactions

500 house maintenance

300 wash bed clothes (sheets etc)

600 internet and tv

100 medicine

100 village rubbish collection

  20  clothing (me)

300 clothing (family)

200 kitchen stuff

200 bathroom stuff

300 other household stuff

5000 set aside for unexpected

6600 monthly debt repayments

 

Grand total 33000

 

Right at the moment I'm just about OK. If the baht to pound goes down to 28 then something will have to go. Start on wife's lottery I think (big fight over that). Take the daughter out of school and teach her myself. But I reckon I'll be forced out before then. Insurance on the horizon. And this shop a farang will gather momentum (best save for the fines).

 

 

 

 

Yes-my do-able expenditure was 60,000 Baht per month but my comfort level was 80,000.

 

At the end of the day everyone survived and hopefully prospered..Thailand did okay by me..

 

 

Edited August 24, 2019 by Odysseus123

[bkk6060]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I won't pay more than 30bht for a coffee.

Coffee shops are an awful waste of money, I always think they are filled with bored people who think spending money is a way to fill their empty life. I guess if you have to live in a condo it's a way of getting out, but I'd rather have a cup of tea at the table in my front garden.

 

And If you are smart about it you can get 3 teas from one bag.

[Max69xl]

58 minutes ago, jaffas21 said:

graduate government teachers are on 15k with a degree, bank workers are supposed to be on around 20-25k according to what i hear, but I hear about lot richer ones. seven eleven workers would on 12 max, unless they are doing overtime id say

 

that is rubbish about newly graduated thais on 25k, a reasonable percentage of non native english teachers are on less than 25

Who was talking about English teachers? That's not considered a good job in Thailand,unless we're talking university. Salaries for a newly graduated Thai depends on where you're staying. In BKK a newly graduated accountant can get 30k a month. An experienced foreigner a lot more. A bank clerk doesn't earn a lot,you need to work at least in customer service. The manager has probably an ok salary,even a branch manager. Out of ~64 million people, there's a very very low percentage with s salary above 40k/month. The percentage of people doing tax returns is very low. Google it and you'll see. I read somewhere that about 5-10% of the Thai people owns 90% of the money. 

[Peterhua]

53 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Yes-my do-able expenditure was 60,000 Baht per month but my comfort level was 80,000.

 

At the end of the day everyone survived and hopefully prospered..Thailand did okay by me..

 

 

Nail on the head there. 60/80k if you're supporting a Thai family but for those of us who choose not to do that, 45k is plenty

[Thechook]

On 8/22/2019 at 4:52 AM, georgegeorgia said:

45,000 baht a month , many pensioners live on less than this in Australia 

Exactly I think they are living on around 23.2k baht per month

 

[tabarin]

6 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Dude ya seem like a wonderful guy and am glad u are happy, but having seen 4800 baht studios please don't try to convince us it's livable.

And please define central BKK. 

But hey prove me wrong.

Loads of studios at that rate even close to Ratchada soi 4 etc. (10B motobike taxi to MRT, malls etc) or even on Sukhumvit 22 ish / Rama 3 + near there.
Those can be on a 5th floor, overlooking green trees and nature, quiet, with a balcony + sink for cooking.

Inside you can repaint the walls or even do a cool wallpaper, put a nice wooden laminate floor in (total maybe 7k baht investment), 
AC is available too. You would be surprised how nice it can look and be, that is totally up to the person renting.

That is also the magic of low rent, you can afford to spend on making it look nice and not have to care to leave it behind either.
I think you are just used to seeing those rented by Thais, they don't care about any of that and then it gives a entirely different impression.

Give me a 20K budget on a 4K room and I make it look better than those over valued 20K shoe boxes. 

Edited August 24, 2019 by tabarin

[Jadam]

On 8/5/2018 at 9:05 AM, rooster59 said:

Many people would see this as subsistence level for living alone - let alone taking care of a Thai girlfriend, wife and kids.

45k is plenty if you're outside Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.  For 4 years I got by on 15k per month after I paid my tuition AND I still had enough money for a few beers every now and then.  If Thais can get by on 10-15k, why is it considered "poverty" for furang to be making 45k?

 

[Nyezhov]

8 hours ago, Number 6 said:

Is 600m from MRT and 150m from a huge main artery of the city central enough for you? I'm prolly more in central BKK than you honestly. Takes me 7 minutes to get to Sukhhumvhit.

