Answered2 years ago
What is a comfortable salary for expats living and working remotely in Thailand?
For those of you that live and work remotely in Thailand, what is a good salary you feel you need to live comfortably?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around what constitutes a comfortable salary for expats living and working remotely in Thailand. Comments suggest a wide range of salaries, depending on personal lifestyle, location, and living standards. While some mention 50,000 baht a month as a comfortable baseline for living in urban areas like Bangkok, others argue that 70,000 to 80,000 baht is better suited for a more comfortable lifestyle. Various perspectives highlight how expenses can fluctuate drastically based on living arrangements, lifestyle choices (e.g., dining out vs. cooking at home), and geographical considerations within Thailand.
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Steve **********
How long is a piece of string.
Have friend in Isaan, spent 21,000,000 on home, another rents a room. Both drink at same bar. 1 has 'a' beer, the other doesn't stop.
1 has wife, other, 3 or 4 girl friends.
Have friend in Isaan, spent 21,000,000 on home, another rents a room. Both drink at same bar. 1 has 'a' beer, the other doesn't stop.
1 has wife, other, 3 or 4 girl friends.
Justin *******
@Steve *********
in answer to your question take the string fold it in half and multiply by 2, thats how long a piece of strring is.Steve **********
@Justin ******
that's a way of determining length, how clever ! but doesn't answer the question .How long it it ?
Richard ********
It depends of how many beers you drink by day
Brian *******************
So many
Jeff ********
better get a work visa if you plan on earning money while "living" in Thailand.
Camille *******
OP@Jeff *******
planning on it. Not in the mood to lose all my licensing over something like this.
Peter *********
"good salary," and "live comfortably" are really very subjective formulations and very different from person to person, but for one person, to live like that, I would say you need minimum 70,000 baht per month, but you could also easily argue that you would need 150,000 or even 200,000 to "live comfortably". It really depends what you mean by these words, but if you come from a somewhat modest life in the West, I would say that 80,000 baht a month in Thailand for one person would fit the description of "living comfortably". Surely, 30,000 would not be it, and 40,000 would be my lower limit for living in Thailand at all, well, actually 45,000. With 60,000 you have a really ok life, but certainly not more than that. 100,000 is fine. 80,000 is fine as well. So, let's put the number at 70,000.
Matti *****
Depends on your visa, standards and location. With non-o visa staying in your own house somewhere in Isaan minding your business from 500€/month to no limit with some posh elite visa living on Koh Phangan renting 100k/month ripoff villa and doing dubious amounts of kambo ceremonies and such.
Andrew ********
I live in a village in the Issan. I can easily live comfortably on
*****
thb per month. That includes rent, food etc etc.
Charlie ******
1st year I spent about 1.5 million thb
Was too much golf every day trip to all the Thailand and karaoke 🎤 too 555
Now I can do for
For Japanese citizens the medical bill is covered by japanese government insurance so and japanese credit card cover 100 % with in 90 days trip
I have the car and scooter 155 cc new .
In chiengmai don't really needs the car also my girlfriend has the car 🙄
Condo new one 9000 thb rent
Wifi cell 1000thb
Utilities 1500 thb
Gas 500 thb
Vehicle insurance 300 thb
Meal 300 thb a day 30 days about
Golf massage movie hangout with my friend in the bar
It's about less than
Since dollars is strong now pension and 401 k I can save
Was too much golf every day trip to all the Thailand and karaoke 🎤 too 555
Now I can do for
*****
thb a month enough For Japanese citizens the medical bill is covered by japanese government insurance so and japanese credit card cover 100 % with in 90 days trip
I have the car and scooter 155 cc new .
In chiengmai don't really needs the car also my girlfriend has the car 🙄
Condo new one 9000 thb rent
Wifi cell 1000thb
Utilities 1500 thb
Gas 500 thb
Vehicle insurance 300 thb
Meal 300 thb a day 30 days about
*****
thb Golf massage movie hangout with my friend in the bar
It's about less than
*****
thb Since dollars is strong now pension and 401 k I can save
*****
thb every month
Colleen *******
@Brandon ***********
I agree. We are a family of 4 with 2 cats living in Chiang Rai in a 4 bed, 4 bath house. Our monthly bills easily exceed 50,000 baht each month, it's more like 80,000 baht but we're not living cheaply or trying to scrimp and save on everything. Life is good in Thailand. One can have a great life here. 🙂
Melauny ********
@Colleen ******
What's you method of transportation? Car, motorbike, BTS , etc.Colleen *******
@Melauny *******
We rent two scooters for 2,500 baht each and catch the odd grab or rent a car. That's how we get around.
