Thais have been criticized by one of their own for not being able to communicate well in foreign languages.
Deputy PM Thanasak Patimaprakorn said that this inability was holding back tourism development in many sectors, especially the cruise boat market.
Thanasak was speaking after the results of a survey conducted by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the tourism industry association and an investment group were announced.
The survey was conducted concerning the cruise ship market and noted that while business for Laem Chabang and Koh Samui was doing well Phuket had lost its way.
Phuket – once considered one of the prime locations for visiting ships in Asia – was now lagging far behind, reported Thai Rath.
The influential news organization screamed in its headline that the reason for this was Thais were so weak at foreign languages.
The minister said that inability to communicate with foreigners was cited as one of two main reasons for the pleasure boat business in Phuket to be floundering. The other was poor service not matching the requirements of international travelers on cruise liners.
The problem with English teachers in Thailand is they can’t speak English
Thai Rath said that these kinds of tourists were needed as they spent an average of 6,174 baht a day.
And the cruise boat market was one of the fastest growing sectors with the Thais wanting to see a large slice of the action.
But language ability as well as poor service was holding them back. Source: Thairaith
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