UK backs cross-cultural negotiation education for Phuket government officials

[webfact]

UK backs cross-cultural negotiation education for Phuket government officials
Phuket Gazette


British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent was very supportive of the efforts of Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- High-ranking local government officers in Phuket will start an English language and cross-cultural negotiation course this month as part of the ongoing cooperation between the United Kingdom and Thailand, said British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent.

The announcement of the course came after a closed-door meeting between Amb Kent and Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut yesterday afternoon.

“The UK embassy will provide over 60 per cent of the expenses for the entire project and will organize the teachers and course content,” Governor Maitri said.

Also discussed at the meeting was the Coastal Water Safety Summit being developed by Phuket Honorary Consul Martin Carpenter and Gov Maitri.

“We are very honored to receive the governor’s support for boosting marine safety in Phuket,” Amb Kent said.

Asked if he had any concerns about the upcoming high season, Amb Kent said that he felt the Thai government was doing a good job of taking care of visitors.

“I think most people who come to Phuket have a very enjoyable time, and we want that to carry on,” he said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/UK-backs-cross-cultural-negotiation-education-for-Phuket-government-officials-22690.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-11-02

[webfact]

New British Embassy initiatives planned for Phuket
Zazithorn Ruengchinda

Mark Kent, the British Ambassador to Thailand, left, with Martin Carpenter, Phuket Hon Consul.

PHUKET: -- The British Embassy is gearing up to roll out a series of new initiatives on Phuket, including plans to encourage children to wear helmets and teaching English to Government officers.

Mark Kent, the British Ambassador to Thailand, was in Phuket yesterday (November 1) and met with Phuket British Honorary Consul Martin Carpenter and Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut to discuss the four new proposals.

Mr Kent said the British Embassy would introduce a new programme to give "intensive English" lessons for mid to high-ranking Government officers working on the island.

The aim would be to enhance their English language skills and teach them more about British culture and the comparisons with Thai culture.

Mr Kent also spoke about a child helmet campaign introduced in Bangkok, where children are taught safety awareness and are given child-size helmets. Mr Kent hoped this programme would be taught country-wide, and Phuket would be next on the list.

A "Coastal Waters Safety Summit" will be held early next year to help train lifeguards, raise environmental awareness and how to preserve marine and coastal life around Phuket. The summit will be discussed more in November, but it will be a four day course.

British tourists to Phuket were now being given brochures of "Dos and don'ts" upon their arrival at Phuket International Airport, Mr Kent said.

Meanwhile, recent changes which were introduced yesterday (November 1) now mean British Honorary Consuls in Phuket (Martin Carpenter) and Koh Samui will no longer offer notarial and documentary services.

Earlier this month, an Embassy spokesperson said that currently, 70 per cent of all requests for notarial and documentary services provided by Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui are for pension letters required by the Thai authorities, which did not require attendance by the person and the application could be submitted by post.

“This will allow us to concentrate on front-line consular work, providing more support to our most vulnerable customers including, for example, minors, the elderly, people with mental health problems, and victims of serious crime abroad.”

When asked about the changes yesterday, Mr Kent said the idea was to centralise the way the Embassy was run.

"Most of the documents can be sorted via post anyway, but for something like an affirmation of marriage, it will mean the applicants have to go to Bangkok.

"This will help Martin [Carpenter]'s workload, and we are very grateful to have him.

"Phuket is a popular place for British visitors, and I would like this to remain so.

"With care and co-operation from us as a host, it will help Phuket remain as a favourite holiday destination."

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/new-british-embassy-initiatives-planned-for-phuket-42671.php


-- Phuket News 2013-11-02

[AyG]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Not sure I would call it rediculous, more like stupid.

[Riley'sLife]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Perhaps because the UK Govt is paving the way for Phuket to take all UK pensioners on an all-inclusive and compulsory resettlement scheme for which Phuket will be the trial, to stop the pensioners winging about being unable to pay for their energy bills for home heating.

