Thai Pawn Shops See Surge in Business Ahead of New School Year
THAILAND – May 5, 2025 — As the May 16 school opening date approaches, pawn shops nationwide are experiencing a seasonal surge in activity, with cash-strapped parents pawning valuables to pay for school uniforms, tuition, and supplies.
Municipality-run and private pawn shops are preparing for the annual influx by bolstering their cash reserves and offering promotional interest rates. In Nakhon Ratchasima, three branches operated by the Municipality Office hold 300 million baht in cash to meet demand. Similarly, Yala City’s pawn shop has stocked 100 million baht, with officials anticipating even more customers in the coming week.
Items pawned vary widely, from gold-framed amulets to household appliances like gas cylinders, refrigerators, and washing machines. But some items, such as large televisions, are proving hard to offload due to storage limitations. A resident in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, visited five shops trying to pawn a 40-inch TV and was ultimately forced to borrow from a loan shark for 1,000 baht to pay for his nephew’s school fees.
The story highlights the financial pressure many Thai families face during back-to-school season — a time when education costs collide with limited incomes. It also underscores the need for better communication, as pawn shops often don’t clearly advertise which items they do not accept, leading to frustration and wasted time.
Officials encourage families to seek legal financial aid options when possible, and for pawn shops to improve transparency around accepted items.
