Where (and why) you should learn Thai

I can tell you from personal experience that choosing the right Thai language school is crucial. The one I studied at had its advantages, but also a considerable number of disadvantages!

Of course, you don't have to be in Thailand or attend a formal language course to learn Thai, although both (especially immersion in the language) make it significantly easier. I'll discuss other ways to learn Thai shortly.

Speaking English in Thailand is relatively easy, especially if you plan to spend two weeks or less in the Kingdom. However, learning Thai offers many advantages. Read on to find out what I mean!

Why you should learn Thai in Thailand

To be honest, I didn't initially enroll in a Thai language school so much to learn Phaasaa Thai, but rather to be able to live legally during the first few months of my stay in Thailand. Being able to speak the language was tempting, but for me it was more of an added bonus than a necessity. After all, up until then I had only managed to get by with English in Thailand.

The question you should be asking yourself, however, isn't "Do Thais speak English?" (they can, at least in many cases), but rather how much easier your life will be if you learn Thai. From cheaper prices at tourist attractions to conversations with the friendly people selling street food, knowing Thai (and taking Thai language courses in Bangkok) significantly improved my life in Thailand. I can't imagine it will be the same for you.

Frequently asked questions about learning Thai in Thailand

Is Thai an easy language?

Is Thai easy? Well, that depends on what you mean by "easy" and what your point of reference is! I learned Thai after having learned Mandarin years earlier; personally, I find Thai much easier. This is due both to the relaxed rules of spoken Thai and to the fact that the Thai alphabet is less complicated and extensive than the opaque system of Chinese characters.

How long does it take to learn the Thai language?

Your Thai language school (whether in Bangkok or elsewhere) will likely have its own opinion on this, but I would say that if you live in Thailand and practice daily, you can become fluent in Thai within one to two years. I deliberately say "fluent"—you won't be writing (or reading) novels or giving interviews. But you will be able to communicate more or less without English, and that's the whole point.

Where can I learn Thai?

I generally recommend learning Thai in Thailand if possible, but of course it's also possible online. There are numerous apps, not to mention older solutions like the Rosetta Stone software. Ultimately, it doesn't matter exactly where in Thailand you learn. Although various dialects are spoken throughout the kingdom, you'll always learn standard Thai.

Where is the best place to learn Thai?

To answer this question specifically, I recommend you read a few paragraphs below. There you will find some recommendations for the best Thai language schools throughout Thailand. Generally, it's important to choose a school near you whose timetable doesn't completely disrupt your daily routine. The more naturally you learn Thai, the more you will benefit!

How does the Thai alphabet work?

I recently read an article explaining that the Thai script isn't technically an alphabet. I don't recall the official term—and frankly, I don't really care. Like English and most other languages, Thai has vowels and consonants, but in greater number and complexity than any Western language. Once you get used to the unusual shape and the… redundancy of the Thai alphabet, I think it's relatively easy.

Popular language schools in Thailand

Whether you are learning Thai in Thailand or in a remote part of the country, here are some popular language schools across the kingdom:

Is it possible to learn Thai online?

As with practically every other language in the world, you can of course learn Thai online. But nothing replaces immersion in the language, not even an excellent teacher and a fast video connection. I owe my current Thai skills at least as much to my daily attempts at conversation during my stay in Bangkok as to what I learned in class.

This is especially true for reading and writing the Thai alphabet, which I actually do better than listening! Through daily reading of Thai texts, I've practically internalized the script in my sleep. Therefore, I want to emphasize once again that mastering the Thai alphabet is an essential component of the most effective and meaningful way to learn Thai (whether in Bangkok or online).

Other frequently asked questions about studying Thai in Thailand

How much does it cost to study Thai in Thailand?

Compared to language courses in other countries, learning Thai in Thailand is relatively inexpensive. When I studied from March 2017 to March 2018, I paid about 30,000 baht (approximately US$1,000) for my one-year course. Keep in mind that the costs can be higher if you study at a university or take private lessons (as opposed to group classes at a language school). In some cases, this can be significantly more expensive.

Is Thai difficult to learn?

Thai is not a difficult language in some respects. The grammar is very simple; once you overcome the initial difficulty of the Thai alphabet, it is quite easy and intuitive. On the other hand, Thai is a tonal language, which is generally a rather difficult concept for non-Asians.

Why are there no spaces in Thai?

While spaces do exist in Thai writing, they are not used between words. Instead, spaces are used to separate paragraphs or sentences. Native speakers can recognize the beginning and end of words even without spaces, which is why inserting spaces between words in Thai texts is unnecessary.

Conclusion

Believe me when I say you should be very careful when choosing a Thai language school. Whether it's the teachers themselves or other factors like the quality of the learning environment and proximity to your home, not all schools in Thailand are created equal. On the other hand, moving to Thailand isn't a requirement to learn Thai (neither in Bangkok nor elsewhere). You can now learn Thai remotely, especially if you're planning to live in Bangkok in the medium to long term. Curious about visas for learning Thai? Click here to learn more about Thai visas, including the ED visa (educational visa).