Felix *******
As an expat, you can live a normal life with 600$ a month
Martin *********
@Felix ******
a month do you ever go outFelix *******
@Martin ********
Find local friends that are in the lowest tax bracket. They go out, and they have a fulfilling life.Peter *********
@Felix ******
Nonsense.Felix *******
@Peter ********
Sir, this is Thailand. How much do you think most people earn?Felix *******
@Peter ********
my comment is intended for the OP. I have no reason to debate any of these details with you. Feel free to believe whatever you want to believe.Peter *********
@Felix ******
The OP asked about "good salary" and "live comfortably". 600 USD a month will absolutely never do that. And to answer your question, then two former girlfriends of mine both working as a sacretary, are really struggling on 23,000 and 19,000 baht, monthly, respectively. 600 USD is 22,000 baht, and there is no way in hell that that will make you "live comfortably" or can be called a "good salary". A "good salary" in Bkk would be minimum 65,000 up. On average, Thai workers, living in Bkk, are making around 30,000 baht a month with just a little education and a few years in the job.
Nongnuch ********
@Peter ********
well, in some places you actually can. However only when he has paved the way. Transportation, health insurance, furnitures, cooking utensils, clothes and shoes his size, ET CETERA . . . and rent need to be cared for beforehandPeter *********
@Felix ******
"I was an expat that was living on 600$ for most months of the year in Thong Lor, Bangkok even with most expenses included. Minus furniture because it comes with the place.It depends on lifestyle. I know people who only earn 600-800$ a month, and they have a similar standard of living minus some luxuries and conveniences.," you claim.
Well, you are lying. First, you say "for most months," which easily could mean that you spent a million baht the others months, and second, you make it sound like it is totally feasible to live on 600 dollars a month in Bangkok. To survive on 600 dollars a month in Bkk for many months will be hell, and you know that. Just not possible in the long run! Dont try to mislead people here, please! OP is asking for sound advice, and you know very well that 600 USD/m. isnt a sound advice at all. Not even a thousand dollars. Try with 1,500 dollars, and we start talking. 600 dollars in bkk is possible only if you live like a monk and dont have to work. There will be zero dating girls, zero sightseeing, zero western food, zero cake and chocolate eating, zero air con, zero this zero that. Just a small room with a fan and a little traditional Thai food. Again, two of my ex-gfs have a very hard time surviving in bkk on 600 dollars, and they both grew up poor in Isaan and are used not to use money at all.
So, to the OP, please know, that Felix' claim of "living a normal life" on 600 dollars a month is downright BS! Dont fall for it!
600 USD/m. = sheer survival. If you even survive it...
1000 USD/m. = survival + the monthly small cake. No more. Not enough in the long run.
1,500/m. = well, here you start to feel alive and maybe even a bit happy sometimes, although you by no means feel well-off. You can maybe date one girl per month, btu only as a Cheap Charlie.
2,000/m. = fair enough, this is totally OK, although still just a normal life.
3000+/m. = good life, sure.
This is the truth, OP. Dont listen to all these dreamers' cock-and-bull stories.
Peter *********
@Nongnuch *******
But the OP asked "good salary" and "live comfortably". 600 dollars is equivalent to 22,000 baht, and this just doesnt do it. At all. 22,000 is totally survival in Bangkok, and a very modest life out in the sticks. A foreigner also has to pay for visa runs and all that, and he needs a burger sometimes, he needs ari con which costs a lot, and the girls will be hanging on his shoulders all the time, dating is expensive, etc. To tell people that have no knowledge about the living expenses in Thailand that they can come here and live a totally OK life with just 22,000 baht a month, is very misleading. Period!
Felix *******
@Nongnuch *******
I was an expat that was living on 600$ for most months of the year in Thong Lor, Bangkok even with most expenses included. Minus furniture because it comes with the place.It depends on lifestyle. I know people who only earn 600-800$ a month, and they have a similar standard of living minus some luxuries and conveniences.
Giorgio ******
whatever the jerks are going to say .
to live in REAL , REAL remote area in Thailande you need
0 bhats a day .
because you won't live there .
what do you mean by remote ? there are different remote :
the funny remote of the " trekking agencies"
or the reaL remote ?
to live in REAL , REAL remote area in Thailande you need
0 bhats a day .
because you won't live there .
what do you mean by remote ? there are different remote :
the funny remote of the " trekking agencies"
or the reaL remote ?
