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Posted

Hi, I have been to Thailand a few times in the past and am now very keen to stay longer and find a teaching job (In the Chiang Mai Area). I Have a TEFL Certificate with a Degree but was wondering what amount of money is needed once landed in Thailand.

So if anyone has experience on how much is needed and what the money is needed for then don't hesitate to share.

For example, How much is needed for the time between landing in Thailand and finding a job and getting your first pay.

What have other potential teachers travelled over to Thailand with?

The more posts the better, Cheers

Posted

Depends on how fast you find a job!

The only thing I could say is you should look at having at least 30,000-40,000 baht a month to live off until you find a job. that would be minimum, so you should not expect to be traveling around the country on that. it could take you ages to find work, dunno because I am not working as a teacher so no clue. but hope that helps.

Posted (edited)

Initially you won't know the price of things and you may overpay sometimes; however, a standard comfortable room costs around 2,500 baht per month. My room at Sakulachai Court cost 2,500 baht, and I lived there happily for 18 months. I then moved to Lanna 3 for nearly 5 years and had a great room with a small swimming pool downstairs for 3,600 baht per month. Water and electricity charges brought the cost up to just under 4,000 baht. I am happy eating Thai food from one of the hundreds of street-side restaurants for 25-20 baht per meal. My motorbike cost me 12,000 baht and 7 years later I sold for 5,000 baht. Evening entertainment can be as cheap or as expensive as you wish. During my first year in Chiang Mai I worked part-time and earned 12 - 15,000 baht per month and never spent more than this. I had a financial safety net in my UK bank account, but I never needed to draw on this. I now earn substantially more but still manage to spend just about every baht. Salaries for full-time positions range between 25 and 30,000 baht per month, and most teachers live within their means and have a very enjoyable time in Chiang Mai.

John

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Edited by SEETEFL
Posted

HI John, Thank you for the Post.

Do you know how much Teachers tend to bring with them if they already have a TEFL.

I know it can range from Person to person and there needs but I am planning to come out for new year and needed a figure to aim for. I was wondering what other teachers have taken in the past to get set up.

Posted

If you come in January, you will most likely not find full-time regular employment until April at the earliest and you may not start work until mid-May. Your first pay will likely be 1/2 a month. Your next 3 month salary may be at a slightly reduced rate (probationary period). I would not attempt this move at the time you are talking about for less than 100,000 baht and even on that amount of money, life might not be so enjoyable.

Best of luck.

Posted

I brought $3500 with me - it took me about 2 months to find a teaching position (found it in april)

I focused on going easy on the rent (rented internet room for 1 month and did an extensive search until I found a good value)

I budgeted 25,000 baht a month for everything (room 5,000, food 15,000, incidentals 5,000) - I almost always saved 5,000 + on food - good mix of western/ thai

The visa trips required my incidental cash - Laos trip + Visas would easily cost 5,000+ for even the most budget savvy

If you wanted to go cheap - you could definitely find a room for 3-5,000 and food/ incidentals for 15,000

If you engaged in a serious job hunt from March - May you should be able to secure a job worth atleast 20-25K per month

I would recommend getting the longest visa possible before you come to avoid unnecessary visa trips and hitting the pavement going to as many schools as possible in person

If you do this during march/april/may you will have several opportunities to meet with schools in need of teachers

Posted

I brought $3500 with me - it took me about 2 months to find a teaching position (found it in april)

I focused on going easy on the rent (rented internet room for 1 month and did an extensive search until I found a good value)

I budgeted 25,000 baht a month for everything (room 5,000, food 15,000, incidentals 5,000) - I almost always saved 5,000 + on food - good mix of western/ thai

The visa trips required my incidental cash - Laos trip + Visas would easily cost 5,000+ for even the most budget savvy

If you wanted to go cheap - you could definitely find a room for 3-5,000 and food/ incidentals for 15,000

If you engaged in a serious job hunt from March - May you should be able to secure a job worth atleast 20-25K per month

I would recommend getting the longest visa possible before you come to avoid unnecessary visa trips and hitting the pavement going to as many schools as possible in person

If you do this during march/april/may you will have several opportunities to meet with schools in need of teachers

Thanks for the post. I was thinking of taking around the same amount. Is that the normal time in which it takes to find a job or were you waiting for the right one. Also did you do any language schools or privates to get you by and what was you standard of living like on the amount of money you had.

Thanks for the info!

Rich

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