How long needed to learn to speak basic Thai

[expat71NL]

Can anyone give me an idea how long it will take to learn to speak basic Thai? I have been in Thailand many times and am aware that I can live there comfotably without learning to speak Thai. However I know that I will feel a lot more comfortable if I can understand what people around me are saying. I speak and write fluent English and Dutch and studied French, German and Latin in school (although I never had much reason to use them later). Is the Asian symbol alphabet easy to pick up? Is the pronunciation a problem? Can I pick up basic Thai in a couple of months or will it take much longer? I am very interested in your experiences.

[PeteC]

It all depends upon your commitment. Before I go further, take a look at this link provided by one of HHAD's sponsors. Something like that is really your best bet if you're serious, and can help you with a visa as well. http://huahinmedia.com/huahintlc.php

Thai is tonal, so there can be multiple meanings for a Thai word our untrained Western ear thinks is the same word, but is not. I believe Thai has 26 consonants and 42 vowels, but I could be off a few.

Beware of learning Thai from the girls in a bar. Some of it could be words and phrases you won't want to use in discussions. Having said that, they'll speak simple, pigeon Thai to you so you can pick up some useful words/phrases/meanings quite quickly. Over to others. Pete

[loverboy44]

Hi!
Basically there are 2 ways to learn Thai and i have to agree to PRC it depends on your commitment.
I went to school in Phuket and had the choice of learning reading and writing which takes a lot of time which i hadn't have that time or you learn it with roman letters in some sort of english translation for example "mee" is "to have".
That surely isn't the best way but it helped me to learn "basic Thai".
Anyway the first course took 4 weeks with 40 hours and it helped me a lot also because the learning material was constructed that you could easily go further alone without a teacher.
The better way for sure is to learn to read and write which i tried to but my job that time didn't allow me to.
Hope that helps.
By the way it was Patong Language School.

[expat71NL]

Thanks for your comments. I have managed to get hold of a copy of "Thai for beginners" along with the accompanying CD's. I'll try to get through this in the coming weeks.

[buksida]

I'd say about 6 months for basic speaking and another year or so for reading and writing.

As said it all depends on how much you really want to learn. I've never had lessons or been to classes, just got a couple of decent books and added 5 words a day to my vocabulary then went out there and practiced them. Some I'd remember instantly and others would come back into conversation a couple of days later, they remain in memory even if you forget them the first day.

Don't be afraid of getting funny looks because of mis-pronunciation, its how you learn and most Thais will be happy you're making the effort and happy to teach you the correct way.

[expat71NL]

Thanks. That's the way I learned Dutch many years ago. Had all the problems mentioned above (slightly wrong pronunciation and no one knows what your talking about). The advantage then was that the Dutch use almost a standard alphabet (with the exception of "ij" and "y" and all the accents). I'll do my best. in Thai men and women have to use different words, something else I will have to get used to.

[Roel]

Hi expat71nl, it wont be easy but it can be done. Having a Thai girlfriend who does not speak a word of English did help me a great deal with it. Further I can advise you these links (but of course there are many many more books and sites nowadays). I found these very good:

http://www.lyndonhill.com/FunThai/CONTENTS.html

http://www.learningthai.com/

I agree with Buksida and within 1 year you must be able to have a social chat with your Thai neighbours and to explain to the workers you hired what they did wrong.

[Spitfire]

I always found, and still find, a very useful book is called "The fundamentals of the Thai Language". Problems is that it is, or was, out of print but that may have changed, not sure, perhaps not though as haven't seen a new edition of it.

You might be able to find a copy of it around or even download it from somewhere on the net. My copy is a bit frayed and battered now but serves well.

Never understood why it went out of print as it is/was so good, got everything in it.

Agree with the above comments about it being down to you and your endeavour levels.

[Roel]

Hi Spitfire,

Actually the first link in my previous post is an online copy of The Fundamentals of Thai Language. A very good book indeed. Have fun everyone.

[Hilux]

I did the B1 (beginner one) at TLC in Hua Hin and can only recommend it. It will take you 5 weeks (20 hours), it covers the fundamentals and if you work with it in your daily life - and not only in school - you will be able to communicate in basic terms after the course.

[usual suspect]

I got a book/CD combination called 'Colloquial-Thai' It is available in both European bookstores, and in Hua-Hin..not cheap..maybe 40 Euros but has helped me..and its format is simple.
I pair that book up with the 'Rough-Guide's' small dictionary and have learnt lots.

[BaaBaa.]

in Thai men and women have to use different words, something else I will have to get used to.

Not really??????!!!!!

[PeteC]

in Thai men and women have to use different words, something else I will have to get used to.

Not really??????!!!!!

One is the 'Krup', 'Ka' thing. Another could be the 'poom' for me. I'm not sure if woman can use that? Pete

[BaaBaa.]

in Thai men and women have to use different words, something else I will have to get used to.

Not really??????!!!!!

One is the 'Krup', 'Ka' thing. Another could be the 'poom' for me. I'm not sure if woman can use that? Pete

Women use Chan, but thats about it is far as I'm aware, Not really difficult though is it?

The trickiest thing with Thai (if you wanted to be truly fluent) is all the different statuses, as in Nung, Pee etc,etc.

[BaaBaa.]

Does anybody know the literal translation of the pet name my lady calls me "Wan", I presume it's a term of endearment as she does always follow it with "Ka"