4 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Which rather raises questions about the car/truck dealer who sells to people who - one glance would usually suffice - obviously can't repay.

They are not interested if the payments are made or not, by and large it goes like this, you buy they get paid you don’t pay the loan the snatcher comes in takes the vehicle then the dealer buys it back from the finance company for pennies and sells it on to another sucker. Win, win ,win

Why do I airways "go to coffee" with the 3.41% woman ? 

 

Just when will my luck change 🤞🏻? 

19 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

And?  Why is the USA so important to this article?

I never said the USA was so important.  I mention it because the USA is supposedly by most objective measures a developed country, yet has a much higher poverty rate than Thailand

This is from a Reddit thread from a Thai doctor in a government hospital.  According to many members of this forum, doctors also live in poverty.

 

 

On 9/17/2025 at 7:35 AM, webfact said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand continues to grapple with poverty, as over 2.39 million people, amounting to 3.41% of the population, are classified as poor in 2023. This was revealed by research from the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A). The Northeast region bears the brunt with the highest proportion of poor residents at 31.71%, followed closely by the South.

 

The "Fighting Poverty" seminar on 9 September shed light on these findings, highlighting economic challenges such as low incomes and significant household debt. Bangkok had the lowest poverty rate at 1.6%. PMU-A director Kitti Sajjawattana emphasised the severity of poverty, compounded by limited opportunities and insufficient access to welfare. The National Statistics Office and the National Economic and Social Development Council further validated these figures, noting that many affected households lack savings and have limited access to farmland.

 

Since 2020, PMU-A and research networks have implemented 299 models nationwide in an effort to combat poverty. Anti-poverty funds are currently active in 16 provinces, along with research centres. Universities and organisations have put forward a 10-point plan to make poverty elimination a national priority.

 

Their proposals include better data management, enhanced local cooperation, and expanded vocational training.

 

Household debt emerged as a critical barrier, with former National Credit Bureau president Surapol Opasatien stating that it reached 16.35 trillion baht in early 2025, representing 87.4% of GDP. Although the debt-to-GDP ratio has slightly eased, incomes remain too low, hindering savings and debt repayment. Surapol warned that non-performing loans have reached 1.235 trillion baht, affecting many young working adults, particularly in Gen Y.

 

Going forward, stronger interventions are needed to curb rising debt issues. This year, unaddressed non-performing loans could increase to 1.3 trillion baht. Young people in entry-level jobs face mounting economic pressures, leading to faster-growing debt problems.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• 2.39 million Thais, or 3.41%, are living in poverty in 2023.
• Household debt hit 16.35 trillion baht, posing a major economic challenge.
• A 10-point plan recommends making poverty eradication a national agenda.

Related Story:

 

Thailand aims to eradicate poverty in two years

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-17

 

 

3.71% is an incredibly low poverty rate. Even in the richest countries the norm is around 10-20%

On 9/18/2025 at 11:36 AM, Taboo2 said:

And?  Why is the USA so important to this article?

Because it's one of the wealthiest countries in the world. So it is surprising to see a much poorer country having a lot less poverty.

Is this thread about me?

In Thailand, a person is classified as "poor"

if their monthly income falls below the official poverty line set by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), which was 3,078 baht per person per month in 2024.

 

Hard to believe just 3% of Thais are poor. 

America had 37 million people defined as living in poverty in 2023; this is 11 percent of the population.

The poverty rate in France stands at 14.4% of the population. 

Approximately 15.5% of the German population (or around 12.9 million people) were at risk of poverty in 2024

Something smells in the state of Denmark methinks. Oh, 17.3% of Denmark was poor in 2021.

 

The only reason for the discrepancy might be a different method of defining poverty in each country.

 

On 9/18/2025 at 8:24 AM, twizzian said:

Not forgetting the ones that live above their means and buy that dream Pick-up truck without thinking of the payment consequences. Cant always blame the economy, money management lacks here a fair bit

 

They're unsophisticated consumers who only recently gained access to credit. Easy meat for salesmen and bankers.