It was almost a fairytale ending for 23-year-old Nid, a farm girl from Isan who worked as a bargirl in Pattaya. She met an Englishman and fell in love. This turned out to be mutual and plans were made for a joint trip to England. But the coronavirus hit and she was left alone. He had to leave for England quickly before the lockdown prevented him from returning.
This week she was found in a long line where food was handed out.
Nid came to Pattaya from MahaSarakham two years ago and was as close to fulfilling her dream as so many young women from northeastern Thailand. Unlike most of the women in her South Pattaya beer bar, Nid is not a single mother. She worked in the bar to pay for her university studies. But unfortunately that yielded so little that she had to stop her university studies. She first wanted to save some money so that she could continue her studies one day. But that was disappointing and she had to take a second job.
Then one night, a young Brit walked into her bar and they got into a relationship. Plans were made to live together in England. A visa has been applied for. He showed her UK university websites and told her she could enroll there.
But at the same time, the corona virus broke out all over the world. Before they knew it, airlines were canceling flights and governments were imposing travel restrictions. Her boyfriend had to quickly pack his bags to go home. Nid stayed behind. Her bar closed and her boss said the bar would never open again either.
She applied for the promised 5.000 baht assistance, but bargirls are not eligible for this scheme. Despite a threatening thunderstorm last Wednesday, Nid got in line to hand out free food.
Nid says she's not ashamed of that. “So many people are in the same boat,” she said. The whole country is suffering. And with the government extending the state of emergency for another month and delaying Pattaya's planned reopening plans, it will only exacerbate the pain. Especially with bargirls like her.
Many of her friends were lucky enough to return to Isaan soon. Even before the Thai government banned travel on interprovincial buses and trains. She had stayed in Pattaya too long and now it was too late. Now she is locked in her small rented room, alone. Nid can only see her mother and boyfriend through video chat.
She has an aunt living in town and goes out with her most days looking for free food. But the stress became too much for her and at some point Nid ended up in the hospital. She predicts that many others will also end up with mental health problems. Especially if the government adheres to its lockdown policy for the month of May.
For Nid, every day is a struggle for survival. There is no more English fairy tale for the time being. The coronavirus pandemic has also hit the UK and her boyfriend is in lockdown with his family. That may take a while, he will not come back for a while.
Source: Pattaya Mail
It's sad to read;
What I don't understand is that he doesn't send her any money!
I sent money to a friend there and even if it's only 200 euros; she is very happy with it and again a little ahead and then she is still a normal friend. we are not lovers.
Incidentally, she is not a bar girl, but worked as a saleswoman of belts and bags in central festival.
When I met her 2 years ago, she didn't even have a washing machine (now she does with my help)
R, like many Thai people, you also assume that all foreigners have a full wallet. The article talks about a young Briton and not about his financial strength. Perhaps he sends money to her, which she uses for the rent of her room, and there is not enough left over to pay for the daily meals. Sending money to a Thai friend is a nice act and shows your concern for her situation. But not everyone is able to follow that example, and of course you can't ignore the fact that many foreign sponsors themselves have run into problems due to losing their jobs or closing their companies.
Right, you're absolutely right.
I work in the EMC. (Erasmus medical center) Rotterdam and hoof idd. not to be afraid of my job (rather of the virus itself)
Hello, I also have friends in Thailand and how do I go about sending money?
I would like to help them but don't know how to do it
can you let me know how to do that.
Kind regards
Chantal
Western Union. Transfer via Ideal from your bank. Cost about 8 euros.
Goes very fast. Few minutes.
You must provide the exact name of the recipient as described on the ID or passport. Have them send a copy of their ID or passport. Also, no mistakes can be made. When you have paid, you will receive a code that you will pass on to that person. With this code and her/his ID, the money can be picked up at any Western Union office. Every small town has a bank that has Western Union. Pattaya bv has 20. Just make sure you state the exact name as it says on her ID. One letter wrong and then they don't issue it.
Good luck Hans
Dear Chantal,
If you really want to send some money to your friends, ask Western Union. And you can make sure they have cash Thai Baths in their hands within 10 minutes.
