EDITORIAL
How Thailand missed the AEC boat
The Nation

Our lack of preparedness is evident to all, not least in the suppression, rather than the enshrining, of basic rights

BANGKOK: -- In marking the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) on December 31, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha missed the point in urging Thais to stay alert to new opportunities and improve their English-language skills. These are surely important, but they are not key values for regional integration.

Speaking on the eve of the AEC's advent, Prayut encouraged people to develop new skills and knowledge that would benefit both their individual careers and the competitiveness of the nation as a whole.

The government forged six strategies to prepare for regional integration. But, after years of efforts to raise public awareness about Asean, bolster education, labour skills and technology, and build networks for international trade and investment, visible progress has been negligible.

Forging a common regional identity is a mammoth task that requires not only the clear vision of leaders but also the participation of citizens at every level.

In Thailand that vision and participation have been badly marred by the government's overemphasis on the economy at the expense of the social and political pillars of integration. As a result, most Thais are unready for the expected influx of goods and people from neighbouring countries and a still need to brush up on their English skills as a universal means of communication. Concerted efforts by the mass media and universities to educate the public have done little to improve this situation. However, it is the government that must shoulder most of the blame for our general lack of preparedness.

The reality is that regional economic integration began several years ago with the introduction of low or zero import duties on several goods traded between Asean neighbours. Several economic sectors were opened up to regional participation. Yet, despite these moves, intra-Asean trade accounts for only one-quarter of the region's total trade with the world. The level of investment among Asean neighbours is even lower.

The government should also carry the blame for the failure to bolster the political pillar of regional integration. Contained in the blueprint of the Asean Community are pledges to develop democracy, counter corruption and promote and protect human rights. The current government has failed to meet those pledges since coming to power in a coup in May last year, preferring to delay a return to elections and suppress basic democratic rights. Once a champion of democracy and civil liberties in Southeast Asia, Thailand is now viewed by many as the "sick man".

Asean as a grouping remains committed to a vision of democracy, good governance and human rights. As a core member, Thailand should be clarifying the steps it is taking to achieve those objectives, not urging citizens to improve their labour and language skills - something they should do with or without the coming of the AEC.

We are gratified to hear that Prime Minister Prayut has resolved this year to "speak less and listen more". In responding positively to calls for democracy to be restored, he would be aiding Thailand's integration into the Asean Community.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/How-Thailand-missed-the-AEC-boat-30276109.html


-- The Nation 2016-01-05

"We are gratified to hear that Prime Minister Prayut has resolved this year to "speak less and listen more".

The guy sure is entertaining when he speaks though!

Yes never a dull moment ...Not sure how the population is supposed to acquire this new skills particularly English..The level and direction of teaching is sadly lacking and I'm afraid it comes from the top...

and a still need to brush up on their English skills as a universal means of communication.

'Brush up'?

The last time that I checked, the phrase 'brush up' means to improve a little or to practice to improve a little.

In my region ==> Phuket, which has been welcoming foreign tourists for more than a generation, I have to speak Thai with almost all the Thais who work in the tourist sector, because they are unable to converse in English.

This is all I want to relay.

How Thailand missed the AEC boat

partied late, over-slept...

"...visible progress has been negligible..."

You can put a huge amount of the blame for that on the junta. Since they have taken over the country has stagnated and will continue to stagnate until a dynamic Democratic government comes back into power. A government that actually works FOR THE PEOPLE and not for their own selfish needs.

Waiting for a government statement that it actually is AEC that missed the Thailand boat.

The boat set sail but fortunately for Thailand sank allowing all ASEAN nations to continue looking after their own interests.

IMO Thailand was never going to let non-Thai speaking immigrants take their jobs.

So AEC was doomed here from the start.

How Thailand missed the AEC boat

partied late, over-slept...

Canoe explain, the oarsmen are still parting in first class

very good article.

Instead of moving forward Thailand is fighting with themselves. Boy fights between Thaksin and Prayut, or clans against clans.

Surrounding countries did benefit from those useless fights and wasted time.

I'm afraid it might too late to tackle all obsticles.

Did Prayuth deliver his comments to the multi-national AEC audience in English?

When the people of a country refuse to change, clinging on to Thainess as an excuse not to change and adapt, they would miss all the passing boats, now and forever more.

"We are gratified to hear that Prime Minister Prayut has resolved this year to "speak less and listen more".

The guy sure is entertaining when he speaks though!

So was Tommy Cooper, but you wouldn't want him running your country!

