Welcome to my May 2020 cost of living report. Some restrictions have been eased this month but there are still a lot of challenges here in Thailand. It looks like it might be July by the time most places are back open.
As a bit of background, I’m 32, been living in Bangkok for seven years and work as a teacher in a language school. I live with my Thai girlfriend who is also an English tutor. I cover our rent and utilities and then we look after ourselves normally apart from when we eat out together and share the tab or take turns to pay. However, things have been a little different this month with Covid-19 so I’ve been paying for a little more than usual.
Income: 74,000 baht
I’m working at a language school five days a week. Well, right now I’m working online like most teachers here in Thailand. I’m scheduled to teach 21 hours a week and then have admin duties on top of that.
I also get income from my book, Settling in Thailand, as well as royalties from a couple of teaching books I’ve co-written.
Spent: 73,000 baht
Accommodation: 17,000 baht
I’m starting to get a little bored of my condo having spent the best part of three months practically in it all the time. I’m lucky enough to have a big living room and a huge bedroom so switch between the two to try and feel like I’m in different places. I really don’t know how I would be right now if I lived in a small studio condo.
My condo is 82sq meters, near the airport link, and about 10 minutes by bus from where I work. It’s not a modern building but we’ve been here just over a year and have added furniture and decorations so the room itself is pretty nice.
Utility Bills: 3,000 baht
My electric bill was 1,100 baht this month, even with running the AC most of the day on two big machines. It goes to show that the government scheme to cap electric bills has worked. The only problem will be going back to using a fan after this!
I also have to pay for Netflix, Spotify, water, internet, and my phone. Last month I canceled the True football package as it seems that matches won’t be back anytime soon and that was 400 baht a month, kind of pointless right now.
Food: 21,000 baht
Throughout the month I got set in a routine. Eat breakfast from the supermarket and order in lunch and dinner. Between the two of us we tried to stick to around 100 baht a dish when ordering in and then 50 baht for breakfast. It worked pretty well but I’m getting a little bored of the food options online and can’t wait to get back out to a real restaurant soon!
I can’t remember spending this much on food for a long time but it has really become one of the main sources of entertainment in the day. Getting something nice to eat and then sitting down to watch a movie. I’m sure this will be back down next month when a few more places are open.
Entertainment: 3,000 baht
I purchased a wirelss sound bar for the TV as we were using it so much. It makes a big difference in my living room and I’m thinking about getting one for the second TV next month.
Travel: 0 baht
This is going to stay at zero for a while I think. I do actually have some time off work at the end of June but not really sure where to go or if it’ll be worth it.
Investments: 10,000 baht
My company takes 10,000 baht out of my salary and adds 10,000 of their money to pay into a provident fund. This is a great little scheme which is on target to pay out a nice return in five years when it can be cashed out (or continued). It also gives me a lower tax bill too which is a nice little bonus.
Other: 19,000 baht
There were a few expenses that cropped up this month. I needed a new computer table and also to repair my guitar. These came to 5,000 baht. Whilst they weren’t essential, it seemed like a good time to do them.
I also ordered in a few months’ supply of toiletries and other items from the supermarket like cleaning supplies. 3,000 baht.
I have a maid who comes weekly for six hours to clean, do laundry and iron. I pay 3,000 baht a month for this. Our maid agency has plenty of procedures to stop the spread of Covid-19 and we feel that having the maid here isn’t a problem although I have seen some people cancel their maid services.
I use my KTC credit card to split payments interest-free on certain purchases. I did this to buy a Nintendo Switch last year and pay 2,000 baht a month.
My student loan is 4,000 baht per month.
Saved: 1,000 baht
I’ve thought for a while that this period is going to be jut about getting through in the best shape possible. Whilst I’d like to save more, I’m just pleased to be getting by. Hopefully this situation will improve by the end of the year.
I’m lucky that I still have my job and get paid in full, I know many other people aren’t. I do find myself having to help out my girlfriend right now and I guess there are many other people around the world who are having to help family members who have lost jobs or find their salaries slashed.
Overview
It’s been a pretty relaxed month. I work and I stay at home. There’s no big adventures or crazy experiences when you’re stuck inside for 95% of the day.
I don’t mind being in this situation right now but I do hope that things improve in the next couple of months so we can get out a little and get back to doing the activities we enjoy.
June will see an increased workload and perhaps training towards face to face classes at school. I do see now how much I enjoy being in the classroom. Online classes are fun but it’s nice to have the social side of seeing different people and just walking around outside.
