Rich Thai People

[johna]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

[Heng]

Charity begins at home. Those of ya'll sending cash to far away unheard of cousins should know this.

[cdnvic]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

They already have one of the more progressive tax systems. It's not the fault of government if people squander it on mobile phones and SUVs they can't afford. There's no shortage of enterprising Thais who work hard, work smart, and take the initiative to to lift themselves out of poverty. Beats sitting around waiting for the government to do it for you.

cv

[thymode91]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They already have one of the more progressive tax systems. It's not the fault of government if people squander it on mobile phones and SUVs they can't afford. There's no shortage of enterprising Thais who work hard, work smart, and take the initiative to to lift themselves out of poverty. Beats sitting around waiting for the government to do it for you.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice post CDNVIC ,

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Well said cv. Sitting around waiting doesn't do one a lotta good anywhere in Asia.

[chownah]

Thailand is a Budhist country...poverty is not a sin...monks go around begging every day...you would probably say that my neighbors are poor..their houses aren't quite up to western standards, little or no furniture, no money in the bank, not alot of clothes....they make about 5,000baht per month if both are working....but....they have very good lives..they would like more money (who wouldn't)....but they're not willing to get all stressed out about it....if they don't like the conditions at a particular job then they quit...why work doing something you don't like? Almost everyone has their own house and enough land to grow enough rice for their familly. Actually in many ways they are far ahead of just about every westerner I"ve ever met!!! You see being poor in Thailand isn't so bad.

[Heng]

What's ironic is that when regularly, when influential monks die, many (not all of course) of them have millions and sometimes tens of millions of Baht in the bank. The benefits of a tax free life, almost no expenses, and people somehow correlating the donation of money as an entrance fee to a better afterlife or next life.

[chownah]

What's ironic is that when regularly, when influential monks die, many (not all of course) of them have millions and sometimes tens of millions of Baht in the bank.    The benefits of a tax free life, almost no expenses, and people somehow correlating the donation of money as an entrance fee to a better afterlife or next life. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you think a foreigner could become a monk and then become a multi-millionaire?

[Heng]

Anything is possible.

[kayo]

What's ironic is that when regularly, when influential monks die, many (not all of course) of them have millions and sometimes tens of millions of Baht in the bank.    The benefits of a tax free life, almost no expenses, and people somehow correlating the donation of money as an entrance fee to a better afterlife or next life.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you think a foreigner could become a monk and then become a multi-millionaire?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

About as likely as a Thai person becoming Pope.

How about Thai Pope names...

Pope Kittypornus Noong?

Pope Wattunamelawmak?

[Totster]

What's ironic is that when regularly, when influential monks die, many (not all of course) of them have millions and sometimes tens of millions of Baht in the bank.    The benefits of a tax free life, almost no expenses, and people somehow correlating the donation of money as an entrance fee to a better afterlife or next life. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you think a foreigner could become a monk and then become a multi-millionaire?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

About as likely as a Thai person becoming Pope.

How about Thai Pope names...

Pope Kittypornus Noong?

Pope Wattunamelawmak?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

More likely just to be "Pope John Paul III"....

totster

[kayo]

Do you think a foreigner could become a monk and then become a multi-millionaire?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

About as likely as a Thai person becoming Pope.

How about Thai Pope names...

Pope Kittypornus Noong?

Pope Wattunamelawmak?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

More likely just to be "Pope John Paul III"....

totster

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WHAT???

You mean they are not likely to come up with something original and different??

[Khun Larry]

They already have one of the more progressive tax systems. It's not the fault of government if people squander it on mobile phones and SUVs they can't afford. There's no shortage of enterprising Thais who work hard, work smart, and take the initiative to to lift themselves out of poverty. Beats sitting around waiting for the government to do it for you.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a joke. Few, if any, working class Thais drive SUV's. True they squander their money, however even with a college degree the average Thai can only make $200 - 300 a month. At that salary who cares about the tax system. Additionally, Thais rarely work smart, hard or take initiative. They lack many skills so they can be taken advantage of easily. They do need some structure so they can advance, and reasonable compensation for the few available opportunities to benefit them. This is simply not provided.

The only people the poor Thai workers in Thailand are lifting up are the rich Thais (Greedy Rich Thai Trash).

[Vit42]

They already have one of the more progressive tax systems. It's not the fault of government if people squander it on mobile phones and SUVs they can't afford. There's no shortage of enterprising Thais who work hard, work smart, and take the initiative to to lift themselves out of poverty. Beats sitting around waiting for the government to do it for you.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a joke. Few, if any, working class Thais drive SUV's. True they squander their money, however even with a college degree the average Thai can only make $200 - 300 a month. At that salary who cares about the tax system. Additionally, Thais rarely work smart, hard or take initiative. They lack many skills so they can be taken advantage of easily. They do need some structure so they can advance, and reasonable compensation for the few available opportunities to benefit them. This is simply not provided.

