They may teach some English in schools, but their is no follow up to get children to use it - English books - in Libraries etc., nearly non-existent. No English radio programs. Practically no TV in English (they dub everything, because most Thais struggle to read Thai subtitles!). Thai as a written alphabet is too complicated - in nursery schools, they teach the kids to learn ABC first as easier. Time for Thailand to swallow their pride and adopt western alphabet - easier for them, easier for foreigners and also would make learning other foreign languages easier. The Thai alphabet should be just an academic curiosity.

22 minutes ago, Selatan said:

Thai, Indonesian and Filipino Chinese however, mostly couldn't speak any Chinese dialect. In this region, only Chinese Malaysians and Chinese Singaporeans have retained their Chinese names and language.

And even if they can speak it can they read it? Reading it is probably far more important in business than the ability to speak it.

1 hour ago, Geoff914 said:

And even if they can speak it can they read it? Reading it is probably far more important in business than the ability to speak it.

Most Chinese Malaysians can read and write in Chinese. That's because Malaysia is probably the only country in the world outside China that has publicly-funded schools that have Mandarin as the main language of instruction. Even Singapore doesn't have that kind of schools - Lee Kuan Yew ended Chinese-language schools decades ago, a decision which he later regretted. Mandarin is only taught in Singapore as a single subject.

 

Not too long ago, some Muslim groups asked the Malaysian courts to rule if Chinese schools were legal or not because they felt threatened by the rising popularity of Chinese schools among the Muslims. Fortunately, the courts ruled against them.

 

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3252600/malaysias-federal-court-upholds-constitutional-right-vernacular-schools-teach-chinese-tamil

1 hour ago, rickudon said:

They may teach some English in schools, but their is no follow up to get children to use it - English books - in Libraries etc., nearly non-existent. No English radio programs. Practically no TV in English (they dub everything, because most Thais struggle to read Thai subtitles!). Thai as a written alphabet is too complicated - in nursery schools, they teach the kids to learn ABC first as easier. Time for Thailand to swallow their pride and adopt western alphabet - easier for them, easier for foreigners and also would make learning other foreign languages easier. The Thai alphabet should be just an academic curiosity.

Sadly, I must agree with you. My (Thai) wife recently retired after being a high school teacher for 35 years. When I asked her what the Thai numbering system looked like prior to adopting Western Arabic numerals, she did not know. When I asked how non-English speaking Thais navigate the many western bill boards, ads and technical information and manuals  (which is usually in English), she also did not know. Both of my Thai children from my former Thai wife only speak English and they've never needed Thai anywhere in the world - only English. Thais need to wake up to reality and understand that they are not the center of the universe and it is they who must adjust to, and adopt, international standards to make their way in the world.

 

5 minutes ago, ZigM said:

Thais need to wake up to reality and understand that they are not the center of the universe and it is they who must adjust

 

You got gusto kid. Bravo.

On 12/21/2025 at 1:46 PM, KhunLA said:

Why would I assume that ?  China has no interest in taking over any country.  No country has actually succeeded in taking over other countries, this or last century.

 

Just going by what my daughter told me, since in marketing, and use to handle worldwide accounts of top brands.   

 

World's largest producer, and one world's of largest consumers, speak Chinese.  Think in the business world, especially living in E Asia or SEA, it would be beneficial to be fluent in Chinese.

Even the chinese are learning English!

13 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

Even the chinese are learning English!

Obviously that makes sense for them, as the largest producing country, (of USA products ) sell to the largest consuming country.