On 7/31/2025 at 4:08 PM, Sir Dude said:

Well, not a huge surprise as Thailand's education system is still stuck in the past regarding student development and methodology, and all the rest. It all goes wrong in high school as it's just 6 years of brainwashing nonsense and conditioning... and by the time they reach university, it's generally too late for most, but not all.

In today's modern world, you need both hard skills and soft skills, but the focus here is always on hard skills. However, in the incoming AI influenced future, many are not being skilled properly for the oncoming change. As for soft skills, things like communication, time management, organization, responsibility and critical thinking skills are woefully neglected... and that just makes many of the graduates not fit for purpose.

If you want a successful society and business environment, then you have to encourage free-thinking and innovation... not traditional dogma and conditioning so that it serves the elite. You have to make a choice and we all know which one is chosen here... you reap what you sow.

The west’s brainwash system of the past 20 years is definitely no better, nor the skills they teach instead of real world necessities and skillsets

13 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

They may well be “good” but I’m not so keen on the ones that physically assault the kids. Plenty of instances of THAT happening. And I never read about the teachers being sent to jail for it.

 

FROM ABOVE:  "I have had quite a few conversations with Thai teachers and the common thread seems to be a fear of the little darlings when they raise their hand and ask "why"."

 

My first degree, in AUstralia, was in education. I always remeber the spedific lecture relating to this point. The elctuer shared:

- For primary / high school: Make an excuse to give you enough time to check for a correct answer and give it quickly (same or ext day).

- For university, turn the students question into a quick case study, divide the class into small teams (no more than 3* students) and give all the teams 15 minutes research** time and then quickly share their answers.

* More than 3 in a team and 2 will do the work while all the rest check fashion / cosmetics / cars  etc on their phones and very probably get credit for a good work but they didn't do anyting to achieve the grade - not fair.

** In many unis students are allowed to have a tablet / smartphone for research work in their bag, but outside of research time phone cannot come out of the students bag.

 

12 hours ago, gejohesch said:

I was employed a few years in a large Thai business, where many of my Thai colleagues were issued from affluent middle or even upper classes and had supposedly the best education, including often years abroad (UK, USA and so on). I noticed that most could not "think out of the box". Also, struggled when having to consider uncertainties and multiple scenarios, mapping out decision trees.

 

I have lived close to 20 years in a village up country. What I noticed is that most people around tend to take things at face value and have very little sense of abstraction.

 

My wife's elder son, from a previous marriage, was said to be an excellent student. When he prepared for exams to access higher education, he asked me to help. He had a long list of logics and general knowledge questions. With a question such as "We have an elephant, a gas cooker, a tomato and a river : which one is a fruit?", he hesitated. I showed him how to proceed by elimination, which in this case leaves the tomato as the only possible choice, even if one always thought it was a vegetable. (I just made up the question, I cannot remember the actual ones). He had never heard of that approach!

 

Basically, Thai education lacks badly in one aspect : students do not learn how to learn.

" where many of my Thai colleagues were issued from affluent middle or even upper classes and had supposedly the best education, including often years abroad (UK, USA and so on). I noticed that most could not "think out of the box". Also, struggled when having to consider uncertainties and multiple scenarios, mapping out decision trees."

 

There's also the arrogance / extreme arrogance factor.

 

I worked for many years in the Bkk office of an international management consultancy.

 

Local manager was a very highly qualified / very capable / well experienced Thai man, educated in the IK and Us, had 2 Ph.D.s  Rest of the staff (about 30 folks) all Thai except me - foreigner, I was there as a regional director based in Bkk beause that was convenient for regional work and my family in Bkk.

 

Just one incident: 

 

-Young hi-so Thai girl from very wealthy family, never worked, just returned from the USA with 2 MBA's, was employed as a junior, on start day she came to the office and left several bags and several pais of second hand shoes on the floor right at the GM's door, bocking the door. But didn't stay.  One after agreed start time GM requested the Admin Mngr or try to find her. Calls to her family indicated she had left the family house (with her driver) quite early. Calls to the girl not answered by anybody. 

 

About 10:30 a.m. Admin Mngr went to a nearby big cake shop / restaurant to buy cakes, donuts, sandwiches, drinks that would be needed for inhouse meetings that day. Admin Mngr instantly noticed the new girl sitting laughing with several friends.  Admin Mngr approached and said 'today is your first day, you should have been at the office before 9:00 a.m. Girl responds 'don't be so serious I will come when I am ready and don't try to embarrass me in front of my friends'.