Stevie ********
You don't say where in Thailand, so it's difficult to estimate
Tobben ********
Up to you,,, as the prostitute told me in Pattaya !
Tulip ********
@Tobben *******
nice to see you gave up with the sheepSteve **********
Foolish Q,
Are you Warren Buffett or dat-guy-frum-misipi
Are you Warren Buffett or dat-guy-frum-misipi
Camille *******
OP@Steve *********
def dat guy frum misipi.
Corey *******
What do the people making these high amounts do remotely, and any kind advice for someone wanting to do the same?
Camille *******
OP@Corey ******
I was recently offered a recruitment position for a staffing agency. My job usually requires face to face, so this is all new to me. It’s nice to finally be able to look at living in other places like I’ve always wanted instead of just visiting for short periods of time.Colleen *******
@Corey ******
We run an online marketing agency. Follow people in the industry, check out their businesses and see if you want to do something similar. Remote work is great for travelers! You can go anywhere you can get an internet connection (and a legal permit!)Corey *******
@Colleen ******
thank you :)
Frank **********
This question gets asked all the time. Do you plan on traveling? Will you be eating at Restaurants frequently, home or street food? Will you live in the city or rural area? Etc, etc. A lot if different variables.
Ben *****
As you can see, these estimates are all over the place. It really depends on your lifestyle and where you want to live in Thailand. I've had months where I got by with as little as 30,000 baht but have also spent several hundred thousand numerous times. One thing I know for sure is I've been able to save a LOT more money here than I would've back home with a better lifestyle.
Larry **********
Truly depends on your situation and how you want to live , once the plug is pulled on crypto and the world stock crashes , there won't be to many people answering honestly.........$3000 USD a month is a very comfortable amount , and is a very good lifestyle
So many things come into play with this question , also be very careful about the possibility of new tax laws that could be coming for nomads and vloggers as well as retiree's............very opinionated question
Good luck to you 🙏
So many things come into play with this question , also be very careful about the possibility of new tax laws that could be coming for nomads and vloggers as well as retiree's............very opinionated question
Good luck to you 🙏
Robert ****
@Larry *********
I don't foresee anything new coming for legitimate expat retirees.
Brian *********
I think the answer will be very subjective. What expenses I didn’t see coming were cost of food because virtually everything I eat is imported, my PEA bill this month was 5k baht. But housing, scooter, water and simple existing is cheap!
I don’t drink or party which I think eats seriously into budgets of many men.
I however have not established a remote work situ yet. Finding it more difficult than expected as an excessively seasoned IT professional, and in fairness some of that can just be me.
I don’t drink or party which I think eats seriously into budgets of many men.
I however have not established a remote work situ yet. Finding it more difficult than expected as an excessively seasoned IT professional, and in fairness some of that can just be me.
Neil ******
56 comments and guarantee that most of them are coming from people without a work permit.
Colleen *******
@Neil *****
sad but true. It is possible to toe the line if people are willing. But many do not as you say. I have to agree. I wonder if these YouTubers that we see posting all about Thailand need or have work permits. I suspect not but could be wrong ...Larry **********
@Neil *****
100% true , along with some very exaggerated income 🙏
Pete *******
The 65k per month required by the Immigration dept for retirees seems to me a pretty decent mid point to go by.
Daniel **********
Realistically, in Bangkok a minimum of 2k English pounds. Outside of Bkk, 1.5k English. Of course, it can be done slightly cheaper, especially up in Isan, but why come here to live a restricted and limited life......
Russell ***********
@Daniel *********
not everybody wants fine dining, sports car, partying & Rolex watches ... is that a limited life ?Daniel **********
@Russell **********
I said 1.5k to 2k. Not 15-20k. 🤦♂️🤣
Lincoln *******
@Russell **********
you don't get any of that for 2k Stirling 🤣
Terary **********
If you want to sleep in the temple and eat only rice you can probably get by on a dollar a day. If you want to live in a high rise building an drive luxury cars it will cost considerable more.
Recently someone asked a similar question.. If 2000thb/day is a enough to get by. That seemed like a pretty good number.
I transfer 65,000 every month, of that, 20,000 for rent, 5000 for bills, leaves 1300thb/day. That's enough to get by but not enough for the incidentals, traveling for visa runs, travelling for recreation, lost cell phone, etc.
Bahtsold.com is a pretty good site to find rentals, to give you an idea about what you can rent.
Recently someone asked a similar question.. If 2000thb/day is a enough to get by. That seemed like a pretty good number.
