Unprecedented jobs decline demands quick action

[trainman34014]

The only 'Quick Action' likely to be seen in Thailand is people thinking up new ways to scam Foreigners or cheat each other at every opportunity.  Other than that it's the land of Sabai Sabai !

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, Thaidream said:

There was a time when Thailand's economy was the pride of the World.  I believe during the 80s the Thai GDP was one of the World's best. Tourism was opened up and Visa rules were made much easier. The tourism sector was rising at a geometric rate. Exports moving up at double digit  levels

 

Much has happened since -both within the country and on a Worldwide basis. Overall, as people in Thailand become better economically- wages started to rise and so did  the Thai Baht making  some Thai products too costly.  In addition, other countries became more aggressive and successful on managing their economy and could produce goods and services at better quality and lower cost.  Those countries also decided learning English was a priority and did something about it.

Thailand, unfortunately, has regressed in this area. Also, foreign experts are not as welcome in Thailand and face a myriad of regulations from Visas to Work Permit issues. What is also interesting is there is already a ready made foreign workforce in Thailand. There are thousands and thousands of foreigners- 'retired' in Thailand with a number of skills such as engineering; management; public affairs; police etc who would be more than willing to hold a job either full or pert time for a  much smaller wage than a recruited foreign worker but the Thai bureaucracy refuses to even consider letting these people work without changing Visas; leaving the country to do it and other impediments. In addition, Thai business models keep filling positions with untrained; poorly educated; and incompetent lower and middle management and forcing out competent managers after they reach age 50.

 

Throw in an educational system that refuses to respond to a changing World and incipient  corruption and the future looks bleak. 

 

Thailand has a great potential to be a fully developed country but needs a dynamic leadership to push the country forward.

 

 

 

 

Without analysing every point and commenting, I would say overall synopsis is spot on the mark. 

[poohy]

Homepro PKK today

Dozens of staff

One good guy, one good girl, always helpful, both to thai and foreigners seemingly on the same shift

 

Question if i was boss i would increase their salaries and sack a few of the brain dead moron wasters!!

 

Why dont they do it?

[mommysboy]

On 08/12/2017 at 6:44 AM, Samui Bodoh said:

The editorial glosses over one key factor while ignoring another. Yes, automation is a factor, just perhaps not the only one or even a key one.

 

 

This is reflective of a poor education system, and a curse that will haunt Thailand for a long time to come. A country with a well-educated populace will have a good future, while a country without a well-educated populace will not. At the moment, Thailand does not have a well-educated populace and won't for many years.

 

The other factor ignored in the editorial is the lack of confidence due to the coup government. 'Confidence' is one of those amorphous entities that is hard to measure but everyone knows exists. That said, 3-4 years ago Thailand had growth rates roughly equivalent to her neighbours, then it dropped by 50% or more. My (logical) inference is that it was due to lack of confidence in the Junta government.

 

I would predict that a return to a democratically elected government will add a few points to the growth rate almost immediately; it usually does as it signals a rejuvenation of spirit in the country.

 

I thought it was an accurate piece of writing.  There may be other factors but I reckon the nail was hit firmly on the head. I'm not sure your prediction will pan out.  There is a skills gap though, yes.  I just think you are overplaying its importance.

[Rc2702]

On 08/12/2017 at 12:11 AM, LazySlipper said:

 

Yes... and the farmers are coming to be waiters and waitresses in town... that would explain why:

      1. they always get something wrong in the order

      2. they always make one bill for the whole table

      3. they always serve my beer to the wife

      4. most of them can't speak a lick of English

Assuming your wife is thai. And you are as your name suggests. They do not need to speak English. 

[Rc2702]

Went to Robinsons today. Babyshop. Checking pushchairs for 15 minutes. No one even came to see if we needed assistance. Went to another concession, they killed it, they took down the push chairs showed every available position, take down. Tested themselves purchased product before purchase. Paid and left. Same concession performed as required for car seat 7 months ago. 2/2.

