People in Thailand speak relatively good English – at least those you meet as a tourist. Understandably so: anyone who relies on foreign visitors needs to be able to communicate with them.

On the other hand, it's advantageous to have some knowledge of Phaasa Thai – and I don't just mean "Sawasdee" and "Kob Khun". Of course, mastering these basic polite phrases will get you far.

In this article, I will not only continue to advocate for learning the Thai language, but also help you decide where you can learn Thai – regardless of whether you plan to travel to Thailand soon or not.

Why I finally decided to learn Thai

When I first started looking for a place to learn Thai, it was more out of necessity. It was December 2016, and Donald Trump had just been elected US president for the first time. Unlike most left-leaning Americans, I was serious when I said I would leave the country if that orange-clad jerk won. When I started making plans, Thailand was the only destination I seriously considered.

I wasn't sure how long I would need to stay in Thailand, and—more out of fear than anything else—I didn't want to risk entering and leaving the country dozens (or more) of times a year on a tourist visa. So I applied for a long-term education visa, which required me to enroll in Thai language courses at a local language school. To be clear: I'd always wanted to learn Thai. But I only did it when I had to!

How (and where) to learn Thai

At a language school in Thailand

Thailand offers numerous language schools, whether you're looking for a large or small institution, and regardless of where in Thailand you want to study. All of them should be able to assist you with your ED visa application, although the effort required may vary depending on the staff's helpfulness.

From a private Thai tutor

This can be the best option for learning Thai in Thailand if you truly want to master the language. However, keep in mind that private tutors typically cannot apply for an ED visa on your behalf. Therefore, you will need an alternative way to legally reside in Thailand during your studies.

At a university in Thailand

If you are studying at a Thai university (or participating in an exchange program with a university in your home country), you may be able to learn Thai on campus. Depending on your language skills, you may also be able to complete regular coursework in Thai, in addition to or even instead of your native language.

Using a speech application

If you don't have the financial means to learn Thai in Bangkok or even travel through Thailand, don't worry. You can theoretically learn Thai on your own, although it will be challenging. However, please note that the world's most popular language learning app (Duolingo) unfortunately does not offer Thai at the time of writing.

A relationship or marriage with a Thai person

As someone who is married to a Thai woman, I can tell you: if you have a Thai partner, you have to speak a lot more Thai! On the other hand, this is often only of limited use outside the relationship, as you often speak very informal and even broken Thai with your spouse or partner.

Is learning the Thai language really necessary?

Although I've been speaking Thai (more or less) for almost ten years now, I'm still amazed at how easy it is to get by entirely in English, especially on Thailand's tourist trails. When I first started learning Thai and trying to become fluent, my main problem was that people would answer me in English, even if I'd spoken to them in Thai first. It was incredibly frustrating – I literally had to travel off the beaten track to practice!

Although I studied in Bangkok, I assume this is also the case if you want to learn Thai in Chiang Mai or another major city. Especially in northern Thailand, English is practically useless in rural areas anyway. In short: learning Thai isn't strictly necessary, but it's more helpful than you might think.

Other frequently asked questions about learning the Thai language

Is Thai an easy language to learn?

Thai is easy in some respects, mainly because it doesn't have a grammar in the conventional sense. On the other hand, many foreigners find it difficult to master the tones of spoken Thai, and they struggle to read and write the Thai alphabet.

Can I learn Thai with Duolingo?

Duolingo doesn't currently offer Thai language courses, which I don't consider a great loss. While you can learn vocabulary and basic words and phrases with Duolingo, I've never found it particularly helpful for becoming fluent in a language.

How can I teach myself Thai?

Thai is a difficult language that is hard to learn on your own, especially if you've never learned an Asian language before. Understanding the tones, which are essential for pronunciation and comprehension, can be particularly challenging without a teacher (or at least a Thai native speaker) to demonstrate them.

Conclusion

I hope you now have a clearer idea of ​​where you can learn Thai – and why, if you're still undecided. Speaking Thai offers many advantages: for example, you'll less likely pay the "foreigner price" and can more easily discover remote places in Thailand. If you plan to live in Thailand long-term, the Thai language can make buying property, finding a job, or even finding a partner and getting married to a Thai person easier. Plus, speaking Thai is fun (and reading and writing it, if you're interested!). Do you need individual support in finding the right place and the right learning method? Then consider professional help.