BANGKOK, May 9 – The Thai public’s expenses for the coming school term are expected to reach Bt53 billion, a 6.7-per cent rise.
Thai Chamber of Commerce University (UTCC)’s Economic and Business Forecasting Center director Thanawat Polvichai said a survey was recently conducted among 1,200 parents nationwide.
Expenses for educational materials increased 44 per cent year-on-year with the same amount of the bought goods and each person to spend around Bt9,100 on average.
Course fees also increased with each student to pay Bt10,000/person, while key money given to schools once a change in schools took place increased 77 per cent or around Bt7,400/person.
However, Dr Thanawat said the amount of money to be circulated was expected to reach Bt55 billion, or around 8-10 per cent increase year-on-year.
Most parents see school equipment as more expensive this year, and together with the stronger baht currency, both resulting in a more careful way of spending.
They also want the government to continue providing a free 12-year education policy to the public as well as its giving out free school uniforms and its providing educational loans.
While parents tend to use credit cards for spending this year, pawnshops are also popular upcountry in regards to taking the money to buy schooling items for their children, with gold ornaments as the favourite item.
