Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living soars

[buksida]

Thailand’s gross domestic happiness index for February has dropped over the higher cost of living, Abac Poll Research Centre says.

The results of its survey run counter to government and media reports that claims the economy is recovering,

Abac revealed on Sunday that Thai people’s GDH had dropped from 6.66 points in January to 6.42 last month based on a 10-point scale with the higher cost of living and unstable household finances being the main factors. Respondents complained they were struggling to cope with higher costs while still earning the same income, or on a lower income.

The GDH on current income was worth a score of only 4.78.

Dr Noppadon Kannika, director of Abac Social Innovation in Management and Business, said the results showed living conditions in households were in direct contrast to what people see on their television screens.

He said news reports on TV claimed the country’s economy was recovering and people had more confidence, but in fact household finances were a problem as living costs become more expensive.

Dr Noppadon said he was concerned information about the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) may not have been calculated based on actual information and only reflected the economic growth of certain groups of people at the top of the economic pyramid.

GDP which was not based on reality had caused broader economic crises in some countries, he warned.

The survey on the happiness index was conducted among 3,247 people in 17 provinces between Feb 20 and Saturday.

The index on the political situation stood at just 4.35 as a result of conflicts stemming from planned amendments to the 2007 Constitution and the way people perceived politicians attempting to discredit their rivals.

Source: BKK Post

[Spitfire]

Where's the poll Mr B or is that just the news article title?

Prices are definitely shooting up and it's a complete myth that Thailand is cheap, not anymore, and even more so for Thais that don't get even inflationary pay rises with inflation running about 4% or so now.

[buksida]

It was just the article, should have changed it to 'survey' really.

Yep, everyone is getting hit in the wallet, from the cost of gas to the price of eggs - its only going one way.

[hhfarang]

Just guessing, but I'd say the cost of living in Hua Hin has gone up at least 20% in the last nine years since I first came here... not on everything of course, but as an average as some things have doubled while others have only risen a bit. I noticed gas is higher than ever before here as I put more (in baht) in my empty tank than has ever fit in it before a couple of days ago. That actually went down for a while but it seems to have taken a sudden rise again recently.

[Dannie Boy]

Just guessing, but I'd say the cost of living in Hua Hin has gone up at least 20% in the last nine years since I first came here... not on everything of course, but as an average as some things have doubled while others have only risen a bit. I noticed gas is higher than ever before here as I put more (in baht) in my empty tank than has ever fit in it before a couple of days ago. That actually went down for a while but it seems to have taken a sudden rise again recently.

If it has only gone up 20% in the last 9 years, I think we should all count ourselves very lucky...........or did you mean 20% every year over the past 9?

As for gas (petrol/diesel) I can only be grateful that we are not paying UK prices, which are about 70 baht a litre!!

[Spitfire]

The price of fuel may not be like it is for much longer, lots of talk in the papers about possibly hitting 40+ baht a liter later this year as oil seems to be getting a bit high again, plus the government can only subsidize to a certain degree and it's already way under market price at the moment now.

The fuel subsidy fund here in LOS seems to be quite a political issue these days with those that say it's not the long term answer and that really the government can't afford it. I guess they keep on doing it to avoid civil unrest which they almost got a couple of years ago when the oil price went silly and diesel was 45 baht a liter for a while.

But I think those prices may be set to return again, sooner rather than later.

The price of natural gas also has a big impact on prices too as the more that goes up the more staple stuff like the price of a bowl of noodles on the street goes up as it's pretty much all cooked over gas. I bought a kitchen gas tank for my place a few months ago and couldn't believe how much it had gone up since last did it a few years ago.

[STEVE G]

The cost of living, and peoples unhappiness, is increasing pretty much everywhere and not just in Thailand. One of the big issues to watch out for in the near future is worldwide soaring food prices largely driven by increasing prosperity in countries with large populations such as China, India and Brazil.
The only good news is for anyone with any interests in agricultural land in Thailand, it might actually become worth something in the future as demand for food drives up commodity prices. Certainly cane sugar is getting to the point where it's worth planting which was rarely the case with rice.

[Nereus]

The price of natural gas also has a big impact on prices too as the more that goes up the more staple stuff like the price of a bowl of noodles on the street goes up as it's pretty much all cooked over gas. I bought a kitchen gas tank for my place a few months ago and couldn't believe how much it had gone up since last did it a few years ago.

Without being pedantic, the price of natural gas will only contribute to price increases through increases in transport costs, as "cooking gas" is a by-product of oil refining, not a natural resource. It is also subsidized, but both of them are being increased a small amount every month.

[Super Joe]

Thailand's minimum wage increases set at end of 2011, was 7% on average. It's averaged almost 8% since the 70's, about double inflation. The OP article would no doubt still be correct for a lot of people as employers ignore these increases and cut back in line with the economic turmoil. You can imagine the exploitation going on, of those desperate for work/income.

It's just a blessing those most affected are oblivious to the preferential treatment shown to foreigners by their government, over inflationary matters. If the government gave the same priority to workers labour rights as they do accomodating as many expats as possible through 13-year inflationary freezes on things like retirement incomes, then no doubt things would be a bit more comfortable for those struggling.

Here's a table of current minimum wages for each province for anyone interested

SJ

[Spitfire]

There is though, as you mentioned, only a certain section of the workforce the government can have influence over, like government employees and projects funded by government money. The government cannot force the vast majority of private businesses to pay the minimum wage, which accounts for the majority of jobs.

They aren't going to be able to force factory owners, property developers or private colleges to enforce that for the average worker.

All this mumbo-jumbo about minimum wage of 300 baht a day will only be applicable to a small section of workers and perhaps a professionally skilled types section that are in short supply.