 

 

[Rc2702]

Thailand retail sector could benefit from a kind of war drone operation. Smart people at cctv should just instruct all staff what to do and when to do it. (Ear piece comms)It would increase customer satisfaction ten fold. 

[gk10002000]

On 12/7/2017 at 6:44 PM, Samui Bodoh said:

The editorial glosses over one key factor while ignoring another. Yes, automation is a factor, just perhaps not the only one or even a key one.

 

 

This is reflective of a poor education system, and a curse that will haunt Thailand for a long time to come. A country with a well-educated populace will have a good future, while a country without a well-educated populace will not. At the moment, Thailand does not have a well-educated populace and won't for many years.

 

The other factor ignored in the editorial is the lack of confidence due to the coup government. 'Confidence' is one of those amorphous entities that is hard to measure but everyone knows exists. That said, 3-4 years ago Thailand had growth rates roughly equivalent to her neighbours, then it dropped by 50% or more. My (logical) inference is that it was due to lack of confidence in the Junta government.

 

I would predict that a return to a democratically elected government will add a few points to the growth rate almost immediately; it usually does as it signals a rejuvenation of spirit in the country.

 

according to my friends that have either lived in Germnay or were born in Germany, they explain to me that nationally German officials and governing bodies and educational agencies meet and discuss current and projected technical and training and job needs, skills, etc.  They compare that against the current training, schooling, vocational institutions, etc. then make changes.  How well they do that, I can't speak to as I have no first hand knowledge.  But I  like the idea that a country is looking out for itself and its people and trying to line things up in a beneficial way.  I am pretty sure Thailand is not that organized in any sense of the word.

[mommysboy]

On 08/12/2017 at 12:02 PM, Krataiboy said:

Thailand is certainly not alone in grappling with this novel global phenomenon

 

The digital element of the latest industrial revolution may be novel, but the history of mankind is replete with examples of "disruptive" technologies - from the invention of the wheel and the spinning jenny to the creation of first computer - which presaged enormous changes to human life.

 

lt is managing the inevitable transformation the robotics revolution will bring which presents the greatest challenge - as it will be the private sector which will benefit most from automation and public authorities who need to come up with workable ways to deal with the human consequences.

 

Yet there is little indication from the words of actions from the caretaker Thai administration that they have any grasp of the convulsions due to afflict the working environment over the next few decades, let alone a credible strategy for dealing with them.

 

Only yesterday, newspapers reported on a new government campaign to reduce the horrendous number of road accidents caused by careless and drunken driving.  All very commendable. But in the relatively near future, if the experts are right, autonomous self-driving vehicles will take us wherever we wish to go and the Royal Thai Police will have better things to do than tell robots to wear crash helmets and blow into breathalysers.

 

We all need to think ahead - and fast.

 

 

You define the problem well.  Have you got any idea of the solution; I haven't.  I can only think that some form of responsible socialism is called for, or some acceptance among the population that life is going to be about poverty.  I'm not hopeful for either.

[mommysboy]

3 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

according to my friends that have either lived in Germnay or were born in Germany, they explain to me that nationally German officials and governing bodies and educational agencies meet and discuss current and projected technical and training and job needs, skills, etc.  They compare that against the current training, schooling, vocational institutions, etc. then make changes.  How well they do that, I can't speak to as I have no first hand knowledge.  But I  like the idea that a country is looking out for itself and its people and trying to line things up in a beneficial way.  I am pretty sure Thailand is not that organized in any sense of the word.

You misunderstand the essential nature of the problem, which is that automisation is reducing the need for labour.  And the lower demand is not being met in any other direction.  Instead you are focusing on a secondary issue, but logic tells us that can not solve the bigger and more pressing problem!

 

*Inflammatory remark removed*

Edited December 9, 2017 by Scott

[Krataiboy]

10 hours ago, mommysboy said:

You define the problem well.  Have you got any idea of the solution; I haven't.  I can only think that some form of responsible socialism is called for, or some acceptance among the population that life is going to be about poverty.  I'm not hopeful for either.

 

Some might feel the term "responsible socialism" is as much an oxymoron as "caring capitalism"!

