Phuket
Thais in Phuket confident in English skills, but foreigners disagree

PHUKET: The results of the latest Phuket Gazette online poll show that a strong majority of foreign and expat residents find English-language skills in the local tourism industry very poor – but the small fraction of Thais who took part tended to rate them quite highly.
A total of 1,864 people took part in the two-week poll launched on May 22, which asked readers: Phuket is among the best-known international tourist destinations in Asia. As such, how would you rate the overall English-language skills of local people working in the tourism industry here?
Overall, just over half of those who took part (51.3%) rated them “incomprehensible”, while 22.7% rated them as “poor”. Another 15.2% thought they were “fair”, while only 6.9% described them as “very good”. The least popular reply was “excellent”, at just 3.9% of the total vote.
There was a stark disparity among the three demographic groups: those who identified themselves as “Thais”, “foreign local residents” and “tourists”.
Tourists had the least flattering assessment, with 65% choosing “incomprehensible” and 13% opting for “poor”. Only 2% of tourists chose “excellent”.
In stark contrast, of those identifying themselves as Thais 44% chose “excellent” followed by 21% who chose “very good”.
Among those identifying themselves as expats, who accounted for almost half (48.3%) of the total vote, the most popular choice was “incomprehensible” (43%), followed by “poor” (33%), “fair” (18%), “very good” (5%) and “excellent” (1%).
To view the full results click here.
To vote in the new poll click here.
To comment leave a post in our readers poll below. The Phuket Gazette welcomes all comments that meet our house rules.
To view an editorial on this topic, pick up a copy of the next edition of the Phuket Gazette available at news stands across the island this weekend.
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Crime3 days ago
From Pattaya with Love, or How To Win Friends and Taser People!
-
Central Thailand2 days ago
Cannabis vendor in central Thailand is making bank
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days ago
It’s official – face masks now voluntary in most places in Thailand
-
Cannabis4 days ago
Phuket public health office says smoking cannabis is legal, but…
-
Crime3 days ago
Thai woman confesses to beating 6 year old granddaughter to death with pestle
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)13 hours ago
Thailand to be “post pandemic” this week, not endemic
-
Pattaya4 days ago
Pattaya bans local vendors from Na Jomtien Beach
-
China19 hours ago
Boost to tourism industry as China resumes flights to Thailand
You must be logged in to post a comment Login