BANGKOK – Conservation activist Siranudh “Psi” Samutt is telling foreign workers in Thailand to speak Thai, sparking a storm of support on social media.
Samutt wrote on his X account that he responds in Thai when foreign staff in restaurants address him in English. He posted the message on Saturday, August 8.
Activist answers English with Thai
If they cannot take his order in Thai, he asks for a Thai employee instead. He said he is in Thailand and prefers to speak Thai.
Foreign workers who come to Thailand without learning the language are exploiting the country’s opportunities, in his view.
Criticism of businesses and foreign labour
Samutt pointed out that Thais working abroad have to develop language skills. Countries like Japan and the US have strong cultures and big international influence, he said.
He also slammed companies. They hire foreign workers to cut costs even though the minimum wage for Thai staff is not high, he claimed. At the same time he called on Thai workers to upgrade their skills.
Thais report English on holiday
Many social media users agreed with Samutt’s stance. Some wrote they had to speak English the whole time during trips to Phuket and Koh Tao.
Others reported Indonesian and Filipino staff in hotels in tourist areas. Some users said they feel uncomfortable relying on English for travel and services in their own country.
Call for a Thai language test
Several Thais said they tried to communicate in English with foreign workers. But they felt those workers made less effort to learn Thai.
Multiple commenters urged the government to introduce a Thai language test for foreigners who want to work in Thailand. They pointed to requirements in other countries as a model.
Around four million foreign workers
A report from the Thai Labour Office from November last year showed around 3.9 to 4 million foreign workers in Thailand. That includes migrant workers who came under cooperation agreements.
The number of foreign workers rose sharply during 2025. After peaking around mid-year it began to drop again.