Sunday, December 26, 2010

Working out the Kinks with your Thai Staff – a Thai perspective


How many times have you been to a restaurant and heard someone utter the words, “My Thai staff are so incompetent!” followed by a long sigh? It’s happened to me over a dozen times in a dozen different restaurants while in Thailand. It’s very true that the Thai staff have a different and sometimes strange way of thinking when it comes to working under an expat. I myself being what is referred to as a lookkrueng, or a child of two halves understand where both parties are coming from. This is what both Thai’s and their expat superiors need to see, the view of both sides.

From the Thai side, they see expats as people who are generally very professional and willing to understand the divide in the two cultures. However there are some pointers that Thai staff generally would like to give to new expats. Firstly, when working with your Thai staff, it is important not underestimate their ability. Many times there have been situations where expats have been transferred to be the head or support of the business activities and think that they know everything after only being here for a short period of time.

Another thing that Thais would like to point out to expats is that they have been brought up a different way than their expat counter parts. It is not usual for the education system to encourage questioning superiors in Thailand. As a result this often leads to misunderstandings because Thai staff are too shy to ask for clarification. It is the responsibility for the expat to ask if the Thai staff understand (usually repeating the instructions work best). Lastly, along with the Thai mentality of not questioning superiors, expats needs to lead the staff in their work and stay close and aware of what they are doing so that the staff are never wondering what their next task is. But leading them is not enough, because they don’t tend to speak out (even if they know something is very wrong!), it is suggested that the boss ask for input from the Thai staff.

It often seems that the Thai staff are never at fault, and that the expat just needs to get a grasp on how the Thai working mentality functions, however this is far from the case. After listening to Thais I have realized that many do admit in their faults. It is common for them to realize that their punctuality is less than perfect and that blaming lateness on traffic jams can only get you so far. Thais do admit that their professionalism is not up to that of their foreign counter parts and that they need to change their “play first and do work” attitude.

In conclusion to get the most out of your Thai staff, it is suggested that more communication is needed and that if you accept these basic observations, things between you and your Thai staff should go more smoothly. Understanding both sides of the coin provides opportunities for expats to create working environments that can counter the above problems.

Written by Ben Henderson
Edited by Stuart Blott, General Manager, Sutlet Group

2 comments:

  1. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


    1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
    2. Telephone Numbers:……….
    3. Address and Location:…….
    4. Amount in request………..
    5. Repayment Period:………..
    6. Purpose Of Loan………….
    7. country…………………
    8. phone…………………..
    9. occupation………………
    10.age/sex…………………
    11.Monthly Income…………..
    12.Email……………..

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  2. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Ahmad Asnul Brunei, I contacted Mr Osman Loan Firm for a business loan amount of $250,000, Then i was told about the step of approving my requested loan amount, after taking the risk again because i was so much desperate of setting up a business to my greatest surprise, the loan amount was credited to my bank account within 24 banking hours without any stress of getting my loan. I was surprise because i was first fall a victim of scam! If you are interested of securing any loan amount & you are located in any country, I'll advise you can contact Mr Osman Loan Firm via email osmanloanserves@gmail.com

    LOAN APPLICATION INFORMATION FORM
    First name......
    Middle name.....
    2) Gender:.........
    3) Loan Amount Needed:.........
    4) Loan Duration:.........
    5) Country:.........
    6) Home Address:.........
    7) Mobile Number:.........
    8) Email address..........
    9) Monthly Income:.....................
    10) Occupation:...........................
    11)Which site did you here about us.....................
    Thanks and Best Regards.
    Derek Email osmanloanserves@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete