2% out of work in Thailand? That's not true says foreign media

[webfact]

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that foreign media Nikkei out of Japan had said that official stats coming from the Thai government that only 2% of the population was out of work was just not true.

 

This was hindering efforts to provide assistance to people affected economically by the pandemic in Thailand, said the media. 

 

Earlier it had been reported that 1.96% were out of work and this was the worst in a dozen years. 

 

Many in Thailand rolled their eyes on hearing that news, notes ASEAN NOW, and Nikkei agreed it was far from reality.

 

They pointed out that many employees in Thailand work outside the (tax) system and besides many of those laid off by companies who had closed because of the pandemic were not included. 

 

One telecoms operator that Nikkei used as a source said that 1.6 million people had left major cities and tourist towns in Thailand for their hometowns between December 2019 and April of this year. 

 

This is borne out by deserted streets in places like Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, notes ASEAN NOW who already suggested that the stats were far from the truth.

 

Admittedly there are lockdowns but that is only part of the story. People have just upped and left.

 

Yongyuth Chalaemwong, an analyst from TDRA, told the media that this misrepresentation of the numbers meant that many people were left by the wayside in being able to access financial help from the government caused by the effect of the pandemic. 

 

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[Stocky]

The Thai unemployment figures only reflect those working in the formal sector and paying tax. About 30 to 40% of Thais work in the informal sector, a large proportion of which are now without work; they have no rights or protection if the boss says sorry we've no work for you. Those that still have a village to go back to, and/or some land for them to subsist on, have gone home. Those that have nothing are in trouble.

[StayinThailand2much]

Thailand has full employment. Just look at the two dozen or so sandwich- and other food sellers within 500m of my apartment (who weren't there only 6 months ago) ... 

Edited August 19, 2021 by StayinThailand2much

[StayinThailand2much]

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

(...) Yongyuth Chalaemwong, an analyst from TDRA, told the media that this misrepresentation of the numbers meant that many people were left by the wayside (...)

That's fine. As long as the top 50 families in Thailand are financially well off, no need to worry...

[RotBenz8888]

2% accounts for the lay off Pattaya prostitutes only. 

 

[pmarlin]

Unemployment number here have never been correct because they have no way of knowing. Most likely if they aren't on the social security system they are listed as farmers. Thailand has a lot of farmers <G>

[trainman34014]

Anyone who believes any 'Stat's' from the Gangsters in Parliament House and their Regional Lackey's is a complete fool !

[Gottfrid]

They can just put a sock in it! Why are they even trying to go out with information they do not have a clue about? As for a fact, it is not possible to calculate or even estimate how many Thais are unemployed or out of work. 

 

Their whole system is build on that small companies do not register employees, as they do not want to pay taxes for them or anything else that would give them benefits later in life. Totally illegal if you read the labour law, but more wide spread than Covid-19.

 

After that they are also well aware of that both unregistered companies, and invisible self-employed people exists in hordes. For example the noodle seller on the corner of every block.

With all that uncountable knowledge, they just grab a number and put it in the world news. There is no word invented for such people and their stupidity.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Earlier it had been reported that 1.96% were out of work and this was the worst in a dozen years.

Fake news... but hey you know how it works.

[herfiehandbag]

2%? Try 20%!

[Isaan sailor]

2%?  Tell that to the people who closed their businesses in the tourist areas.

[55Jay]

4 or 5 different houses in my moo baan have now taken to cooking at home, selling food on Grab.  See the delivery motorcycles parked up out front waiting in the evenings as I walk around.   Folks are doing their best to stay afloat.

[Scott Tracy]

How is unemployment defined in Thailand? Does anyone know? I see many people digging the canals wider and deeper so that they can take more water than their neighbours. A few  people weeding in the rice fields, a few working in shops they run and own. Fast food places. Mostly though, drinking and talking. Are these the employable ones who are counted as unemployed? Kids, in my eyes anyways, 20 ish year olds doing nothing all day apart from lounging around. 40 to 60 year old men, drinking, running round on motorbikes getting white whiskey, beer and ice. Are they classified as employed? 

