Thai man regrets career choice as peers earn higher salaries

[snoop1130]

 

A Thai man expressed feelings of failure after comparing his life to the successes of his peers. He chose a government job with a salary of 18,000 baht, while his university friends, who opted for private sector jobs, earned nearly 100,000 baht.

 

The 28 year old Thai man took to the social media platform Pantip to voice his frustration. Seeing his university peers earning as much as 70,000 baht in the private sector, he lamented his choice of a government position, which offers a comparatively modest salary of 18,000 baht.

 

The young man shared his sorrow over the disparity, questioning why their lives diverged so significantly despite having the same educational background. While his friends enjoy financial stability with houses and cars, he struggles to make ends meet.

 

The thought of switching to the private sector scares him due to the uncertainty of being hired. He constantly wonders whether he made the right decision in choosing public service, yearning to rid himself of these feelings of regret and failure.

 

After his post went live, it garnered overwhelming support from netizens who offered words of encouragement. Many highlighted that everything has its differences, from base salaries and benefits to job security, between the private and public sectors.

 

They pointed out that individual circumstances vary and that being the same age does not necessitate having the same income. Comparing oneself to others, they suggested, only leads to unnecessary distress. Instead of dwelling on disappointment, they advised him to find ways to elevate his position.

 

While he might not earn 70,000 baht like his friends, even a slight salary increase, combined with continuous self-development, could make a significant difference.

 

“Every job has its advantages and drawbacks. Public sector jobs offer stability and benefits that private companies might not match. Focus on the positives and work on improving your situation gradually.”

 

“Comparing yourself to others won’t change your circumstances. Find ways to improve your skills, and opportunities will come.”

 

Many suggested that the young man should consider further education or training to enhance his qualifications, which could open doors to higher-paying positions within the public sector or even make him a more attractive candidate for private sector roles in the future, reported KhaoSod.

 

“Your journey is unique. Don’t measure your success by someone else’s standards. Small steps towards improvement can lead to big changes over time.”

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-08-01

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

Did he spend any time looking at the different options before he started his "career"? 

[Sigma6]

Apply for a new job. 
 

the end. 

[nakhonandy]

37 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did he spend any time looking at the different options before he started his "career"? 

Exactly, I'm sure he did as all the Thai I know are aware of the pay differences. 

He opted for security over salary, if he's not happy, change jobs.

[mokwit]

7 minutes ago, nakhonandy said:

Exactly, I'm sure he did as all the Thai I know are aware of the pay differences. 

He opted for security over salary, if he's not happy, change jobs.

The iron rice bowl. Don't forget the medical cover is for the whole family.

[ikke1959]

So change your job....why stay if you are not satisfied??

[OneMoreFarang]

22 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

So change your job....why stay if you are not satisfied??

In 6 months

I changed my job, it's great, I earn so much more.

 

In 12 months

I really have to work in this new job. I was so used to an easy life in the office. They told me they will fire me if I don't work harder.

 

Some time later

They fired me. Now I don't know how to pay for the house and the car and the credit card bills. Life is not fair.

 

To be continued 

 

[Gknrd]

Government jobs in the US are for people that cannot make it in  private industry. I worked for city government in a large city for a few years. The worst job I ever had. Didn't have to know anything except how to brown nose.  Horrible job.

[nakhonandy]

1 hour ago, mokwit said:

The iron rice bowl. Don't forget the medical cover is for the whole family.

A very good point, but don't private companies provide that?

If not, how much would medical insurance be though?

I know it's crazy money for foreigners, especially if there are known issues, but for Thai?

[John Drake]

This the way it is supposed to be. Government jobs give you security but should come with a much lower salary than the private sector. Too many Western countries do it the other way around these days, which explains why they're going broke.

[Presnock]

10 hours ago, Gknrd said:

Government jobs in the US are for people that cannot make it in  private industry. I worked for city government in a large city for a few years. The worst job I ever had. Didn't have to know anything except how to brown nose.  Horrible job.

Again, there are government jobs and there are govt jobs, some are teat suckers from the beginning to end but others do a worthwhile job.  I worked, first military in VN getting shot at regularly, rocketed many nights living in Rocket City, and after my 4 years, went to work for a private company but after 6 months was offered a govt job which I took.  It enabled me to live and work around the world in some really great cities and gave my family that same exposure to the world and how different their lives were because of that.  That career enabled me to retire here very

comfortably and I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's.  I have spoken fairly fluently 10 different languages and worked with some really great people.  I realize all govt positions are totally different from each other.  This comment by Gknrd just shows me how ignorant he is.  Maybe he is only talking about Thailand but I take it as his feelings for all government jobs everywhere.  If I made the wrong assumption then I apologize.  Have a good one

[mokwit]

9 hours ago, nakhonandy said:

A very good point, but don't private companies provide that?

If not, how much would medical insurance be though?

I know it's crazy money for foreigners, especially if there are known issues, but for Thai?

