Does the inequality ever make you uncomfortable?

[Lacessit]

IMO the inequality that exists, when 3 multi-billionaires in America have more wealth than 150 million of its citizens, is more troubling. And it will get worse.

 

I don't have a great deal of wealth, and I live simply. I am only wealthy compared to many Thais.

 

Thais do have the advantage of strong social and family networks. They are much better at taking care of their elderly and incapacitated.

 

I do tip more generously than most Thais would.

 

I see no reason to feel uncomfortable about money I have. I earned it with hard work.

[Sir Dude]

Disparity exists in all countries and societies, and it's worse in some more than others. However, when you think about it, this degree of disparity often comes from levels of opportunity and justice or the lack thereof, which the latter seems to be the case here. 

In the West, you can still make it through flare, innovation, or hard work... not so here, simply not allowed as you are beaten down or just simply denied the chance. My beef is with the puppeteers in all these places that waggle their fingers and the marionette moves, and there's no way to change it. But if you are waiting for a just and fair utopian society to emerge anytime soon... well, good luck on that one.

Does it bother me? No... and there are plenty of locals way richer than me here, I know where I fit in. Different hands are dealt to different people, but I'm not responsible for the state of a country's society... and it'll drive you nuts if you think about it too much. Moreover, most countries get the government they deserve as they toterate it or vote for it... if they really wanted change, then it is achievable. I guess the Thais and others around here rationalize it through their religion Bhuddism... karma and previous actions in different lives etc. I'm not big on that but if it floats your boat then fair enough.

Does the system here suck? Yes, sucks for the locals and me in some ways (but good in others), just in different ways... there's no empathy for me as a foreigner, it's just deal with it, swings and round-abouts.

 

[Sandboxer]

I don't give it a thought until I go into Harrods and feel like dumb uneducated  blue collar trash when I see an Arab buying a million pound watch.

[BangkokReady]

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You talk to 7-11 staff?

 

In his imagination, perhaps.  There's no way Thai staff in the 7-11 give him this kind of feedback, even if he speaks Thai flawlessly.

 

He's a Thai apologist and foreigner-hater.  He has literally stated that foreigners are bad for doing something, but when Thais do the same, it's OK.  I wouldn't trust most of what he says or thinks.  I doubt his thought reflect any kind of reality.

[BangkokReady]

Inequality is obviously an issue in Thailand, but why single out 7-11 workers as your point of reference?  They may be low paid, but they're hardly living in poverty.  Of course they aren't resentful, they live fairly comfortable lives and don't really care about foreigners anyway.  They have many benefits that foreigners don't, even if you have a little more money than them.

 

Why would you not reference genuinely poor Thais living in actual poverty?  Homeless children, people living in shacks under bridges, disabled or sick people crawling around on the floor begging.  They are the ones living in real need, and probably the only ones that you should really feel guilty around.

[Ralf001]

25 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

IMO the inequality that exists, when 3 multi-billionaires in America have more wealth than 150 million of its citizens, is more troubling. And it will get worse.

 

 

 

I dont think the other 757 billionares in the USA care to much.

[Mike_Hunt]

5 hours 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. 

Are you enjoying your unearned white privilege? 

[Mike_Hunt]

44 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

IMO the inequality that exists, when 3 multi-billionaires in America have more wealth than 150 million of its citizens, is more troubling. And it will get worse.

 

 

Is that problem? 

[KireB]

4 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Nope.

Lack of empathy?

[robz]

15 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.

 

 

I don't care how much money someone has, but to be honest, I think most foreigners I've met don't actually have that much money. They just think they do because they compare themselves to the poorest and barely know any Thais. Many Thais I know — especially the Thai parents of my daughter's friends from international school and now at university — are all incredibly wealthy.

[robz]

49 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Inequality is obviously an issue in Thailand, but why single out 7-11 workers as your point of reference?  They may be low paid, but they're hardly living in poverty.  Of course they aren't resentful, they live fairly comfortable lives and don't really care about foreigners anyway.  They have many benefits that foreigners don't, even if you have a little more money than them.

 

Why would you not reference genuinely poor Thais living in actual poverty?  Homeless children, people living in shacks under bridges, disabled or sick people crawling around on the floor begging.  They are the ones living in real need, and probably the only ones that you should really feel guilty around.

In Germany, there are many elderly people who collect bottles because they don't have enough money. Or look at the U.S., where some people need three jobs just to make ends meet.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, 123Stodg said:

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. 

Sounds like you haven't got a kitchen to prepare your own food 

[jas007]

2 hours 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.

 

 

The world is not a fair place. Anyone who doesn't know that should learn it.  Anyway, I haven't met too many people who have extreme wealth and have earned that money from "hard work."  They were all lucky.  They inherited their money, or, they happened to be at the right place at the right time.  But it makes them feel better if they think they "earned" it.  Then again, what is "wealth"?  It probably isn't money. 

