Homepage > Thai Youth Issues > More teenagers helping families by taking summer jobs

Date: 20th April 2001, The Nation

IF you thought all Thai teenagers were vain and extravagant, take a closer look, because more of them are actually helping out their families by taking on a job during the summer.

Depending on the job, the financial contribution to the family can be anywhere from Bt5,000 to Bt8,000 a month. Intira Tiensawang, a third-year student at Huachiew Chalermprakiat University, gets Bt24 an hour for waitressing at Sizzler's restaurant. She also gets tips of about Bt200 per week.

"The pay is not much, but compared to other places, it's not bad at all," she said.

The young girl does everything from greeting customers, to serving, filling up the salad bar and cleaning up the tables. As a little bonus, waiters and waitresses at Sizzler even get to sample a portion of the new promotions so they can introduce the dishes to discerning customers.

Intira's pay is definitely not bad compared to 19-year-old Napaporn Udom, who gets a shocking Bt150 for 10 gruelling hours a day as a salesperson at Chon Buri's Phoenix Department Store. "I don't really mind the low pay, since it's so close to home," she said.

It's not just about the money, Intira and Napaporn agree. They have become proud youths who earn their own money and help their parents by being financially responsible. "Even though this job isn't an important one, it is an honest job, and I'm proud of myself," Intira said.

Youths with expensive hobbies could opt to ask their parents for help, or follow the example of "Te", who turned his hobby into something that could earn him money.

The 17-year-old, obsessed with fine-tuning his motorcycle, turned his vehicle into a taxi, which earns him Bt250 a day.

"I'm never ashamed of being a motorcycle taxi because I don't harm anyone. I would be embarrassed to have to ask for money from my parents," he said.

LALIDA ADIREKKULLAK

The Nation