Does the inequality ever make you uncomfortable?

[Harrisfan]

29 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

I seriously doubt 7-11 clerks think regular customers are wealthy. The truly wealthy have someone do their shopping for them, and their personal assistants aren't running to 7-11. 7-11 isn't exactly a health food store either. They're probably thinking: him shop 7-11 too much, him die soon.

They couldn't careless about farangs. 

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, Gsxrnz said:

The Thais have a major advantage - their embrace of family and communal living. The West had this until the 50's, but post-modernist Marxism has managed to progressively replace the family with the welfare state.

 

The chick at the 7/11 earning circa 10-12k per month either lives with her multi-generational family of nine, or five of her workmates/friends. 

 

Her rent and amenities contribution is probably no more than 2K. Food is shared communally and frugally, probably 2-3K per month. The rest is hers to pay off debts, buy the lottery, support the family. She won't be retiring with a thousand rai farm or a Mercedes, but that's how they survive. 

All good points.

[spidermike007]

No. I have been visiting 3rd world, and poorer countries since I was 17. So, I accept the fact that this world has alot of poverty. 

 

648 million people in the world, about eight percent of the global population, live in extreme poverty, which means they subsist on less than US$2.15 per day.

 

Almost a quarter of the global population, 23 percent, lived below the US$3.65 poverty line, and almost half, 47 percent, lived below the US$6.85 poverty line, as reported in the 2022 Poverty and Shared Prosperity report. This also means that the global median income (US$7.60 per person per day) is very close to the UMIC line.

 

Global inequality is growing, with half the world’s wealth now in the hands of just 1% of the population, according to a new report.

 

About 3.4 bn people – just over 70% of the global adult population – have wealth of less than $10,000. 

[jvs]

8 hours ago, Flyguy330 said:

What pisses me off more is broke Farangs. I have many friends and acquaintances, but I seem to attract losers. I’m pretty well off, and it’s the result of decades of hard work and smart money management. I earned it all. Nobody gave me anything. But most of the people I know seem to live hand to mouth existences. I’m not an easy touch, if that’s what you’re thinking, it’s just a sad fact that too many people I meet are broke, and it’s a pain in my arse. I want to hang out with rich guys like me only. Maybe I’m in the wrong country.

You use words like"pain" and "arse" and you are rich,maybe bob will be your friend?

Do you have a Rolex?

[Ralf001]

10 hours ago, RSD1 said:

Does the inequality in Thailand ever make you feel uncomfortable?

 

 

Nope.

[Ben Zioner]

I am not the cause of this inequality. And the Thai people seem to be comfortable with it. It is up to them to fight for change. But sadly they would turn against us instead of removing their own exploiters.

 

Maybe this is happening right now and we could be the frogs in the kettle.

[Presnock]

48 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

No. I have been visiting 3rd world, and poorer countries since I was 17. So, I accept the fact that this world has alot of poverty. 

 

648 million people in the world, about eight percent of the global population, live in extreme poverty, which means they subsist on less than US$2.15 per day.

 

Almost a quarter of the global population, 23 percent, lived below the US$3.65 poverty line, and almost half, 47 percent, lived below the US$6.85 poverty line, as reported in the 2022 Poverty and Shared Prosperity report. This also means that the global median income (US$7.60 per person per day) is very close to the UMIC line.

 

Global inequality is growing, with half the world’s wealth now in the hands of just 1% of the population, according to a new report.

