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- Rudolf: Quote: What are the current estimated costs of building a house per m². That just depends on what kind of requirements you meet
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- RonnyLatYa: Also take a look at this. https://www.iqair.com/thailand/kanchanaburi Also scroll down a bit and they will also give you some explanation
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Home » News from Thailand » More than half of Thai households are worried about finances
More than half of Thai households are worried about finances
More than half of Thai households are concerned about financial issues such as the cost of living, rising debts and their income. This is the conclusion of a study by the Kasikorn Research Centre.
More than 53 percent of those surveyed say they earn as much or less than last year and the income is not enough to cover costs and debts.
Thais earning 15.000 baht or less a month fear they will not be able to meet debt obligations. Workers from families with no job security find it more important to keep their jobs than to pay off debts.
Source: Bangkok Post
This is about Thailand and they are right to be concerned because there is no social system as we are used to. To what extent do the Thai concerns, which are justified, differ from the concerns in other countries and those countries where they are at least entitled to debt restructuring and social benefits? (and don't forget the food bank) Try to imagine having nothing to fall back on, losing everything and having no job. I know a few and feel sorry for them.
Not having a job in Thailand is an illusion. Apparently not wanting to do any work. There are estimates that there are up to 4 million foreign migrant workers working in Thailand. They exist because there is a demand for labor and those jobs are not filled by Thai people. In addition, it is quite easy to create your own source of income in a basic way, such as selling goods, eating out, providing services in agriculture and horticulture without any further obligations and can be realized immediately. So that fairy tale of not having work is more a matter of not traveling to where there is work or not bothering to roll up your sleeves. Just look at how many people in Thailand travel far and leave home and hearth to earn income elsewhere. Or just look around you at how many inventive people are starting up their own one-man business.
I don't know if you live in a village, but money flows more easily out of a village, for example the electricity bill, than into a village.
And in a village people can only sell to each other, which on balance does not generate any money.
You can also point out unfilled jobs, but these are often caused by the inhumane working conditions, because the employer does not want to spend a baht on and for his staff.
Often they are even exploited and underpaid.
Saying that people don't want to roll up their sleeves is too easy.
But actually, you already said that yourself.
People abandon hearth and home – often separated from their wives and children for months at a time – in order to support their families.
The fact is that there is enough work for everyone in Thailand. Just move just like I and many others in the Netherlands had to do in the 80s with high unemployment in the Netherlands, 200 km away where there was work. Or in the 50s and 60s when many Dutch people emigrated because there was no work, no future.
You show little empathy, not having a job is not a fairy tale but a nightmare for a Thai. Labor forces from neighboring countries are displacing Thai low-skilled workers due to the anti-social tactics of employers, who pay these foreigners, many of them illegal, even less than the minimum wage in Thailand, on which no one can make a living. Of course, not everyone can set up a business themselves and employees have no rights in the event of dismissal, nor do they enjoy protection against dismissal. I often read that Thai people live exclusively for today and do not worry about tomorrow. Well, they certainly do, but they keep those concerns to themselves and don't flaunt them. And if you struggle day in, day out to make ends meet with virtually no prospect of a better future, this will obviously have an impact on your daily life. And yes, not only for a 'farang' have prices risen in Thailand, this also applies to the Thais themselves and since the wages of those who do have work do not keep pace, debts will increase. Yes, it is obvious that there are Thais who have gotten into trouble by living beyond their means. But this is not just reserved for Thais, it happens worldwide. By the way, many of the expensive smartphones are cheap imitations. In short, Ger, you write 'look around you' and I would like to add that you should do so with open eyes and be aware of the problems of many Thai people in order to lead an acceptable life.
Hey, a friend of mine is a manager in a company in BKK, the employees are paid decently and can (according to Thai law) take a severance package that gives them 6 months' wages. They get a 5% raise every year! Moreover, it is terribly difficult, if not impossible, to find Thai employees willing to work for a wage of THB 20.000! Now you can delete my response, just like the previous one with 6 ratings in no time, but a little sense of reality would not be out of place!