While you are employed by them. Companies push people out around 45 which is also the age at which medical issues tend to start. If you vest, Thai civil service insurance is for life (I think).

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Many suggested that the young man should consider further education or training to enhance his qualifications, which could open doors to higher-paying positions within the public sector or even make him a more attractive candidate for private sector roles in the future,

Does that mean to get a government  position education is not a high priority?

Well well, 

[stoner]

hang in there little buddy....the brown envelope rungs on the ladder get bigger as you climb.

[Tom89]

Why is this even news? The world is full of people who have made bad career choices. Aren't there more important things to report on?

[bigt3116]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

while his university friends, who opted for private sector jobs, earned nearly 100,000 baht.

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Seeing his university peers earning as much as 70,000 baht

 

70k is not "nearly" 100k!

 

Also it says "as much as", so many of his peers are obviously earning less than 70k.

 

Poor writing and reporting.

[impulse]

How many kickbacks and bribes can you get in most private jobs?

 

[jippytum]

There is a lot of nepotism in Thai politics also the private sector workplace. How many of his high earning friends had a family sponser in the workplace. 

[OneManShow]

Private sector jobs are not as secure as government's.
 

[Thingamabob]

He has job security, with promotion potential, and a guaranteed pension. Stick with it.

 

[EdrigoSalvadore]

I was stuck in a government job in my home country, as an engineer and after 8 years a senior engineer. Private sector didn't even reply to my applications. My salary was half of what it should have been. My classmates from University was laughing at my salary. I got lucky with my investments, and am well off anyway and retired at 35.

Edited August 2 by EdrigoSalvadore

[Sydebolle]

If he would stop whining over his "misfortune", grow up and apply in the private industry, then he would realize, that:
- a five- to sixfold salary is paid to qualified candidates who NEVER would take a government job
- a government job, specially in Thailand, is safe haven for most of the least qualified who need to blow their own trumpet. The government's offices are filled with absolutely useless, non-common-sense goons wasting their, the government's as well as the Thai citizens time and money. The Thai government is nothing but a huge temple of inefficiency! 

So, once your tears have dried, take the finger out from your backside and get moving then but, for crying out loud, stop whining like a little baby who has lost its favourite toy 

[newnative]

   Not a mention that I could see as to whether he liked his job or not.  That was super important to me when I was working.  I really liked my job and my co-workers.  If not, I would have looked for something else.   With my government job, and likely this person's, the pay was less but the benefits were better--including a good pension plan with COLAs.  

    I have Thai inlaws who work in the private sector.  At 60, they are required to retire, with a one-time lump sum payment that has to last them the rest of their lives.  I'd rather earn somewhat less but have a guaranteed pension when I retire--I'd hate being tasked to make a one-time payment last me the rest of my life.

[BangkokReady]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The young man shared his sorrow over the disparity, questioning why their lives diverged so significantly despite having the same educational background. While his friends enjoy financial stability with houses and cars, he struggles to make ends meet.

 

Guaranteed incremental pay rises and a pension.  His friends might be making more now, but wait a few years.  He should also get preferential loans.

 

Also, it's very unlikely that the has the same workload as someone in the private sector.

 

Try to stay positive.

[sqwakvfr]

22 hours ago, Gknrd said:

Government jobs in the US are for people that cannot make it in  private industry. I worked for city government in a large city for a few years. The worst job I ever had. Didn't have to know anything except how to brown nose.  Horrible job.

Not every city is like your experience. Not every municipal job is like your experience. Were you city firefighter or police officer?  My experience was different.  The job was difficult to get.  It took amost a year and then a one year probation.  The attrition rate for the my old job was over 50%.  This means half did not pass probation. Yes a degree of kissing up is present in any job public or private.  I could have made the jump to private. I had a degree in statistical analysis so I could have "crunched numbers" and made good money.  Yes I was a career police officer and had more good days then bad days.  "The perfect job does not exist".  That is unless you start your own company. I know names like Bezos or Musk come to mind but their stories are few.

[Galong]

21 hours ago, nakhonandy said:

A very good point, but don't private companies provide that?

If not, how much would medical insurance be though?

I know it's crazy money for foreigners, especially if there are known issues, but for Thai?

If you have a job you can pay into the Thai Social Security scheme. It's cheap and chips and offers superb coverage. If you lose your job, you can still pay into it.

[BE88]

 

I understand that he is angry now that he is not receiving the 10,000 B.

Edited August 2 by BE88

[mikebike]

Like this is a freaking Thai thing. Corporations pay more than governments the world over. Quelle suprise. This is not news, it's not even click-bait. It's weird.

[Celsius]

title says 100k baht, the article says 70k baht, so most likely most of his friends are lying and making 35k a month.

[bigt3116]

7 hours ago, EdrigoSalvadore said:

My salary was half of what it should have been.

 

No, your salary was what you were happy to accept.