More than half of the skilled labourers and professionals in Thailand lack a good understanding of the upcoming Asean Economic Community, according to an in-depth survey by University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), and not many of those polled see how it will benefit them.
The AEC will result in the free flow of skilled labour within Asean member countries after it comes into effect in 2015. Skilled workers and professionals are expected to flow into the Kingdom, especially from Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. Service careers such as nursing and dentistry are expected to see particular movement, resulting in high competition in the local workforce.