Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Economy
Due to tourism, fishing, prawn farming and rubber, the south is Thailand's wealthiest re-
gion. Most rubber tappers are born into the industry, inheriting the profession of their fath-
ers and mothers. Prawn and fish farming, on the other hand, are relatively new industries,
introduced as an economic development program for rural communities losing ground to
commercial fishing operations. The venture proved profitable and Thailand is one of the
leading exporters of farm-raised prawns. However, fish farms have been largely unregu-
lated until recently, leading to a host of environmental problems, such as water pollution
and the destruction of mangrove forests.
Tourism has undoubtedly had the most tangible impact on the economy of the area,
transforming many small villages into bilingual enterprises. Women who would otherwise
sell products at markets have studied Thai traditional massage. Other do-it-yourself fran-
chises, so prolific in Thai communities, have been tailored to tourists: shops along beach
thoroughfares sell sunscreen and postcards instead of rice whisky and grilled fish, itinerant
vendors hawk sarongs and henna tattoos instead of feather dusters and straw brooms,
while fishermen sometimes abandon their nets for bigger catches - tourists on snorkelling
trips.
Across Thailand, the size of the middle class is growing with successive decades,
bridging the gap between rich and poor. Thailand doesn't suffer from poverty of susten-
ance; even the most destitute Thai citizens can have shelter and food. Rather, the lower
rung of Thai society suffers from poverty of material: money isn't available for extensive
education, material goods or health care. This is most obvious when you look at the num-
bers: the average Thai income stands at around US$2000 a year, but many people in rural
provinces earn as little as US$570 a year.
