CK Shares Advice with Young Generation: Don't Send Money Home if You Can't Support Yourself

CK Cheong, CEO of Fastwork (a Thai online freelance platform), recently posted a video sharing his thoughts on young people giving money to their parents amid the current economic squeeze. He argues that recent graduates earning 18,000 baht a month in Bangkok shouldn't send money home if they can't support themselves, challenging the common expectation that young workers contribute to family expenses.

"The first thing I always tell young people is: if you can't support yourself, don't send money to your parents," CK stated. "A fresh graduate makes 18,000 baht, but as soon as they earn that, their parents say, 'Now that you have income, send us 5,000 every month.' But with 18,000 baht in Bangkok and no savings, that's unrealistic."

He questioned the logic of expecting young people to financially support their parents while struggling themselves. "Ask this directly: who is the future—the parents or the children? You're draining resources from your children when they're actually the ones with a future," he said. "On 18,000 baht in Bangkok, do they even have anything saved? Yet we're asking for 5,000 of it."

CK acknowledged that some families face genuine hardship, but pointed out that sometimes money goes to lottery tickets. He noted that parents already face reduced burden since their children are now earning and supporting themselves through education. "Yet we still try to take money from them. That's the problem," he explained.

CK emphasized a key principle: secure yourself first. He compared it to airplane safety instructions—help yourself before helping others. "If you can't support yourself, don't worry about your parents. You have to secure yourself first. That's the crucial rule," he stressed, as social media debated the topic from various angles, with some agreeing and others emphasizing filial gratitude.