The war in the Middle East is affecting all of us.
Fuel prices jumped 6 baht per liter — a 14-22% increase overnight. The Finance Minister warned this crisis could be more severe and longer-lasting than the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The minimum wage still sits at 337-400 baht per day — roughly 9,185 baht a month.
Household debt is growing at its fastest pace in 5 years.
– Working people can still get by. But think about those who don’t even have the chance to work.
– 2.28 million people with disabilities in Thailand receive a living allowance of 800 baht per month — that’s 26.67 baht a day. Enough for 3 meals a day for only 4-6 days a month.
The employment rate for people with disabilities is just 26%. It makes you wonder — how do the other 74% take care of themselves?
– Nearly 15 million elderly citizens receive a tiered allowance of 600-1,000 baht based on age. 13.3% depend on this allowance as their only source of income.
– 13.4 million welfare cardholders receive just 300 baht per month. The poorest 879,000 people earn only 615 baht per month.
While the poverty line stands at 3,078 baht, the 800 baht disability allowance equals just 26% of that threshold.
According to reports, the Cabinet’s special session on March 26 approved 7 relief measures, including an additional 100 baht per month for welfare cardholders — for just 1 month. That works out to 3.33 baht a day.
Think about it — how much can 3.33 baht a day really ease the burden?
The ones who truly suffer are ordinary people. If you have money, you’ll be fine. If you don’t, it hits that much harder.
What about you? How are you holding up right now?
Source: Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, National Statistical Office, Pattaya News, Malay Mail, Bloomberg, Reuters