 

About 3.4 bn people – just over 70% of the global adult population – have wealth of less than $10,000. 

yeah I had the opportunity to live for a while in a couple of African countries - in one, within the capital had citizens living in mud huts and the women/kids would walk many kilometers every morning to get water for that day for their family.  In the other, while I was jogging , I noticed hundreds of local paper money, along the sidewalks and side of the roads, some burned or scorched others whole.  I asked about that and was told that the value of that paper money meant that it was better used for heating during the night by burning it by the homeless.  Inside the capital was an enclave of some 25K people with no electricity, water, food, safety!  It did though have quite an odor.  Several times while jogging early AM, a guard might fire his pistol over my head and ask what was I running from?  Neither city was a pleasant place for a western family for sure.  For most of my generation in the US, life has been pretty nice and comfortable but now the younger generations are definitely suffering for the most part with no relief in site, and I guess that is why they climbed on the Trump wagon thinking that he would share his wealth with them.  Are they in for a rude awakening IMHO.

[short-Timer]

3 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Trolls who never visited lol

 

Your hand in that photo looks like it’s spent years dominating wiener-eating contests, retiring as the undefeated champion. Bless you, Sparky, for at least having the basic human decency to spare us the full horror of your plus-sized girlish figure. Some things are best left unseen.

[Robert_Smith]

When you have a PM with 200 luxury handbags and multiples watches worth millions a piece - then something is definitely wrong.

 

Regards,

bob.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, short-Timer said:

 

Your hand in that photo looks like it’s spent years dominating wiener-eating contests, retiring as the undefeated champion. Bless you, Sparky, for at least having the basic human decency to spare us the full horror of your plus-sized girlish figure. Some things are best left unseen.

Joined Jan 2

[short-Timer]

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Joined Jan 2

You joined Feb 6 and have made over 4,500 repulsive posts already after already being banned 7 times.

[Harrisfan]

3 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

You joined Feb 6 and have made over 4,500 repulsive posts already after already being banned 7 times.

So you read every post. You must be a big fan.

[hotsun]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

I am not the cause of this inequality. And the Thai people seem to be comfortable with it. It is up to them to fight for change. But sadly they would turn against us instead of removing their own exploiters.

 

Maybe this is happening right now and we could be the frogs in the kettle.

Better have a plan B

[worgeordie]

Yes, I feel sorry for the Mega rich they have it all ,but still not happy,

they want more and more , they cannot get enough ,it's what drives them.

 

Be happy with what you have ,as there is always people worse off than you.

 

regards Worgeordie

[theshu25]

1 hour ago, short-Timer said:

You joined Feb 6 and have made over 4,500 repulsive posts already after already being banned 7 times.

Hopefully about number 8 soon. The the idiot will  just restart all over agaib.

[Patong2021]

8 hours ago, CharlieH said:

I don’t really think about it like that.

I go to 7-Eleven, buy what I need, and get on with my day. It’s a convenience store—people work there because it’s a job, just like anywhere else. If they wanted to earn more, they could find another opportunity, just like I’ve worked to get where I am.

 

It’s not my responsibility to feel guilty for spending my own money. That’s just how the world works—some people earn more, some less. If I can afford to grab whatever I want without checking prices, that’s because I’ve put myself in a position where I can. There’s no reason to overthink it.

 

 

I disagree. A Thai cannot just find another job outside of a specific tier. For example, bank clerks are still hired based on appearance (no visible tattoos, and not too old, and usually female) . Workers changing jobs in the hospitality industry often need references. Sure, one can jump from one retail job to another, but it's all the same, whether working 7-11 or Tops, or DQ or Lotus. They never break the barriers between the  societal tiers.

 

The Thai social status system is unfair and is not merit based. As foreigners, we all benefit. People who are nobodies in their homelands, can act like bigshots in some  places here. The negative aspect is that many don't understand that they are nobodies and carry on as the non achievers that they are. They are blind to the hard lives the locals have and that their hedonistic pleasures come at a human cost.  

