The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will take full effect in 2015. At that time, the ASEAN region will become a single market and production base. It will open borders for freer mobility of goods, services, capital and skilled labour. All parties involved in Thailand need to prepare themselves for this change, which will affect the country's economic development. However, awareness of the impact and the country's preparation for the AEC are weak. The freer mobility of skilled labour in the region has a direct impact on job possibilities for Thais, since English is the working language in ASEAN and also the language of commerce. English skills need to be improved among the Thai graduate workforce in order to increase their competitiveness in the regional job market. English prof iciency has always been a major problem in Thailand. Adjustments in learning-teaching English and learners' self-practice are necessary. This article presents limitations on current learning-teaching situations and also offers suggestions on adaptation in order to develop English prof iciency to embrace the oncoming change.