Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A recent survey reveals that most young Thais save less than 10% of their income, reflecting financial strains from high living costs and limited earnings. Conducted on the Bangkok Post's website, the survey highlights young people's struggles with traditional financial values like avoiding debt and prioritizing homeownership.

 

The top advice from older generations is to "stay away from debt," underscoring a cultural reluctance towards borrowing. Despite this, 77% of respondents prioritize saving for a home over lifestyle spending, emphasizing the importance of property ownership in Thai society, though it's increasingly challenging to achieve.

 

With 62% of participants acknowledging the necessity of second jobs, the survey underlines the burdens of rising living costs and the normalization of side incomes in Thailand. Gen Z faces hurdles with credit cards and personal loans (28.5%) and unstable incomes (31.3%), while the high cost of city living also poses significant challenges.

 

Traditional career paths remain the preferred method for wealth-building, with 30.4% advocating for steady employment and regular savings. However, the gig economy and digital entrepreneurship are less favored, reflecting confidence in stable job markets.

 

Respondents call for schools to teach basic budgeting and savings skills, with 33.7% stressing the need for financial education. Additionally, 53.5% support stricter regulation of "buy now, pay later" services, concerned about debt risks.

 

The survey highlights challenges in achieving traditional financial goals amid modern pressures, suggesting a need for enhanced financial education and consumer protections to support sustainable wealth-building.

 

Key Takeaways

• Young Thais save less, struggling with rising costs and limited earnings.
• Traditional financial values clash with modern economic pressures.
• Calls grow for improved financial education and consumer protections.

 

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Thailand's Public Debt Nears Fiscal Ceiling Threatening Economy

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-24

 

 

In order to save, you need spare money. It's hard to save when you're hungry!

It's not just Thais, this is a worldwide situation. We have entered the worst "golden age" experienced in the written history of the planet, and AI is going to make it exponentially worse.

Part of the problem is their relationship with social media. Even "good" Thai girls (and guys) spend an insane amount of time brainrotting on insta or tiktok. When you constantly see people richer than you, with more possessions, appearing to have fun all the time it really does a number on your psyche. This problem isn't exclusive to Thailand, but I get the feeling the hooks are deeper here than in the West. 

12 minutes ago, chawbdurian said:

Part of the problem is their relationship with social media. Even "good" Thai girls (and guys) spend an insane amount of time brainrotting on insta or tiktok. When you constantly see people richer than you, with more possessions, appearing to have fun all the time it really does a number on your psyche. This problem isn't exclusive to Thailand, but I get the feeling the hooks are deeper here than in the West. 

This is true.  They compare their lives to those of fake social media influencers and feel down on themselves.  The reality of life is that one will never be wealthy from the outset. 

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

In order to save, you need spare money. It's hard to save when you're hungry!

Saving is becoming increasingly difficult, as the basics are becoming so expensive for normal people. Getting to the point where if you want to save, then you have to live like a monk without the charity.... so hard to make ends meet. I see it all around me, even if it doesn't apply to me too much... but it does a little.

Yeah, met a woman who had a tattoo parlor and was working as a waitress at night.

Everyone is at work at least 12 hours a day ... sad way to live. 

 

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

It's not just Thais, this is a worldwide situation. We have entered the worst "golden age" experienced in the written history of the planet, and AI is going to make it exponentially worse.

 

With AI critical thinking goes out the window for young people....Its too late to brain wash critical thinking older folks...

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A recent survey reveals that most young Thais save less than 10% of their income, reflecting financial strains from high living costs and limited earnings.

many young Thais are trying to survive on slave labour salaries, which are woefully out of touch with reality of living costs.

14 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

It's not just Thais, this is a worldwide situation. We have entered the worst "golden age" experienced in the written history of the planet, and AI is going to make it exponentially worse.

Only for those who dont adapt and buy bitcoin.

 

your give up mentality is probably why you are where you are in life

10% seems high. Most younger people in western countries live week to week and save nothing. Most people I know back in Australia live off credit cards.

I'm a yank, so wondered what average American save for comparison. Google AI came up with "The personal savings rate for the average American is relatively low, hovering around 3% to 4% of disposable income in early 2025"

For Brits, came out much higher "The average British household saving rate was 10.9% in the first quarter of 2025"

With tariffs kicking in, I would guess savings will be even lower in USA...

