Gold and Mobile Phones Lead Pawn Trends Amid Economic Struggles

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

According to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, state-run pawnshops in Thailand lent over 20 billion baht to Thai citizens in 2024, with gold and mobile phones continuing to be the most commonly pawned items.

 

Minister Warawut Silpa-archa reported that 46 state pawnshops accepted approximately 1.33 million items last year, with an overwhelming 97.56% comprising gold, red gold, and diamonds.

 

This comes as Thailand's economy showed mixed growth, with GDP figures rising from 1.6% in Q1 to 3.2% in Q4, though some economists caution that these numbers do not fully reflect the economic realities on the ground.

 

Electronics, with mobile phones being the most frequently pawned, accounted for 3,190 tickets, along with other items like fans, refrigerators, and microwaves.

 

There were also 3,064 items in the power tools category, indicating people often pawn equipment essential to their livelihoods, such as power tools and farming equipment.

 

In an effort to expand accessibility, the Office of the Government Pawnshop inaugurated a new branch in Bangkok, increasing their total to 47 locations.

 

Currently, public pawnshops offer interest rates starting at 0.25% per month for loans up to 5,000 baht, with rates scaling to 1.25% for loans between 20,001-100,000 baht, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-17

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

state-run pawnshops in Thailand lent over 20 billion baht to Thai citizens in 2024,

 

Minister Warawut Silpa-archa reported that 46 state pawnshops accepted approximately 1.33 million items last year

 

And what about the other pawnshops?

How much did they lend out?

 

433 pawnshops registered in Thailand.

 

https://rentechdigital.com/smartscraper/business-report-details/list-of-pawn-shops-in-thailand

[phil2407]

How do you pawn a refrigerator- you walk in the shop with it ? 

[spidermike007]

The best way to pawn a refrigerator is to carry it on your motorbike to the pawn shop.