แรงงานไทย "แบกหนี้" รายได้ไม่พอรายจ่าย เงินออมเหลือน้อย | Thai PBS News

Summary

The survey by the Economic and Business Forecasting Center reveals that many Thai workers earn less than 15,000 baht per month, struggling with debt, particularly from credit cards, and facing high living costs in urban areas. Despite working hard, workers are barely able to cover their expenses. The government's consideration of a minimum wage increase to 400 baht nationwide raises concerns about inflation and potential job losses. There is a call for the government to control product prices and reduce operational costs to improve the welfare of low-income workers.

Takeaways

• 😀 A survey conducted by the Economic and Business Forecasting Center reveals that 71% of Thai workers earning less than 15,000 baht monthly struggle with insufficient income to cover expenses.
• 😀 High product prices are leading to an increased debt burden, with many people in debt primarily from credit card usage.
• 😀 The average debt per Thai household, including car and house loans, exceeds 400,000 baht, with monthly debt payments surpassing 8,000 baht.
• 😀 A restaurant employee in the Ratchadevi area, earning 500 baht a day, faces a significant financial strain due to high rent and motorcycle installment payments.
• 😀 The high cost of living in city centers leaves workers with barely enough to save, forcing them to budget very carefully and live frugally.
• 😀 A bus station manager earning 350 baht a day struggles to cover the costs of transportation and meals, despite receiving benefits like free bus rides.
• 😀 Many workers are forced to make difficult choices about meals, opting for cheaper food options such as 40-50 baht meals to save money.
• 😀 A meeting of the Wage Committee discussed raising the minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, but no decisions were reached after two meetings.
• 😀 The president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce expressed concern that rapid wage increases could lead to negative consequences, such as reduced employment and economic instability.
• 😀 Increasing the minimum wage without careful planning could have negative impacts on the workforce and economy, especially considering the global trade risks posed by policies such as US trade tariffs.
• 😀 Workers are also worried that increasing the minimum wage will drive up product prices, leading to higher costs of living. The government is urged to control prices and reduce operating costs for businesses while increasing welfare for low-income workers.

Q & A

What is the main concern highlighted by the Economic and Business Forecasting Center regarding Thai workers' income?

The main concern is that the majority of Thai workers, earning less than 15,000 baht a month, struggle to cover their expenses due to rising product prices, leading to a higher debt burden.

How much debt do Thai workers typically have on average for vehicles and housing?

On average, Thai workers have more than 400,000 baht in debt related to vehicles and housing.

What is the typical monthly debt repayment for Thai workers?

The typical monthly debt repayment for Thai workers is over 8,000 baht.

Can you provide an example of a Thai worker’s financial situation from the script?

A restaurant employee in Ratchadevi earns 500 baht per day but spends 4,000 baht monthly on motorcycle installments and 5,000 baht on rent, leaving little room for savings.

How does the cost of living in the city center affect Thai workers?

The high cost of living in the city center makes it difficult for workers to cover their basic expenses, often leading them to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to save.

How does the bus station manager manage his daily expenses?

The bus station manager earns 350 baht per day and saves on transportation costs by using a free bus. He is forced to eat frugally to manage his finances, opting for cheaper meals around 40 or 50 baht.

What is the current status of the minimum wage in Thailand?

The Wage Committee is considering raising the minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, but no conclusion has been reached after two meetings.

Why does the President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce have concerns about raising the minimum wage quickly?

The President is concerned that a rapid increase in the minimum wage could negatively affect the workforce, lead to higher inflation, reduce employment, and exacerbate the economic challenges, particularly under the current US trade policies.

What is the potential impact of a nationwide wage increase on the economy?

A nationwide wage increase could lead to higher product prices, creating additional burdens on both workers and businesses, especially if there is a reciprocal tariff situation affecting trade policies.

What is the government's role in managing product prices according to the script?

The government is asked to control product prices, reduce operational costs for businesses, and increase welfare for low-income workers in order to address the rising financial strain.