Hotel workers salaries

Recently me and my girlfriend stayed in pretty nice hotel in Koh Samui, that had a lounge. Two of the lounge workers were really really nice, so we gave them each (to us small) tip of 1000 baht. They both nearly cried, hugged us etc and then told us this was more than their monthly budget for food. At first I did not believe but more I read this subreddit the more I believe them. Is there any merit for 1000 baht being monthly food budget or they only told us this for to make us feel better?

View Reddit by Balthazarium321 – View Source