Bangkok Blogs

Bangkok is a fast growing modern metropolis with numerous foreign influences as can be seen over the course of its rapid expansion. Bangkokians are happy to embrace capitalism and globalisation in exchange for a better standard of living and to do this properly, they need to be able to communicate with foreigners by learning foreign languages.

English has undoubtedly been by far the most popular foreign language among Bangkokians. It’s a compulsory course from secondary education up until university levels. Most people seem to love the language and with good English skills, you’re more likely to get a decent job as a result. English language schools can be seen everywhere you go and they generate a good source of income for the owners. Moreover, many farangs living in Thailand benefit hugely from increasing demand for native speakers of English too. It all seems rosy for the English language in the City of Angels.

However, the trend is set to change according to a recent survey which reveals that more and more Bangkokians have now chosen to learn Chinese as a second language. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, there’s a relatively large Chinese-Thai community in Bangkok. In fact, about 15% of the Bangkok population are of Chinese race. That’s nearly 2 million people. The other reason is of course the ever increasing economic and cultural power of China whose economy has been growing at a staggering 10% per annum on average over the past 2 decades.

Personally, I’d love to be able to speak Chinese too but I find it too difficult. I used to learn it for 2 years before I left Thailand for a spell in the UK and I don’t mind admiting to failing it every semester. Think that well sums up my biased perception of the language. Many of my mates say I will be at a disadvantage if I don’t start learning Chinese soon. They might be right or they might be wrong, I don’t know and couldn’t care less.

According to another recent study, however, it has been revealed that many Bangkokians now encounter difficulty spelling or even pronouncing Thai. How ironic it is. People are putting a lot of time and effort into mastering foreign languages but they come unstuck with their mother tongue. It’s such an irony but many Bangkokians don’t seem to care much.

To be perfectly honest with you, I reckon Thai is a beautiful and dynamic language and it would be a massive blow if it was replaced by either English or any other foreign language. Yes, such a fear might be a bit overblown but evidence of poorer use of Thai by Bangkokians, in particular the young, is for real and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Not sure if this is relevant but I myself mainly watch British TV, including soaps (Eastenders and Corrie), dramas and other major shows downloaded off the Internet. I also read BBC news on a daily basis. Mind you, however enjoyable this article may seem, it’s been written by a hypocrite!