 

I'm nowhere near being a billionaire.  But I make more money than most, if not all, of the Thais I come across every day. I can't fix that, but I try to be nice and make a difference when I can. Why not?

 

I once spent 17 hours talking to one of the most wealthy men in the world.  He was next to me on a plane from Bangkok to NYC.  At first, I didn't know who he was, but I later figured it out.  Anyway, his advice to me: go have fun. Travel. You can lose your money in a day, but they can never take away your memories.  The source of his wealth: inheritance. 

 

Don't overthink things. It'll drive you crazy. 

 

 

 

 

[mogandave]

What might someone buy at 7-11 that the 7-11 employees can’t afford? 

 

[Alpha84]

The sheer number of self-absorbed, over-entitled tossers rushing in to spew their negativity onto a positive, feel-good topic like is truly astonishing. What an utterly miserable gaggle of insufferable, self-righteous anooses.

[Alpha84]

15 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

They think here's the fat farang again

That’s right, you’re not a fat farang. Oh, wait…

[Ralf001]

39 minutes ago, KireB said:

Lack of empathy?

 

For 7-11 staff. no, why would I ?

[Alpha84]

15 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Sounds like you haven't got a kitchen to prepare your own food 

Cooking blows.

[mogandave]

1 minute ago, Alpha84 said:

The sheer number of self-absorbed, over-entitled tossers rushing in to spew their negativity onto a positive, feel-good topic like is truly astonishing. What an utterly miserable gaggle of insufferable, self-righteous anooses.

How does virtue signaling and looking down on people that have a bit less money constitute a “positive, feel-good” topic? 

 

 

[connda]

16 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.

 

Does the inequality in Thailand ever make you feel uncomfortable?

No, it really doesn't.  How traveled are you?  I've seen way worse, even in my own country.  It tends to be relative.  You're missing the bigger picture.  A Thai living in the US could be making the equivalent of 60,000 THB a month - rich by Thailand standards 'eh, but that person would be close to living in poverty and struggling to live on the US economy unless shacking up with a bunch of other Thais and sharing rent and other expenses. Then there is healthcare..  What was a decent living wage in the US 30 years ago and affordable is "poverty line" now.  Want to rent an apartment in the North Hollywood "Thai Town" section of LA?  That 60,000 THB ($1800 USD) probably won't cover the rent for one month.

A Thai making 15K THB in Thailand may be shelling out 20% of their wages on rent, healthcare is free, ya see where I'm going?  Then you're dumping all Thais into one bucket.  Rather ethnocentric, but there ya have it - you're using your own economic condition as a measuring stick while leaving out how you would measure up in your own economy.  You are making the grossly inaccurate assumption that there is no upward mobility here, and that you can't "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" and better you own condition.  Not all Thais make 15K THB / mo. 

My own stepson started off making $15K per month - it's called an entry-level job.  Made some job changes, sharpened his skills, and now is pulling down 50K and more per month.  He's solidly middle-class Thai.  Do you feel sorry for him because he is "Thai?"  Don't - he's got a good life.  7/11s pretty much anywhere in the world isn't a career - it's a step-job.  It's the step to the next higher paying job.

You're thinking way too much.  But if you feel that sorry?  Start handing out ฿100 THB gifts per/person to the staff every time you visit a 7/11 to assuage your guilt.  Can ya do that?  Yeah - didn't think so.

You're comparing apples and oranges.  You should feel good that working Thais can live on the local economy whereas many working class US citizens are having a major struggle as are many in other Western countries.  Why do you believe that a large subset of expats choose to live overseas?

 

16 hours ago, RSD1 said:

฿600-฿800 worth of items without even glancing at the prices

Really?  I drop ฿2000 to ฿3500 pretty routinely on visits to Big C and Makro.  9 dogs, 1 cat, 2 birds, and a Mrs's - I've got a lot of mouths to feed.  Shopping in 7/11 is for picking up the loaf of bread I couldn't find in the other stores or buying a snack.  You live off of 7/11 food?  Gawd!

[KhunLA]

Nope ... inequality never bothered me.  If you want more, earn more.   Know too many people here, who started off with nothing, like so many others, and yet, worked and provide enough or more than enough for themselves.

 

Not different when I live in the USA.   There's a public assistance system in place, which I don't mind my taxes being used for, for those needing.   

 

Something that is missing here in TH, and many other 3rd world countries.  But for most people, living in non socialist countries, simply work & earn more if you want more.

[connda]

What's with the sad emojis.   Someone disagrees and it's "Sad Emoji Time."  Like I said, if you feel so sad about it, start handing out money to these "poor Thais" in order to create equality in your own mind.  You'll feel much better  🙄 Not.

 

[Alpha84]

8 minutes ago, connda said:

Does the inequality in Thailand ever make you feel uncomfortable?