 

We can't change the social system of Thailand, but we can leave a positive impact. It can come from being kind to the those who are in the lowest of positions and of acknowledging them. Many Thais do this.  I notice that my Thai friends  are more "civil" to  Thai  server staff  than westerners when we go out.  The only other places I have seen this kind of interchange is in some Nordic countries and in southern US  towns.  My friend from Bangkok  stays with me when he comes down for the weekend and we will  usually stop off at a 7-11 for something. We take a local tuktuk from the restaurant or bar. He has the driver stop off, while he goes in to pick up the items. Almost always, he comes out and  gives a pastry or a sandwich to the driver. I asked why. The response was, they may be working all day and not have the time to stop and eat  and that it is a nice gesture. Western me would never do this,  but I was taught a lesson in human kindness, Thai style. 

 

[Walker88]

3 hours ago, short-Timer said:

Fat farang? Projecting? Kettle black? Looking at your hand in this photo, you must be at least 50 kilos overweight. 
 

Who is that leader whom some wag termed "The Short-Fingered Vulgarian"?

 

It's becoming clear why some people are fans of that guy...living vicariously.

[Walker88]

This topic strikes a chord in me, so this will be long. Feel free to tl:dr.

 

The Universe doesn't hand out things evenly, nor does anyone's deity. We all find our own way to come to terms with that harsh reality. Ideally, we understand the inherent unfairness of existence, and behave accordingly, which means never thinking we are better simply because we have more.

 

I'm the first person to admit what I have been able to acquire is dumb luck. Some who are "Haves" like to think they worked really hard for what they achieved. Even that I attribute to dumb luck, as I believe even intellect and ambition are certainly not handed out equally, nor are physical characteristics like body shape, height, and physical appearance. Any of those can make life a heck of a lot easier to navigate. I accept that in all of human history, there has never been a greater advantage than being born a white, or mostly white, male in a developed Western nation. To NOT be flush would require some substantial effort and self-induced screw ups.

 

All that being said, how one behaves with others is the test we all must pass. Nobody is any better than another person just because of material wealth. As a non-believer in any deities, I ignore things like "manna" or "karma".

 

Whether it's in a 7-11, or Food Gourmet or a fancy restaurant, just treat everyone kindly and with the respect any human deserves (until proven otherwise). Yes, some people might be jealous, but most will not be, and will judge based on how one communicates with them.

 

Also, there is a difference between flaunting one's wealth and merely having it, and perhaps having some of the things wealth can acquire. I've been more than fortunate, and for reasons of practicality I have usually employed a household staff in the places I have lived. In some places, it's also considered polite, as jobs and income are provided. So I've had chefs and cleaners and gardeners, though I do a lot of the work myself. I understand there is a natural separation and power position, but one's behavior can minimize that and make everything comfortable for all concerned. Now in Thailand, it's the first time in years I haven't employed a household staff. I do, however, run a business that provides jobs, and my staff is fantastic.

 

I'm leaving this site soon, as it has become a bit of an unnecessary irritant seeing the mindset of the captured cult, and because I'm totally anonymous, I can say a few things. This topic---having wealth in an unfair Universe---has always been a thorn in the core of my being. I grew up in a faith, but by my teen years I realized all faiths were utter nonsense and existence is random. When I first fell into wealth, I began to give a lot away. I built some schools and funded hundreds of children who otherwise would not ever get an education. I brought many all the way through university, and those people are now totally self-sufficient and passing on some of the luck they received. I offered microloans to people with a business plan but no capital. I hired doctors to provide medical care to folks suffering from everything from malaria to TB to sepsis. I became a kind of NGO, albeit with no donations and no tax breaks. Until I excised every last bit of my faith, I used to flip the bird to the sky at the deadbeat deities who ostensibly were responsible for the things I tried to help. Many times I had to suck it up, as I saw things that made me want to cry, but I never wanted to show pity, just concern and caring. Nobody wants to be pitied.

 

Now here's the big surprise (for me). I got more from them they they got from me. When I was on Wall Street, I might have had 200 good things happening each day and one bad thing. I focused on the one bad thing. The folks I met in the developing world had just the opposite, yet they chose to focus on the one good thing and simply endure the bad. Their circumstances had made them better people than me. I learned from them and changed. I also left my WS career behind, just so I would not revert back to (bad) form.

