Unemployment rate in Thailand low compared to other countries

[webfact]

Unemployment rate in Thailand low compared to other countries

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016 (NNT) - The government has been helping the unemployed increase their job opportunities via a skills training program. During, the first two months of this year, the program has helped as many as 67,000 individuals find jobs.

Government Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the Thai government has successfully been able to keep the unemployment rate below 1%, despite the slow global economy.

He attributed the low unemployment rate to the government’s continuous efforts to improve the chances of finding jobs for the unemployed. Those looking for employment are able to contact the Smart Job Center or the Smart Training Center for assistance.

The newly launched Smart Training Center was initiated in addition to the Smart Job Center to train people to have marketable skills. Last year, more than 446,000 people gained employment through the Smart Job Center.

Despite the unemployment rate, more than 43,000 job vacancies are still available in the auto industry and retail sector, as well as hospitality, construction, and communications-related companies.


-- NNT 2016-03-21

[billphillips]

I don't think so. Plenty of boozed or drugged up young men hang around waiting for handouts. 40 something year old "retired" people caring for grandchildren in the villages. Beggars on the city streets. Nahh, codswallop.

Then again ... the actual percentage of people claiming unemployment benefits may well be low, for obvious reasons.

Edited March 21, 2016 by billphillips

[Misterwhisper]

Unemployment rate below 1%.

I've been before and I'm doing it again...

If the authorities (or the labor department) could only once explain in reasonable terms to the public how that allegedly tiny unemployment rate is measured and by what criteria, we might - just might - stop the and lend them some credence. Until then, it is.

[tukkytuktuk]

The unemployment rate in Thailand is low due to a large proportion of the population working in subsistence agriculture or on other vulnerable employment (own-account work and unpaid family work).

According to Wikipedia:- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Thailand

Although according to this article in Bloomberg is it all fixed that way to look good.

The world's happiest economies this year will look similar to last year's rankings. Thailand, in part due to unique structural issues that allow more people to count as employed, will stay as least miserable.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-04/these-are-the-world-s-most-miserable-economies

Edited March 21, 2016 by tukkytuktuk

[jamesbrock]

The unemployment rate in Thailand is low due to a large proportion of the population working in subsistence agriculture or on other vulnerable employment (own-account work and unpaid family work).

According to Wikipedia:- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Thailand

Although according to this article in Bloomberg is it all fixed that way to look good.

The world's happiest economies this year will look similar to last year's rankings. Thailand, in part due to unique structural issues that allow more people to count as employed, will stay as least miserable.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-04/these-are-the-world-s-most-miserable-economies

Hub of lies and obfuscation. (but no deserts, and definitely no heatwaves!)

[jaltsc]

"The government has been helping the unemployed increase their job opportunities..."

When raising the minimum wage to 300 baht a day is a major accomplishment, practically every employer can afford to hire someone at that cost. How about lowering the minimum wage back to 100 baht a day and then the government can boast how there is 0% unemployment among those who are not too drunk to work.

Edited March 21, 2016 by jaltsc

[Always18]

There is a nugget of truth in this latest B.S.

Unlike most sensible economies that value efficiency, Thailand has deliberately created a system that requires at least four people to do the work one could do alone if it were not for the layers of useless burocracy and mountains of pointless paperwork involved in the simplest of transactions................and, of course, keeping wages artificially low in the process..............

[clockman]

As there is no transparency, in any sector. These figures could have come from the fortune teller!

[Searat7]

There is a nugget of truth in this latest B.S.

Unlike most sensible economies that value efficiency, Thailand has deliberately created a system that requires at least four people to do the work one could do alone if it were not for the layers of useless burocracy and mountains of pointless paperwork involved in the simplest of transactions................and, of course, keeping wages artificially low in the process..............

Very good points....the amount of "Underemployment" in Thailand is staggering.

[lkv]

I think this article explains it.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/thailand-s-unemployment-rate-is-a-ridiculously-low-0-6-here-s-why

"The informal sector of the Thai economy, comprising anyone who's not covered by formal work arrangements, accounted for more than 64 percent of the total workforce in 2013. It includes street vendors and taxi-motorbike drivers, the self-employed and those operating in gray areas of the economy. They are largely counted as employed."

Edited March 21, 2016 by lkv

[amdy2206]

I am not surprised when every place you go shopping or eat in a restaurant there are 3/4 sales people/waiters to every customer. There must be a law in place where you have to employ at least 2 times the staff you really need. Just go to Robinsons/Homepro/ etc and there are way too many staff. In the Western World stores, restaurants and shops cope very well on a third of the work force employed in Thailand.

[Lupatria]

So what? The junta is doing their utmost to provide happiness, with bike events and ear-worm songs, everyone is allowed to speak out what he thinks, as long as it is in accordance, millions of street vendors and motorbike jockey's without social security can afford mama noodles and mobile phones. What are you complaining about?

