Bangkok: The Ministry of the Interior has addressed public concerns regarding the recommendation to avoid using the terms 'uncle' and 'auntie' when referring to citizens at public service centers. This clarification comes after an order circulated on social media led to misunderstandings about the directive's nature.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Traisuree Traisaranakul, Secretary to the Minister of Interior and Spokesperson for the Ministry, explained that the recommendation originated from feedback submitted to the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission. Citizens had expressed discomfort with being referred to as 'uncle' and 'auntie' by service personnel at One-Stop Government Service Centers located in shopping malls. The Department of Provincial Administration received these complaints through the Damrongtham Center, prompting the suggestion to use 'you' or 'customer' instead.
The Department of Provincial Administration responded by sending guidance to local offices with Amphoe Yim service counters, where registration and ID card services are provided. These instructions emphasized the importance of politeness and adherence to international communication standards when interacting with the public. However, Ms. Traisuree highlighted that the suggestion to avoid certain pronouns is not a mandate; officials are encouraged to exercise discretion and adapt to the context of each interaction to ensure customer satisfaction.
Ms. Traisuree also noted that the initial communication from the department may have lacked clarity, leading to public confusion. To address this, the Office of Registration Administration is preparing a new letter to provide clearer guidance on the matter.