2 minutes ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

I hope the whole over reacting was worth it... 

 

well I guess looking at the whole under reaction thing in the UK & US, with their world class health system no less, gives us an indication of its worth here 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

COVID-19 was heavily affecting the Thai economy and 1.5 million Thai people were approaching the poverty line, said the World Bank.

I would suggest that 1.5 million are already below the poverty line with another 10 million fast approaching.

and against that economic news the government still wants to spend money on military hardware and spacecraft

The government has devised a cunning plan to eliminate all poverty in Thailand.  Since the World Bank measures poverty by USD earnings, the authorities have embarked on a massive effort to sink the USD in Thailand.  The lower the Dollar—the less poverty reported by World Bank.  In the last 9 months the Baht has risen more than 8% on the USD.  When they bring the USD to parity with the mighty Baht—even a Thai making 20 Baht per day will catapult themselves out of poverty and land solidly into the middle class.

And, did the world bank advised these people to send a letter to the Chinese gorvernment and ask for compensation. 10+ million would closer, my guess.

The numbers were far greater than that even before the covid debacle when most were making less than $10 usd per day and in debt up to their eyeballs! 

14 hours ago, jonclark said:

Irrespective of how these statistics were arrived at 1.5 more people in poverty, despite government interventions, is a shocking number. I imagine this sadly speaks of the utter devastation covid has brought to the tourist industry and the businesses that support that industry.

Please always remember it wasn't covid that brought this devastation. It was the world's RESPONSE to covid that brought it. It was obvious this would happen from day 1, and by the way we are not even half way thought this, just getting started. Wave after wave and mutations, a DECADE more of this. A proper cost/benefit analysis was definitely never done.

How many millions up to their eyes in debt....and not just in Thailand

the poor get poorer while the rich get richer.

regards Worgeordie

Its more than 1.5 million But as i said before Thais dont exactly like to work plus the government keeps throwing holidays at them

8 hours ago, Bangkokazy said:

Looking at Thailand now, it is hard to imagine the poverty that existed here 100 years ago.

In fairness, that could be said of virtually any developed, or developing country.

Surely there is a great opportunity here to retrain these people as rocket scientists or nautical engineers?

1 hour ago, AhFarangJa said:

One point five million NEAR the poverty line, and countless millions around the country way, way, below it. However, as long as the Generals, and their Government sycophants etc. have their toys, kickbacks, massive pensions, and sinecures, all will be rosy................

Until, one day...

 

I suspect that the one thing which acts as a safety valve for this particular pressure cooker is the existence of something resembling rudimentary health care provision (the "30 Baht" scheme) and universal ( if dismal away from the major cities) education. If those are removed ( they are viewed as an expensive diversion of funds which could be put to better use) then the pot will boil.

24 minutes ago, Happyman567 said:

Its more than 1.5 million But as i said before Thais dont exactly like to work plus the government keeps throwing holidays at them

My 72 year old father in law and his M5 and M6 granddaughters up in Issan are out in the fields, cutting the sugar and loading up the trailer. They can't get the workers.

Morning walk this time down Rama 4 to just the other side of the Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway and then left up Duang Phithak Rd.  As soon as you head up the frontage road there are now no less than over 45 new shanties that have popped up, with more homeless there then two weeks ago when I walked it.  Poverty level and homeless are going hand in hand over here in Sathon.  The food carts have also upped there prices by between 5 baht and 10 baht for their items.  saw around 15 people seated on the ground, dirty, and unkempt, begging for a few satang.  Of course helped as many as we could today.  Took food to some of the families we have befriended for them and their children.  GF's daughter has now healed from her pneumonia, and took some of her toys to give to the children.  Guess my GF has raised her daughter the right way to care for others.  More and more going broke every day.  Sad to see that they can not even qualify for the programs the government has created as many have no bank accounts, or phones now.

1.5 Million Thais Near Poverty
 

Now, tell us how many Thais near to riches or super rich

6 hours ago, welshguy said:

How many?!! Only 1.5 million?!

 

Apparently, (according to a quick google search) there are 14 miilion people living in poverty in the U.K.?!! 

 

So thats almost 10 times more people in poverty in the U.K. than Thai people living in near poverty in Thailand.?

 

Of course though...it all depends on what is classed as "poverty".

 

I would be amazed though, if only 1.5 million people in Thailand are living in" near poverty".

 

 By the same token, Id also be amazed if 14 million in the U.K. are living in "poverty".

 

 

I think poverty in the UK is measured by if you have a sky subscription or not. After all many see it as a necessity with their cheap fags and special brew.

16 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Far more than 1.5 million. Since very few Thai's pay income tax, it would be interesting to know what the world bank base their figures on.

Humbly, NEAR poverty? ONLY 1,5 Million? Has the world bank been here? Dubious statement

The World Bank should be spending more time getting unscrupulous Thai business owners to stop using cheap migrant labor,  provide decent working conditions and wages for workers.

 

IOM estimates between 4 and 5 million migrants laborers in Thailand, there is no need for anyone to be out of work or in poverty.

12 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

1.5 Million Thais Near Poverty
 

Now, tell us how many Thais near to riches or super rich

A handful.

At least 75% of Thai people live in poverty was my observation after living there for 6 years.

In saying that comparing poverty to the Western definition of poverty. 

15 hours ago, jonclark said:

1.5 more people in poverty,

didn't say 1.5 million more, said 1.5 million

 

in either case the number is probably much much too low

Me thinks we have way more writers than readers here. The article says that 1.5m are approaching the poverty line,  it doesn't discuss what is the current number in poverty now...although working back with the percentages given one can figure it out. In the context given approaching likely means on the way in, not the way out.

The real numbers are much much higher of course. Never the less I wonder when and how the government is going to help the people? 

So far no relief package and no vaccination. The Borders are still closed and more and more businesses are closing.

Who cares?

The tip of the iceberg, which keeps 9/10th under the water; I personally assume that it affects 25%-30%, and that is a conservative estimate, regretfully ???? 

4 minutes ago, Sean60 said:

The real numbers are much much higher of course. Never the less I wonder when and how the government is going to help the people? 

So far no relief package and no vaccination. The Borders are still closed and more and more businesses are closing.

Who cares?

There have been 3-4 relief/stimulus packages, Tax cuts, mortgage relief, 50% off food and goods. electricity rebates, subsidised travel etc.

Surely this figure is per province or did whoever compiled this figure never left whatever town or City they reside in. 

59 minutes ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

My 72 year old father in law and his M5 and M6 granddaughters up in Issan are out in the fields, cutting the sugar and loading up the trailer. They can't get the workers.

Many  of  the  poor are poor  for  a  very  very  good  reason,  totally  unwilling to do any  and  all  work  relying  instead  on  family  members who  do  have  work,  in  short , lazy.

47 minutes ago, sungod said:

provide decent working conditions and wages for workers.

You can provide that all you  like and I have done, when they're  lazy nothing will shift them and from my experiences many are.

1.5 million are NEAR poverty (headline) and 8.8% are AT poverty (article).

 

Trying hard not to mention the total number of Thais at or near poverty, from the looks of it!

 

48 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

There have been 3-4 relief/stimulus packages, Tax cuts, mortgage relief, 50% off food and goods. electricity rebates, subsidised travel etc.

However, you must qualify for any of it and many do not....no equitable treatment amongst the needy and lower middle class.