THB 20 bn circulation expected during the new 2010 school semester

BANGKOK, 11 May 2010 (NNT) – Kasikorn Research Center, KResearch, foresees 20 billion THB in circulation in the market from the expenditure at the start of the new school semester of 2010, a rise of 2-3% compared to last year.

According to the survey of KResearch on the expenditure during the start of 2010 school year, parents still bear the financial burden despite the government’s provision of 15 years free education. The Center expects 20 billion THB in circulation at this period, an increase from last year by 2-3%.

A little rise of expenditure rate is due to the purchasing behavior adjustment among the people. They tend to spend only for necessities. The government’s policy to assist parents on educational expenditures is another cause as the government has injected more budget of 73 billion THB from 1.83 million THB in 2009, for free text books and lessening additional expenses to the schools.

On their part, parents still have additional expenses since some schools request more additional fee and equipments, while some of them send their children into special curriculum courses such as international and bi-lingual courses with higher fees than regular course by 2-3 times.

About 20% of parents have approached several kinds of financial sources including educational loans and pawnshops.