I transfer 65,000 every month, of that, 20,000 for rent, 5000 for bills, leaves 1300thb/day. That's enough to get by but not enough for the incidentals, traveling for visa runs, travelling for recreation, lost cell phone, etc.
Bahtsold.com is a pretty good site to find rentals, to give you an idea about what you can rent.
Michael *******
@Terary *********
sensible response 👍
Nicolas ********
Immigration officers watch this page and a lot of you are about to have a one way ticket home ✈️ 👋🏼 🤡
Carlos ********
@Nicolas *******
man, photo is done by AI. You have half a milion digital nomads doing it for years and no issues.
Paulus *********
@Nicolas *******
have you any evidence of that, am sure they are far too busy to monitor this pageNicolas ********
@Paulus ********
oh buddy , I know for a fact. Had a buddy deported. 🫡Paulus *********
@Nicolas *******
more than likely that someone grassed him up then!Nicolas ********
@Paulus ********
your right, he didn't post that, he posted that he was working illegally online without a proper Thailand work visa 😘Paulus *********
@Nicolas *******
I doubt it was because he posted how much he earned on here
Morris *****
Everyone is different. For me personally, I spend around 350,000 baht per month. There is a difference between need and want though. I spend this much because of the things I WANT to do.
Jon ********
Cheap Charlie’s can hang on 35k but you’ll need capital to at least buy a motorbike if you are not in BKk and you will need some backup for emergencies. I spend about 115k mth but about 40k is on my little boy. In Issan you can get a 3 bedroom house for 5,000 baht. A/C will cramp your budget. I spend about 11K a month on electricity.
Robin *******
@Jon *******
we have one ac unit running during the day in hot season and most of the year 2 ac units running all night. Hot season our bill is about 4.500 baht per monthJoseph *********
@Jon *******
in Chiang Mai 2019.My electricity was 1400/month.
I used a fan and openwondows in preference to A/C...I like warmth
Jon ********
@Joseph ********
and? That was 5 years ago. Rates have gone upJoseph *********
Jon ********
@Joseph ********
can you write that again in EnglishJoseph *********
@Jon *******
livevthervfor 7byeses pre covid ....not exactly clue less.Joseph *********
@Jon *******
what everJon ********
@Joseph ********
cluelessJoseph *********
The apartment lived in pre covid is now renting at 6000 ie +500
I doubt that electricity has gone from 1040/m to11k/ month.
I doubt that electricity has gone from 1040/m to11k/ month.
Michael **********
@Jon *******
U cheap charlie, I spend 35k a month just on ac, I keep them on ****
with open windows and door cuz I'm not as cheap as you 😉Jon ********
@Michael *********
you sound like a rocket scientist lol 😂…. Not !Russell ***********
@Jon *******
11k on electricity is wasteful ... & also ridiculousJon ********
@Russell **********
Why is it wasteful? Sitting in your house in 40 degree heat is not ridiculous ? Certainly not healthy.Jon ********
12,000 baht for 2 A/C living room 12 hours day time . Bed room 12 hours night. Not on simulataneousy. Easy
Russell ***********
@Jon *******
how many A/C's does it takes to be comfortable ? a 12,000 btu on continuously, fridge, TV, shower hits 4-5k monthly (water pump is solar)
Steve *******
How long's a piece of string? It's going to depend on your lifestyle
Av **********
Beauty about Thailand is you can live off a dollar a day or 10,000 dollars a day. Really depends who you are in the end, where you live, how you eat, how you get around. You can live there on any budget
Nongnuch ********
@Av *********
a Dollar a day gets you nowhere, not even when all the expenses you need for visa, rent, health insurance, transportation, phone, internet, water, electricity are paid upfront.
Or do you live off a Mama Soup every day? You will be in a hospital after 2 weeks on mediocre nutrition issues
Sorry for this really difficult to understand wording construct
Of course I meant “malnutrition”
Michael ********
@Av *********
will the government will want to know you have enough coming in to renew your visa so $1 won't really cut itJoseph *********
@Bob *********
it was just a comparison....God you are thick..a Trump voter?
Bob **********
@Joseph ********
again he’s asking what’s a good salary for a westerner not a ThaiJoseph *********
@Bob *********
10k Thb*****
THBObvious we're were talking about Thailand.
