Asia - Advice for learning Thai language (as a visitor)

I was wondering if anybody could suggest any books/CDs that are effective for learning some Thai.

I have 6 months before my trip and will be willing to spend 2-3 hours a week on this. However, I don’t expect to continue learning to fluency. I’m just looking to gain a basic vocabulary and communicate with a degree of courtesy.

I’ve no experience with any tonal language, so even this modest accomplishment seems incredibly daunting.

Kop khun kha

(Mrs) LapLap

I had a Pimsleur Thai audio course once that was pretty decent...and don't fret too much about the tones, unless you really want to have a high-level conversation, getting around is pretty simple by just using words in the correct context. In terms of courtesy, a smile and a 'wai' along with the thanks will get you a long way...it magically lights up the attitude of anyone you're dealing with.

I was wondering if anybody could suggest any books/CDs that are effective for learning some Thai.

I have 6 months before my trip and will be willing to spend 2-3 hours a week on this. However, I don’t expect to continue learning to fluency. I’m just looking to gain a basic vocabulary and communicate with a degree of courtesy.

I’ve no experience with any tonal language, so even this modest accomplishment seems incredibly daunting.

Kop khun kha

(Mrs) LapLap

Check out this web site for free Thai lessons (http://www.learningthai.com) . You can also purchase CD's books etc. The free lessons are very good where you click on the words or phrases and a Thai person speaks so you can learn the tones etc.


Randy and Ning

Another web site. http://www.thai-language.com/

Just received my 'compact'/'world citizen' 10 lesson Pimsleur course.

(Pimsleur is virtually unknown in the UK and only has one official UK stockist over here).

So far so good it seems.

I'll report later in the year as to what my progress was really like.

Thanks for the website links, a bit hard to make use of them as a complete beginner. I hope I can pick up vocabulary with them later once I have some sort of base.

Do you know where I print out most frequent used words or phrases ? Thanks. I am not ambitious. Just want to know and show some one in case I need help ? Thanks.

Like allthai, I recommend www.learningthai.com
So many levels from complete beginner to advanced.

My best advice to someone wanting to learn to speak Thai is to learn their Alphabet and vowel combinations. Just the basics of reading is enough... it will help with your pronounciation.

Like allthai, I recommend www.learningthai.com
So many levels from complete beginner to advanced.

My best advice to someone wanting to learn to speak Thai is to learn their Alphabet and vowel combinations. Just the basics of reading is enough... it will help with your pronounciation.

I second all of this completely. I learned a LOT off of LearningThai.com--I started with the "Manee and friends" and went from there. For me, learning the alphabet and tone rules made a huge difference in pronunciation and understanding the language. It did not take very long to get about 80% of it down.