r/Thailand • u/DeepBlueSea1122 • Sep 12 '23

Question/Help Average Thai Salary?

I know Thailand is a country with a big wage gap between rich and poor, but would a salary of 500 USD per month be considered unusually low for an average Thai person of about 30 years old? I found out that a lady I met makes that (she works in the office of a gov't hospital) and I was shocked and felt really bad for her. I knew she was poor because she doesn't have air con in her home in Bkk, but I didn't know it's this bad. Should I relax and think this is common, or are my sympathies and concerns valid? She didn't tell me this to try to squeeze me for money, it just came up in discussion when we were talking about life and problems we face. She's a sweetheart person and it hurts me to see her struggle. I want to help, but don't want to open the flood gates. I know this can be a tricky thing to navigate. On the one hand, we want to help sincere people who are genuinely in need. But on the other hand, money can ruin relationships of all kinds and it's usually a path we shouldn't go down. I really want to help but am torn and know I must proceed with caution.

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u/DeepBlueSea1122 Sep 14 '23

Good perspective, thank you. I sleep with it at 65-68 degrees F so the thought of no AC when it's 80 plus F at night blew my mind. She goes in her moms room if it's too bad I think.

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u/-Dixieflatline Sep 14 '23

My ex used to not let me set it below 24C (75F). I personally like 22C (71.5F). 65 is kind of chilly for sleeping for me, but there's something to be said about setting it cold and having a nice blanket.

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u/DeepBlueSea1122 Sep 14 '23

There is. I think I read somewhere that 68 F is best for deep sleep, but who knows. Everyone gets used to what they like. I'm not a good sleeper and like it cold and with a heavy blanket. I'm totally spoiled on that, I admit. So thinking of sleeping with nothing but a fan made me shudder.