On the occasion of May Day, Thai and migrant workers talked about their lives, problems and needs

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On the occasion of May Day, Thai and migrant workers talked about their lives, problems and needs
By The Nation

 

 

Supasit Cheaukhampeng, 35

I moved from my home in the Northeastern region to work in Samut Sakhon almost five years ago. The first thing I noticed about working so far from home is that everything is expensive in relation to the salary. But I feel happy about the other conditions.

 

Nokkaew Buddhasorn, 30

Nowadays, everything is getting more expensive. Even though I received a raise, the payment for overtime work has decreased, so right now I do not have any savings. However, working here I have better income than working as a farmer at my hometown in Uthai Thani.

 

Samreung Phetphom, 58

 

I have worked hard all my life, but I still earn just Bt330 per day and have a lot of debt. In the next two years, I will retire from my job, so I have begun to worry about my income in the future. I am not sure how the pension from social security will help and I also worry about my health expenses as I get older.

 

Thonglai Khansorn, 32

I used to be a farmer in Srisaket, but due to the low rice price last year, I have a lot of debt. So I had to come to Samut Sakhon to find work in a factory. I think everything is fine here. I can live and work in these conditions, but my salary is still only Bt9,000 per month, which barely covers my daily expenses.

 

Wanlapa Namwong, 26

I graduated from university about two years ago and work in the quality certification section of the factory. I think my work is fine and I get a proper salary, but I am still looking for a better job opportunity.

 

Eyi, 27

I come from Mon state in Myanmar and have worked in Thailand for two years. Thailand is the country of opportunity for us, because we cannot earn a lot of money back in Myanmar, so I would like to ask the Thai government to understand us and let us work here.

 

Tan Saw Kyu, 39

I and my entire family moved from Mon state to work in Samut Songkram four years ago and are happy with our life here. We have a good employer and receive a decent salary. We just want the government to let us stay and work in Thailand.

 

Jintana Klongnoi, 54

I am native to Samut Songkram and have worked in the fisheries industry all my life. My request for this May Day is to ask the government to help the fisheries industry and loosen the strict regulations on workers. The strict law has already caused serious labour shortages, which make fishing boats unable to operate and affects my career in a seafood processing plant.

 

Duangporn Thongnoi, 36

I am happy with my working conditions right now, because I work near my home and everything is fine for me. But as I am also a housewife, the rising cost of living is our main problem. If the government cares about everyday workers’ living conditions and can solve this issue, it would be very good for us.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30313848

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-01

[wakeupplease]

Rising debt low wages =?

[PatOngo]

27 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

Rising debt low wages =

                                               Rich elite!

[NCC1701A]

"

Thonglai Khansorn, 32

I used to be a farmer in Srisaket, but due to the low rice price last year, I have a lot of debt. So I had to come to Samut Sakhon to find work in a factory. I think everything is fine here. I can live and work in these conditions, but my salary is still only Bt9,000 per month, which barely covers my daily expenses."

 

I live in Hua Hin and you can really see the difference in income between Thais.

I had not been to Udon Thani in a while and after Hua Hin I really noticed all the much poorer Thais on the streets. I have a very tight budget here in Thailand, but getting by on 9000 baht would be hell.

 

 

 

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

Rising debt low wages =?

Seems to be the formula for happiness in a lot of the answers. Debt is only a 4 letter word but sadly will become a bulldozer in near the future. Life here for workers especially the lower end can be a minefield. 

[elgordo38]

2 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

"

Thonglai Khansorn, 32

I used to be a farmer in Srisaket, but due to the low rice price last year, I have a lot of debt. So I had to come to Samut Sakhon to find work in a factory. I think everything is fine here. I can live and work in these conditions, but my salary is still only Bt9,000 per month, which barely covers my daily expenses."

 

I live in Hua Hin and you can really see the difference in income between Thais.

I had not been to Udon Thani in a while and after Hua Hin I really noticed all the much poorer Thais on the streets. I have a very tight budget here in Thailand, but getting by on 9000 baht would be hell.

 

 

 

The important part of your statement is that you have a budget all be it tight like most of us old schoolers. They talk of debt but repayment is tomorrow's problem. Live for the day. 

[elgordo38]

Rising debt and low wages hmm but look at all the marvels on the horizon. Driverless cars, magic medical cures so that life to 100 years or more is almost a guarantee, roll up TV's $200,000 sub orbital trips buy 2 tickets get a discount no doubt. Wearable computers, constant annual IPhone upgrades (hurry buy a new one best to have 2 or 3) Thailand will be a great market for all this. High consumer debt and low wages should be no barrier. Just run down to the local bank and get a selfie with your friendly bank manager. The moral of the story is all these wonderful yet expensive gadgets are on the horizon while the world teeters on mountains of debt that can never be paid back and stagnant wages. Interesting. 

[Enoon]

11 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

"

Thonglai Khansorn, 32

I used to be a farmer in Srisaket, but due to the low rice price last year, I have a lot of debt. So I had to come to Samut Sakhon to find work in a factory. I think everything is fine here. I can live and work in these conditions, but my salary is still only Bt9,000 per month, which barely covers my daily expenses."

 

I live in Hua Hin and you can really see the difference in income between Thais.

I had not been to Udon Thani in a while and after Hua Hin I really noticed all the much poorer Thais on the streets. I have a very tight budget here in Thailand, but getting by on 9000 baht would be hell.

 

 

 

 

Consider the cost of items in Thailand as a percentage of the minimum wage (which is not too different from that of Thonglai).

 

Imagine life in your home country if items were priced at a similar percentage.

 

ie 5 eggs Thailand = 20baht, about 6% of days minimum wage.

 

5 eggs in the UK would cost £3.60.  In the US about $3.50.

 

At the moment 5 eggs (although they are sold in 6's) in the UK cost about 66p (1.1% of min. daily wage) and in the US about $1(1.75%) 

 

To my economically unsophisticated mind that means that the relative cost of living for an "ordinary Joe" in Thailand (on the "Egg Scale") is about 3.5 times greater than their counterpart in the US and 5.5 times greater than in the UK.

 

It gets more depressing for them when one compares the costs of consumer "hardware".

 

A small car in the UK costs about half a years minimum wage, in Thailand about 5 years minimum wage.

 

It is "amazing" that they smile at all...........and yet they do.

 

No wonder the regime seeks to keep them distrustful of, and disinterested in, the world outside.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2017 by Enoon

[ChakaKhan]

I suppose i could tell them thats why an education is important--anyone

can pick up a book an learn to better themselves and a better oppty..

 

As i get a return slawjacked dead eyed looks--uuuu noooo unnerstaaaan!!!...

 

Is why i stopped teaching her as well....can take a horse to water.....yada yada