Ms View, 23, vied for honours with 36 students from 13 universities around Asia to win third place in the contest, held at Thepsattri Rajabhat University in Lopburi on January 14.
A student in the Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Rajabhat Phuket, majoring in English, she is currently working as a PR intern with Class Act Media.
She told The Phuket News, “I was so excited when they announced my ranking. I was really surprised to get third place.
“In the first round there were 36 competitors separated into two teams, with the coaches from one group judging the competitors in the other group. Each competitor had previously been given a choice of four topics to speak about, for 5 to 7 minutes.
View chose to speak about the opportunities Thailand has gained and will gain from membership of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).
In the next round, she was one of just 10 still in the running. Each had to give the same speech again, but in front of the main judges. “I felt much more confident this time,” View said.
Once again, she made the cut, going into the final round up against two boys from Brunei Darusaalam, a Filipina and a Chinese girl.
The final round consisted of questions from the judges that the students had to answer. She was asked, “What are the disadvantages to Thailand of Asean membership?” This time she had to answer without any preparation.
The two boys from Brunei took first and second, while View came third.
Asked about her plans after she graduates, View said, “I will advise junior student to join competitions like this which will make them more confident about speaking English.”
“I have no firm plans about my future career, but it will be one in which I use my English skills.”