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Layoff Numbers in Thailand's Tourism Sector

Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing layoffs in the Thai Tourism sector.

I have had a lot of people ask me this question, both on a personal level in person, I have had people send me emails on this, comments on the channel basically asking "how many people do you think have been laid off by this situation, the response to COVID-19 in Thailand?" and I really haven't had an answer to that. Recently while researching other matters, I came upon some information that I thought was pertinent. I came across this in the Thai Enquirer, the website is thaienquirer.com, the article is titled: Bangkok Golf Course Closed after Caddy tests COVID Positive. There is a lot in here. This is a really good article but this one excerpt, it is not directly on point to the rest of the article and so I would urge those watching this video to go ahead and check this article out but quoting directly: "The Tourism Council of Thailand said more than 50% of workers in the Tourism Industry, accounting for two to three million people, are being laid off as the pandemic has forced businesses to close temporarily." I think a little bit of clarification is in order there. I hear this a lot and I especially hear this in the western media. The pandemic didn't do anything. The response and the government policies stemming therefrom or in response thereto have been what have caused a lot of these business closures. Let's be clear there. Now clearly lack of actual tourists is having an impact as well but two to three million, I mean that number is simply staggering. Two to three million people; I believe Thailand has a population somewhere between 65 and 70 million people. That would account for four or five percent, at least three or four percent of jobs in Thailand, people being laid off just in Thailand generally. That is just a staggering number and when you think of the second order effects, the down line impact that has on the overall economy I mean it really puts things in perspective and truly my thoughts are with those people in Thailand who are struggling as a result of all of these closures and being laid off in these sectors that have traditionally been rather resilient with respect to the economy here in Thailand. 

So yeah, folks have asked me that. That sounded like a pretty sound assessment and again you know this is thaienquirer.com and they appear to be quoting Tourism Council of Thailand with those numbers. Two to three million people. Clearly, 2020 was a bad year for Thailand, especially the tourism sector and 2021 is not starting particularly well. I certainly hope that we see the situation change fundamentally or substantially enough that we see folks who are suffering as a result of not being able to work in Thailand in the tourism industry, see their fortunes change and hopefully we see that sooner rather than later.