Edited March 21, 2016 by Lupatria

[Roomuck]

I don't think so. Plenty of boozed or drugged up young men hang around waiting for handouts. 40 something year old "retired" people caring for grandchildren in the villages. Beggars on the city streets. Nahh, codswallop.

Then again ... the actual percentage of people claiming unemployment benefits may well be low, for obvious reasons.

Have you ever considered that the young boozed up men hanging around don't actually want to work? What handouts are you referring to? Beggars on the streets are often disabled or foreign. But thanks for your narrow minded view and assessment.

Speak to anyone who actually employs people and you will find there is a labor shortage. So much so, that 3million foreign workers are actually employed in Thailand, mainly from the bordering countries. They come to Thailand for jobs.

This rate is one that western countries don't even dream about, but Thaivisa "contributors" want to Thaibash. Next you will all be complaining that the weather in Thailand is too cold.

Even if the economy contracted ( now don't this mixed up with slower growth) they could kick out the three million plus foreign workers and everyone WHO WANTED A JOB, could have one. Do you know any long term able bodied unemployed Thais who want a job?

Next you will be telling me total tourist numbers are down and you can't buy pork sausages in Germany anymore because the Muslims banned them.

What bash will it be tomorrow?

[Assurancetourix]

There is a nugget of truth in this latest B.S.

Unlike most sensible economies that value efficiency, Thailand has deliberately created a system that requires at least four people to do the work one could do alone if it were not for the layers of useless burocracy and mountains of pointless paperwork involved in the simplest of transactions................and, of course, keeping wages artificially low in the process..............

I remember Vietnam beginning years 1990, it was exactly like that ;

4 or 5 people to do what one person can do easily;

but the salary was also divided by 4 or 5 ...

We are, in Thailand in a socialist economy, like former USSR , RDA...all countries which were behing the iron curtain .

[chiang mai]

I don't think so. Plenty of boozed or drugged up young men hang around waiting for handouts. 40 something year old "retired" people caring for grandchildren in the villages. Beggars on the city streets. Nahh, codswallop.

Then again ... the actual percentage of people claiming unemployment benefits may well be low, for obvious reasons.

Have you ever considered that the young boozed up men hanging around don't actually want to work? What handouts are you referring to? Beggars on the streets are often disabled or foreign. But thanks for your narrow minded view and assessment.

Speak to anyone who actually employs people and you will find there is a labor shortage. So much so, that 3million foreign workers are actually employed in Thailand, mainly from the bordering countries. They come to Thailand for jobs.

This rate is one that western countries don't even dream about, but Thaivisa "contributors" want to Thaibash. Next you will all be complaining that the weather in Thailand is too cold.

Even if the economy contracted ( now don't this mixed up with slower growth) they could kick out the three million plus foreign workers and everyone WHO WANTED A JOB, could have one. Do you know any long term able bodied unemployed Thais who want a job?

Next you will be telling me total tourist numbers are down and you can't buy pork sausages in Germany anymore because the Muslims banned them.

What bash will it be tomorrow?

+100!

And then there's always the fact that the construction trade would cease operation tomorrow if it weren't for foreign labour, ditto fisheries and no doubt other industries also, the problem is that Thailand, like the UK, has an aging population and a real shortage of workers.

[lkv]

What bash will it be tomorrow?

People have a choice to believe the reasons stated in this current article (created for local consumption in a country that restricts freedom of speech for the press), or reasons stated in international media like the article I attached in my previous comment.

I know which one I'm going to believe.

Edited March 21, 2016 by lkv

[Wilsonandson]

I don't think so. Plenty of boozed or drugged up young men hang around waiting for handouts. 40 something year old "retired" people caring for grandchildren in the villages. Beggars on the city streets. Nahh, codswallop.

Then again ... the actual percentage of people claiming unemployment benefits may well be low, for obvious reasons.

Have you ever considered that the young boozed up men hanging around don't actually want to work? What handouts are you referring to? Beggars on the streets are often disabled or foreign. But thanks for your narrow minded view and assessment.

Speak to anyone who actually employs people and you will find there is a labor shortage. So much so, that 3million foreign workers are actually employed in Thailand, mainly from the bordering countries. They come to Thailand for jobs.

This rate is one that western countries don't even dream about, but Thaivisa "contributors" want to Thaibash. Next you will all be complaining that the weather in Thailand is too cold.

Even if the economy contracted ( now don't this mixed up with slower growth) they could kick out the three million plus foreign workers and everyone WHO WANTED A JOB, could have one. Do you know any long term able bodied unemployed Thais who want a job?

Next you will be telling me total tourist numbers are down and you can't buy pork sausages in Germany anymore because the Muslims banned them.

What bash will it be tomorrow?

3 million foreign workers in Thailand doing a job that takes 4 Thai people to do. Thats 12 million jobs for able bodied Thai's to do if Thailand boots out it's foreign work force.

Bash! Slam! Wallop!