No, it really doesn't.  How traveled are you?  I've seen way worse, even in my own country.  It tends to be relative.  You're missing the bigger picture.  A Thai living in the US could be making the equivalent of 60,000 THB a month - rich by Thailand standards 'eh, but that person would be close to living in poverty and struggling to live on the US economy unless shacking up with a bunch of other Thais and sharing rent and other expenses. Then there is healthcare..  What was a decent living wage in the US 30 years ago and affordable is "poverty line" now.  Want to rent an apartment in the North Hollywood "Thai Town" section of LA?  That 60,000 THB ($1800 USD) probably won't cover the rent for one month.

A Thai making 15K THB in Thailand may be shelling out 20% of their wages on rent, healthcare is free, ya see where I'm going?  Then you're dumping all Thais into one bucket.  Rather ethnocentric, but there ya have it - you're using your own economic condition as a measuring stick while leaving out how you would measure up in your own economy.  You are making the grossly inaccurate assumption that there is no upward mobility here, and that you can't "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" and better you own condition.  Not all Thais make 15K THB / mo. 

My own stepson started off making $15K per month - it's called an entry-level job.  Made some job changes, sharpened his skills, and now is pulling down 50K and more per month.  He's solidly middle-class Thai.  Do you feel sorry for him because he is "Thai?"  Don't - he's got a good life.  7/11s pretty much anywhere in the world isn't a career - it's a step-job.  It's the step to the next higher paying job.

You're thinking way too much.  But if you feel that sorry?  Start handing out ฿100 THB gifts per/person to the staff every time you visit a 7/11 to assuage your guilt.  Can ya do that?  Yeah - didn't think so.

You're comparing apples and oranges.  You should feel good that working Thais can live on the local economy whereas many working class US citizens are having a major struggle as are many in other Western countries.  Why do you believe that a large subset of expats choose to live overseas?

 

Really?  I drop ฿2000 to ฿3500 pretty routinely on visits to Big C and Makro.  9 dogs, 1 cat, 2 birds, and a Mrs's - I've got a lot of mouths to feed.  Shopping in 7/11 is for picking up the loaf of bread I couldn't find in the other stores or buying a snack.  You live off of 7/11 food?  Gawd!

TLDR. Another sorry arse plonker isolated in Burrinowhere with no friends and nobody willing to listen to his whining and whose highlight of the week is a pilgrimage to Makro. 😂

[Flyguy330]

11 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Maybe time to move beyond Soi Buakhao?

Will it help?

How?

I don't live in Pattaya.

[mogandave]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Nope ... inequality never bothered me.  If you want more, earn more.   Know too many people here, who started off with nothing, like so many others, and yet, worked and provide enough or more than enough for themselves.

 

Not different when I live in the USA.   There's a public assistance system in place, which I don't mind my taxes being used for, for those needing.   

 

Something that is missing here in TH, and many other 3rd world countries.  But for most people, living in non socialist countries, simply work & earn more if you want more.

And it’s not like any of the virtue signalers moaning about the inequality are willing to actually do anything about it. 

 

All likely part of the “tax the rich” crowd. 

[connda]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Nope ... inequality never bothered me.  If you want more, earn more.   Know too many people here, who started off with nothing, like so many others, and yet, worked and provide enough or more than enough for themselves.

 

Not different when I live in the USA.   There's a public assistance system in place, which I don't mind my taxes being used for, for those needing.   

 

Something that is missing here in TH, and many other 3rd world countries.  But for most people, living in non socialist countries, simply work & earn more if you want more.

I wonder how many of those Thais working in 7/11 hold down two jobs to make ends meet?  I've done that in the US.  One's earning potential is limited by one's desire to earn.  And luck. But?  I was brought up in the era of "hard work pays." Definitely a different era.  And I started working as a kid doing paper routes and selling stuff because <drum roll> I wanted to earn money when a I was a kid <cymbal crash>.  That all prepared me for adulthood.

[connda]

Just now, mogandave said:

And it’s not like any of the virtue signalers moaning about the inequality are willing to actually do anything about it. 

Exactly.

[mogandave]

3 minutes ago, Alpha84 said:

TLDR. Another sorry arse plonker isolated in Burrinowhere with no friends and nobody willing to listen to his whining and whose highlight of the week is a pilgrimage to Makro. 😂

Oh, name calling, how clever. You must be MAGA

[Alpha84]

6 minutes ago, connda said:

I wonder how many of those Thais working in 7/11 hold down two jobs to make ends meet?  I've done that in the US.  One's earning potential is limited by one's desire to earn.  And luck. But?  I was brought up in the era of "hard work pays." Definitely a different era.  And I started working as a kid doing paper routes and selling stuff because <drum roll> I wanted to earn money when a I was a kid <cymbal crash>.  That all prepared me for adulthood.

Wow, you had a whole entire paper route? Amazing. Give the plonker a round of applause, even though nobody gives a flying toss. 🤩

[Harrisfan]

Just now, Alpha84 said:

Wow, you had a whole entire paper route? Amazing. Give the plonker a round of applause, even though nobody gives a flying toss. 🤩

Such friendly posts lol