 

I never use the term "hard earned" when discussing my wealth, because it wasn't, nor likely was that of anyone reading this. The last time I dug ditches, other than on my own property, was during a high school summer job. As an adult in my second career, all I did was silly parlor tricks, watching numbers on a screen and placing bets on which numbers would get larger and which would get smaller. Yes, there is an underlying value to society involved in what those numbers represent (businesses that produce goods and services and create jobs), but I did not think of that day to day.

 

Obviously, I've strayed off topic a bit, or at minimum expanded it. If you are reading this or are simply on this site, you are lucky. Have a little humility. You had advantages many people will never have. You aren't better because of wealth or career success. If you are "better", it is only because of how you have used the gifts you got but did not deserve, and only if you refrain from doing anything that hurts anyone. That young Moslem woman wearing the headscarf in 7-11 is most likely kind and caring and just trying to get by. She deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If she looks as if she wants to communicate, do it. She might make your day, or you might even make her day. Acts of kindness or friendliness are always appreciated, coming at you or coming from you. Be nice to those with whom you are sharing time and space in this brief and only existence.

 

 

[Dante99]

10 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I donate a 10% "tithe" to local causes,

Good thing to do.

 

Please help me understand, 10% of what?

[RSD1]

31 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

My friend from Bangkok  stays with me when he comes down for the weekend and we will  usually stop off at a 7-11 for something. We take a local tuktuk from the restaurant or bar. He has the driver stop off, while he goes in to pick up the items. Almost always, he comes out and  gives a pastry or a sandwich to the driver. I asked why. The response was, they may be working all day and not have the time to stop and eat  and that it is a nice gesture. Western me would never do this,  but I was taught a lesson in human kindness, Thai style.

 

Agreed, empathy and kindness shown to those who are less fortunate goes a long way. That was part of the emphasis of my OP. A lot of people have posted arguments that they made their money and it is their right to do as they please, and I agree that it is, but it comes down to trying to leave this world as a little bit better of a place than when you arrived. It is not too hard to do and the choice is one's own.

[Stiddle Mump]

4 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

They couldn't careless about farangs. 

I agree to a point.

 

When I go to my local 7/11, I try to seek out the lady with the long hair and sweet smile. I buy my stuff and pass over the notes. She looks carefully at each and then looks at me with a doe eye. What she is saying is; ''why don't you write your mobile number on one of the notes.?''

[Photoguy21]

Why would I feel uncomfortable because I have more than a lot of local people?

[RSD1]

21 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

This topic strikes a chord in me, so this will be long. Feel free to tl:dr.

 

The Universe doesn't hand out things evenly, nor does anyone's deity. We all find our own way to come to terms with that harsh reality. Ideally, we understand the inherent unfairness of existence, and behave accordingly, which means never thinking we are better simply because we have more.

 

I'm the first person to admit what I have been able to acquire is dumb luck. Some who are "Haves" like to think they worked really hard for what they achieved. Even that I attribute to dumb luck, as I believe even intellect and ambition are certainly not handed out equally, nor are physical characteristics like body shape, height, and physical appearance. Any of those can make life a heck of a lot easier to navigate. I accept that in all of human history, there has never been a greater advantage than being born a white, or mostly white, male in a developed Western nation. To NOT be flush would require some substantial effort and self-induced screw ups.

 

All that being said, how one behaves with others is the test we all must pass. Nobody is any better than another person just because of material wealth. As a non-believer in any deities, I ignore things like "manna" or "karma".

 

Whether it's in a 7-11, or Food Gourmet or a fancy restaurant, just treat everyone kindly and with the respect any human deserves (until proven otherwise). Yes, some people might be jealous, but most will not be, and will judge based on how one communicates with them.

