Chiang Mai University professor survives on just 118 baht per month amidst civil servant salary debate

[webfact]

 

A Chiang Mai University professor revealed he struggled for a year on a monthly wage of just 118 baht, a situation that led to a difficult life, reports Khaosod.

 

He had to use an old motorcycle to commute to work, and there were times when he ran out of fuel midway. The issue of splitting civil servants’ salaries into two payments per month is currently a topic of widespread debate in society, with opinions divided.

 

Associate Professor Tatsanai Sethaseree, a teacher in the Department of Media Art and Design, Faculty of Fine Arts at Chiang Mai University, shared one aspect of a civil servant’s life. He stated that when he was first appointed as a regular teacher nearly 20 years ago, he received a salary of around 17,500 baht.

His parents used their retirement money to buy a plot of land and paid a portion of the house construction cost. Tatsanai borrowed the rest from the university welfare to complete the house without telling his parents. Every month, 70% of his salary was automatically deducted to repay the welfare debt, leaving only a few thousand baht to cover his expenses.

 

by Nattapong Westwood

TOP: Tatsanai Sethaseree next to his artwork. Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-15

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[2baht]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

he struggled for a year on a monthly wage of just 118 baht

You'd spill that much in an hour on a good night out!

[rbkk]

I'm not buying the numbers. On his starting salary (17,500 baht) his 30% after loan repayment is 5250 baht a month, not 118 baht. Over time the repayments  stayed the same but salaries have risen. Last university lecturer I heard of was earning 800/1000 baht per hour with private tuition (Double High School teacher rate). I wish someone had bought me some land and paid a % of the house construction costs. Oh, and lent me the balance at 0% (Probably).

[keithkarmann]

Fake news.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, rbkk said:

 Last university lecturer I heard of was earning 800/1000 baht per hour with private tuition (Double High School teacher rate).

University lecturers generally learn a lot less than high school teachers and that's worldwide.

 

Less qualifications and less skills required in university teaching.

[JeffersLos]

1 hour ago, rbkk said:

I'm not buying the numbers. On his starting salary (17,500 baht) his 30% after loan repayment is 5250 baht a month, not 118 baht.

You didn't read the full report, did you. 

[JeffersLos]

From the painting behind, perhaps that's all he's worth? 

[rbkk]

16 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

You didn't read the full report, did you. 

? There you go. Who says AseanNow is not a sharing, caring place? Not me, sir!

[digger70]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

His parents used their retirement money to buy a plot of land and paid a portion of the house construction cost. Tatsanai borrowed the rest from the university welfare to complete the house without telling his parents. Every month, 70% of his salary was automatically deducted to repay the welfare debt, leaving only a few thousand baht to cover his expenses.

He maybe a Professor but not the sharpest Tool in the Shed.

[khunPer]

He borrowed money that he had to pay back; furthermore, a dispute about education and scholarship...

[novacova]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A Chiang Mai University professor revealed he struggled for a year on a monthly wage of just 118 baht,

118 per month? Typo?

[Deserted]

That can't be possible. Is this fake news?