 

Admin Mngr calls the GM and shares the above. GM comes on the line and tells her 'be here within 20 minutes'.

 

She doesn't arrive. Admin Mngr and GM try several times to call her but no answer.

 

Next morning she arrives at 9:15.  Admin Mngr tells her to go to the GM, s office. She refuses and starts to move all the books files personal items etc., from another desk and has put her belognings on that desk. GM comes and asks her 'what are you doing?' She responds I don't like that other desk, I want to sit here'.

 

GM says 'Is your driver with car waiting in the building carpark?' She resonds sharply 'Yes, why?'

 

GM says 'you're dismissed right now, tell your driver to get here now and take your things and be totally gone within 30 minutes.'

 

Five minutes later her father calls and insists that she has done nothing wrong and insists that her dismissal be withdrawn. GM responds. 'No and there's no further discussion' and hangs up.  

 

That incident was shared with all new employees for many years, no names given. it helped to get new employees to understand that that they cannot play games, try to control anything. It worked.

 

The rich and powerful in Thailand have always wanted the majority of Thai people to be ignorant and uninformed.

In the period 1980-2000, Thailand had a golden opportunity to invest in its future. It even extended into the early years of the 2000’s. That opportunity has slipped away and may soon be out of reach. The problems are in lack of leadership/vision and greed/corruption. The manufacturing base is slipping away. Even in its agricultural products Thailand is losing ground. The general population does not see it and the leadership couldn’t care less as long as their pockets are full. It’s really tragic. The Thais are good people and capable of achieving so much more. They are marching backwards.

4 minutes ago, chilli42 said:

In the period 1980-2000, Thailand had a golden opportunity to invest in its future. It even extended into the early years of the 2000’s. That opportunity has slipped away and may soon be out of reach. The problems are in lack of leadership/vision and greed/corruption. The manufacturing base is slipping away. Even in its agricultural products Thailand is losing ground. The general population does not see it and the leadership couldn’t care less as long as their pockets are full. It’s really tragic. The Thais are good people and capable of achieving so much more. They are marching backwards.

They are marching backwards.  Just like the USA.

5 minutes ago, chilli42 said:

In the period 1980-2000, Thailand had a golden opportunity to invest in its future. It even extended into the early years of the 2000’s. That opportunity has slipped away and may soon be out of reach. The problems are in lack of leadership/vision and greed/corruption. The manufacturing base is slipping away. Even in its agricultural products Thailand is losing ground. The general population does not see it and the leadership couldn’t care less as long as their pockets are full. It’s really tragic. The Thais are good people and capable of achieving so much more. They are marching backwards.

Sadly you are so correct...I have been here since the 70's, and it is very evident on what you post.😒

Keep the masses docile, ignorant, subservient and frightened and you can keep the status quo.

26 minutes ago, thaiowl said:

Keep the masses docile, ignorant, subservient and frightened and you can keep the status quo.

Eventually, the status quo always collapses - you either encounter rapid change & horror (check history for examples), or plan in advance to deal with oncoming change.   The latter is better than the ostrich head-in-sand situation.

On 8/1/2025 at 7:24 PM, Deerculler said:

 

Why is that a surprise? 

 

California once ranked in top 10% of US public schools, now it ranks in the bottom 10%. 

 

On 8/1/2025 at 8:11 AM, mfd101 said:

No no, what we need is more tourism! More! More! More!

 

Don't be snarky it's true. Along with agriculture it's the only sector/s left. Where else to shunt the skill less? Low end tourism jobs.

 

Even if they had Singapore level education tomorrow and students could do the work it will be 10 years to see the first batch of grads.

 

What is on the horizon that will change youth employment? Change economic direction of Thailand? 

 

 

Thailand should go full Huxley. Legalize prostitution and recreational dru_s. Whatever else can be dreampt up.

 

Other than consumer economy it's all they have left. Just make the place libertine playground with limits.

 

Whatever will they do when AI replaces the vast majority of low productivity office workers? Employment and wages gone. Tax base gone. Millions of young people jobless...

On 7/31/2025 at 3:56 PM, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand's development faces a critical test, as a recent report highlights alarming issues in education, health, and job readiness. The Human Capital Development in Thailand report, jointly released by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), UNICEF, and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), signals that the nation's long-term economic prospects may be jeopardised without urgent intervention.

 

Despite widespread access to basic services, the report reveals that many Thai children lack essential skills, health, and support. Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand, emphasised the significance of investing in youth, stating, “Thailand stands at a pivotal moment. This ambition must be matched by investment in people, especially children and youth.”

