Children are having fun trying on their new school uniforms, and thanks to the increase in minimum wage, parents are having more fun buying them, too.
January’s increase in the minimum wage has taken some of the sting out parents’ annual back-to-school shopping for uniforms and supplies.
Shoppers at area department stores and malls say the combination of the increase to 300 baht daily, a cut in employee insurance payments and the availability of government-backed small-business loans have given them more spending flexibility. Even though uniform prices have risen as much as 10 percent this year, store clerks say people are complaining about prices less.
Children are having fun trying on their new school uniforms, and thanks to the increase in minimum wage, parents are having more fun buying them, too.
“Even though uniforms are more expensive than last year, my financial status is much more flexible and there is enough left over to buy other supplies,” said Naparat Thimphan, a parent shopping at South Pattaya’s Big C supermarket.
Big C employee Sucheera Kaewmongkol said the store has been busy since Songkran, due in part to the supermarket’s non-stop promotions, including 30 percent discounts and a “Buy three, get one free” shirt sale.
It’s time once again for children to try on their new school uniforms, and although prices have risen, the new minimum wage is making it easier for many parents to pay for them.
“The government’s increase in wages is making it easier for people to pay, so they’re not complaining like last year,” said Suphatra Wongthaiwan, owner of the Thaweechai shop.
She said uniform prices are up 5-10 percent, but her store has been busy with parents shopping for clothes and other school supplies.
