Resources for Learning Thai Language

I had hired a private tutor for a three month period. She came out to where I lived twice a week for an hour and a half session each time. We mostly held conversational Thai and did not cover reading and writing. I got a work book with phonetic pronunciation, but we didn't get that far in the book. We focused mostly on conversation because that was what I had requested. I found my tutor in the classifieds section of the Bangkok Post. I specifically wanted someone who would make the trip to the outskirts of the city after work so I wouldn't have to, and she did just that and it was very convenient for me. Looking back, a class would have worked better for me, as far as retaining what I had learned, because I perform better as a student, especially if assigned homework.

How did I find my tutor? The English Language newspapers such as The Bangkok Post and The Nation both have classifieds sections that Thai tutors post ads. If you live in a small town or in the outskirts of Bangkok, ask around expat clubs, or your Thai colleagues.

If you live outside Thailand and need to get a head start learning Thai before going to Thailand, there are a couple of ways to learn some Thai. One is to go to your local Thai temple. Oftentimes it will have classes for adults. You might otherwise have to hire a Thai tutor for one on one training. Look up ads in Craigslist or post one yourself for a language partner.

More and more Thai language schools have opened their doors in Bangkok in recent years, some schools better than others. It's nice to have a choice, though, especially if you need to make a trip into the central area of Bangkok, having a variety of class offerings that fit your schedule makes it possible to attend a school.

Some expat recommended Thai language schools in Bangkok:

Piammitr Language School Tel: 02-661-7767
21st Floor Unit A, Jasmine City Building, 2, Soi Prasarnmitr (Sukhumvit 23)

Thai Language Achievement School Tel: 02-219-2874
128/216 Phayatai Plaza Building, 20th Floor, Phaya Thai Rd., (Phaya Thai BTS Station)

Unity Thai Language School Tel: 02-653-1538
15th Floor 01 Times Square Building, 246 Sukhumvit Rd.

Jentana & Associates Tel: 02-260-6138
5/8 Sukhumvit Soi 31 (Phrom Phong BTS station, past the Emporium)

AUA Language Center Tel: 02-252-8170
179 Rajadamri Road, Lumpini, Patumwan
AUA's teaching style may be good for some students, but some are not comfortable: students sit in a classroom and watch two teachers play act in Thai; no English is spoken. The students do not say anything for about a year. If this method would be good for you, give them a call.

Those are the expat recommended local Thai language schools. There are many more, though, and if you'd like to judge for yourself which one is right for you, the link below has a list of many more Thai language centers and schools offered.
not only in Bangkok, but also in Chiang Mai and Phuket.
LearningThai.com's Thai Language Schools

Are you just visiting Thailand for a short while and only need relevant Travel vocabulary? This is the book for you; your handy travel companion in the Land of Smiles. It contains hundreds of useful words and phrases for many situations. This book is especially designed for travelers with up-to-date and practical phrases that can be used instantly. The audio CD that accompanies the book will help you improve your pronunciation and expedite your Thai language learning. You can use it conveniently without having knowledge of the Thai language.


Thai For Beginners is consistently one of the best books for a beginning learner. You learn the Paiboon phonetic system, which has been deemed by Thai language learners to be one of the closest matches to real Thai sounds. You learn the alphabet, how to write and most of all, how to speak and listen correctly. This volume also comes with an audio CD with native Thai speakers, so you can follow along in your book and familiarize yourself with the spoken word.


This practical dictionary is designed to help English speakers like you communicate in Thai, whether or not you can read the Thai alphabet. It's a perfect fit with our other books, such as Thai for Beginners. Unlike traditional dictionaries, there are three sections: you can look up an English word in the English section, look up a Thai word you read using the Thai Script section, or look up a Thai word you hear by its sound in the unique Thai Sound section.


Each volume in the Speak Like a Thai series comes with a booklet and audio CD. Yours truly (that's me, the author) is the native English speaking female in Volumes 2-5 (and Volume 6, to be released by March 2009).

CONTEMPORARY THAI EXPRESSIONS The Thai language program you have been waiting for! After using this program, you will be amazed with the new way you are able to express yourself in Thai. The key words and phrases in this first volume are carefully chosen from from many sources where they are randomly spoken or written by Thai people.

THAI SLANG AND IDIOMS This booklet is the best collection of Thai slang words you will ever find. The accompanying CD will help you learn and remember the words and phrases quickly. It's a handy and useful program for Thai learners of all levels.




THAI PROVERBS AND SAYINGS This volume lists 400 common Thai proverbs and sayings that are understood and often used by and among Thai people. Each entry has an English translation first, then the transliteration, the phase in the Thai language and finally a literal translation.




HEART WORDS The Heart Words volume contains 300 common contemporary "heart" words and phrases. They are recorded on the CD and explained in the booklet with a brief translation, a literal translation and used in a sample phrase or sentence. More than a hundred bonus heart words are included in the booklet for your reference.




NORTHEASTERN DIALECT Wherever you go in Thailand, you will meet people from the Northeast region (Isaan). This is the perfect phrase book for learning this dialect. The Northeastern dialect is almost the same as the Lao language so it can be used in Laos as well.

The Expat Woman's Guide to Living in Thailand (That Men Find Useful, Too!)

This blog and e-book guide is the only source of information for female expats living and/or working in Thailand. Most websites and guidebooks for expats in Thailand are for men since there are far fewer women in residence. We have different needs than do male expats and this comprehensive blog and e-book is filled with useful, up to date information. Topics include:
* Clothing size differences and what you should bring from your home country.
* Which restaurants throughout Thailand serve the western food you crave are worth visiting.
* Additional shopping you will need for your apartment, condo or house after moving in, even if it's furnished.
* A nightlife section that is not concentrated on the go-go bar scene.
* Safety tips for women in Thailand.
* Health and beauty tips not addressed in male oriented guides.
* Maternity and childbirth from a western female's perspective.

Filled with 170 pages of up to date and timely information, photos and anecdotes especially tailored for female expats: Single, married with families, and retired alike.

But guys, you're welcome here, too! There is no male bashing in this e-book. Men should be aware of safety tips and have the resources to find good restaurants just as much as women. If you're a dad, you'll find the information on hiring a nanny, finding a school and selecting a hospital to be of great importance for your family.

So come on over to The Expat Woman's Guide to Living in Thailand (That Men Find Useful, Too!) for helpful weekly or bi-weekly posts for expats.