But by no means does it mean what it sounds like as we from the west might interpret it at face value.

The government want newly qualified teachers to get this 15k minimum a month, but it'll only be for government contract types, won't be at the Catholic schools or private colleges, up to the fascists that run them.

[lomuamart]

Give us a break, SJ.
Prices are going up for everyone - true. The simple fact of the matter is that us expats bring money into this country.
Too right, prices are going up and Thailand is now in many ways more expensive than the UK. For example try drinking in town and get away with 80 odd Baht for a small beer. I don't hate the bar owners as they have terrible rents to pay and must make a living. "A rai?" About 3.20 GBP for the equivalent pint in quite a lot of parts of London,
And that's just beer - take it or leave it. Food, a staple, has already been described. Crazy increases in prices.
Rent is probably the only cost that hasn't increased for us in 8 years and that's only because we have really good landlords and may it long remain.
As far as I, we or any expat here is concerned, up the financial criteria by much more, combined with bad exchange rates and see what happens.
At the end of the day, I can't be sure about the outcome, but despite your upbeat estimates in the past of Thai, Chinese, Korean and so on spending in this town, they probably do so on property not local smaller businesses. That's why many local stores and even well-known restaurants catering to Thais are going out of business.
Should the Thai government up the ante for expats? I'm sure you can hear my reply.
Oh, and BTW, why should any increase in Imm financial requirements from 65K/800K to say 100K/1,000,000 benefit any Thai person? Unless you're suggesting that the money be brought into here and spent here.
If so, say so and I'll try and discuss differently.
Chok dii,

[migrant]

Unfortunately prices everywhere are going up. Here in California gas prices have gone up 35 cents a gallon in the last 10 days. Food is also rising rapidly.

I'd be curious as to the difference in prices between here, and Thailand, now versus the past.

I know for those residents the prices rise and seem no longer cheap, but with our prices here rising I still see Thailand as cheaper in a lot of ways.

[Takiap]

Give us a break, SJ.
Prices are going up for everyone - true.

I agree, prices have been going crazy, and to be honest, I don't Thailand is much cheaper than the UK these days. Sure, certain things are cheaper, but probably not for much longer. I really feel sorry for Thais at the lower end of the wage scale, and so far the present government hasn't, to my knowledge, honored any of their promises. Living costs have continued to climb at an alarming pace, while employees are still earning the same as they were before. These days it seem as though prices go up almost on a weekly basis. Yes, buying a few bottles of beer at the shop doesn't cost that much more than it did a few years ago, and yes, laborers can still buy their cheap Lao Kao, but what use is that when they can barely afford to eat.


I also can't see what difference it would make if the government increases the financial visa requirements as SJ has suggested/mentioned. Even if they said you need 15 million baht in your bank account in order to qualify for a visa, that's not to say you would spend that money in the country, so in essence, it would be of no benefit to the economy. To the contrary, it would be detrimental because it would effectively reduce the number of retirees living here, which means less foreign currency coming in and being spent.


Maybe I'm missing something here, but I quite honestly can't see how anyone could suggest foreigners get preferential treatment here. If anything, we usually pay more for things rather than less. Hell, even our Thai wives can end up paying more than other Thais just because they chose to marry a foreigner One example - child birth at San Paulo Hospital

Perhaps now that exchange rates are no longer what they used to be, and the cost of living in the country has gone up significantly, it might be a good time to actually do away with dual pricing.

And BTW, the average working class Thai that I know tends to echo the results of the poll mentioned in this thread.

[dozer]

The cost of living does not seem to have any impact on expat engineers we hire on a project hire basis, they seem to be quite happy with rates which are pretty much the same as what we were paying in the 90’s

I guess it’s the life style more than anything.

[Pleng]

Give us a break, SJ.
Too right, prices are going up and Thailand is now in many ways more expensive than the UK. For example try drinking in town and get away with 80 odd Baht for a small beer.

About 3.20 GBP for the equivalent pint in quite a lot of parts of London,

When was the last time you went to London? I think you'd be lucky to find a Larger for £3.20 these days. I come from the South Coast, a holiday resort area, and our prices are pretty much pegged to Central London prices. You'll be paying £3.60 - £3.80 and given the steady increase you'll be looking at £4 for a pint. That's 200bt for a pint; which is slightly less than 2 bottles of beer.

So even if you're paying 100bt for a beer, in one of the most expensive bars, you're still getting slightly more beer for the same price.

The difference being that in my town, moving away from the 'downtown' drinking areas will only save you at best 40p per pint. Where as making the same move in Hua Hin you'll find the prices of beer dropping to 50-60bt; so two bottles of beer (more than one pint) will cost you just over £2 - find me the same deal in England please!

And that's just beer - take it or leave it. Food, a staple, has already been described. Crazy increases in prices.

It's still cheap. Maybe not *as* cheap as before, but still cheap.

I can get a plate of duck and rice for 40bt - no real equivalent in England but you can bet something
like that would set you back several pounds. Drinking water is FREE; or add a Pepsi for 10bt. For either of those in England you'd be looking at another 30bt minimum

Sticky rice with a good selection of grilled/fried chicken and sticky pork - 100bt. Again nothing similar in England. Perhaps a couple of pieces of fried chicken and chips from the local kebab shop - looking at around £3-4

A pizza in Montri, di Reberto, Mama Mia, 200-250bt - a tad over £4-5. In a restaurant in England you're going to be paying £8 - £12 for the same deal.

I see offers for Chicken/Pork/Beef 'steaks' for 160-300bt with chips. 160 you're laughing. 300bth you might find a similar offer in a British chain like weatherpersons.


Remember, Thailand isn't the only place prices are going up.