A more realistc future outlook

It will feature a story of a family, showing a child growing up and receiving a free tablet computer. After graduation he will receive Bt15,000 as a starting salary. He will have his first house and first car under the government’s tax-rebate scheme. Labourers will receive a Bt300 daily wage. Farmers can suspend their debt and use government-initiated credit cards. His mother and sister will benefit from the Thai Women’s Empowerment Fund. Everyone will be grateful for the government’s initiatives, and they will live happily ever after.

As much as I like this soap opera, it is just that – a soap opera. Here is the reality: 

The child will likely develop attention-deficit disorder from playing with the tablet from an early age. After graduation it will be tough for him to find a job without adequate English proficiency. If he does find a job, he will barely survive on Bt15,000 due to higher living costs. His first home will be in outer Bangkok since he cannot afford to live in the inner city. There will be so much traffic congestion (thanks to the government’s first-car scheme) that he will be better off using the already overburdened public transport system. There won’t be many labouring jobs left, because many industries will have moved to neighbouring countries to cut costs. And many poor women will still be trapped in poverty, and thereby be lured into the sex trade.

The government need not showcase its achievements soap-opera style. It already is a soap opera.

Edward Kitlertsirivatana

Bangkok

Beyond medals 

and glory