In the scorching sun of Pattaya, beach vendors like Somchai struggle to survive every day. Carrying heavy racks of goods and facing endless rejections, they walk miles across hot sand. Behind their polite smiles lies a world of poverty and resilience, where dreams fade and the horizon holds little promise. This is the story of invisible warriors in a holiday paradise.
'Twelve rooms and no view of tomorrow'
In a stifling hotel somewhere in Thailand, two housekeepers struggle to stay afloat as prices rise and their paychecks stagnate. Between scrubbing and folding, they share sharp words and quiet dreams in a world where every room they leave behind symbolizes what they will never have: peace.
'Waiting for a customer who never comes'
In a stuffy Thai bar, Jinda, an unremarkable woman with a worn smile, waits for a customer who never comes. Until an old, life-beaten Farang steps in and turns her world upside down. A story of hope, loneliness and the unexpected power of a look that can change everything.
'The perfume of red roses'
In the neon-lit chaos of Bangkok, Nandar walks every night with her baby and a bunch of roses. She hopes for pity, for a few coins, but above all for a way out. Amidst the tourists and their careless looks, she searches for something that can give her hope, while the city slowly swallows her up. A raw and compelling story about survival.
Column – Luxury shines, poverty sinks
In Thailand, department stores gleam like palaces, but just beyond the glass façades, a battle for basic needs rages. While the elite wallow in gold and designer labels, the rest struggle to put together a plate of rice. This is a country of contrasts where luxury does not unite but divides, and where poverty is the price for the glitter of capitalist illusions.
'The Lost Street'
In the shadow of neon lights and rats, Vinai and Boonmee struggle with the harsh reality of the slums. Between raw humor and bitter truths, a question arises: what remains of dignity when survival is the only game? A story about dreams that die, choices that cost your soul and a final step towards self-respect.
'Struggle to survive in a world that barely sees her'
Khun Mali, 76 and still behind her stall at the market, can’t stop. Her weathered hands cut mangoes and papayas every day, struggling to survive in a world that barely sees her. To stop would be to disappear, because without her work she would be just a nameless memory in a bustling crowd.
'Trapped in a world of debt and threats'
Jintana, a young mother, finds herself trapped in the clutches of a ruthless loan shark. With debt hanging like a noose around her neck and no way out in sight, she decides to travel to Bangkok, where she sells her body in a desperate attempt to give her daughter a chance at a better life.
'Looking for a better future in Bangkok'
With a child in her arms and a broken heart, she leaves Isaan in search of a better future in Bangkok. But in the concrete jungle of the city, she discovers that not all dreams come true. While she fights to survive, the distance to her son and the loneliness that slowly surrounds her grow.
'About failed harvests, lost hope and a youth in a hurry'
In the twilight of Isaan, Khun Somchai and his neighbor Suriya sit together by their hut, staring at the disappearing sun. Their conversations, full of melancholy and restrained humor, are about failed harvests, lost hopes, and a youth in a hurry. As life goes on and the countryside falls silent, they realize that the old times are slowly fading away.
Column – The fate of the poor Thai in the rainy season: sink or swim
The annual drama repeats itself: the poor are once again standing in water up to their knees, their houses flooded, while the rich are high and dry enjoying the view. The Thai government makes promises, but structural solutions fail to materialize. The population swallows the disaster in silence, as if it is simply their fate to lose everything again and again.
Thailand will have significantly reduced poverty by 2023, with the number of poor people falling from 3,79 million to 2,39 million. Despite this progress, some regions, particularly in the south, remain vulnerable. The government needs to take urgent action to prevent vulnerable groups from falling back into poverty and to address inequalities.
Is it nice to be Thai?
At first you would think so. Thais often laugh, the weather is always nice here, the food is good, so what more could you want? But the reality is more stubborn.
Thailand in pictures (6): Slums
A picture paints a thousand words. This certainly applies to Thailand, a special country with an interesting culture and many cheerful people, but also a dark side of coups, poverty, exploitation, animal suffering, violence and many road deaths. Today a photo series about another dark side of Thailand: the slums.
Thailand in pictures (1): Homeless
A picture paints a thousand words. That certainly applies to Thailand, a special country with an interesting culture and many smiling people. Those who visit Thailand are almost always captivated by the atmosphere that characterizes the country. Sometimes not to express in words but in images.
Street vendors, beggars, paupers (reader's submission)
Confronting street trading can be a sudden moment of cultural confusion for tourists in Thailand. From sentimental sales gimmicks to the subtle social dynamics of Thai society, foreigners face a quick choice: reject, negotiate or give in. But what really lies behind these seemingly simple transactions, and how do travelers actually experience these interactions?
Thailand on the brink of an aging crisis: Older people in poverty
Thailand, once known as the 'Land of Smiles', now faces an unprecedented aging challenge. While the population is aging rapidly, current government pensions fall short of guaranteeing a dignified old age. Many have to choose between basic needs and medical care, putting pressure on the country's economic and social structure. This in-depth report highlights the personal stories and larger implications of this impending crisis.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, once a successful real estate magnate, recently made a remarkable gesture by donating his monthly salary to charity. With this gesture and his recent statements about the wealth gap in Thailand, he calls on the wealthy for more empathy and action. The question now is: how can strategic changes make a lasting impact on those less fortunate?
Thailand appears to be losing the battle against the deep-rooted inequality between rich and poor, even under the new government. Despite Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's assurances to tackle poverty, experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of the proposed measures. They warn that purely economically driven policies will not reduce structural inequality in the country.
Thailand's consumer council urges reconsideration of pension scheme: proposal to increase benefit to 3.000 baht
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is calling on the new government to review a recent pension scheme that restricts some elderly people. The council proposes to restore a universal pension scheme with an increased benefit, in order to lift the elderly above the poverty line and guarantee a decent standard of living.
"Changes in Thai pension payments cause political storm"
Thailand's Interior Ministry recently made changes to pension payments for the elderly, sparking significant criticism and political debate. Several political parties and civil society networks have expressed concern, especially about the potential impact on the most vulnerable elderly. While the government argues that these adjustments are necessary given the growing elderly population, critics fear that millions could lose their pension rights.
Statement of the week: If you were born for a dime in Thailand, you will never become a quarter
After being paused for a while, the series 'Thesis of the week' continues again and the statement for this time is: 'If you were born for a dime in Thailand, you will never become a quarter.'