In accordance with a spokesman for the Thai tourism trade, 9 tour guides in Hat Yai have dedicated suicide for the reason that widespread Covid-19 pandemic introduced tourism to a close to freeze. A number of different guides are stated to plunge into theft to be able to survive.
Witthaya Sae Lim, former president of Songkhla skilled guides affiliation, stated about 600 native guides have been out of labor for the reason that starting of final 12 months.
In accordance with Bangkok Publish, Mr. Witthaya spoke on September 7 whereas giving a speech whereas distributing rice donations to unemployed guides at Jee Kong Khlong Pom temple in downtown Hat Yai metropolis on Tuesday.
He stated all about 600 tour guides at Hat Yai are unemployed and depending on handing out rice and dry meals donations for his or her day-to-day residing.
Mr. Witthaya stated donors within the Malaysian state of Sarawak lately donated 160 luggage of rice, every weighing 5 kg, for him to distribute to unemployed guides.
In accordance with Mr. Witthaya, for the reason that Covid-19 pandemic raged, 9 guides primarily based in Hat Yai have dedicated suicide since returning dwelling. Many come from Phuket, Yala’s Betong district and Bangkok.
One in all them jumped to his dying from a constructing in Phuket. The story, he stated, was not reported by the press however was broadly recognized within the native information neighborhood.
Some guides have fallen right into a state of melancholy and resorted to theft of products. They have been arrested and needed to search assist from fellow guides.
Many guides are out of labor however nonetheless must pay lease and college charges for his or her youngsters. Some individuals can’t entry monetary help from the state.
He referred to as on the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports activities to contemplate their state of affairs, not solely in Hat Yai however in all vacationer provinces. All of those individuals are unemployed and in dire want of help to beat their present state of affairs.
He stated that many of the guides haven’t been vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19, although they’re frontline staff within the tourism trade.
A lady who got here to obtain rice for charity stated she has been a information in Hat Yai for 4 years. Now she has been unemployed for nearly two years. She lives in a rented home and has to dwell on her financial savings. However now she was virtually out of cash.
She would not know when the vacationers will return to Hat Yai and she will be able to return to work.
