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Notes -
Your dismissal of the English abilities of Thai people in Bangkok is a surprise to me. I was there in February at the Landmark (a relatively nice hotel) and it wasn't at all difficult to find completely fluent English speakers. Later near Krabi I stopped at a pharmacy for a cough suppressant and not only was the young woman completely fluent but was able to explain to me quite clearly when and how to take the medicine and field questions about dosage. Generally I found people in Thailand who were in a position to speak to non-Thais were very competent English-speakers, though I am probably comparing to Japan.
Edit： Is there a culture war angle I am not getting?
I have no vested interest in downplaying the English speaking skills of the Thai people, so perhaps you lucked out in that regard.
I did meet a tour organizer in Bangkok who was passably fluent, but that was before I wrote my post. The majority don't speak it well from what I can still tell.
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