GF’s mum has lost her sight. Says she is bored and very down. I have ordered her a radio, but was thinking of something to play audio books. There must be some Thai ones.

Obviously touchscreen smartphones are no good. I had a look at some players specifically for the blind, but very expensive. Almost $500.

If anyone has any suggestion on something I might get her, it would be much appreciated.

TIA

A simple MP3 player would do the job, it has basic on/off and volume +/_ easy to feel whats what.

Like this all you or someone has to do is load it up witj audio files - 600bt

13 hours ago, CharlieH said:

A simple MP3 player would do the job, it has basic on/off and volume +/_ easy to feel whats what.

Like this all you or someone has to do is load it up witj audio files - 600bt

Thanks. Looks like what she needs. Simple tactile buttons, on off, backwards and forwards. I will order one.

Next stop, find Thai audio books, but the GF can help with that.

28 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Thanks. Looks like what she needs. Simple tactile buttons, on off, backwards and forwards. I will order one.

Next stop, find Thai audio books, but the GF can help with that.

The best options for downloadable Thai audiobooks are:

• Storytel Thailand — probably the biggest proper Thai audiobook library right now. Thai novels, self-help, business, fiction, podcasts. Offline downloads included.

• Audible — huge English library, but limited Thai content. Good if you want mixed English + some Thai. Offline downloads work well.

• TK Read — Thai digital library app with free audiobooks and ebooks. More educational/public-library style.

• Meb — mainly ebooks, but some Thai audio content and novels. Popular in Thailand.

• YouTube / SoundCloud — lots of unofficial Thai “หนังสือเสียง” uploads. Search “หนังสือเสียง” or “นิยายเสียง”.

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

The best options for downloadable Thai audiobooks are:

• Storytel Thailand — probably the biggest proper Thai audiobook library right now. Thai novels, self-help, business, fiction, podcasts. Offline downloads included.

• Audible — huge English library, but limited Thai content. Good if you want mixed English + some Thai. Offline downloads work well.

• TK Read — Thai digital library app with free audiobooks and ebooks. More educational/public-library style.

• Meb — mainly ebooks, but some Thai audio content and novels. Popular in Thailand.

• YouTube / SoundCloud — lots of unofficial Thai “หนังสือเสียง” uploads. Search “หนังสือเสียง” or “นิยายเสียง”.

Thanks.

I know of Audible, but I think that is subscription only. the others I have never heard of. Will check them all out

There might also be Thai books available through calibre, but I will have to have a look.

Ordered that same player you suggested. 👍

Sheep Reading Zone on YouTube offers some free audio books:

Sheep Reading Zone - YouTube

My elderly neighbor has also lost most of his sight and I noticed he was struggling with the TV remote ( and was getting bored );

I purchased ( on Lazada ) an Echo Dot ( for about 2000b )

This is the voice controlled Alexa assistant

The set up was very easy and now he is able to choose for himself what to listen too

I believe it’s also possible to add / to use it for audio books

My neighbor was delighted with this

On 5/14/2026 at 3:44 PM, MikaQ5 said:

My elderly neighbor has also lost most of his sight and I noticed he was struggling with the TV remote ( and was getting bored );

I purchased ( on Lazada ) an Echo Dot ( for about 2000b )

This is the voice controlled Alexa assistant

The set up was very easy and now he is able to choose for himself what to listen too

I believe it’s also possible to add / to use it for audio books

My neighbor was delighted with this

Is it possible to use it got audio books outside the Amazon, Audible walled garden? I think Audible is subscription only.

I've found a Thai app called Read for the Blind, which is supposed to help improve the dearth of Thai audio books for the blind.

Only problem is it is for phones and these modern touch screen phones might be difficult to operate for an elderly blind lady, perhaps even with 'Accessibility" functions.

The radio I ordered from Lazada arrived today. Retekess TR633. Perfect. Only three knobs; Volume, Tuner, AM/FM. Now just waiting on the mp3 player.

For a blind school in Shan State, I bought this 'old-skool' cassette player with large buttons:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i5802722477-s24711349084.html

Edited May 16May 16 by simon43