Do I Need To Learn Thai?

[k2chris]

Hi I will be moving to Thailand soon for 3 years. I have lived abroad in US most of Europe for nearly 25 years. What is the language situation in Thailand. How important is it to have a grasp of the Language. Are there a lot of benefits to learning Thai.

What advice would you give me to learning before I move.

Thanks in advance

[aanon]

Hi I will be moving to Thailand soon for 3 years. I have lived abroad in US most of Europe for nearly 25 years. What is the language situation in Thailand. How important is it to have a grasp of the Language. Are there a lot of benefits to learning Thai.

What advice would you give me to learning before I move.

Thanks in advance

1. What is the language situation in Thailand.

The locals speak Thai. A small subset of them speak English well (to the point where you could enjoy a free-ranging conversation).

2. How important is it to have a grasp of the Language.

Depends who you want to talk to, where you want to go, how deeply you like to understand places and how independent you want to be.

3. Are there a lot of benefits to learning Thai.

Depends on your stance on the last point. Generally speaking, yes.

[jts-khorat]

Hi I will be moving to Thailand soon for 3 years. I have lived abroad in US most of Europe for nearly 25 years. What is the language situation in Thailand. How important is it to have a grasp of the Language. Are there a lot of benefits to learning Thai.

What advice would you give me to learning before I move.

Thanks in advance

The answer depends a lot if you already know that your stay will be definitely limited to three years and what you will work. If your stay is limited Thai will not be that helpful later. If you will work in Bangkok or any of the major tourist centers, English is well understood.

If you will work in rural regions, eg for an NGO, it might be a good idea to have at least a basic grasp of language before you come here as people might not be able to communicate in English at all.

There is an endless amount of language courses out there, try for example Pimsleur Thai.