Hey what? I'm not a horse! The article is about Thai workers with an income of 15.000 Bath or less per month. Of those surveyed, 53% say they earn as much as or less than last year while the cost of living has risen sharply. It therefore concerns workers who are low-skilled and are paid correspondingly low. They are often forced to change jobs and they can only dream of a severance pay, let alone qualify for an annual surcharge of 5%. That is unfortunately the reality and articles, including from the Bangkok Post and also here on Thailand Blog, show that it is becoming increasingly difficult for these low-skilled Thais to find a job because they experience increasing 'competition' from guest workers from surrounding countries. With your assumption that it is terribly difficult to find Thai employees for a wage of 20.000 Bath, I wonder what work it is and in which pond they fish. Perhaps that 20.000 Bath is underpaid for the demands placed on the desired employee and can earn more elsewhere. And why that exclamation mark after 20.000.-Thb.; it is not such a world amount now. Certainly not if you compare it to the income requirement on the retirement visa of 65.000 Bath p/m (or a bank balance of 800.000 Bath).
A single company does not say much, it just depends on what kind of company it is.
Most minimum wage workers are day laborers and are entitled to nothing upon dismissal.
These benefits mainly apply to employees in international companies with a contract.
However, the Thai minimum wage was 2012 Baht per day in 300.
Also in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
In 2017 it was increased by a whole 5 Baht to 305 Baht.
The many complaints on the forums about rising prices in Thailand may be proof that the incomes of the Thai have fallen relatively sharply.
This is inflation from 2012, whatever those numbers represent.
In the Netherlands, expenditure always rises much faster than inflation, because many things are not included in the inflation figures.
Municipal taxes, for example.
2016 0.19%
2015 -0.90%
2014 1.90%
2013 2.20%
2012 3.00%
Go find a girl. I can't find a Thai one, and certainly don't pay too little. In Bangkok we paid 12000 baht per month. One from Burma
Also with my daughter, if she can find a shop girl (unskilled work) they have requirements that a graduate does not yet meet. I don't do this and I don't do that etc.
Many come to work for 3-4 months and leave again without saying anything or something like oh yes, I won't be coming tomorrow.
My daughter also pays not much more than the minimum wage (THB 10.000), but also free food and a spacious room above the store, with her own shower and toilet. That is also a Thb 5.000 per month. In addition, if she works on her Sunday off, thb 500 and if she occasionally has to work in the evening, also overtime. And an annual bonus depending on the earnings that year.
Fortunately, she now has a girl who has been with her for over a year and seems to be having a good time.
Small addition, she once had a girl from Laos, who earned just as much.
And they don't come for less. Her husband worked in construction, and he asked for and received Thb 750 per day. So they don't work that cheap either.
most of the 4 million foreign guest workers here work illegally and far below the wage limit, because the wage limit in their country is even lower than in Thailand. Even a Thai cannot live on this wage, with his family
Nonsense that most of them work illegally. Mood-making. There was an opportunity to register illegal workers just 2 weeks ago. 772.000 were registered. This option was offered because high fines are imposed for illegal work thanks to a new law. Those other millions from surrounding countries already work legally for normal Thai wages.
As for wage shortages. A good example in Europe was Spain in the 80s and 90s. Many had to work 2 jobs to earn enough income. As a result, people in the family only ate a hot meal around 10.00 o'clock in the evening. Or even now in the United States where many combine 2 or even 3 jobs to earn enough. Well, I don't see people in Thailand that often have 2 jobs. As I said in an earlier response: go to work if you want to have enough income.
I can't follow your responses.
There was a registration opportunity two weeks ago.
Then 772.000 ILLEGALS were registered according to your figures.
Doesn't that mean they've been working here illegally all these years?
And that has deprived the Thai workers - who are most likely more expensive - of the possibility of an income?
You also seem to think it's normal that employers pay so little that people need two jobs - or sometimes three - to make a living.
I definitely don't think that's normal.
I wrote: “at normal Thai wages”. So I'm not talking about too little, but about what is common and normal in Thailand! If their own Thai people do not agree with it, then they should stand up for themselves more like in Europe in the last century. Of course, most wages are low in Thailabd, I find, and it is often a matter of survival to get through the month. But other countries faced similar situations.
My response about illegal immigrants was a response to Ulrich Bartsch who claimed that most foreign guest workers work illegally and I refuted that based on facts.
I know everything about it. Unfortunately, they also share their concerns with me and hope that I can contribute to a solution. What strikes me: the family members who have reached "above Jan" have done so through their own efforts and initiatives. The ones we have been sending money to still have nothing now. Similar to development aid. Also a bottomless pit.
