Mellan passion och press: En utforskning av det sociala arbetets verklighet : En mindre fältstudie i Bangkok, Thailand

This following study explores the experiences of licensed social workers, volunteers and employees of a social enterprise in Bangkok, Thailand. The focus is on the different challenges the participants face while working in the social work field, what resources they lack and what motivations drive them forward. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the participants' realities in an urban Thai context. Using a qualitative perspective, with semi structured interviews, eleven interviews were conducted with a diverse group of participants who all work in the social work field in Bangkok. The theories this study focuses on are Street-Level Bureaucracy and ecological systems theories. The data reveals several recurring challenges through all groups, such as limited funding, staff shortage, emotional strains and bureaucratic constraints. A significant gap was identified between the increasing social needs and the institutional support available to address them. Despite these difficulties, the participants all express a desire to keep working in the field for the foreseeable future. Internal motivations rooted in compassion, a sense of community and personal values are some of the things that keep the participants active. These insights might help and contribute to future discussions about how to better support social workers, in all fields, in Southeast Asia.