If that scheme works then the UK Govt has a plan for Thailand to accommodate all UK prison inmates again on an all-inclusive and compulsory basis.

Both these schemes will produce massive savings for the UK taxpayer, and produce lucrative export earnings for the Thai economy.

[GeorgeO]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

And that's why simple services, like a stamp on a proof of address form, cost British citizens THB 2,800...!!

[jacko45k]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

I agree.

I also wonder if any Thais will take to being lectured to in their own country by foreigners.

Lessons on British 'culture', can I get those, it seems confused these days.

[Guderian]

They can afford this nonsense yet they can't afford to run a consulate in Pattaya. It seems that the years of mis-spending and throwing British taxpayers money away on vanity projects haven't ended yet.

[menorah]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Perhaps because the UK Govt is paving the way for Phuket to take all UK pensioners on an all-inclusive and compulsory resettlement scheme for which Phuket will be the trial, to stop the pensioners winging about being unable to pay for their energy bills for home heating.

If that scheme works then the UK Govt has a plan for Thailand to accommodate all UK prison inmates again on an all-inclusive and compulsory basis.

Both these schemes will produce massive savings for the UK taxpayer, and produce lucrative export earnings for the Thai economy.

If you're referring to......The UK government has set up a working group that includes Treasury officials and members of International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP), to investigate the issue of frozen state pensions, which affects 500,000 British pensioners living in 120 countries, including Thailand and most of the Commonwealth. - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/uk-to-review-frozen-british-expat-pensions-28185.php#sthash.ihR97m0v.dpuf

...there's a big difference to this and your flippant remark, which we can only assume is a joke. However, knowing the level of common sense imbued to a large percentage of ThaiVisa memebers, maybe you're actually quite serious!

[nontabury]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Perhaps because the UK Govt is paving the way for Phuket to take all UK pensioners on an all-inclusive and compulsory resettlement scheme for which Phuket will be the trial, to stop the pensioners winging about being unable to pay for their energy bills for home heating.

If that scheme works then the UK Govt has a plan for Thailand to accommodate all UK prison inmates again on an all-inclusive and compulsory basis.

Both these schemes will produce massive savings for the UK taxpayer, and produce lucrative export earnings for the Thai economy.

If you're referring to......The UK government has set up a working group that includes Treasury officials and members of International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP), to investigate the issue of frozen state pensions, which affects 500,000 British pensioners living in 120 countries, including Thailand and most of the Commonwealth. - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/uk-to-review-frozen-british-expat-pensions-28185.php#sthash.ihR97m0v.dpuf

...there's a big difference to this and your flippant remark, which we can only assume is a joke. However, knowing the level of common sense imbued to a large percentage of ThaiVisa memebers, maybe you're actually quite serious!

There are a couple of threads running at the moment regarding frozen pensions, can I suggest that you read through these before you make such posts.

[cbluck58]

Smart move by the LOS - they know their government officials prowess in English has to be improved due to pending inclusion into the ASEAN charter, so they get the British taxpayer to pay for the lessons.

They are not always as stupid as many posts on Thaivisa would suggest.....

[razer]

This is naive but well intended.Thai officials always want something for nothing and appearance over substance is what matters here. Will the program bear fruit? I wonder what odds Ladbrokes would give on the success of the program?

[kimamey]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Perhaps because the UK Govt is paving the way for Phuket to take all UK pensioners on an all-inclusive and compulsory resettlement scheme for which Phuket will be the trial, to stop the pensioners winging about being unable to pay for their energy bills for home heating.

If that scheme works then the UK Govt has a plan for Thailand to accommodate all UK prison inmates again on an all-inclusive and compulsory basis.

Both these schemes will produce massive savings for the UK taxpayer, and produce lucrative export earnings for the Thai economy.

Nice idea but I can imagine certain newspapers in the UK having a great time with it. I'd guess that the phrase 'sun kissed' would be over used. They did the same about an EU office in Barbados a while back. There was a bit about why it was there and lots about people being surprised to see it there an several mentions of the fact that Barbados is 'sun kissed'.

