Amber Matthai, '07
International Business Major

The jarring sound of metal on metal, the sight of woodchips dancing in the air and the overwhelming smell of paint briefly depicts what takes place in a typical Thai factory. The four Business undergrads, I included, received the opportunity to visit three small Thai factories on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, hoping to learn information pertaining to the way that a small Thai business is operated and administered. We soon learned that each factory is comprised of a single village and each of these villages work together to produce the final product of woodwork decorated with ornately designed nickel or silver.

Upon the interview of one employee, we were quick to notice how the Thai culture directly affected his attitude regarding his work and boss. He showed the utmost courtesy and respect for his boss and for his job as a nickel worker. The fact that he works seven days a week for eight or more hours did not seem to faze him. As a worker he gets a couple (maybe) of days off a year. Though he can take off as much work as he desires when sick, he cannot afford to do so. His salary is solely dependent on the quantity that he produces each day; therefore, a week of missed work equals a week of no pay. Being labor intensive, his job is anything but easy. Instead, it consists of tedious pounding of nickel in a factory which is little more than a sophisticated bamboo tent. It is the same case with both the wood cutting factory and the wood painting factory.

In the United States, none of these factories would be open due to safety concerns. First of all, the nickel workers could pound their fingers without glove protection. Secondly, the wood cutters have mangled fingers due to accidents involving heavy machinery and also do not wear any sort eye protection for the flying waterfall of woodchips. Finally, the strong and prevalent stench of paint at the wood painting factory is hazardous to one's health, especially when so few of the workers there wore face masks. If I learned anything from this experience it would be the realization of how lucky I am to be able to work in the United States. I will never again complain about my work or feel that I am not making enough money. After all, the Thai workers that I have seen work both harder and longer than me. Since the factory visits are done for this week, the entire group is now preparing for our much awaited three-day weekend. Several groups are preparing to trek, raft and ride elephants through the jungle of Thailand and others are planning to go to a Thai cooking school. Some are also planning to visit ancient ruins and yet others plan to pamper themselves at either a dayspring or a spa. Thanks for reading this "seemingly" long entry! It is off to the jungle for me!

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