 

Also, there is a difference between flaunting one's wealth and merely having it, and perhaps having some of the things wealth can acquire. I've been more than fortunate, and for reasons of practicality I have usually employed a household staff in the places I have lived. In some places, it's also considered polite, as jobs and income are provided. So I've had chefs and cleaners and gardeners, though I do a lot of the work myself. I understand there is a natural separation and power position, but one's behavior can minimize that and make everything comfortable for all concerned. Now in Thailand, it's the first time in years I haven't employed a household staff. I do, however, run a business that provides jobs, and my staff is fantastic.

 

I'm leaving this site soon, as it has become a bit of an unnecessary irritant seeing the mindset of the captured cult, and because I'm totally anonymous, I can say a few things. This topic---having wealth in an unfair Universe---has always been a thorn in the core of my being. I grew up in a faith, but by my teen years I realized all faiths were utter nonsense and existence is random. When I first fell into wealth, I began to give a lot away. I built some schools and funded hundreds of children who otherwise would not ever get an education. I brought many all the way through university, and those people are now totally self-sufficient and passing on some of the luck they received. I offered microloans to people with a business plan but no capital. I hired doctors to provide medical care to folks suffering from everything from malaria to TB to sepsis. I became a kind of NGO, albeit with no donations and no tax breaks. Until I excised every last bit of my faith, I used to flip the bird to the sky at the deadbeat deities who ostensibly were responsible for the things I tried to help. Many times I had to suck it up, as I saw things that made me want to cry, but I never wanted to show pity, just concern and caring. Nobody wants to be pitied.

 

Now here's the big surprise (for me). I got more from them they they got from me. When I was on Wall Street, I might have had 200 good things happening each day and one bad thing. I focused on the one bad thing. The folks I met in the developing world had just the opposite, yet they chose to focus on the one good thing and simply endure the bad. Their circumstances had made them better people than me. I learned from them and changed. I also left my WS career behind, just so I would not revert back to (bad) form.

 

I never use the term "hard earned" when discussing my wealth, because it wasn't, nor likely was that of anyone reading this. The last time I dug ditches, other than on my own property, was during a high school summer job. As an adult in my second career, all I did was silly parlor tricks, watching numbers on a screen and placing bets on which numbers would get larger and which would get smaller. Yes, there is an underlying value to society involved in what those numbers represent (businesses that produce goods and services and create jobs), but I did not think of that day to day.

 

Obviously, I've strayed off topic a bit, or at minimum expanded it. If you are reading this or are simply on this site, you are lucky. Have a little humility. You had advantages many people will never have. You aren't better because of wealth or career success. If you are "better", it is only because of how you have used the gifts you got but did not deserve, and only if you refrain from doing anything that hurts anyone. That young Moslem woman wearing the headscarf in 7-11 is most likely kind and caring and just trying to get by. She deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If she looks as if she wants to communicate, do it. She might make your day, or you might even make her day. Acts of kindness or friendliness are always appreciated, coming at you or coming from you. Be nice to those with whom you are sharing time and space in this brief and only existence.

 

Your post was a bit long, but I don't mind, and I slowly read it all. I enjoyed what you wrote, you seem to have done a lot of good in this world already, and I can see that you clearly get it. It must be a fulfilling feeling. Thank you for sharing.

 

Also, no need to leave the site if you have something more in the future that you feel you want to share. Never mind the people who don't get it. You can always ignore them (as I often do in the real world too) as they are not important and you will always find those types everywhere you go, both online and offline.

 

 

[scorecard]

13 hours ago, RSD1 said:

Does the inequality in Thailand ever make you feel uncomfortable? It does for me sometimes when I am around locals who have so much less means. I guess it weighs on my conscience. For instance, I frequently visit 7-Eleven, almost daily, and fill my basket with ฿600-฿800 worth of items without even glancing at the prices. I just grab what I need, toss it in, and head to the cashier.

