Thais' language skills need big boost – MP
PHUKET: Thailand needs to significantly improve its people’s English- and Chinese-language skills in order to prepare for a successful Asean Economic Community (AEC) transition in 2015, says Phuket MP Rewat Arirob.
Tanyaluk Sakoot
Monday 23 July 2012, 09:37AM
Speaking at an education seminar at Srinagarindra The Princess Mother School Phuket school in Saphan Hin, Mr Rewat said, “We need to give more knowledge to students in Phuket. Thailand is falling behind in terms of its preparation for the AEC, and we need to improve the English- and Chinese-language skills of our people.”
He said Thai people needed to improve their skills in English because, when the AEC comes into being and citizens from Asean countries are able to live and work freely in other member-countries, there will be much more competition for jobs.
People from neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam had far greater English skills, Mr Rewat said.
In relation to the Chinese-language skills, Mr Rewat said these were important because China is such a large country with a huge population, and is a strong tourism market.
“I want to make this school [Srinagarindra] the first to be alerted to the need to improve language skills. All Thais need to improve their language skills, but if we start with young people then it makes a good base.”
“I hope language preparation and improvements will be added to every school in Phuket, which will help the transition to the AEC.”
