The World Bank defines the poverty line in Thailand at 80 thb (US $2.13) per day.
According to the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), poor families’ earnings dropped to a mere 1,039 baht per month in 2023, down from 1,077 baht in 2020. This translates to a daily income of just 34 baht (US $0.92) per day.
Mae Hong Son province tops the list, with a staggering 54.99% of its students classified as very poor. Other provinces in the North and Northeast, such as Nakhon Phanom (45.21%), Amnat Charoen (44.9%), Kalasin (43.25%), and Yasothon (41.94%), also report alarmingly high percentages.
Students are leaving school at an alarming rate, to support their parents by working in low-paid manual jobs.
This increases the poverty cycle as these students never return to school where they can get an education and better job.
Boosting education woes never seems to happen from government to government? Yet the education ministers are all rich?
Always talking about things that need improving, yet never bother to improve or better the system.
It is really sad, these children go hungry and many do not have the means to complete a basic education.
You as a foreigner, for the price of one western meal out, can make a difference.
Try to think about this the next time you see a kid in need.