1.5 Million Thais Near Poverty

[snoop1130 12,664]

1.5 Million Thais Near Poverty

 

 

BANGKOK, Jan 21 (TNA) – COVID-19 was heavily affecting the Thai economy and 1.5 million Thai people were approaching the poverty line, said the World Bank.

 

The poverty ratio in Thailand rose to 8.8% last year, compared with 6.2% in 2019, it said.

 

The World Bank viewed that although the Thai economy passed its rock bottom in the second quarter of 2020, the new COVID-19 wave could affect tourism and workers in the country. 

 

Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-622003

 

-- © Copyright TNA 2021-01-21

 

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[KhaoYai 3,106]

Far more than 1.5 million. Since very few Thai's pay income tax, it would be interesting to know what the world bank base their figures on.

[darksidedog 51,747]

I suspect the true number of those in dire financial straits, far beyond what "poverty" means is a lot more than 1.5 million.

The government has spent lots of money on military hardware, which would have been much better spent right now on its financially distressed people.

[jonclark 7,361]

Irrespective of how these statistics were arrived at 1.5 more people in poverty, despite government interventions, is a shocking number. I imagine this sadly speaks of the utter devastation covid has brought to the tourist industry and the businesses that support that industry.

[dinsdale 5,558]

More BS. It really does get boring. 1.5 million? 15 million + is more believable. Maybe if you live on Mamma noodles you're not poor.

[ChipButty 16,197]

Got to be more than that in Phuket alone

[herfiehandbag 4,218]

1 hour ago, KhaoYai said:

Far more than 1.5 million. Since very few Thai's pay income tax, it would be interesting to know what the world bank base their figures on.

Probably the figures which the government give them.

[86Tiger 1,478]

 

 

The key is what do they define as poverty.

 

 

 

 

 

[internationalism 803]

Before  covid there were 3mln workers below $1000 per year. 
there were another 7mln below $3300 per year. 
 

world bank classifies powerty line before $5.5 per day. 
 

in the meantime some 54 of world billionaires got richer by $120bln. Some of them over 10bln since the pandemic. 

Edited January 21 by internationalism

[Lacessit 23,332]

Simple math. 15% of Thai GDP was tourism, which is almost non-existent now. 15% of 66 million Thais is about 10 million, halve that to get the ones of working age. 5 million out of work is a lot more than 1.5 million.

[KhaoYai 3,106]

2 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

Probably the figures which the government give them.

I don't think those that are either under the tax threshold or claim to be, have to complete a tax return. In which case, the Thai government will have no idea about their financial situation.

[uncle_tom 132]

I'd wager that 75% of the population of Issan alone are in acute financial difficulty right now. Dependence on the tourism sector to keep families' heads above water was so widespread - so that's fifteen million people for a start..

[mr mr 6,006]

50 minutes ago, internationalism said:

Before  covid there were 3mln workers below $1000 per year. 
there were another 7mln below $3300 per year. 
 

world bank classifies powerty line before $5.5 per day. 
 

in the meantime some 54 of world billionaires got richer by $120bln. Some of them over 10bln since the pandemic. 

 

quite a bit more than that actually. its sickening. 

 

 

[djayz 6,641]

Is that all?!

[Bangkokazy 470]

Looking at Thailand now, it is hard to imagine the poverty that existed here 100 years ago.