For example, if you send €100, there will be an additional commission of approximately €10, but they have immediately reduced their need for that.
i used transferwise. works well and is cheaper.
you do need an account number of the recipient
https://transferwise.com/
If the person has a bank account and most do, you know their bank account number and the correct name, it can be cheaper with TransferWise
Hi Chantal,
Never via WU, thieves are better via PayPal and xoom will cost you 3 euros and just as fast
If she has an account number, it can also be done through your bank. Invite her name, account number, bank name and Swift Code. Costs 20 euros but pretty good rate.
Example 17/4/20 321 euros converted. She has received 10398 baht. A very safe procedure. Duration 3 days. This amounts to 32,5 baht per euro.
She may not have an account number or PIN card (yet), but she may still send her account number because she is in contact via a video chat.
I'm in the same boat. Had plans to go to Thailand at the end of April. My Thai girlfriend has now been back home without income for more than 1,5 months. Finding work for her is almost impossible now. And she has an 11-year-old son who also needs to eat. Of course I can't look into other people's wallets and am now out of work myself, but if you really care about someone then the least you can do is send a modest amount so that she doesn't have to worry about not paying the rent. can pay 2500 baht or she has nothing to eat. I now send 5000 baht per month as long as she has no work and the corona continues. Not a large amount, about 150 euros. But if that Englishman couldn't afford that for her, then he couldn't buy an expensive ticket of 20000 baht or more to see her again, I think + the rest you spend there. I send the money via Western Union, easiest way for her. Transferred within minutes. She just needs an ID to collect the money. We both hope that the crisis will pass soon and we can finally see each other again. Hans
There isn't a bar girl in Pattaya that doesn't have 1,2,3 miscellaneous bills. In addition, 1,2,3 different free gmail addresses.
How else is she supposed to tell those different kwai apart?
And on top of that: via Paypal you can also send small amounts very cheaply. We do the price of a bag of rice to a friend every week.
How do you send money via paypal? I do it now via WU, but I think that is very expensive. High commission costs and a bad exchange rate.
Create a PayPal account, deposit money via ideal, then log in to xoom (also PayPal) via PayPal, send money, cash pickup, lower costs just as quickly.
Google is your friend
Go to the Paypal website, register (email address).
Enter the amount, name, email address and bank account number (be careful, incl. swift code!) on the website. Choose your payment method (I choose ideal), be safely guided to your own bank and pay with ideal. Transfer costs 2,50 for 100 euros, not a bad exchange rate (well above the average exchange rate) and 5 hours later on the Thai account.
Right, you're absolutely right.
I work in the EMC. (Erasmus medical center) Rotterdam and hoof idd. not to be afraid of my job (rather of the virus itself)
Sweet dreams for that loving couple. There are universities in England, of course, but I have my reservations about her chances of being admitted there. With the English of the average Thai student it will remain with that dream, I'm afraid
It's not just about English. Having a THAI high school diploma does not automatically give access to an English university. There are more tests involved.
If that Englishman can pay for her studies at an English university, he can now also send her money. And a Thai who ends up in the hospital with stress while she still has an aunt in town? I don't believe so.
In short: a made-up story, I think, or not paying close attention to the details.
What a cry.
Thais are en masse on their way home, also to Isaan these days. Not held back.
Go home girl, you can do it!!
Neither this Thai girl nor her British friend will read Thailand's blog, so your well-intentioned call to return home will have no effect. It is certainly a crying story, but the intention is of course to draw attention to those in Thailand who are not eligible for the benefit of 5,000 thb and who are dependent on private food aid.
My son worked for Kerry logistics, in Bangkok, and was fired along with 150 others. He found another job the next day for a reduced wage of Baht 6000 - with the promise that as soon as the lockdown was lifted, his salary would be approximately Baht 15000. This Thai company employs 30 people and has not fired anyone. He, my son and his boss, also find extra work on the Internet at 500 and 600 Baht per hour. He called his mother (my wife) because he could earn 600 Baht for an hour's work ironing shirts. He asked his mother how to do that and she explained it to him. Enough work can be found on the Internet. I also send him a monthly supplement to his salary.
hello theos
can you tell me where you can iron shirts for 600 baht per hour.
My wife has a professional laundry shop and irons a maximum of 12 shirts per hour.
my phone ;0626923677
thank you in advance
I do not know. It was also only for an hour, from 2 to 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago. He scours the Internet and finds more of that kind of extra work. He normally works in the computer department of the company but a lot off because of corona. He also still studies online. Google it or have your wife do it.