[worgeordie]

With 25% of the population either selling lottery tickets or somtam,that's

why unemployment is so low,but then you go to the Mall any day and

they are full of cars,motor bikes,do these people have a job?

regards Worgeordie

[Roomuck]

"The government has been helping the unemployed increase their job opportunities..."

When raising the minimum wage to 300 baht a day is a major accomplishment, practically every employer can afford to hire someone at that cost. How about lowering the minimum wage back to 100 baht a day and then the government can boast how there is 0% unemployment among those who are not too drunk to work.

That is the minimum wage for those with no get up and go. That's all they deserve. If someone has a bit of nous, they can earn a lot more, and usually do. Most factory workers are paid more than 300 per day if they bother to do extra training or OT which is usually available in due part to the labor shortage.

With under 1% unemployment the ball is in the employees court. There is great opportunity to play ball and better themselves.

People who work in 7-11s, shop assistants etc are on the minimum wage as such workers are in all countries.

I actually only know 1 single Thai on 300 baht per day, but she is about to start a course to be a manager of where she is employed which will raise her to 450 per day. Most other Thais I I know earn between 12,000 -60,000 per month. I know a girl who sells BBQ squid who earns 1000 per day, somedays she sells out in 4 hours, bad days she has to work 8 hours.

Unbelievable the negativity on Thaivisa about something that is 99% positive, and if you count the 3million foreign workers the employment rate could be considered 110%.

[Roomuck]

What bash will it be tomorrow?

People have a choice to believe the reasons stated in this current article (created for local consumption in a country that restricts freedom of speech for the press), or reasons stated in international media like the article I attached in my previous comment.

I know which one I'm going to believe.

Do you know anyone who wants a job who can't get one?

[Roomuck]

Despite the unemployment rate, more than 43,000 job vacancies are still available in the auto industry and retail sector, as well as hospitality, construction, and communications-related companies.

43,000

There are not enough workers to fill the jobs. Get it?

[Wilsonandson]

What bash will it be tomorrow?

People have a choice to believe the reasons stated in this current article (created for local consumption in a country that restricts freedom of speech for the press), or reasons stated in international media like the article I attached in my previous comment.

I know which one I'm going to believe.

Do you know anyone who wants a job who can't get one?

Abhisit Vejjajiva, he needs a job at the moment.

[Assurancetourix]

I know a girl who sells BBQ squid who earns 1000 per day, somedays she sells out in 4 hours, bad days she has to work 8 hours.

Her turnover for the day is 1000 baht or more;

I can believe that;

but her profit is ? ................. a few baht .

Never confuse turnover and profit ;

you can have a turnover of ten billions baht and no profit at the end of the year .

[salavan]

I think this article explains it.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/thailand-s-unemployment-rate-is-a-ridiculously-low-0-6-here-s-why

"The informal sector of the Thai economy, comprising anyone who's not covered by formal work arrangements, accounted for more than 64 percent of the total workforce in 2013. It includes street vendors and taxi-motorbike drivers, the self-employed and those operating in gray areas of the economy. They are largely counted as employed."

compare it with the uk out of work and CLAIMING benefit otherwise not counted as unemployed

[bark]

I think this is true.

I placed an ad in the Bangkok post for sexy models. I am a professional photographer ( using my iPhone), Asked for girls to come to my

condo for a photo shoot. I told them they wouldn't get any money, but would provide free soda and Lays Potato chips. And M&M chocolates,

for the real hot ones. No one has come.

So it must be true, right ?

[Srikcir]

To further help the unemployed increase their job opportunities, the CDC reduced state-subsidized education from 12 years to nine years in its January 2016 draft charter update. Previous education support from the government was up to 12 years of education, which has been an explicit constitutional guarantee since 1997.

[lkv]

Only a minority of the countries with low unemployment actually have a healthy economy where middle-class jobs are abundant. Instead, in many nations, employment is either being created by temporary government public works or these nations have large amounts of subsistence farming, which is counted as employment.

[laolover88]

These matters are always quite complex!

Yes there a huge numbers of foreign labourers doing the jobs that Thais don't want to do. That is no different from black people in Britain 60 years ago or Turkish people and Portuguese in Germany. It is a commonplace of belief, well round here, that Thai men are lazy, unambitious and ill-educated. I have no idea if that generalisation is true. What is certainly true is that women appear to do most of the work. I would be interested to see the correlation between household debt and household income. My wife is pretty clear that current apparent wealth..lots of Mercedes here..(other than the drug funded ones..Many) is funded by the banks against the soaring value of land. So land sales are escalating and the squid stalls are paying the bank and the government is thinking about 0%mortgages H'M

[Wilsonandson]

To further help the unemployed increase their job opportunities, the CDC reduced state-subsidized education from 12 years to nine years in its January 2016 draft charter update. Previous education support from the government was up to 12 years of education, which has been an explicit constitutional guarantee since 1997.

Unbelievable! Shame on the CDC

[wabothai]

After having been here for 9 years of and on I dare say that it is impossible to measure unemployment in Thailand.