 

I've been here eight years. Every time we think about moving we just stay put. Crappy 20k condos offer the exact same space, less the amenities add some crappy gym. Add some bs landlord not wanting to hassle fixing things, refunding deposits or TM30. Up to you.

 

 

 

 

Dude get defensive much?

 

I'm in phra khanong and I don't consider Phra Kanong " central". 

 

7 mins to Asoke BTS means (if I recall my timing) Phra Ram 9 or khlong toey. I personally wouldn't live in either area even in a crappy condo

 

Got a pool and all that do u? What makes a condo in general " crappy" vis a vis your palace?

 

 

 

 

 

[Nyezhov]

4 hours ago, tabarin said:

Loads of studios at that rate even close to Ratchada soi 4 etc. (10B motobike taxi to MRT, malls etc) or even on Sukhumvit 22 ish / Rama 3 + near there.
Those can be on a 5th floor, overlooking green trees and nature, quiet, with a balcony + sink for cooking.

Inside you can repaint the walls or even do a cool wallpaper, put a nice wooden laminate floor in (total maybe 7k baht investment), 
AC is available too. You would be surprised how nice it can look and be, that is totally up to the person renting.

That is also the magic of low rent, you can afford to spend on making it look nice and not have to care to leave it behind either.
I think you are just used to seeing those rented by Thais, they don't care about any of that and then it gives a entirely different impression.

Give me a 20K budget on a 4K room and I make it look better than those over valued 20K shoe boxes. 

Dude I didn't come here to paint and decorate and have to take a motosai to transit. U seem defensive too.

It's ok to be frugal. I am. But don't begrudge the hoi polloi.....

 

[bwpage3]

11 hours ago, Number 6 said:

Whatever. You looking for a prize for spending your money? My point is while I have sufficient funds in the US and bank three times what I spend in Thailand alone - we are content. You have well strayed off topic.

 

Dividing walls are ridiculous in small places especially living alone. They cut precious air circulation from the windows. I understand your ocd desire to compartmentalize but Thai design under 40sqm does not support this imo.

 

I don't need all that stupid stuff you mention and if I did I'd go buy a gym membership rather than suffer whatever the condo tossed at me. Not to mention the poor financial decision of owning one in the first place or the poor life choice of setting into Bangkok for ones retirement.

 

Im 3 minutes from 711 and 7 minutes from Max Value. Ten minutes from one of the largest open markets left in BKK. 15 minute walk to Big C. Ten mins to MRT.

 

Horses for courses. 

 

Also extremely pleased the apartment has the TM30 sorted.

I would not want to walk 15 minutes to Big C in Thailand's heat and humidity, then lug back a bag of groceries.

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

I would not want to walk 15 minutes to Big C in Thailand's heat and humidity, then lug back a bag of groceries.

Only elderly white guys want to buy a weeks shopping.

Modern people buy what they need for today, and maybe tomorrow.

I haven't 'lugged a big bag of groceries' since I was married and living in the UK more than 10 years back.

Thailand hasn't moved all it's stores to out of town hypermarkets, there's 4 or 5 in every street.

Edited August 24, 2019 by BritManToo

[Kenchamp]

7 hours ago, Peterhua said:

Nail on the head there. 60/80k if you're supporting a Thai family but for those of us who choose not to do that, 45k is plenty

You mean you're a PAYG guy? That's the way to do it.

[Number 6]

8 hours ago, jaffas21 said:

graduate government teachers are on 15k with a degree, bank workers are supposed to be on around 20-25k according to what i hear, but I hear about lot richer ones. seven eleven workers would on 12 max, unless they are doing overtime id say

 

that is rubbish about newly graduated thais on 25k, a reasonable percentage of non native english teachers are on less than 25

Last year or so I was at Chulalongkorn. They were recruiting Thai with any degree to teach up country for 32. Bangkok for 28k.

 

Even in public schools Thais working on contract will make more but lose the perks.

 

The 28/32 was from a recruiter.

 

 

So you're wrong and this is a first person account of that.

[Farangwithaplan]

8 hours ago, jaffas21 said:

 

that is rubbish about newly graduated thais on 25k, a reasonable percentage of non native english teachers are on less than 25

It is not rubbish and I could introduce you to about 100 Thais who left uni and started, after a two month trial, on over 25k per month with health and other insurances.

