I live in Bangkok. Most Thais can speak more English than I speak Thai.
For the basic basic needs, it is amazing how many speak it.
For true conversational English, that is a Hi-So thing.
What I am missing here is your thesis that Thai people do not speak it, or are afraid to.
it is a status symbol to speak English, and if there is a frustration, it is that Thai people PRETEND to understand, and it is only later if you ask a follow up question you realize, they have not followed .. at all.
Since you have not supplied a link to watch ... umm ... "no further comment."