Yes, and life is getting more and more expensive. And not by 2-3%, if there is a price increase at the food stalls along the road, you don't notice it at first, but the portions are getting smaller and smaller. Ultimately, if the portion is so small that it cannot be less, the price will suddenly increase by 5 baht. 5 Baht of 35 or 40 is still soon a 12 to 15%.
Fruit and vegetables are almost impossible to buy for an ordinary worker, unless it is high season then many pick-ups drive through the street with kilos of fruit for 100 Thb.
But the above is my experience, not an established fact.
Others will no doubt still find Thailand cheap.
And what about the 'pensions' for the elderly and disabled from 700 to 900 baht; how can you survive that? It is possible thanks to the help of family, neighbours, friends and if that help is not there?
And then to know that Thailand, together with Russia and India, is one of the countries in the world where income differences are the greatest. The rich pay little or no tax here. I would focus my criticism on that instead of pointing the accusing finger at the poor, as some do above.
What I don't understand and see daily with my own eyes is the following.
Kids going to school and racing on the latest models from Yamaha and Honda.
When I'm at the back of the queue at the checkout at the local Tesco Lotus, I see wallets full of credit cards.
I myself barely get by with my regular old - fashioned cash payment and an ATM card .
The number of new pickups passing me at lightning speed .
Went to the Big C and kadfarang in HangDong today.
Big C is looking for a place to park the car.
Just like last week , the Mac Donalds was well stocked with customers and for a bit of hamburger you will soon lose 160 baht per person .
Very busy with traffic on the way there and back.
Oh yes, I also know that today was an extra holiday day, but still, if you don't have any money to spend, stay home, I think.
And don't forget the new apartment buildings that are rising up like mushrooms.
Now many will say but you can't see Jan, everything is financed.
But they do it anyway.
Maybe I live in the richest part of Thailand , it could very well be .
Jan Beute.
E How high would the actual number be in the Netherlands and Belgium? The fact that there is a decrease in the number of unemployed in the Netherlands is not primarily due to work, but to the fact that people receive social assistance after 3 years instead of after 2 years.
I promise everyone that's not greasy. Fortunately, this does not bother me, but I do know former colleagues over the age of 45 who have ended up in such a situation.
This group is forgotten in the Netherlands and Belgium
ok, Dirk, but what is said above that giving or sending money does not help is completely correct.
i knew a thai lady in Belgium and she told me once never give money to the family and am grateful to her because if i had done it i probably wouldn't be with my lovely wife today because money……have known many cases afterwards yes man Get to know Thailand well first.
now what, who or how pays tax or not means Thai people or companies is a Thai matter where you or I or other farangs
nothing to report on, I thought?
hello khun yan
can you maybe tell which company in bangkok this is.
Due to the fact that I know a number of very motivated Thais who would like to do this work for the above monthly amount
Thanks in advance Pete
Khun Yan says that a friend of his who is a manager at a company in BKK is struggling to find staff. An amount of 20.000 baht is mentioned! As far as I know, many working people there have a much lower income. I am also sure of that as I used to stay in BKK frequently for several years. In the vicinity of Khon Kaen, people still work in construction for 300 to 500 Bht per day. I have a lot of respect for that. when I see how people work and then in the burning sun!. But I also know that there are people who would rather be lazy than tired. But where don't you have it? It's not all so black and white. I also know that quite a few people are drinking or on drugs. During the crisis, we also had many people who drank, even when there was no money. Spiritus was then purified by white bread. harsh living conditions may have something to do with this.
Khun Yan also mention the company where your friend is a manager, I think there are many Thai people who would like to work there.
But when my girlfriend went back to look for work near Ayutthaya 2 years ago after a stay of 6 weeks in the Netherlands, she was told everywhere that the maximum age to be hired is 38 years.
In the end she found something through an employment agency, luckily she is now in the Netherlands and she also quickly found work as a chambermaid in a hotel.
So stop generalizing stories that people don't want to work, and as far as that salary is concerned, you really need that in Bangkok because everything is much more expensive there.
My brother-in-law works in construction and has more than 1000 euros a month in his wallet. They really don't catch anything there. Certainly not where he works. Those workers there are all well paid.