Thai workers and stuff, abroad (reader's submission)
I regularly read the translations and stories of the generation of writers here who, in my opinion, had their peak in Thailand at the end of the last century. Often stories from 50 years ago or at least many decades. I appreciate it, but is that still the reality with many things? Several of its writers have been living high and dry in their native country for a long time.
Although I also hope to reach 70 this year, I have been familiar with this country since 1999 and have lived there for quite a few years and have no real intention of going 'back'. I do read politics, but most of it has my attention for a short time. As a resident of this country without many rights of residence, I cannot really change much about this.
My wife's immediate circle and children have been pointed in the right direction and live in my home country. We do our best to present the grandchild, who is now an adult, without too much coercion. His father has a shop with a second girlfriend and supports himself here in Thailand. There is no more interest in that couple.
The grandchild wishes to be stationed abroad as a civil servant in the future or to obtain a managerial job in Thailand. Studying in Bangkok, the inspiration/motivation is there.
Tino Kuis's story about studying will of course be true in the last century, but I wonder if it still works that way? In addition, the outflow of Thai workers in 2024 is also strong, they of course go abroad to earn money, but still return with a different view on life. And hopefully for them with a better financial outlook on life than they had in Thailand. And who knows, maybe a different insight or better into political wishes that, once a breeding ground has been found, really don't disappear anymore. Many work in democratic countries where people don't just work and sleep, they at least experience the ins and outs of different ways of thinking.
In short, through various paths from student to worker, the critical mass will pull the longest string in my mind. Obviously do not belong to the limited club of global prophets who are often wrong, but base me on more logical contemporary and future facts or, if you like, compelling probabilities.
Would like to hear opinions from the critical daily observers about the future of Thailand.
Submitted by William-Korat
William-Korat, yes, that will be possible in the long term. 'One senses a different way of thinking'. Can only be useful for the future of Thailand. Only, it will take a long time because it is from the minority in this country that one can complete that sniffing session.
You must first study, learn one or more foreign languages, and then gather the courage and money to take that step. Not everyone can do that; it is reserved for the minority who have a little more to spend than the average worker.
So it is possible, but will take a very long time. Power in Thailand lies with the very conservative elite, where changes (which cost the top money...) take place very slowly.
I'm quite curious how 'the second son of four' who comes from the US and now lives in Thailand and has no claim to the throne (because he is married to a farang) will behave in the future when he prostitutes himself to members of 'the family'. '. To be honest, I also expected that different attitude from 'number ten', who after all studied abroad. At that level, something like this apparently sinks in even more slowly...
There are works according to this site https://ap.lc/SGDLp there are quite a few Thai people abroad, Erik.
Is it difficult to achieve that, working abroad, one of my wife's daughters worked in South Korea for a year.
Together with her boyfriend we had to be able to speak some basic English and that was it as far as I was told.
Of course, transport costs are often not 'free'.
About the timeline for reasonable democratization in Thailand, yes, that is not about one or two generations, although many would like to see that.
Although you think differently about that, I have read that ALSO in BV.nl it took some 'time'.
'The 'youth' have the future' is the common slogan, at some point there will be a percentage that has the last word in politics.
I no longer believe in a military takeover in Thailand.
Figures from 2018?
A lot may have changed since the Corona crisis. In fact, I'm convinced of it.
Don't know which way you want to send this message, Fred, but think more.
It is not easy to find sharp, up-to-date information without a PDF.
The point is that if you add up the multiple reasons for going abroad, there are many Thais who do so.
Labor is one of them, studying and family reunification will also be nice numbers.
All in all, strong numbers, I suspect, that bring large amounts of money here, but also a different insight into political thinking, for many.
Link from the BKP in a few months at the end and beginning of 2022/2023 https://ap.lc/IneSf
There are many different Thais who stay abroad for different reasons, for different lengths of time and with different regularities. Tarring them all with the same brush does not do justice to diversity.
In my own environment and recent working years I can list a few of these categories:
– Thai young people attending secondary school abroad (for the middle class in India and Australia/New Zealand, for the rich children in England). Main reason: learning English and thus increasing opportunities on the labor market
– single adults (men and women) who work abroad for a shorter period (1 year) or more or less permanently (currently: Dubai, Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Finland, but previously also Libya, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon);
– younger couples who work abroad for a shorter or longer period of time (Europe, Australia) and have any children raised by grandparents.
Thai people are not critical, but very chauvinistic and not inclined to separate the wheat from the chaff. They just accept that. The women who have gone to live with farang in the EU/UK/US/AU often do not return. Of course there are women who do return. But the prominent image is that they work there for many years, periodically send money to parents and other family, and leave the worries to Thailand. William's link proves this state of affairs. The article talks about many thousands who work outside Thailand and how much money they bring into Thailand. It's about money, not opinions.
In addition, most women in their new country of residence participate in family reunification and allow their children to receive a wonderful education abroad. Do those children retrace their mother's steps? I do not think so.
Neither during the time of the Shinawatras nor during the military governments that followed: the Thai diaspora did not make itself heard and did not make any impact. If there was any criticism, it came from their farang.
Those who do return took their farang husbands with them, own or bought a large piece of land, bought or built a large building, an SUV and are not politically active. They cherish their prosperity, and they are right, whether or not they are praised for it by the husband, because he wants to enjoy his retirement and does not want unrest.
William says that Thai people outside Thailand prefer a different breeding ground. Then they must know which one is common in Thailand. And I doubt that too. People like to follow the leader. Whether it is Thaksin, Yingluck, Prayuth, Pita or Srettha: people are as flexible as bamboo can be. And tell me: which political party in Thailand has a youth wing, like us in the Netherlands with names like Dwars, PINK, and JOVD?
Then one last critical remark: Thais do not have a very good reputation in the Southeast Asian region, especially in South Korea, Japan and neighboring countries, due to their tendency to reside there illegally. This has prompted Seoul to adopt an unpleasant attitude towards Thais who report to Incheon Airport, and Tokyo which does not grant Thais more than 14 days.
My experience is different, however. Almost all Thais want to return to their country once their husband retires. The spouses also wish to spend their old age in Thailand once they retire. Those who really want to stay do so for the sake of their children, but still...
That's because you want to see it that way. Perception is by definition subjective. If people from the group you know return, this does not mean that “almost all Thais” do so. So it is better to base yourself on figures and facts that say that on balance immigration (the inflow) produces a larger number than emigration (the outflow). Click on the CBS link: https://ap.lc/Zatpw