Mass emigration due to discontent among Thai youth
How low wages, rigid hierarchy and hopelessness are pushing them out of the country
Behind the image of Thailand as the 'Land of Smiles' lies a harsh reality. More and more young Thais are turning their backs on their country, not out of luxury, but out of disappointment. They feel trapped in a system that offers them few prospects. The growing wave of emigration among young people is no coincidence, but the result of persistent structural problems.
Economic standstill
Thailand is one of the largest economies in Southeast Asia, but the fruits of that growth are unevenly distributed. According to the World Bank, young graduates earn an average of between 10.000 and 15.000 baht per month, the equivalent of less than 400 euros. At the same time, the cost of living is rising, especially in urban areas such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
There is also little room for economic mobility. Young people often end up in repetitive, poorly paid jobs. There is little attention for talent or dedication. Remuneration is mainly based on age and work experience. Those who are young have to wait. And those who do not have a network get nowhere.
The burden of tradition and authority
Thai society is highly hierarchical. Respect for authority is deeply rooted, both in education and in the workplace. In theory, this is a cultural principle, in practice it is often an obstacle. Young people are rarely allowed to think along, let alone express criticism.
This culture clashes with a young generation that is more outspoken and international than ever. They have grown up with social media, speak multiple languages, and look beyond the borders of their own province. But within the formal system there is hardly any room for this. Creativity and initiative are rarely rewarded.
Education that does not prepare
Thailand has a high participation in higher education, but many degrees yield little. Research by the Asian Development Bank shows that many graduates do not have the skills that employers are looking for. Education is focused on discipline and repetition. Critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration remain underdeveloped, precisely the skills that make the difference in the international labor market.
In addition, access to good jobs often depends on connections. Those who do not have family or friends in business or government remain stuck in precarious or informal work. Meritocracy is an ideal, not a practice.
The dream of abroad
For many young people, emigration is not an escape, but a strategic choice. They look for countries where talent outweighs age, and where dedication does pay off. They follow their peers in South Korea, Japan, Europe or the US via social media. There they see how young people live, travel and make a career independently. This is in stark contrast to their own situation.
South Korea is popular because of its cultural appeal and relatively accessible work visas. Japan, Taiwan and certain European countries are also attracting more and more young Thais. Once they have left, they share their stories on YouTube or TikTok, feeding the desire of others to do the same.
Political discontent
The desire to leave is also a political act. Many young people turn away from a society that they experience as authoritarian, conservative and closed. They feel excluded from decision-making, while it is precisely their future that is at stake.
The deep-seated distrust of the establishment was clearly reflected in the student protests of 2020. Thousands of young people took to the streets to call for reforms to the education system, the constitution, the military and even the monarchy – topics that had been off-limits for years. The government responded with arrests, intimidation and censorship.
An important turning point was the ban on the progressive party FutureForward in 2020. This party, led by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, managed to bind millions of young people to itself in a short time. It promised more democracy, transparency and equal opportunities. However, the party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, based on questionable financial grounds. Many young people saw this as proof that the system protects itself against any form of innovation.
Since then, the political landscape has become more polarized. New progressive movements, such as MoveForward, remain popular among young people, but are constantly being thwarted by legal and military power structures. For many young Thais, this is a signal that real change from within is hardly possible. Confidence in the system has disappeared and with that confidence, their future expectations in their own country.
Thailand is losing its future
The exodus of young people is more than an economic migration. It is a silent voice against a system that offers them no future. As long as fundamental reforms are not forthcoming, Thailand will continue to lose its youngest generation to countries that do listen, reward and trust.
The question is not why young people leave, but why they don't want to stay. And the honest answer to that question is painfully obvious.
Sources:
- Asian Development Bank. (2022). Thailand: Education sector assessment.Retried from https://www.adb.org/publications/thailand-education-sector-assessment
- International Labor Organization. (2023). Youth employment in Thailand: Challenges and policy responses.Retried from https://www.ilo.org
- World Bank. (2023). Thailand economic monitor: Unlocking productivity.Retried from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/publication/thailand-economic-monitor
- Freedom House. (2024). Freedom in the World 2024: Thailand.Retried from https://freedomhouse.org/country/thailand/freedom-world/2024
- Pongsudhirak, T. (2023, November 12). Why young Thais are losing hope in their homeland. Bangkok Post. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com
- Thairath Online. (2023, September 5). More information เพราะอะไร? [Why do young Thais want to live abroad?]. Retrieved from https://www.thairath.co.th
- UNESCO. (2022). Global Education Monitoring Report: Southeast Asia overview.Retried from https://en.unesco.org/gem-report
As a young person, you would lose your trust for less. But the government couldn't care less. Sticking to stagnation, continuing to (de)program the population and keeping them stupid according to what is in their interest and suits them. The people undergo (determinism) and concentrate on sanoek (bread and games) where possible. The system leaves the class differences with their cultural and socio-anthropological connotations, nationalism and latent racism untouched or even fuels them. There is however some hope, but it cannot be otherwise that (as so many times before) a severe deadly repression will follow. In the hope that they can continue to fill their pockets. For decades to come. Deeply sad.
