"...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.

They started preparation already: they build a park

C'mon folks, why bother, the average Thai person couldn't give a rats A about AEC. The "Education system" just played games and didn't progress further than having their students remember the capital cities and even then only the brightest remembered!

As was once said in a speech on one Xmas, "The Thai people should use their skills and talents to create a "subsistance society" so that they can live in peace and harmony with the world, neither being the best nor the worst, with a society that is comfortable within its own borders!

Wise words from a wise man.

Sizzlers is a great example how it's done.

Margarine on a baked potato? I don't think so.