Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak said popular destinations, including Chiang Mai and Pattaya, are in need of guides who can conduct tours in a third language due to a big jump in tourist arrivals from China and Russia.
Initially, the language schools will offer free courses to interested students.
The TAT is set to survey each area to determine the language courses required. The agency will then proceed to propose a budget request for the project in the next ministry meeting.
Mr Somsak also said that Thailand attracts a large number of low-income visitors, with upscale tourists accounting for only 10 per cent of the total.
If the country is to reach the government’s target for tourism revenue of B2 trillion in five years’ time, the number of high-end visitors needs to increase to 20 per cent, highlighting the need for additional tour guides and operators.