Beautifully and truthfully written!
I know quite a few examples, for example, in my village there is a chef who worked in Germany for a number of years, gained experience and earned money there, returned and started his own restaurant here.
Another man from this village worked on cruise ships for years, made good money and started a kennel again.
I also know Thais from my area who have picked tomatoes in greenhouses in the Netherlands, and what about the many Thais who spend their old age in Thailand again after years abroad, in my eyes a very good thing, these people not only bring back money but also ideas and new insights, my wife, for example, after 17 years in the Netherlands, brought Dutch directness with her and thinks differently than the average Thai about many things.
I was blown away when I read this article.
From 2004 until corona I was in Thailand for a few months every year for some foundations and worked a lot with schools and young people. Have I been sleeping?
Can I use this article for my book about my experiences as a development worker?
This topic is something that has been alive and well in the 'shadows' among young adult Thais for this entire century.
Vertical hierarchy is 'deadly' for many, even worse than the wrong skin color.
I know several here who have built their financial well-being by working abroad or, if possible, emigrating. We also see topics about that regularly on this blog.
Often with reluctance because the Thai are a little bit nationalistic and are also quick to 'offend' by the same mistakes as the things they are protesting against.
As long as networking with financial contribution remains the basis in the career of many, even those who have no say or the right knowledge, it will not change.
Not really a very special Thai ailment, but they do know very well how to keep the trump cards in their own hands once their own position has been confirmed.
Sad for many.
'and also quickly 'offends' itself to the same mistakes as that which it protests against.' That is of course also where the shoe pinches. The programming and indoctrination therefore does indeed work. In this way, one does indeed do what one rightly
abhors the government to practice on a smaller scale itself. Something like 'like the master, like the dog'. That makes it even more deeply sad and hopeless.
Isn't it being made more dramatic than what it is?
The grass is always greener on the other side or somewhere else in the world. That is not unique to a country but is in the spirit of many ages.
Young people with education and knowledge of a foreign language can easily earn money because of the new source of income called social media. Thailand is full of foreign vloggers and vice versa more and more Thais are in this online business abroad.
I no longer believe in the fairy tales that a middle and higher educated person is a slave to the system. It is not for nothing that Thailand is an expensive country in the region because of all kinds of laws that simply have to be followed.
I am in the middle of the Thai SME scene and know very well how things are for the average Thai and I literally don't know of anyone who leaves because of politics.
Opportunism is there and then it works like buying a lottery ticket and if you can find something via an online date then you can go for it. Has nothing to do with basic rights in Thailand.
Indeed Eric that is also part of the reality. Those who can make use of the
English make opportune use of social media. When I stay in Thailand for a family visit that is always short for me, I often travel around for a few months afterwards without my partner (M) alone and I try to meet people through that channel and broaden my view of Thailand. Most contacts are eager to immigrate and then consider their contact with a farang as hope and the dollar signs immediately appear in their eyes. Others start talking about money right away. Even in the first conversation. For example, there was one who immediately asked for a house as a gift. Others are feeling things out. In live conversations afterwards, very little is discussed about politics, but it rarely happens. Most of the people I met belonged to the lower or middle class. Soon the conversation turned to seeing the world and although they were often much richer than myself, they soon asked whether there was a quick win possible in my country and preferably without too much effort. Those who had already visited various countries in the West had never had enough or I heard strong nationalistic reflexes: Thailand is and remains socio-culturally 'superior' for them.
It's a little bit wider bandwidth, Eric.
Fundamental rights will not be an issue for everyone, people are talking about dissatisfaction on this topic.
Mass protests by young Thailand are not that far behind us.
When you look at Thailand as a whole, you are calling it a minority.
Many truly believe that they have not received the future that was offered and will not receive it in Thailand.
The editorial summary is clear.
In addition to my previous response, the following passage from the editorial article is unfortunately also correct. I quote: 'Critical thinking, problem-solving skills and cooperation remain underdeveloped, precisely the skills that make the difference on the international labour market'. These qualifications/skills are also not found in the vast majority of
the government (exemplary function) and in education they are absolutely not encouraged, let alone taught.