Savangvarorose (1983) studied the needs for using business English in the
Thai business community and if such English was available to students at universities
in terms of relevancy. It was found that business English was important to business
careers in the Thai business community. Writing was used to a considerable degree;
listening, speaking and reading were used to a moderate degree. Translation was used
only a little. A business person had to listen to and speak about general topics and
business accounts or events to a moderate degree, and listen to and speak about
business communication to a considerable degree. As for the curriculum, skills taught
at private universities were more relevant to the needs of the Thai business
community than those taught at the state universities. Moreover, the private
universities had a more direct contact with business persons. Even the business
English content in their curricula corresponded more with the needs of the Thai
business community.