Amidst volatile weather conditions, the Thai political arena remains heated daily, with the government and opposition constantly engaging in verbal sparring.

Furthermore, there are impacts from both internal and external factors—such as the protracted conflict between global giants (specifically the Iran-Israel-US standoff). Most recently, the UK has also begun preparing for a major war.

This causes oil prices to fluctuate wildly, driving up the costs of goods and transportation, while the cost of living climbs daily.

At the same time, the overall Thai economy remains in dire straits... with the soaring cost of living and expenses outpacing income, forcing everyone from the middle class to daily wage earners to struggle for survival.

"Life is getting harder these days."

This is a common refrain among Thais when they meet. Some have lost their jobs as factories close and companies lay off staff, while AI is replacing certain professions; this crisis is far more severe than the COVID-19 crisis.

Therefore, the way forward for Thais today is self-reliance—"Atta hi attano natho" (One is one's own refuge)—rather than hoping for assistance from the government or others.

Many are watching closely to see if this October will be "jinxed," as has happened in the past.

If protests take to the streets again, will the country descend into chaos like previous times? Or will the turmoil be even worse?

The best course of action right now is to keep working to earn a living, cut unnecessary expenses, and practice a lifestyle of sufficiency to sustain oneself and one's family.