Indonesia, Phillipines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, they all have a dubious history when it comes to dictatorship and lack of human rights, however what is clear is that they are all making forward progress. In the whole of ASEAN there is only 1 country stuck in reverse and accelerating backwards

Thailand should welcome ANY english speaking foreigner to their Kingdom for free so they can learn english and western ways of doing business.

Western company's focus on quality,efficiency and durability, they need more westerners to show them how that's done. Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

Maybe a little late in the season; after more than a generation I can witness each and every day, that in tourism driven areas English is spoken less and less and, those who sa-peak Engleet, sa-peak mai gaaeng tawlaee!
Nobody was ever serious about education here in this land; uneducated fools make a much better electorate

Thailand should welcome ANY english speaking foreigner to their Kingdom for free so they can learn english and western ways of doing business.

Western company's focus on quality,efficiency and durability, they need more westerners to show them how that's done. Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

They know how things should be done, and how to do it, but to get off that hammock, that's near impossible...

Planning, thinking, democracy? Stay away from us with those alien words.
Thai governments (present included) do not believe in those fancy things, as it tends to not line the pockets. Instead it implies you have to be considerate, accept changes, contribute to society and not only protect your own interests.

Other countries are moving forward but Thailand seems to think that Thainess is the ultimate for all countries to achieve - a kind of country nirvana. Other countries say "give us your experts and knowledge so we can develop and prosper", Thailand says "we don't need advise from foreigners". The AEC boat sailed past Thailand's shores a long time ago and Thailand is sinking into the mess they created themselves. The problem is that you cannot blame anyone but yourself and because face, no-one will be blamed. They will probably blame AEC though for not being considerate of the special status of Thailand.

You can blame the junta for not taking any necessary immediate actions, but all previous governments and juntas the last many years has failed serving their country as well in something so simple as teaching a proper English to all.

Example from The Nation in 2010: "It's too soon to declare English the second language for teaching in schools, Office of the Education Council (OEC) secretary-general Tongthong Chandransu said recently. News reports late last week said the Education Ministry planned to declare English the second language in schools on October 22."

This was during the Democratic government, nothing was done under PTP government and the junta isn't doing anything either.

Contained in the blueprint of the Asean Community are pledges to develop democracy, counter corruption and promote and protect human rights. The current government has failed to meet those pledges since coming to power in a coup in May last year, preferring to delay a return to elections and suppress basic democratic rights. Once a champion of democracy and civil liberties in Southeast Asia, Thailand is now viewed by many as the "sick man".

Ouch! No mincing of words here. But will you-know-who listen and learn?

Did Prayuth deliver his comments to the multi-national AEC audience in English?

No , Nope ,

Thailand missed the boat due to Thainess being "without pier".

"The government forged six strategies to prepare for regional integration." Are we using "forgery" as root for this term? Strategies are all well and good, but are even the best ever put into practice?

"We are gratified to hear that Prime Minister Prayut has resolved this year to "speak less and listen more".

The guy sure is entertaining when he speaks though!

He is even better when he sings.

"...visible progress has been negligible..."

You can put a huge amount of the blame for that on the junta. Since they have taken over the country has stagnated and will continue to stagnate until a dynamic Democratic government comes back into power. A government that actually works FOR THE PEOPLE and not for their own selfish needs.

Another do not hold your breath comment.

Thailand should welcome ANY english speaking foreigner to their Kingdom for free so they can learn english and western ways of doing business.

Western company's focus on quality,efficiency and durability, they need more westerners to show them how that's done. Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

So, apparently, is

Thailand should welcome ANY english speaking foreigner to their Kingdom for free so they can learn english and western ways of doing business.

Western company's focus on quality,efficiency and durability, they need more westerners to show them how that's done. Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

So, apparently, is

Thailand should welcome ANY english speaking foreigner to their Kingdom for free so they can learn english and western ways of doing business.

Western company's focus on quality,efficiency and durability, they need more westerners to show them how that's done. Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

So, apparently, is hoot.jpg

The best from the US - Sizzling Hoots?

Did Prayuth deliver his comments to the multi-national AEC audience in English?

No , Nope ,

Of course he didn't. Rhetorical question intended.

Thailand should welcome ANY english speaking foreigner to their Kingdom for free so they can learn english and western ways of doing business.

Western company's focus on quality,efficiency and durability, they need more westerners to show them how that's done. Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

So, apparently, is hoot.jpg

Does hooters-BKK also have a nonstop qeueu? And a machine which announces the number in Thai and in English?

And do the girls have western sized hooters and speak real english?

If so then i have to visit that place soon but i don't believe it yet.