[kictainiSot]

I don't know about in normal schools, but it's certainly possible in language schools. I read an article in the Bangkok Post a while back about the fact that there had been a massive increase in the numbers of people wanting to learn 'putonghua' Chinese in Thailand, and not just by those of Chinese descent either. The reason is apparently the increasing emergence of China as a global and especially regional superpower, and it's giving those with Chinese language skills important advantages in the competitive jobmarkert. As Thailand seems to be deliberately positioning itself as a major trading partner and tourist destination for the Chinese (Chinese opt for Thai holidays), it follows that those who can speak Chinese would be able to increase their employment prospects. At the moment English skills still seem to be more important but maybe this will be different in a decade or so. I don't envy those who have to learn it, I am trying to start learning some myself at the moment and it's very difficult!