"most young Thais save less than 10% of their income" - really?

I believe there are less than 10% of young Thais without any debts. The goal cannot be two, three or ten credit cards, all maxed out, to allow them to buy things they do not want to impress people they don't like with money they don't have. 

A 22 year old is being socially cornered in buying a house on a 30 years mortgage. Working out the quality of the house does never tally with the overinflated price; look at all the rubbish being built in those thousands of villages and gated communities. In addition of being seriously overpriced, the interest and compound interest over the duration of the mortgage results in having borrowed money at a highway robbery interest table and, for good measure and to reduce the pain, they throw in a lousy house which, in most cases, are not the castle they promised you when you signed up for the (or)deal! 

Cash is King, spend only money you have already, do not save but invest and don't believe that you get away with showing off as everybody knows exactly, that you're showing off and there is not much below the shiny coat of lacquer! 

I saw an interesting documentary on YouTube recently talking about Thai’s in debt. It seem’s a the middle class are the worst in debt and young Thai’s don’t think of saving some of their salary, but spending it and to hell with the consequences. T

2 hours ago, IsaanGuy said:

I saw an interesting documentary on YouTube recently talking about Thai’s in debt. It seem’s a the middle class are the worst in debt and young Thai’s don’t think of saving some of their salary, but spending it and to hell with the consequences. T

A lot of them have absolutely zero clue how to manage money. I'm pretty sure some of the isaan people I've met barely even understand the concept of money.

7 hours ago, angryguy said:

Only for those who dont adapt and buy bitcoin.

 

your give up mentality is probably why you are where you are in life

Another dumb a** who thinks bitcoin is the answer to the worlds problems. Probably has a university education where all idiots seem to come from. 🙈

21 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

With AI critical thinking goes out the window for young people....Its too late to brain wash critical thinking older folks...

There's not much critical thinking here. Just look at this article and the conflicting statements made in it. 

Saving less than 10% of income is still better than where I live.

 

At least in Thailand you have options. Options for cheap rent and cheap food.

 

Minimum wage here 2000 bucks a month once taxes taken off. That is a studio rental per month. No money left for food, no money left for transport, no money left for phone. Literally nothing. 

 

In thailand if a girl works at 7/11 she can easily find a place for 2000b a month. It's going to be 4 walls, but that's still 20% of her income leaving her with 8000b a month.

 

I don't know how any new immigrant can survive in Canada these says. I have no clue.

 

This country has really gone to chit and I wouldn't believe it myself if I wasn't back to see it.

12 hours ago, Reddavy said:

Another dumb a** who thinks bitcoin is the answer to the worlds problems. Probably has a university education where all idiots seem to come from. 🙈

So you did not go to university? That explains why youre here

On 9/24/2025 at 10:39 AM, snoop1130 said:

"stay away from debt,"

 

Debt or credit = death in the long run, avoid at all costs.

 

16 hours ago, IsaanGuy said:

I saw an interesting documentary on YouTube recently talking about Thai’s in debt. It seem’s a the middle class are the worst in debt and young Thai’s don’t think of saving some of their salary, but spending it and to hell with the consequences. T

I know a few Thais who have gotten into debt.   They lack the means to deal with it.  

Do Thai boomers lecture them about avocado toast and streaming subscriptions?

Gen X will benefit from the Boomers' inheritance and there will be a big transfer of wealth between these two generations.

Problem is, most governments have clocked this, and intend to snag as much of it as possible for their own greedy ends, and there might not be so much that will make it to Gen Y/Z when it gets round to it. As for those after Gen Y/Z, like Gen A etc., you can forget it... you will own nothing, be happy, and be a drone for the government. It's extremely hard to get on the property ladder now, imagine what it will be like in 20 years?

12 hours ago, angryguy said:

So you did not go to university? That explains why youre here

Naaaa i come from the real world. Not the dumb *** one you seem to live in. 🤡And it also explains why i can holiday 6 months of the year in Thailand on my very good pensions i get from being clever enough to have had good jobs. Own my own house in UK and a condo in Thailand. Just saying. 🤷🏼