The only people the poor Thai workers in Thailand are lifting up are the rich Thais (Greedy Rich Thai Trash).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You’re the one who must be joking. First of all, you generalize without fact. 2nd, you make statements about social conditions as if they were unique to Thailand. 3rd, you ignore the cycle of any developing country, including the U.S. and U.K. that were heavily elitist societies and still are to an extent few realize.

It’s very easy to say that the meek are supporting the rich without offering up a solution… how about communism??? Sure there’s a lot of corruption and perhaps there should be more social welfare but there’s no easy solution that’s fair to all. A free and democratic society seems to be the best way for anyone to at least have a chance at achieving whatever standard of living they want. Let's hear it if you've got a more perfect plan.

BTW, isn’t your hero W. Buffet also greedy and rich according to your definition???

[JimsKnight]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly the reason I didn't give to the numerous tsunami funds the government were issuing!

[OldAsiaHand]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greedy Rich Thai Trash.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been trying to figure out how all these adjectives are supposed to be related to each other....

Are all the rich greedy? Or are all the rich trash? Or maybe all the Thais are rich? Or is it rather that all the Thais are trash?

Or maybe the poster just has his head stuck in his large intestine....

[Khun Larry]

They already have one of the more progressive tax systems. It's not the fault of government if people squander it on mobile phones and SUVs they can't afford. There's no shortage of enterprising Thais who work hard, work smart, and take the initiative to to lift themselves out of poverty. Beats sitting around waiting for the government to do it for you.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a joke. Few, if any, working class Thais drive SUV's. True they squander their money, however even with a college degree the average Thai can only make $200 - 300 a month. At that salary who cares about the tax system. Additionally, Thais rarely work smart, hard or take initiative. They lack many skills so they can be taken advantage of easily. They do need some structure so they can advance, and reasonable compensation for the few available opportunities to benefit them. This is simply not provided.

The only people the poor Thai workers in Thailand are lifting up are the rich Thais (Greedy Rich Thai Trash).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You’re the one who must be joking. First of all, you generalize without fact. 2nd, you make statements about social conditions as if they were unique to Thailand. 3rd, you ignore the cycle of any developing country, including the U.S. and U.K. that were heavily elitist societies and still are to an extent few realize.

It’s very easy to say that the meek are supporting the rich without offering up a solution… how about communism??? Sure there’s a lot of corruption and perhaps there should be more social welfare but there’s no easy solution that’s fair to all. A free and democratic society seems to be the best way for anyone to at least have a chance at achieving whatever standard of living they want. Let's hear it if you've got a more perfect plan.

BTW, isn’t your hero W. Buffet also greedy and rich according to your definition???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First, I am not offering a solution, just facts. You must have assumed I was.

Next, you say I am generalizing without facts. Did I generalizing without facts? I do not recall generalizing without facts. Maybe you assumed this also.

And, did I say these conditions were unique to Thailand? I do not recall saying these conditions were unique to Thailand? Maybe I was thinking about saying these conditions were unique to Thailand and you heard me. That is a condition unique to yourself which you should seek medical attention for.

Certainly, these are irrefutable facts clearly show your comments to emanate from such a low intellectual plane as to be useless at best.

You may be interested to know 7-11 is hiring.

[Khun Larry]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greedy Rich Thai Trash.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been trying to figure out how all these adjectives are supposed to be related to each other....

Are all the rich greedy? Or are all the rich trash? Or maybe all the Thais are rich? Or is it rather that all the Thais are trash?

Or maybe the poster just has his head stuck in his large intestine....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are some excellent English schools in BKK. You may want to sign up for a refresher course.

[samran]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Some farangs here complain if the have to support a solitary sick buffalo up country.

From my experience with rich Thai's, their contributions to society are much closer to home. Odds are that they are not only supporting their families, their families families and other assorted hangers on, but they are quietly supporting the families for their Maids and other household staff, putting their (numerous) maids kids through school, then to university, helping them get jobs in various family businesses and helping those less fortunate, but known to them, get as good a start as one can get in life.

[aughie]

Not arguing w/ you samran nor am I saying what the rich Thais do is motivated by self interest alone, by assisting those around them they build a base of loyal allies. Rich Thais have their own private army so to speak.

