Abstract:
The objective of this research is to study the effect of the free movement of Singaporean architects to Thailand after the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. This free flow of the architectural labor forces will involve a various pattern of operational processes under the Thai law as well as under the rules and regulations of the Architect Council of Thailand. This research also studies the responsibilities at different levels and the positions of Singaporean architects in which they will be working in architectural services in Thailand. This research divides the population into three groups and uses the purposive sampling method. Data and information were gathered from the three groups by using interview forms and questionnaires. These three groups are: 1) Experts in the area of the implementation of the free trade AEC in architectural services as well as in the real estate sector. 2) Executives and high ranking officers in property development enterprises. 3) Architects as individuals. The samples in groups 2 and 3 came from the property development enterprises or the joint venture architect firms with Singapore partners who are responsible for the condominium residential projects. For the six case studies, the process involved gathering information, analyses and conclusions on the result. The result of this study reveals that after the implementation of AEC in 2015, Singaporean architects will come and work in Thailand in two main categories 1) Invest in the form of a juristic person. Singaporean architects will set up a private company limited in Thailand. 2) Singaporean architect as an individual. Singaporean architects will come and work in individual projects. All of which will have adverse affects on Thai architects as well as Thai architectural firms in many dimensions. After the implementation of AEC, any company limited in Thailand will be able to hire Singaporean architects instead of Thai architects under the concept of the ASEAN Architect. In the beginning of most projects, Singaporean architects will be first chosen to deal with the communication processes with the owners of the projects. Later in the process, when communication with Thai staff and workers is needed, then the Thai architects will be chosen to fulfill these processes and to avoid misunderstanding and errors in communication. In summary, in order to cope with the free flow of Singaporean architects, Thai architects as well as the Thai Architecture Industry as a whole need ongoing development programs to improve their levels of competency as well as language skills. In the public sector, the Thai government needs to support and promote the potential of Thai architects. The Thai government also needs to focus and consider the fair adjustment of the architectural fees structure which is high during the beginning of almost every project when Singaporean architects are chosen for the job and the very low architect fees for Thai architects later in the project