I can see the advantages of this but it seems a bit strange if services for British citizens are being cut. They're making it more difficult for Brits to bring their non EU wives or husbands into the UK in case they might need to use things like the NHS.

I don't suppose this costs much though.

[transam]

So whats happened to ''Reciprocal'' agreements ?

[Zodaka]

It's not the priority in Phuket. Lack of English is not the problem. Typical British Embassy wasting its time and kissing up to local officials rather than doing anything to make things better for British tourists. how about cars being told not to speed up when tourists are trying to cros the road.....having an official present anytime a uk citizen has a problem with jet ski's might be a start.

[Rinrada]

Easy to MOAN when the Embassy does nothing but at least the Ambassador is trying....so I recon ...

Good Luck...

Mark Kent,the British Ambassador met with Phuket British Hon.Consul Carpenter and Phuket Governor Intusut to discuss some new proposals.

Mr Kent said the British Embassy would introduce a programme to give "intensive English" lessons for mid to high-ranking Government officers working on the island.GOOD

The idea would be to enhance their English language skills and teach them more about British culture and the comparisons with Thai culture.( Maybe tea at 4.Oclock + Cucumber sarnies MKJ)...even Better

Mr Kent also spoke about a child helmet campaign introduced in Bangkok,where children are taught safety awareness and are given child-size helmet.Kids Safety--VERY GOOD

He hoped this programme would be taught country-wide with Phuket next on the list.

A "Coastal Waters Safety Summit" will be held to help train lifeguards,raise environmental awareness and how to preserve marine and coastal life around Phuket.

This summit will be discussed more in November and will be a four day course...

Cant see anything wrong with that..?

[transam]

Easy to MOAN when the Embassy does nothing but at least the Ambassador is trying....so I recon ...

Good Luck...

Mark Kent,the British Ambassador met with Phuket British Hon.Consul Carpenter and Phuket Governor Intusut to discuss some new proposals.

Mr Kent said the British Embassy would introduce a programme to give "intensive English" lessons for mid to high-ranking Government officers working on the island.GOOD

The idea would be to enhance their English language skills and teach them more about British culture and the comparisons with Thai culture.( Maybe tea at 4.Oclock + Cucumber sarnies MKJ)...even Better

Mr Kent also spoke about a child helmet campaign introduced in Bangkok,where children are taught safety awareness and are given child-size helmet.Kids Safety--VERY GOOD

He hoped this programme would be taught country-wide with Phuket next on the list.

A "Coastal Waters Safety Summit" will be held to help train lifeguards,raise environmental awareness and how to preserve marine and coastal life around Phuket.

This summit will be discussed more in November and will be a four day course...

Cant see anything wrong with that..?

Am I reading this right. A Brit official is teaching Thai folk how to do things in Thailand but is not helping his countrymen in Thailand. ?

[zyphodb]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Completely agree... The UK hasn't got any money to spend on it's own people back in the UK let alone us Ex-Pats here yet they're going to pay to train Thai Officials???

Must be a good little jolly for some English civil servents, And the Thai's must be loving the 'crazy Farangs'

[hellodolly]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Also being as it is Phuket why are they not learning Russian?

[hellodolly]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Perhaps because the UK Govt is paving the way for Phuket to take all UK pensioners on an all-inclusive and compulsory resettlement scheme for which Phuket will be the trial, to stop the pensioners winging about being unable to pay for their energy bills for home heating.

If that scheme works then the UK Govt has a plan for Thailand to accommodate all UK prison inmates again on an all-inclusive and compulsory basis.

Both these schemes will produce massive savings for the UK taxpayer, and produce lucrative export earnings for the Thai economy.