The numbers of employed seem to me to be picked from the air. 

[sharksy]

I've heard about a Thai lady who went back to Thailand a few months ago, people in her village are pretty desperate and hungry.  They'll steal anything if they can make a few baht.

[stament]

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

They can just put a sock in it! Why are they even trying to go out with information they do not have a clue about? As for a fact, it is not possible to calculate or even estimate how many Thais are unemployed or out of work. 

 

Their whole system is build on that small companies do not register employees, as they do not want to pay taxes for them or anything else that would give them benefits later in life. Totally illegal if you read the labour law, but more wide spread than Covid-19.

 

After that they are also well aware of that both unregistered companies, and invisible self-employed people exists in hordes. For example the noodle seller on the corner of every block.

With all that uncountable knowledge, they just grab a number and put it in the world news. There is no word invented for such people and their stupidity.

If they don't register them as employees how do they justify to the tax department their payments?

[Artisi]

Is it the 1st of April already, wow - time really flies during lockdown. 

[Artisi]

6 minutes ago, stament said:

If they don't register them as employees how do they justify to the tax department their payments?

What tax payments? 

[MrJ2U]

Refreshing.

 

You get numb from the never ending lies that come out of this retarded government.

 

 

 

 

[Tanomazu]

You mean the numbers provided by the Thai government are not strictly speaking....true?

 

That's an outrageous slur on this truth spoiled country.

 

Surely all the figures they provide are 100% accurate? I can't imagine they would not tell anything but the full truth.

[EricTh]

8 hours ago, Stocky said:

The Thai unemployment figures only reflect those working in the formal sector and paying tax. About 30 to 40% of Thais work in the informal sector, a large proportion of which are now without work; they have no rights or protection if the boss says sorry we've no work for you. Those that still have a village to go back to, and/or some land for them to subsist on, have gone home. Those that have nothing are in trouble.

 

How do you define 'informal sector'? Are hawkers considered informal?

 

[billd766]

33 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

Refreshing.

 

You get numb from the never ending lies that come out of this retarded government.

 

 

 

 

The really sad thing is that because they say so, it must be true, and they expect everybody world wide to believe it.

Edited August 19, 2021 by billd766
Added extra text

[MrJ2U]

5 hours ago, 55Jay said:

4 or 5 different houses in my moo baan have now taken to cooking at home, selling food on Grab.  See the delivery motorcycles parked up out front waiting in the evenings as I walk around.   Folks are doing their best to stay afloat.

Must be good food.

 

 

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

1 hour ago, stament said:

If they don't register them as employees how do they justify to the tax department their payments?

they dont pay tax at all.

did you ever got tax receipt at your local noodle shop?

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

maybe the other umemployed thai left to the u.k. to look for jobs:

 

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

According to local media here in Thailand, there has been a mistake in the article

and the title should read:

"2% are out FOR work in thailand", and not : "2% out of work in Thailand".

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, Tanomazu said:

You mean the numbers provided by the Thai government are not strictly speaking....true?

 

That's an outrageous slur on this truth spoiled country.

 

Surely all the figures they provide are 100% accurate? I can't imagine they would not tell anything but the full truth.

Are you saying there is no fake news emanating from the current government? 

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

The really sad thing is that because they say so, it must be true, and they expect everybody world wide to believe it.

Don't we? ????

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, stament said:

If they don't register them as employees how do they justify to the tax department their payments?

What? They are just paying them with black money or already taxed capital. If you also take into consideration that they have double books for financials and that half of the incomes are never registered. Then you might understand. Or not.

[Andycoops]

Most people work, or did, in the informal economy where they get paid in cash and often on a daily basis.

They are not registered with the government for any tax or benefit system so they do not appear in any government statistics.

[HappyExpat57]

They are clinging to these lies in an attempt to protect the already battered baht. When the truth comes out, and it will, this paper tiger economy will plummet.