Low-income earners splash out for New Year

The survey by Government Savings Bank found that the 1,849 low-income respondents plan to spend an average of Bt3,765 each over the festive period. The top three festive activities for them are making merit, attending parties and buying gifts for family members. Up to 51.4 per cent of their spending budget is coming from their income, with 36.3 per cent from savings and the rest from loans from friends and family members, the survey said. 
Separately, SweetRing has conducted a survey that finds most Thais will spend time with their families to celebrate the New Year. 
It also quizzed people on the “10 inevitable questions” that they will ask when meeting with family members. The most frequently asked questions are about love and money, covering marriage, work and salaries.
The survey also found that 62 per cent of young Thais often celebrate festivals with their loved ones' families. The most frequently asked questions are are about work and marriage. People, especially on the women's side, often ask their future sons-in-law hard questions. Most people will feel uncomfortable and awkward. They said that if they encountered such problems, they might ask to go to the bathroom or smile and divert the conversation topic to something else or even ask for help from a friend to call in. The New Year is a good time to meet with family and get together again but don't forget to prepare and get ready for these questions, the survey organisers said.