 

With six kids, I wish I could see a way out of the present mess - other than another cataclysmic war which would allow us to wipe the slate clean and start afresh with a greater spirit of community.

 

But we shouldn't allow ourselves to become depressed and dysfunctional.

 

My own mother lived through the hell of both world wars and raised two children alone on a pittance, yet she remained an incurable optimist. Drawing the blackout curtains prior to another Blitz air raid, she would tell us cheerfully, "Don't worry - It's always darkest before the dawn".

 

I'm crossing my fingers and toes she was right.

[LazySlipper]

On 12/10/2017 at 12:02 AM, Rc2702 said:

Assuming your wife is thai. And you are as your name suggests. They do not need to speak English. 

Nothin' better to do than troll at this early hour? 

 

[LazySlipper]

On 12/8/2017 at 5:37 PM, Artisi said:

And why should they speak English? 

Because they are taught it from primary 1 and should at least command the basics to serve food. 

Because English is the most spoken language in the world and for a country that depends on tourism...

 

Oh... whatever...why try to explain to people who would ask this question....

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, LazySlipper said:

Because they are taught it from primary 1 and should at least command the basics to serve food. 

Yeah, that isn't really true.

My son (aged 6) is taught English in his Amphur school, my misses had a phone call apparently he isn't doing very well in his English class.

But he's English, and speaks English with us all the time, how can he not be doing well in English?

Probably because what they teach in school isn't English.

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, LazySlipper said:

Because they are taught it from primary 1 and should at least command the basics to serve food. 

Because English is the most spoken language in the world and for a country that depends on tourism...

 

Oh... whatever...why try to explain to people who would ask this question....

Better check your facts on the most spoken language, or should I explain it to you. 

[Artisi]

57 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Yeah, that isn't really true.

My son (aged 6) is taught English in his Amphur school, my misses had a phone call apparently he isn't doing very well in his English class.

But he's English, and speaks English with us all the time, how can he not be doing well in English?

Probably because what they teach in school isn't English.

Of course it's not true, just wishful thinking on the part of someone who can't get basic facts correct.  

[Odysseus123]

44 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Yeah, that isn't really true.

My son (aged 6) is taught English in his Amphur school, my misses had a phone call apparently he isn't doing very well in his English class.

But he's English, and speaks English with us all the time, how can he not be doing well in English?

Probably because what they teach in school isn't English.

I think both of the above posters are correct.

 

For a supposedly immense and costly effort the results-possibly outside of Bangkok and some tourist areas-are negligible but that probably goes for the entire education effort anyway..

 

My belief is that is the "It's not what you know but who you know" system that determines your level of employment and-along with cash tribute-enhances your prospect of promotion.

 

the realities of life and school suck the energy and ambition out of kids only a few years after they start.

 

The wealthy duds always rise to the top and given the peculiar self satisfaction of the woefully ignorant and complacent Thai middle class I do not see them trying to be a catalyst for change in any direction..

[LazySlipper]

5 hours ago, Artisi said:

Better check your facts on the most spoken language, or should I explain it to you. 

Semantics.... Chinese then.

Got nothin better to do?

 

Or, why don't you explain?

[mommysboy]

On 10/12/2017 at 12:26 PM, Krataiboy said:

 

Some might feel the term "responsible socialism" is as much an oxymoron as "caring capitalism"!

 

With six kids, I wish I could see a way out of the present mess - other than another cataclysmic war which would allow us to wipe the slate clean and start afresh with a greater spirit of community.

 

But we shouldn't allow ourselves to become depressed and dysfunctional.

 

My own mother lived through the hell of both world wars and raised two children alone on a pittance, yet she remained an incurable optimist. Drawing the blackout curtains prior to another Blitz air raid, she would tell us cheerfully, "Don't worry - It's always darkest before the dawn".

 

I'm crossing my fingers and toes she was right.

 

Yes, there's always hope I guess. 

 

The only solution is a debt write down which should have happened right after the crash.

 

The current technological changes will hit hard and deep, as Thailand is already experiencing.