 

There is an ad for working in KFC at my nearest Tesco with a starting salary between 10k to 13k. Most Big C cashiers start on about 10k without overtime from what I have been told directly.

[Number 6]

51 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

I would not want to walk 15 minutes to Big C in Thailand's heat and humidity, then lug back a bag of groceries.

My first question is if you can't do that then why do you live here?

 

I don't lug groceries back lol.

[malibukid]

On 8/5/2018 at 10:42 AM, vinegarbase said:

 

Not necessarily. Just because a person chooses to live a frugal life doesn't mean he is poor. Just because you have money doesn't mean that you HAVE TO spend extravagantly in Thailand. This article almost seems to be some type of propaganda psy ops in order to try to program foreigners to want to start spending more money in Thailand or feel shamed that they are not spending enough in Thailand. No, I won't be tricked. 

 

Live a frugal life my fellow farangs because you never know when you are going to lose big here in Thailand that is unless you got money to burn or money that could not be spent in many lifetimes. Not spending all your money just because the Thai's want you to may come in handy if you are forced to leave one day and start over from scratch in other place.

same psy. ops in America via corporate Maddison ave media coalition.  if you are not spending, your anti American or worse.  shame on you.  sick. people buy new car like having baby. masses are brainwashed from day one. American corporate structure is terrified of Socialism.  definition of a rich man is one who does not want.  i live a modest lifestyle in order to give more to people and causes that can benefit.

Edited August 24, 2019 by malibukid

[upu2]

I will be honest I find it hard to understand two things. One, how does anyone accept such a pittance and two it cant be a great way to live and surely there is better money elsewhere. 

[malibukid]

On 8/5/2018 at 11:40 AM, ravip said:

 "...have assets in their home country in excess of a million dollars."

 

It's unbelievable such people leave all that at home and come to suffer in a terrible, undeveloped, xenophobic, racist, dangerous 3rd world country.

There seems to be a lot of trash been thrown around about the 'well to do' expatriates in Thailand. Absolute thrash.

 

unless your home is America

[Ron jeremy]

1 hour ago, upu2 said:

I will be honest I find it hard to understand two things. One, how does anyone accept such a pittance and two it cant be a great way to live and surely there is better money elsewhere. 

I spoke with a young foreign English teacher in bkk one night, had a few beers with him. He was so proud of himself, got a teaching job in Bangkok, living the dream.then he told me what his salary was, 

i explained that he could make the same cash working in a 7/11 or McDonald's back home.

and later in life he would have SFA to show for himself lving in bkk.

it all seems fine and dandy being young and teaching, but in the end, you'll end up like most, eating 40 baht meals in the food court, fighting immigration, etc etc etc.

living the dream??????

[malibukid]

On 8/5/2018 at 1:27 PM, Don Chance said:

Cooking your own food will be healthier because they add a bunch of chemicals. You can also control your appetite better by eating at set time. And much cheaper.

 

The problem in Thailand is too much good stuff to buy and spend money on.

 

If you live in Nepal, an apartment is maybe $150 a month, local veg and fish is like $3 a day. Beer is terrible so you won't need that. Local food seems to be good quality.

and Nepal blows Colorado away 

[elliss]

On 8/5/2018 at 10:27 AM, BEngBKK said:

WRONG!!!

2 Years ago I worked in BKK, Earn 80.000 / Month, Rented a 2 room appartment (60m2) in a nice middle class neighbour hood, went to  saxephone 1 time every week.
I used about 30000 / Month without thinking about money .........

Sorry.....

 

     YOU,  Have a work permit , and if so , you are eligible for tax , in in the kingdom...

 

[elliss]

21 minutes ago, Ron jeremy said:

I spoke with a young foreign English teacher in bkk one night, had a few beers with him. He was so proud of himself, got a teaching job in Bangkok, living the dream.then he told me what his salary was, 

i explained that he could make the same cash working in a 7/11 or McDonald's back home.

and later in life he would have SFA to show for himself lving in bkk.

it all seems fine and dandy being young and teaching, but in the end, you'll end up like most, eating 40 baht meals in the food court, fighting immigration, etc etc etc.

living the dream??????

 

 So sad , my heart bleads for you  guys . 

  Get a job with a pensions . 

   Only 45.000 bht a mounth ,  sad ..

 Try outer  Mangolia , teaching .. 

 

Edited August 24, 2019 by elliss