In the case of Bangkok, BPS provides a generic settling-in allowance of 40,000 baht for singles or 70,000 for couples, which can be used for shipping costs. NIST provides a shipping reimbursement for up to 450 kg for singles and 675 kg for couples (as well as additional weight for dependents) and another 50,000 baht as a settling-in allowance. I don't know the current standards for ISB, but I assume they're comparable.

You're entirely correct that the cost of living has risen, as I already stated. Again, however, for those of us working at NIST, ISB and Patana (as well as those at many of the other decent schools), the increase has simply not significantly impacted our standard of living, as prices are still low when comparing Bangkok to cities in Europe, the United States and some other regions of Asia: http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ci ... ty=Bangkok.

To give an idea of just how affordable it can be, my wife and I will frequently have dinner at a local cafe - two courses and drinks - with a total bill of USD $8.00. Yet we could easily spend three or four times that every night if we wanted to. In addition to our rent, we're also paying for two master's degrees, our car, holidays and other miscellaneous expenses, but we're still able to save a great deal. There are obviously other cities that also have excellent savings potential, but Bangkok can certainly be high on the list depending on where you work and your lifestyle.


After just calling a colleague at Bangkok Patana, I can confirm that you are right: the contractual annual salaries they quote for teachers from abroad are the net amounts. However, that individual also indicated that their net amounts are comparable to our net amounts. I would also point out that this is the only case in my seven years in Thailand in which I've come across a school that does this. I will ask around just to be sure, but I'd be surprised if I hear differently from those I know who are working at other schools.

Do you know of regions where this is still the norm, or has it largely died off? In (mid-2000s) Korea I also didn't see it, but I have very little IT experience outside of Asia.

I agree that taxation is a significant factor, but the point was that this is not a new policy at NIST, contrary to the impression that it was just introduced. As far back as I've found records, taxes have been borne by the employees (including teachers), not by the school. Perhaps it may have been different early in NIST's history, but we would need someone who worked there at that time to confirm it. Additionally, I don't know of any school in Thailand that has or has had this policy.

I've lived here in Bangkok seven years, so I also agree that the cost of living has gone up, but not significantly. Prices for housing and food have been relatively stable throughout that time, and I don't pay any more than I used to when I first arrived (excluding by choice if I happen to want more expensive options). Transportation costs seem to have gone up the most, but since they're still cheap compared to most other major cities, this hasn't affected our standard of living at all.

To my knowledge, most of the teachers here live close to the school, between Phrom Phong and Nana BTS stations, and tend to pay between THB 30,000 to 60,000 per month (which is in line with the housing allowance). I live further away but found a nice detached home for THB 24,000 per month. It's a bit more of a commute (about 35 minutes), but I prefer the area.

There appears to be some misunderstanding in the OP and in one of the comments regarding the payment of taxes being new. The taxation of earned income at NIST, paid by teachers, has always been standard practice. Additionally, the base salary scale has continued to increase each year. Confirming the tax rate for the salary range, a comment on International School Community in October 2013 (https://www.internationalschoolcommunit ... nal_School) states that the tax rate is "about 22%". This is echoed by a later comment in May 2014 that indicates that salaries are "taxed at approximately 20-25%".

Furthermore, this is also tends to be the norm at all other international schools in Thailand, including those with a similar reputation. For example, a comment in March 2012 (https://www.internationalschoolcommunit ... ol_Bangkok) indicates that another top school has a tax rate "between 15-20%". Comments about another school in 2012 and 2013 (https://www.internationalschoolcommunit ... ol_Bangkok) state either 10-15% or 30%. A comment in 2012 (https://www.internationalschoolcommunit ... ol_Bangkok) about a third school lists a rate of 30%. The rate at each school seems to vary depending on accounting practices, the salary range and whether particular types of benefits are taxed, but the general range stays constant.

Beyond taxation, NIST's benefits have not changed significantly and have only increased in recent years. This misunderstanding may have been because of the information packet that was prepared for the Search Associates fair. Rather than list all benefits, an infographic was used to highlight three areas: medical insurance, savings potential and housing. As in the past, the school still offers a generous housing allowance, a pension scheme, personal professional development fund, completion bonus, settling-in allowance, airfare, shipping allowance, full health coverage, responsibility allowances and other miscellaneous benefits.

Anyone who is interested in working at NIST, and is curious about the benefits and work environment, is encouraged to connect with current and past employees online via LinkedIn, where well over 100 are active: https://www.linkedin.com/vsearch/p?f_CC ... nectedness. Several of them have been at the school for many years and can confirm the changes in salaries and benefits over time, as well as provide insight into the school's culture.

PsyGuy wrote:
> @JDK
>
> Its not inaccurate, and I grow weary of admin and admin cheerleaders trying
> to "sell" their IS.

Claiming that the salaries of a school are substantially lower than they actually are - as pointed out by someone who works there and separately by someone who has friends who have worked there - IS inaccurate. It's not about selling a school. It's about being factual rather than posting claims that are clearly wrong.

Plenty of NIST teachers are on Twitter, and over 100 are on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/vsearch/p?f_CC ... _connected. Any of them can easily confirm the pay range; feel free to contact them and ask. Frankly, if you're "weary of admin and admin cheerleaders", be more accurate in your posts.

While I respect the amount of time you've put into providing information on this site, PsyGuy, I have to point out that you're completely wrong about NIST's pay scale. I can say that for certain, as I work there!

Starting salaries - for a teacher with a bachelor's degree, teacher license and no experience - begin around 130,000 per month. However, I don't know of any fresh university hires. Most of our teachers are hired from overseas, are quite experienced and usually start around 180,000 per month. Teachers also receive a settling-in allowance of 50,000, a shipping allowance, a minimum of 42,000 as a housing allowance (which goes up to 64,000 for couples), an annual bonus of one month's pay annually, a re-signing bonus, annual flights (after the first two-year contract), personal professional development allowances, 100% health and dental insurance, a pension plan, a MacBook Air and iPhone, and other miscellaneous perks. Those with any kind of leadership position or additional responsibility, including subject and year level coordinators, receive additional pay beyond this.

If your classification of tiers is based on this, NIST is firmly within tier 1. If it includes other factors such as standardized test scores (in this case the IB exam, for which the NIST Class of 2014 had an average score higher than any other school in Thailand, including ISB and Patana, comparable to other elite IB schools worldwide), and university acceptances and matriculation, it again falls firmly into tier 1: http://www.nist.ac.th/academics/school-performance. If it's based on demographics, it once again should be considered tier 1: http://www.nist.ac.th/community. If it's based on leadership, our Head of School is also the Chair of the IB Asia-Pacific Regional Council and a very well-regarded figure in international education: http://www.ibo.org/en/about-the-ib/the- ... al-council. Most importantly, we are a not-for-profit run by a parent-elected school board.

I'd say all of this makes a pretty good case for being a tier 1 school. Again, I know you put a lot of time into answering questions and trying to help others, and I do agree with you on some points. However, inaccurate information about particular schools is not helping anyone.