Many workers from hotels etc that I taught English were on 300THB/ day abd lived/ existed
Bob **********
@Joseph ********
you said Thais live on 10k a month he’s not ThaiJoseph *********
@Bob *********
?????Bob **********
@Joseph ********
the OP isn’t Thai
Von ******
@Av *********
who is your Health Insurance provider???Joseph *********
Joseph ****
@Lincoln ******
I'm not talking about missing pizza. I get what you're saying. I'm talking about those dismissing a budget of 50k. Those talking about rents along upwards of 100k. It does not take years of assimilation, though. Some can cook at home most nights (or eat out but eat local), make do in a 30-40m2 room and generally live reasonably well but on a budget from the get go. I agree with having "balance."Bob **********
@Av *********
a dollar ??? ReallyLincoln *******
@Joseph ***
depends if one is here long term of just a few years. Assimilation takes time and many miss the goods things from back home. In my opinion it's all about balance and Thailand is perfect for that as it offers a variety of life styles and you can enjoy a hybrid of Western and Thai hereJoseph ****
@Av *********
You are correct. Some expats are physically in Thailand but that's it. They blow far too much money on Western food, booze, gated communities, satellite television subscriptions and whatnot, not fathoming that anyone else can live comfortably without recreating a Western bubble around oneself.Av **********
@Jasper ************
yeah no, I have a family of four. It was 6.50 a person and then my husbands plate fix was 20. I have lived here twenty five years and speak Thai so maybe the prices I get you may not be privy too
Jasper *************
@Av *********
that wasn't a dentist , it was a guy in alley with a screwdriver.Av **********
@Jasper ************
dentist was 6.50 usd when I went last timeAv **********
@Jasper ************
still cheap. Emergency for me at the hospital the other day was 38 dollars. Included er, meds, crutches, laceration. But health insurance is only one grand a year for my whole family of 4Jasper *************
don't forget hospital dentist and everything unexpected
Jasper *************
@Av *********
dentist?Jasper *************
Brandon ************
I'd say 50,000 baht in disposable income each month. This is after your expenses outside of the country. That's 15-20,000 for a condo near a BTS station, and leaves enough room to not have to worry about much else and still able to travel, go out to eat and have fun. You also need to account for visa costs and such.
Joseph *********
@Brandon ***********
on a retirement visa I was required to have an income of *****
THB.I spent about
*****
/month.In Chiang Mai.
Furnished Studio apartment 5500THB/month 4500THD FOOD.
The rest electricity, water, transport, entertainment.
Colin ********
@Brandon ***********
wow... I highly disagree, I live in a house on the outskirts of Bangkok, 9000 month with 2 bedrooms and a, big garden. I spend about 1500 on electric and, 200 approx on water (it takes me 30-45 mins to get to Sukhumvit or 200 thn by taxi) . Sukhumvit is probably the MOST expensive place in all of Thailand to live. You quite easily live on 20-30k a month as, a, single person.
Ajané **********
@Colin *******
how did you end up finding your place??Colin ********
@Ajané *********
I haven't needed to look for about ten years now 😄😄Ajané **********
@Colin *******
thank you! any recommendations for online, besides marketplace? Like local sites? We’ve definitely found some just by walking. Looking for a house, but most of the agents focus on condos/high risesColin ********
@Ajané *********
walking the streets, taxi your or online are all good ways. Unfortunately Thailand doesn't seem to have any, or very few estate agents ( or realtors in the US I believe)Brandon ************
@Colin *******
no one wants to live on the outskirts of Bangkok, especially not someone just coming to Thailand. They want to live where it's convenient and want to experience Bangkok.
Robert *********
@Colin *******
Can you share where about on the outskirts of Bangkok that is? I am currently living in Chiangmai and enjoy the quietness, but would like to be closer to Bangkok, so trying to find areas that are NOT Sukhumvit...Colin ********
@Vlad ******************
hence why I don't live there, and rarely go.
Vlad *******************
@Colin *******
Suhkumvit is cesspool. I only go to the area for my tailor or if my friend DJs play in thongloColin ********
@Brandon ***********
where, I live is VERY convenient and very easy to her anywhere, including central Bangkok. Also, I OP was enquiry about living here, not being a touristColin ********
@Tim ******
then zi think you're living in a bubble 😄😄
Tim *******
@Brandon ***********
id agreeColin ********
@Brandon ***********
says who? Do you think Thailand revolves around Sukhumvit? I hardly ever go into the center because there is everything here. Bars, restaurants, gyms, clubs, swimming pools, cinema etc for a, fraction of the cost with less noise and pollution, plus a garden, balcony and a house also at a fraction of the city. Yet you can still easily get into the center if you require, so what's so special about where you are?Activity
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