With the rapid development of internationalization in recent years, Kunming has saw an increasing number of foreigners, especially Thai, studying, doing business, even settling down here.
What is the difference between Thai and Yunnan people's daily life? Where do they live? What occupations are they engaging in now? After meeting some Thai businessmen and students in Kunming, reporters will answer all these questions to help readers know more the present situation of Thai.
Life of Han Sixing, a purchasing manager in Kunming
More than 10000 Thai are engaging in trade in Kunming now. Most of them are Chinese Thais. Kunming, in their opinion, is an important trade hub for expanding business. So, they choose to start their own business in Kunming first and then to expand in many other provinces in China, such as Chengdu and Chongqing in Sichuan Province. Their shops, which are mostly distributed at the Luoshiwan International Commercial Center and Yunfang Southeast Asia Commercial Center, cover foods, medicines, clothes, art wares and furnitures. For them, life in Kunming can be described as a semisedentary one.
Han Sixing, an Thai who is working as a purchasing manager in Kunming, is fond of sports and travel. Everyday, he gets up at 07:35 and walks about 20 minutes to his office. After work, he often go to some nearby indoor pool for swimming. Having finished a day's work, he go to bed at about 23:00.
"I cared less about my health when I was young. Later, I realized the importance of keep fit until I got an disease several years ago. I begin to take exercise every day and has formed a good habit." said Han.
He like to travel on his holidays every year. "last year I went to Japan, this time I've been to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and I plan to visit Korea and Singapore next year." Han added.
Han's income distribution
When asked about the salary, he smiled, " Most people in China don't like being asked about their salary, do they? But it is different in Thailand. My annual income is about 1.5 million yuan. "
Being different from those who always spend all their money by end of month, Han applies a portion of his salary each month to savings. In detail, he often uses the money on the following five aspects: personal expense, investment, medical insurance, alimony and pension.
Values
When asked about whether he would buy a house in Kunming, Han replied that he is still living in a rental house and will keep living in it. " Housing price in Kunming is too high. Here you can only buy a 70-square meter house with 70-year 's property right if you pay about 1 million yuan. While in Thailand, you can buy a villa with the same money. If the householder passed away, his or her descendants can still live in it. "
" I'm a pragmatist. For instance, when buying a house or a car, I would consider whether the input is directly proportional to the output. I 'm not willing to do things to save face. My Chinese name -Han Sixing, is given in accordance to an old saying " look before you leap".
According to him, among people who are engaging in business in Kunming, 80 percent are occupied in the fields of rice and catering. Most of them choose to live near the Wenlin Street and the Luoshiwan International Commercial Center, as there are many Thai restaurants and shops located in these areas.
Thai students' life in Kunming
There are about 2000 Thai students studying Chinese and professional skills in universities of Kunming, including Yunnan Normal University, Yunnan University, Yunnan Agricultural University, Yunnan Nationalities University, Kunming University of Science and Technology.
Language study
Su Liyuan, a Thai student who is studying Chinese in Yunnan Normal University, enjoys her school life here. Different elective courses set up this term give her a rare opportunity to know more about Chinese and learn some traditional skills, such as paper-cutting for window decoration and calligraphy. When she first arrived here, language barrier was the biggest problem for her during class. But now, she can easily finish many courses and exams except course of ancient Chinese .
For Jili, another Thai student, said that language barrier was indeed a trouble for her, even she had ever studied Chinese in Thailand before. " The shape of Chinese characters is totally different from Thai. As I couldn't understand bill of the school canteens at first, I ate instant noodles for almost half a month. Later, I met a Chinese girl in the school. We study language together. She teaches me Chinese and I help her with Thai for half a year. Finally, I won.
Spare time
Su told that she likes to buy books at Wenhua Alley, or find friend at Wenlin Street,or visit some parks in Kunming with friends on weekend. Ji Li is more interested in foods. The expense on food accounts for most of her living expenses.
In addition, Su is still fond of many Chinese clothing at Nanping Street. As for her, decorative patterns and styles sewn on these clothes look so beautiful. Moreover, they often listen to musics and watch movies on the internet in spare time.
Find a part-time job
Many of the Thai students in Kunming can get a large amount of scholarship which can not only pay their tuition, but also afford daily expenses. Su is one of the excellent students who have got scholarship of Confucius Institute.
Although they are not in need of money, most of them would like to find a part-time job to steel themselves in labor. Two kinds of jobs, translator and telephone operators, are welcomed by the Thai students. While some others would choose to work as a Thai teachers in some language training institutions.
Floating population of Thai in Kunming
The floating population of Thai in Kunming has reached about 100000 in recent years. Except for students and businessmen, some Thai diplomatists and staff members of Thailand enterprises are also living here. Business delegations and short-term tourists are also part of the floating population.
More cooperations between Kunming and Thailand
Kunming has become the main hub for Thai employees in tourism and tourists since ten years ago. More festivals and activities, including the "Thailand Fruits Festival",Kunming Pan-Asia Agriculture Expo, had attracted a majority of businessmen.
The cooperations and exchanges between Kunming and Thailand has been strengthened over these years. Moreover, construction of Kunming-Bangkok Channel and Yunan's Bridgehead Strategy have further boost bilateral cooperations.
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(Editor:Hyesung,Minnie Mao)