 

One of the critical health issues noted is malnutrition, with problems such as stunting, wasting, and obesity affecting young children. Shockingly, only 75% of children aged two to nearly five years are developmentally on track, with disadvantaged families at a higher risk.

 

Education is another worrying area. While a majority of children complete compulsory schooling, only 42% of Grade 2 students meet the expected literacy and numeracy standards. The 2022 PISA results further highlight poor performance in maths, science, and reading, particularly in rural regions and among non-native Thai speakers.

 

The educational disparities extend into adulthood. Only 59% of Thais aged 25–34 have completed upper-secondary education, with young men, individuals with disabilities, and low-income youth being most prone to dropping out. Alarmingly, less than 3% of working adults receive further training, and just 39% find employment after completing courses.

 

Additionally, The Nation reports a concerning trend: 12.5% of young individuals aged 15–24 are not engaged in education, employment, or training, a situation most prevalent among the low-income and marginalised.

 

NESDC Secretary General Danucha Pichayanan commented on the workforce challenges, stating, “There are serious mismatches between education and job market needs. Investment in human capital isn’t just smart—it’s essential.”

 

The report advocates for comprehensive reforms, including increased education funding, inclusive social protection, and aligning school curricula with job market demands. It also calls for greater investment in mental health and learner well-being.

 

Kim echoed the urgency for decisive measures, stating, “The evidence is clear, and the solutions are within reach. What Thailand needs now is bold, inclusive policy action.”

 

As these findings underscore the urgency of the situation, Thailand's government and society face a crucial opportunity to reshape the future by prioritising human capital development. Addressing these challenges is not just vital for the nation’s economic ambition but for building a robust, inclusive society.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-31

 

 

whishful thinking...

 

 

3 hours ago, chilli42 said:

In the period 1980-2000, Thailand had a golden opportunity to invest in its future. It even extended into the early years of the 2000’s. That opportunity has slipped away and may soon be out of reach. The problems are in lack of leadership/vision and greed/corruption. The manufacturing base is slipping away. Even in its agricultural products Thailand is losing ground. The general population does not see it and the leadership couldn’t care less as long as their pockets are full. It’s really tragic. The Thais are good people and capable of achieving so much more. They are marching backwards.

 

Yeah. I've lived and worked in Thailand since 1990 and have seen the lack of progress. Awful education system, the general bullying of the population, corruption making the country uncompetitive. The people deserve better.

 

, lack of leadershio

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Don't be snarky it's true. Along with agriculture it's the only sector/s left. Where else to shunt the skill less? Low end tourism jobs.

, merit-less, intelligence

Even if they had Singapore level education tomorrow and students could do the work it will be 10 years to see the first batch of grads.

 

What is on the horizon that will change youth employment? Change economic direction of Thailand? 

 

 

Thailand should go full Huxley. Legalize prostitution and recreational dru_s. Whatever else can be dreampt up.

 

Other than consumer economy it's all they have left. Just make the place libertine playground with limits.

 

Whatever will they do when AI replaces the vast majority of low productivity office workers? Employment and wages gone. Tax base gone. Millions of young people jobless...

You could shunt the skill-less to Parliament if it was not already full of skill-less.

On 8/1/2025 at 8:19 AM, KhaoHom said:

90% of farang teachers outside top tier int'l schools are complict. They offer zero education to students. Absolute waste of time for students. Same number of other foreign teachers SA, Philippines, Africans...95%

 

KhaoHomDude: Is it really that bad? 

Our 9yo daughter is currently enrolled in school in New Zealand. 

 

She is doing very well and really enjoys the teaching methods used here.  Her personal development has flourished and this shows in her attitudes to people, life, the wider community and the world.

 

She has access to facilities and environments that are difficult to reach or unobtainable in Thailand.

 

Whilst the intentions of the Thai teachers we had contact with in Isaan are admirable and modern, they are shackled to a system similar to what we had in the 70s.

Hopefully that will change, kit needs to..  rapidly.

On 7/31/2025 at 3:56 PM, snoop1130 said:

“The evidence is clear, and the solutions are within reach. What Thailand needs now is bold, inclusive policy action.”

What Thailand needs is a real government and a robust domestic manufacturing/retail base.

Not just a sub-contract labour country reliant on foreign investors.

On 8/2/2025 at 3:45 PM, scorecard said:

 

FROM ABOVE:  "I have had quite a few conversations with Thai teachers and the common thread seems to be a fear of the little darlings when they raise their hand and ask "why"."

