Household debt and instalment life

Thailand's หนี้ครัวเรือน is among the highest in Asia, close to 90% of GDP. Much of it is ordinary: cars, homes, phones and appliances bought on ผ่อน 0%, plus credit cards. Farmers borrow against the harvest, and families borrow for school fees, ordinations and weddings. The painful part is หนี้นอกระบบ: unlicensed lenders who offer quick cash at interest that can top 20% a month and collect with pressure. The state and banks run debt clinics and ปรับโครงสร้างหนี้ schemes, and the credit bureau keeps every payment history. When friends talk about money, it's usually frank and practical, not shameful: who has the best rate, and which bank will refinance.