If you're referring to......The UK government has set up a working group that includes Treasury officials and members of International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP), to investigate the issue of frozen state pensions, which affects 500,000 British pensioners living in 120 countries, including Thailand and most of the Commonwealth. - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/uk-to-review-frozen-british-expat-pensions-28185.php#sthash.ihR97m0v.dpuf

...there's a big difference to this and your flippant remark, which we can only assume is a joke. However, knowing the level of common sense imbued to a large percentage of ThaiVisa memebers, maybe you're actually quite serious!

Not only are you lacking a sense of humor but you are lacking knowledge of what is happening. If the UK wants to stop paying partial pension payments they can do it with out consultations from out side interests.

Admitted they are not the sharpest knives in the drawer but they are not that stupid. You insult their intelligence.

[nontabury]

Why should the British taxpayer be funding English lessons for government officials? If the officials need to speak English to do their jobs then Thailand should be paying. And if effective negotiation is a requirement of their jobs and they can't do it they shouldn't be in their positions at all.

And when so little is done for British people living here, why are they bothering about non-British children? It's not the UK's job to encourage Thai children to wear helmets.

So, money is wasted on these stupid projects whilst services for British nationals is being further reduced by the withdrawal of notarial services.

Ridiculous.

Also being as it is Phuket why are they not learning Russian?

Simple, because the Russians are not stupid like the Brits.

It makes me wonder how much British taxpayers money is gifted to the Thai's.

[hellodolly]

Easy to MOAN when the Embassy does nothing but at least the Ambassador is trying....so I recon ...

Good Luck...

Mark Kent,the British Ambassador met with Phuket British Hon.Consul Carpenter and Phuket Governor Intusut to discuss some new proposals.

Mr Kent said the British Embassy would introduce a programme to give "intensive English" lessons for mid to high-ranking Government officers working on the island.GOOD

The idea would be to enhance their English language skills and teach them more about British culture and the comparisons with Thai culture.( Maybe tea at 4.Oclock + Cucumber sarnies MKJ)...even Better

Mr Kent also spoke about a child helmet campaign introduced in Bangkok,where children are taught safety awareness and are given child-size helmet.Kids Safety--VERY GOOD

He hoped this programme would be taught country-wide with Phuket next on the list.

A "Coastal Waters Safety Summit" will be held to help train lifeguards,raise environmental awareness and how to preserve marine and coastal life around Phuket.

This summit will be discussed more in November and will be a four day course...

Cant see anything wrong with that..?

Am I reading this right. A Brit official is teaching Thai folk how to do things in Thailand but is not helping his countrymen in Thailand. ?

You have that right.

Also don't loose sight of the fact he is paid to help his fellow UK country men.

He sounds like a graduate of Thai schooling.

[transam]

Easy to MOAN when the Embassy does nothing but at least the Ambassador is trying....so I recon ...

Good Luck...

Mark Kent,the British Ambassador met with Phuket British Hon.Consul Carpenter and Phuket Governor Intusut to discuss some new proposals.

Mr Kent said the British Embassy would introduce a programme to give "intensive English" lessons for mid to high-ranking Government officers working on the island.GOOD

The idea would be to enhance their English language skills and teach them more about British culture and the comparisons with Thai culture.( Maybe tea at 4.Oclock + Cucumber sarnies MKJ)...even Better

Mr Kent also spoke about a child helmet campaign introduced in Bangkok,where children are taught safety awareness and are given child-size helmet.Kids Safety--VERY GOOD

He hoped this programme would be taught country-wide with Phuket next on the list.

A "Coastal Waters Safety Summit" will be held to help train lifeguards,raise environmental awareness and how to preserve marine and coastal life around Phuket.

This summit will be discussed more in November and will be a four day course...

Cant see anything wrong with that..?

Eeeeeeeeeer, did he teach them that he/they ignore UK pensioners in Thailand. ?

[harleyclarkey]

A lovely example of civil service nonsense and thinking of yet another a good way to waste money.

Watch as the Thais smile, take the money and do nothing worthwhile at all.

Utter rubbish.