You experience everything in Thailand (112)

Khao San Road (Sanga Park / Shutterstock.com)

In general, you can expect foreigners who have a relationship in Thailand to make a financial contribution to that partner and family in order to raise their standard of living somewhat. We know all too well that this does not always go without a hitch, because articles on this subject regularly appear on this blog.

Not every Thai who could use that support is lucky enough to have connections with a farang. David Diamant wrote a story about the adventures of a boy from Isan, who lives and works in Bangkok…. and studies.

This is the story of David Diamond

You are not allowed to have dreams and you live from day to day

Well, I know a sympathetic Thai boy. Let's call him Anousone, Son for short (fictitious name).

Son works in the ground floor café annex internet corner and check-in desk of a typical guesthouse, a two-minute walk from Khao San Road (Bangkok). You will not find a better example to describe the life of a country boy from the Northeast of Thailand. Who comes to work in Bangkok for 8.000 baht a month to pay for his studies there and to pay tribute to his family. First some useful info:

Caresheet

Lives with two others in a small studio in the Dusit district. 15 minutes from his work, by motorbike. Been there once. There is a king-size bed, but people sleep in it together. Fridge, then a microwave, next to it a gas fire with one basin. Something to take with you on a trekking, but quite comfortable.

Furthermore, a fan, wardrobe, TV, desktop PC on an applique, a ground toilet with sink and water barrel that is also a shower. Washing is done in it, clothes are dried at the only window. Estimate the space at 40 square meters. The boy pays his share, 4.000 baht a month. Everything is included, from rent to utilities, and internet.

Income

Son earns 250 baht per day in the 'lounge' of the guesthouse. Customers are mostly backpackers or also regulars, but who count every baht. Tips are rarely given there. Son does not have to pay for food, at least when he is at work; from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m. But have already seen Son work until close, with just a quick snack in between. Day leave is possible, but then of course he has not earned anything. He himself says he earns an average of 8.000 baht per month.

Costs

Transport 10 baht per ride, motorbike. Mobile 'top up', as appropriate. Street food outside work, shampoo, washing powder, cosmetics, toothbrush, and so on. Sometimes a cinema or bowling, on a compulsory or non-mandatory day off. If Son has no money, there is always a friend who is good for it and treats.

Money also goes to his family in Chaiyaphum, Northeast Thailand. Dare to write by way of example that he already goes to the hairdresser. But only if he has money for it, that's a luxury, to be pampered. Usually the roommates cut each other (wink) according to the latest trends. A T-shirt or jeans, would that still work? So we are at the end of the story because his pree is long gone.

That boy is happy, lives from day to day

Now, that boy is happy, living day by day. Just FYI, have owned a condo since 1998 in Bang Plat, Arun Amarin, next to Pataa Pinklao. A 'pied à terre' for the moments spent in Bangkok. Then come regularly to Khao San Road. Just likes it there, know people there. We meet there and outside the backpackers bars there are still nice tents. We often dare to go into the 'city' from there too.

But our best friend Anousone is my favorite and not just because it's a pleasant appearance. Just a nice guy with whom you can start a serious conversation, outside the bugger, the daily grind and the joking like in many a cafe. Just imagine that it has become my favorite café there because of Son, and yes, a few things have already happened. The boy works there for a good 2 years.

Here's the thing, eight months ago at a not so lucid moment, after some bottles of Leo and finally Sangsom, I asked about his life dream at a late hour. His answer was short and sweet: study, university, nursing. Was perplexed.

In his own words, he had already done this for 1 year, passed with distinction, but could not keep up. After all, after class, work until well into the night, sleep for four hours and then go back to class. In the meantime, earn some extra money for his niece's school fees, because his brother-in-law had left them behind without further ado. What courage.

Call me crazy, but went to his university a week later. Story checked. Correct 100 percent but there was still an account open. Got that right without a doubt. I could not be told why he did not receive a scholarship/study loan. It was agreed that he was a good student. Received from the attendant that it was a pity that he had dropped out.

Meanwhile, the good guy is studying again, for eight months now. He still works, in the same place, but from 20 pm to closing time, and not every day. A good reader knows what happened.

The moral of the story

Living on 9.000 baht is possible, even in Bangkok. But call it survival. You are not allowed to have dreams and you live from day to day. And then assuming you work all those days. But it is an unwritten law that you have to move forward in life if you want to achieve something. And everyone can use a push, I experienced that myself in the past, otherwise I was never able to do it selflessly now.