 

Yet, I’m aware that the staff at 7-Eleven earn quite modest wages. Many of the food items I casually throw into my basket are things they’ve likely never tried themselves, simply because they’re out of their financial reach. What I spend in just two weeks at 7-Eleven probably equals a full month’s salary for many of them, and that’s only a percentage of my total monthly outgoings, not counting what I spend elsewhere.

 

I tend to visit the same 7-Eleven branches in my area regularly, and the staff recognize me because of how often I’m there. Sometimes, I’ll have a casual chat with them. They’re always friendly and kind, and I never sense any jealousy or distaste towards me, which I truly appreciate. Still, it gnaws at me sometimes knowing they work so much harder than I do, yet the lifestyle I take for granted remains far beyond their grasp.

 

I realize the disparities I’m describing exist throughout Thailand, by any means not just in 7-Eleven. But I think this is one everyday example that captures the stark inequality I encounter so often in this country.

 

 

Also, so many foreigners are blind to the inequality.

 

One example: so many foreigners write about 'taxis are so cheap in Thailand'. The reality is that 99% of taxi passengers are Thai with very limited funds and taxi fares are way beyond their available budget.

[save the frogs]

19 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've probably never tried them either, better not to waste money in 7 Eleven, little healthy in there

7-11 has bananas

[bkk6060]

Cannot in all circumstances but to help a little I try to tip generously.  Even at 7-11 when the girl makes my coffee I leave a tip.  Most other service also.

 

[Harrisfan]

3 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

7-11 has bananas

Yoghurt, milk, eggs, sushi, nuts.

[save the frogs]

On 3/22/2025 at 12:23 PM, RSD1 said:

Does the inequality in Thailand ever make you feel uncomfortable?

good post and good topic.

 

a lot of people here are working 6 days a week for not much money. sad stuff. 

 

i went into a bar the other night. just played a game of pool with one of the girls and bought her a drink. and then asked her if she was hungry. thought i'd be a bit charitable and throw in a meal for the possibly struggling single mother. she orders street food, i pick up the tab, then she takes one bite and leaves the rest. i asked her why she didn't finish it. she said "too salty". yeah, like she's never eaten that food before. i just wasted 90 baht thinking i was doing someone in need a small favor. maybe she's not that broke. or maybe all they care about is getting that 2000 baht for the monkey dance. 

 

but anyway, i'm not a huge fan of foreigners to come to thailand and living lavish lives.

 

and just not looking and acting arrogant is a big deal. 

 

there's an orphanage I heard about. I think it was originally set up by foreigners. 

 

 

 

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

good post and good topic.

 

a lot of people here are working 6 days a week for not much money. sad stuff. 

 

i went into a bar the other night. just played a game of pool with one of the girls and bought her a drink. and then asked her if she was hungry. thought i'd be a bit charitable and throw in a meal for the possibly struggling single mother. she orders street food, i pick up the tab, then she takes one bite and leaves the rest. i asked her why she didn't finish it. she said "too salty". yeah, like she's never eaten that food before. i just wasted 90 baht thinking i was doing someone in need a small favor. maybe she's not that broke. or maybe all they care about is getting that 2000 baht for the monkey dance. 

 

but anyway, i'm not a huge fan of foreigners to come to thailand and living lavish lives.

 

and just not looking and acting arrogant is a big deal. 

 

there's an orphanage I heard about. I think it was originally set up by foreigners. 

 

 

 

I see Thais waste money on food all the time. Idiots.

[123Stodg]

8 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've probably never tried them either, better not to waste money in 7 Eleven, little healthy in there

The 7-Elevens I buy from are large, like mini supermarkets. I buy fresh and hard-boiled eggs, freshly cut-up fruit, bananas, packaged fresh salads, protein drinks, butter, nuts, unsweetened Japanese green tea, etc. Very little of what I buy in there is unhealthy. They also have a counter with a few chairs where I can sit and eat something. Very convenient and 24 hours. Much preferable to big super markets.