453
(English)
11
Guide K
Female
35
Bachelor’s Degree
(Marketing)
10
Phuket
Racha-Coral Islands
Choksomboon Travel
12
Guide L
Male
34
Bachelor’s Degree
(Tourism Industry)
5
Phuket
Racha Islands
Raya Princess
As can be seen, there were only two females while the rest were male tour guides. Their ages
ranged from 25 to 48. In terms of their educational background, many of them completed their
bachelor’s degrees while three of them graduated with high school certificate and only one with high
vocational certificate. Further, the guides are licensed and have professional experiences from 2 to 20
years. They have been working for well-known tour agencies located in Phuket, Krabi, and Pang-nga by
operating six trips – Phi Phi islands, Ao Thalane (kayaking), Similan islands, James Bond islands, Racha
Island, and Racha-Coral islands.
3.
Research Instruments
This study utilized four instruments for collecting data. Firstly, the 4GB UX series digital voice
recorder was used to record the tour guides’ spoken English while they were working for sea travel
programs and for their interviews after the programs. Secondly, a transcription of oral data conducted
by the researcher himself comprised 12 files of the guides. Thirdly, the observation notes written on a
small notebook were used for taking notes of each guide’s daily tour information and views while
being interviewed. Finally, the interview
(Appendix A)
contained flexible questions about three parts
of the guides – backgrounds, views on their spoken English ability, and views on the use of Thai
English. The first part is shown in the subject’s backgrounds (Table 1). The final part highlights the way
the guides judged their English according to the three levels of the lectal varieties of New Englishes
(Platt et al, 1984).
4.
Data collection
Gathering data concerns pre, actual, and post data collection phases. Firstly, the pre-data
collection phase concerned the snowball sampling method by contacting certain tour guides who met
the criteria set. This stage was done with the help of two assistants who were the researcher’s previous
students having connections with the tour guides. The selection of the guides was done in September,
2014 for Krabi trips and from November to December, 2014 for Pang-nga and Phuket trips. Secondly,
the actual data collection stage in Krabi had been from 20-23 October, 2014, about sightseeing and
snorkeling activities along Phi Phi islands and kayaking trips at Thalane Bay. From December 28, 2014 to
January 4, 2015, the trips were on Similan islands, James Bond islands, the Racha Island, and the Racha
and Coral (Hey) islands. In collecting the spoken English data of the guides, the researcher put the
audio-tape recorder into their pockets and took notes during lunch times. Moreover, the interview was
done after the trip’s completion, in either English or Thai, depending on the guides’ preference.
Finally, the spoken data of the guides in Krabi had been transcribed from October 23 to December,
2014, while the transcription of the data from those in Pang-nga and Phuket had been done from
January 5 to March 30, 2015.
5.
Data analysis
The recorded spoken English data of each guide were analyzed by the researcher using ‘textual
analysis’. The data were grouped into phonological, morphological, syntactic, and discourse features
under ‘the mesolectal variety’ of Thai English – a range of an acceptable and understandable level of
Standard English and some non-standard forms of Thai identity. For the interview data, the guides’
