Basically what the AEC means is a future with much greater and freer flow of capital, goods, services, and labor among the ASEAN countries. This means that Thais will encounter a much great number of individuals from neighboring countries such as students, teachers/professors, tourists, customers, employers, traders, businessmen, artistic and cultural performers, and laborers. Since few of these individuals will know Thai, it is imperative to communicate with them effectively in English and/or their native languages.