Many Thai people over 60 are still working
More than 37 percent of the over-60s in Thailand work to provide for themselves. Of the 37 percent mentioned, 23 percent have an average monthly income of 23.752 baht. The others work as day laborers, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll).
At least 63 percent of the elderly no longer work, of whom only 19 percent because they have reached retirement age. The others give the reason that they are old, have poor health, because the children do not want them to work (15 percent) or because they cannot find work.
A small majority (51 percent) say they no longer have any financial obligations, but 48 percent can hardly make ends meet. Do pueds get money from their kids? Yes regularly, say 24,8 percent; no, say 21,2 percent; very occasionally, for example on a birthday or with Songkran and the turn of the year, say 17 percent. At least 10 percent have no children because they are unmarried or divorced.
When asked who they can turn to in case of financial problems, 41 percent say: To my children. Mentioned far are: financial institutions (9 pc), spouse (7 pc), relatives (7 pc), myself (3,92 pc); the rest don't know.
Source: Bangkok Post
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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This phenomenon that the elderly have to continue to work is not only in Thailand, but also in many countries in Europe. In Germany, one of the richest countries, many old people have to rely on a part-time job, because otherwise they can no longer afford the enormous rents and other costs. This will also get worse in the future, because we have more and more elderly people, and fewer and fewer young people who contribute to social insurance.
With the enormous aging that is affecting Thailand (and many other countries), it is inevitable that people will continue to work well into their 60s. Fun is different but financially there is no choice. With 37+% working people over 60, the title should therefore be that few people over 60 are still working. Or do they have all the jobs at the Belgian air traffic control who think it's normal to get out at the end of 50? 😉
If I understand correctly, this concerns 37% of ALL people aged 60+, so also those older than 65 or older than 80. In the social security countries, this percentage is calculated over a group from a certain age to retirement age.
This makes the figures difficult to compare and interpret.
The fixed average monthly income is quite high, by the way, about four times the minimum wage. Four times the minimum wage in the Netherlands is more than 6000 euros gross per month.
Be careful here too: The day laborers, the much larger group, will earn much less.
Where is the world in which we have to work less and can live better thanks to technology and knowledge and automation?
As a last resort, many elderly people have the WAT (temple) where the excess food offered is made available to the monks. There are also temples that were built by (very) rich people and often, especially during special celebrations, they also ensure that a buffet is offered to all those present in the temple and its visitors.
Whether they do this out of gratitude for the prosperity they have had in their working lives or to cleanse their souls for the way in which they have achieved their prosperity………. I don't know, but it's nice that they do.
If the farang becomes beggar in Thailand, he/she can always enter the "monastery" to become a monk/nun. There are special rules for this at the immigration service and at the temple you hand over your last bit of prosperity, I was told, so for what it is worth to want to stay in Thialand ………
Sincerely,
Gerard
Yes, many people over 60 in Thailand still work, they just don't deserve the salt in the porridge.
That is not different from when they were not yet 60 years old.
They just keep doing it because there is nothing else to do and look after the grandchildren.
I believe there is no hunger in Thailand, but then you have had it.
And that is also very common here for everyone.
And that monthly wage of almost 24.000 Bath for those old people, the average government employees don't even earn that here.
strange statement: the average wage of all working people in thailand is less than 14.000 baht per month!
then why are there so many old people earning double that? are probably entrepreneurs with a business and don't do much themselves
Well, what else are they supposed to do? There is no social assistance here, state pension is Baht 600 per month, housing benefit does not exist here, living costs are skyrocketing, and so on. And where does that monthly wage of Baht 23.000 – come from? My daughter works in an accounting department of a large company and the monthly wage is Baht 14000 to 15000-. The common worker, if he works for a big company, has Baht 300- per day and working 30 days per month is Baht 9000-. 1 day of not working he/she loses Baht 300-. The little Mom and Pop shoppers still don't pay more than Baht 200 a day and no insurance or anything. Horrifying conditions!