(Bangkok, 6th) The scorching heat and heavy traffic in Bangkok have forced commuters to rely on motorcycle taxis as their mode of transportation, as they are both quick and affordable.
This has been the way for 48-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Somsak Benjawan to make a living for many years.
Although motorcycle taxis remain popular, Somsak admits that making money is much harder than it used to be.
"Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I could make over 500 baht (RM 65) a day, and even 1,000 (RM 130) on good days. Now? On a lucky day, it's maybe a few hundred." He says this while wiping sweat from his forehead at a passenger waiting point near a skytrain station.
"Fuel prices have gone up, food has gone up, but fares have stayed the same. If we raise prices, people would rather walk." he says.
He also faces competition from online motorcycle services and other forms of urban transportation.
"Now there are Grab drivers and the subway. Old-fashioned folks like us can only stare helplessly. I just hope fuel prices get cheaper and that one day I can retire."
Workers like Somsak, who depend on daily wages, echo the reality of the internal and external pressures Thailand is currently facing.
A tripartite economic prediction group composed of the Thai Bankers' Association, Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce released their economic forecast for the second half of 2025 this month, pointing out that global trade and geopolitical tensions will severely impact Thai exports, affecting employment and supply chains.
They predict that due to tariffs from the United States, Thailand's economic growth rate this year will fall below 2%.
The decrease in Chinese tourists will also drag down the entire tourism industry. In addition, political instability could affect the formulation of the 2026 fiscal budget.
For ordinary Thais, these uncertainties do not feel distant, no matter their occupation or income.
56-year-old street vendor Suwanna Mekprasert finds life increasingly unstable.
The border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia have consistently troubled her.
"I really wish we didn't have to face these things anymore," she said.
She already has a pile of real-world problems to solve.
"Pork is too expensive now. Sometimes I use less meat, but customers can tell at a glance." she says with a slightly embarrassed smile, "I'm not trying to trick them, but I have bills to pay and my grandson's school fees to cover."
In an old market in Bangkok, 38-year-old clothing stallholder Mr. A (who requested anonymity) said: "Tourism brings some help, but locals rarely go shopping now—everyone is saving money."
He points out that competition from online shops and ever-increasing stall rents are eating up his meager profits.
He harbors little hope for the country's leadership.
"It looks like (Prime Minister Paetongtarn) won't be much better than other Shinawatra politicians," Mr. A said sarcastically, referring to the political turmoil currently faced by the Prime Minister.
On the other side of the city, in an unremarkable office building, 29-year-old office worker Thida Suwannasri sat at her desk typing quickly, already worried about next month's rent.
"My salary has hardly risen in the past two years, but rent, food, and other expenses have all increased," she said. "Just getting by is so tiring."
She says she barely feels like a young professional striving for her future.
In a small electronics repair shop, 51-year-old Chatchai Boonrawd scrolls through his phone while waiting for customers.
"Sales are slow. People would rather repair old phones than buy new ones," he said.
His dream of opening a small online shop was also shelved due to high shipping costs and the large commissions charged by e-commerce platforms.
"The country should support small merchants, not just take care of big malls and chains, let alone those bigshots," he said.
Chatchai points out that nowadays in Thailand, economic opportunity and social mobility no longer exist.
"I'm already over fifty. So far, all I've seen is the rich keep getting richer, while the poor are struggling," he said.
This has been the way for 48-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Somsak Benjawan to make a living for many years.
Although motorcycle taxis remain popular, Somsak admits that making money is much harder than it used to be.
"Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I could make over 500 baht (RM 65) a day, and even 1,000 (RM 130) on good days. Now? On a lucky day, it's maybe a few hundred." He says this while wiping sweat from his forehead at a passenger waiting point near a skytrain station.
"Fuel prices have gone up, food has gone up, but fares have stayed the same. If we raise prices, people would rather walk." he says.
He also faces competition from online motorcycle services and other forms of urban transportation.
"Now there are Grab drivers and the subway. Old-fashioned folks like us can only stare helplessly. I just hope fuel prices get cheaper and that one day I can retire."
Workers like Somsak, who depend on daily wages, echo the reality of the internal and external pressures Thailand is currently facing.
A tripartite economic prediction group composed of the Thai Bankers' Association, Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce released their economic forecast for the second half of 2025 this month, pointing out that global trade and geopolitical tensions will severely impact Thai exports, affecting employment and supply chains.
They predict that due to tariffs from the United States, Thailand's economic growth rate this year will fall below 2%.
The decrease in Chinese tourists will also drag down the entire tourism industry. In addition, political instability could affect the formulation of the 2026 fiscal budget.
For ordinary Thais, these uncertainties do not feel distant, no matter their occupation or income.
56-year-old street vendor Suwanna Mekprasert finds life increasingly unstable.
The border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia have consistently troubled her.
"I really wish we didn't have to face these things anymore," she said.
She already has a pile of real-world problems to solve.
"Pork is too expensive now. Sometimes I use less meat, but customers can tell at a glance." she says with a slightly embarrassed smile, "I'm not trying to trick them, but I have bills to pay and my grandson's school fees to cover."
In an old market in Bangkok, 38-year-old clothing stallholder Mr. A (who requested anonymity) said: "Tourism brings some help, but locals rarely go shopping now—everyone is saving money."
He points out that competition from online shops and ever-increasing stall rents are eating up his meager profits.
He harbors little hope for the country's leadership.
"It looks like (Prime Minister Paetongtarn) won't be much better than other Shinawatra politicians," Mr. A said sarcastically, referring to the political turmoil currently faced by the Prime Minister.
On the other side of the city, in an unremarkable office building, 29-year-old office worker Thida Suwannasri sat at her desk typing quickly, already worried about next month's rent.
"My salary has hardly risen in the past two years, but rent, food, and other expenses have all increased," she said. "Just getting by is so tiring."
She says she barely feels like a young professional striving for her future.
In a small electronics repair shop, 51-year-old Chatchai Boonrawd scrolls through his phone while waiting for customers.
"Sales are slow. People would rather repair old phones than buy new ones," he said.
His dream of opening a small online shop was also shelved due to high shipping costs and the large commissions charged by e-commerce platforms.
"The country should support small merchants, not just take care of big malls and chains, let alone those bigshots," he said.
Chatchai points out that nowadays in Thailand, economic opportunity and social mobility no longer exist.
"I'm already over fifty. So far, all I've seen is the rich keep getting richer, while the poor are struggling," he said.