Edited June 14, 2005 by aughie

[Vit42]

They already have one of the more progressive tax systems. It's not the fault of government if people squander it on mobile phones and SUVs they can't afford. There's no shortage of enterprising Thais who work hard, work smart, and take the initiative to to lift themselves out of poverty. Beats sitting around waiting for the government to do it for you.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a joke. Few, if any, working class Thais drive SUV's. True they squander their money, however even with a college degree the average Thai can only make $200 - 300 a month. At that salary who cares about the tax system. Additionally, Thais rarely work smart, hard or take initiative. They lack many skills so they can be taken advantage of easily. They do need some structure so they can advance, and reasonable compensation for the few available opportunities to benefit them. This is simply not provided.

The only people the poor Thai workers in Thailand are lifting up are the rich Thais (Greedy Rich Thai Trash).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You’re the one who must be joking. First of all, you generalize without fact. 2nd, you make statements about social conditions as if they were unique to Thailand. 3rd, you ignore the cycle of any developing country, including the U.S. and U.K. that were heavily elitist societies and still are to an extent few realize.

It’s very easy to say that the meek are supporting the rich without offering up a solution… how about communism??? Sure there’s a lot of corruption and perhaps there should be more social welfare but there’s no easy solution that’s fair to all. A free and democratic society seems to be the best way for anyone to at least have a chance at achieving whatever standard of living they want. Let's hear it if you've got a more perfect plan.

BTW, isn’t your hero W. Buffet also greedy and rich according to your definition???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First, I am not offering a solution, just facts. You must have assumed I was.

Next, you say I am generalizing without facts. Did I generalizing without facts? I do not recall generalizing without facts. Maybe you assumed this also.

And, did I say these conditions were unique to Thailand? I do not recall saying these conditions were unique to Thailand? Maybe I was thinking about saying these conditions were unique to Thailand and you heard me. That is a condition unique to yourself which you should seek medical attention for.

Certainly, these are irrefutable facts clearly show your comments to emanate from such a low intellectual plane as to be useless at best.

You may be interested to know 7-11 is hiring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's the problem with people like you, always criticizing but not willing to ante up with a solution. What's the point in saying anything that you said if you don't have a better plan?

"Thais rarely work smart, hard or take initiative."... this is generalization or do you truely believe this is true of all thais? Where are your facts regarding this statement?

"The only people the poor Thai workers in Thailand are lifting up are the rich Thais (Greedy Rich Thai Trash)." More generalizations w/o fact. And if you're not suggesting this statement is unique to thailand, why "Greedy Rich Thai Trash"!

"Irrefutable facts"? C'mon dude, opinions are not facts!

In the end, i think what you were intending to say was maybe alright, it's just the way you said it that i was arguing with. You basically insulted thais in an effort to promote the welfare of thais. I'm still confused as to why you think rich thais are to blame? As a poor thai who's made his way in the world, i do work smart, hard and take initiative. And i don't have any grudges against the rich thais but i do have grudges against anyone who generalize and make baseless arguments. BTW, why insult 7-11 workers as if it were such a lowly job, or do you have a problem with them also???

[sriracha john]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Some farangs here complain if the have to support a solitary sick buffalo up country.

From my experience with rich Thai's, their contributions to society are much closer to home. Odds are that they are not only supporting their families, their families families and other assorted hangers on, but they are quietly supporting the families for their Maids and other household staff, putting their (numerous) maids kids through school, then to university, helping them get jobs in various family businesses and helping those less fortunate, but known to them, get as good a start as one can get in life.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And if you happen to one of the few really lucky maids, you can have Mr. T as your boss and receive 750 million baht worth of Shin Corporation stock.... that's certainly a nice perk for sweeping the floor.

Although I apologize for mentioning his name in this thread as he is so far beyond the "rich thai people" group and belongs to a far more exclusive group of the "I'm so f*ckin' rich, all my children are billionaires" group.

[Heng]

I have just read another story in yesterdays Sunday Nation about a Australian runing in China to raise money for a Thai charity, thats all very good but as this country has as its Prime Minister one of the richest people and a government composed of the nations wealthiest people, why are they not doing more to end poverty in this country. I have no problem with charity work but more Thais must start lobbying the govenment to end this inequality.

Some farangs here complain if the have to support a solitary sick buffalo up country.

From my experience with rich Thai's, their contributions to society are much closer to home. Odds are that they are not only supporting their families, their families families and other assorted hangers on, but they are quietly supporting the families for their Maids and other household staff, putting their (numerous) maids kids through school, then to university, helping them get jobs in various family businesses and helping those less fortunate, but known to them, get as good a start as one can get in life.

I've seen plenty of that in my experience as well. But just like all parts of society, many give back, and many do not. I think the local system is a pretty good mix of helping those close to you and also helping strangers. The local Po Teck Tung, Ruamkathanyu, Hua Chiew, etc. societies are completely built from donated "riches."

Edited June 14, 2005 by Heng