 

My first degree, in AUstralia, was in education. I always remeber the spedific lecture relating to this point. The elctuer shared:

- For primary / high school: Make an excuse to give you enough time to check for a correct answer and give it quickly (same or ext day).

- For university, turn the students question into a quick case study, divide the class into small teams (no more than 3* students) and give all the teams 15 minutes research** time and then quickly share their answers.

* More than 3 in a team and 2 will do the work while all the rest check fashion / cosmetics / cars  etc on their phones and very probably get credit for a good work but they didn't do anyting to achieve the grade - not fair.

** In many unis students are allowed to have a tablet / smartphone for research work in their bag, but outside of research time phone cannot come out of the students bag.

 

Everything you say may be correct. I don’t know.

But what does it have to do about my comment re Thai teachers thinking it’s ok to physically abuse kids, whether by hitting young kids on the toes with a ruler if they don’t sleep in the afternoon (my daughter) to other more serious physical “ punishments” when the kids are older?

9 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Everything you say may be correct. I don’t know.

But what does it have to do about my comment re Thai teachers thinking it’s ok to physically abuse kids, whether by hitting young kids on the toes with a ruler if they don’t sleep in the afternoon (my daughter) to other more serious physical “ punishments” when the kids are older?

CCTV everywhere but in the classrooms.

11 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

CCTV everywhere but in the classrooms.

In the Chinese school I used to wok in in Kunming, CCTV was in classrooms as well.  Protects the students & teachers.  Would be a good idea for Thai schools.

On 7/31/2025 at 4:52 PM, dinsdale said:

It's all about the establishment keeping the poor poor and lacking in education to maintain the status quo. Even when the public vote for reform the establishments squashes their voice.

Sadly all too true. I’ve sent my 2 kids abroad for education. One at university studying a practical degree and a job offer. There are few meaningful jobs for her in northern Thailand.

On 8/3/2025 at 1:24 PM, thaiowl said:

the general bullying of the population

I've noticed the results of this in a lot of Thai men. Beaten down and discouraged.

On 8/1/2025 at 9:36 PM, scorecard said:

"...biggest problems in classes is to get them to participate..."

 

I agree a big poblem. Many students are quite frightened re participation, because they have been seriously indoctrinated for many years that asking questions in class is extremely rude and even a suggestion that the teachers has just given a bad explanation. 

 

Totally not allowed. 

 

My own Thai son comapleted most of high shool in SIngapore (from a very young age he was fluent in Thai and English). 

 

From day 1 in sinagpore he experienced sudent centered teaching and learning / two way communication. STudents were continuously encouraged to ask questions / ask for clarification and the teacher always listened and ensured the elearning point was very clear.

 

From his high school grades in Singapore he  would have been readily accepted into NUS (National University of Singapore) but the Thai gov't doesn't accept graduates from outside of Thailand for his subject, so he came back to Bangkok to start university.

 

On day one of his uni studies in Bkk he raised his hand and said (in Thai) 'excuse me teacher' ( a theorback of his experience in Singapore).. The dragon class teacher up to him quickly and said strongly / aggressively 'what's your name?'

 

As he responded she had found his name on the class list (his first name is very Thai, his family name is very western). teacher started to yell his family name many times but with deliberate very awkward pronunciation. She kept this up for 1 or 2 minutes then said 'farang names are very ugly, when you get a nice Thai name then I will teach you'.

 

Came morning break outside of the class room and the other students got very angry with my son for not respecting the professor. 

 

Came mid terms exams, all conducted / marked by the dragon teacher, she failed him in every subject. Same again at end of semester. 

 

He really wanted to graduate from this program, no other Thai uni had the program / the contenthe he wanted to study. 

 

Day 1 second semester dragon professor ordered him outside of the room and said 'if you seriously apologize for your rudeness, on the floor,  you can continue but for mid term you cannot get a grade over B'. He apologized. 

I hope that one day you will be able to talk to the dragon teacher and enlighten her about quality education. A friend who once failed a student ,as he was a dullard ,failed to have his contract renewed at one of the northern universities.

2 hours ago, Hugh Jarse said:

I hope that one day you will be able to talk to the dragon teacher and enlighten her about quality education. A friend who once failed a student ,as he was a dullard ,failed to have his contract renewed at one of the northern universities.

It's a pity scorecard cannot mention the name of the kwai dragon teacher.  But as we all know the defamation laws sole purpose to to protect the HiSo rich-kwai from retribution & public humiliation.