Thailand, being one of the world’s top tourist destinations, makes learning Thai an excellent decision, particularly for individuals intending to visit or reside in the country. With its remarkable diversity, Thailand generally exhibits a hospitable attitude towards foreigners.
English is commonly taught in schools, enabling a significant portion of the Thai population to possess conversational or even fluent English skills. However, this proficiency level is influenced by the school and socio-economic background. Individuals residing in major cities like Bangkok or Nonthaburi are more likely to have received English education, whereas those in remote areas tend to have limited exposure to the language.
With approximately 63 million people, Thailand is home to about 17 million individuals who speak English. Despite English being prevalent in Thailand, there will still be situations where merely knowing English is inadequate. Albeit sufficient in major cities and popular tourist destinations, English proficiency diminishes considerably beyond urban areas.
Undoubtedly, the primary motive for learning Thai is to effectively communicate with the people of Thailand in their official language. However, there is a multitude of additional benefits to be gained. It is essential to always show respect for the culture of any foreign country you visit. Learning the language allows for a deeper comprehension of Thai culture, enabling meaningful personal connections with the people of Thailand.
Sample Thai Travel Phrases
If you intend to accomplish all necessary tasks during your trip in Thailand, it is crucial to learn essential survival phrases. Nonetheless, getting started may occasionally pose a challenge. Provided below is a collection of example Thai travel phrases that will give you a good head start. These phrases encompass various aspects such as reserving your flight and accommodations, ordering food, and seeking directions.
What is the cost?
What is the duration of your stay?
Where can we obtain our luggage?
Are there any available rooms?
What is the cost of the room per night?
We would appreciate it if we could request room service.
Pardon me! Can you please tell me the location of the movie theater?
I am aware of its location.
I am uncertain of the location.
I believe I will be capable of locating it.
Which bus number should I board?
Which line should I choose?
Can I find a bus stop nearby?
Can you please escort me to this location?
May I take another look at the menu?
Good Reasons To Start Learning Thai
- Integrate in Thai Society
Although you will always be considered the “Farang” and initial expectations from Thai individuals may not include you learning their language, engaging in a basic conversation in Thai will immediately change their perception of you, leading to increased respect and admiration. Failing to acquire knowledge of Thai language may result in a constant feeling of isolation, regardless of the duration of your stay. Furthermore, if obtaining Thai citizenship is a goal, it is crucial to fulfill the fundamental criterion of conducting an interview with a government official in Thai.
- Thais cannot Gossip you
When communicating with Thais in English, we often experience situations where they suddenly turn to their friends, speak in Thai, and all burst into laughter. Similarly, after concluding a conversation with someone, they might make comments to their friend as we walk away, which generally reflects their thoughts on the discussion. Additionally, while dining with Thai friends, they occasionally talk among themselves in Thai, often discussing their thoughts about us, knowing we are unaware of the language. Learning Thai enables us to stay ahead in these situations, preventing Thais from gossiping about us, and allowing us to respond to their comments.
- Bargaining is easier
Thai people believe that tourists who are not familiar with the fair prices of goods and services can be taken advantage of, especially when it comes to bargaining at markets or negotiating transport costs. It is important to note that this does not apply to everyday shopping at places like 7-Eleven or getting a massage. However, if you are able to speak Thai, the locals will assume that you have spent a considerable amount of time in Thailand and are knowledgeable enough to reject unreasonable price offers.
- Less likely to run into Scams
Typically, scams involve local Thais approaching you, fabricating a story, and then offering a service. For instance, if the Grand Palace is closed, they might bring you to another tourist attraction, such as a gem or tailor shop. Another example is the Patpong Ping Pong Show scam, where they claim the show is free and drinks cost only 100 Baht, but later present you with a bill worth thousands for a couple of beers. It’s important to note that these individuals can also employ the same deceitful tactics in the Thai language. However, if you respond in Thai, they will usually assume that you are aware of their scheme and move on to someone else.
- You start to understand the Thai Way of Thinking
When conversing with a Thai individual in English, there are often instances that make you question: Why does she phrase it this way? For instance, why does she employ the pronoun “she” to encompass both genders? Why would she claim a person is her sister when she truly means they are her close friend? And why does she inquire if you “play” Facebook instead of simply using it? By acquiring knowledge of the Thai language, you will comprehend the reasons behind Thais’ preference for utilizing specific expressions in English, mirroring the manner in which they do so in Thai.
- Better Chances to get a Job
Although most foreigners with high-paying office jobs in Bangkok are not fluent in Thai, having decent Thai language skills can greatly enhance your job application. Thai people often assume that all Farangs, regardless of their origin, possess good English skills, so it is only necessary to have proficiency in English. However, showcasing your proficiency in Thai can provide significant advantages, as Thai people tend to believe that Farangs lack proficiency in the language, regardless of their country of origin.
- You get the Answers to your Questions
When you ask Thai people questions in English, you frequently encounter situations where they either fail to comprehend your meaning or misinterpret it. Even if they are aware of their lack of understanding, they rarely admit to “mai kao jai” and instead provide unrelated answers to your inquiries. Furthermore, even when they do admit to the language barrier, their English expression can be confusing, reinforcing the need to learn Thai in order to receive accurate responses to your questions.
- Thai People encourage you to learn Thai
Regardless of whether you excel in languages or not, regardless of the perceived difficulty of learning Thai (which I personally believe is not the case), the positive aspect is that Thai individuals value any attempt you make to learn their language and will always dedicate time to assist you in acquiring new vocabulary or constructing sentences. While they may be reluctant to teach you profanities, you can always approach Thais, even if you have never interacted with them before, and if they witness your genuine efforts to learn, everyone will be willing to offer assistance.
