Learning Thai From A Err.. A Thai! (funnily Enough)

I've spent a bit of time in Thailand and whenever I'm there I always try to learn as much Thai as I can. I pick up little phrases here and there and I'm always eager to try it out. I can do the basics, introduce myself, ask how they are, explain I can speak a little Thai, order food, please, thank you etc.

I'm going back to Koh Samui for a couple of months to stay with my friend who's Thai. Her English (both spoken and written) is excellent and she's eager to teach me Thai. In fact she's quite surprised I want to learn and is also impressed that I am trying to learn the language.

I was after some advice about the best way to start to learn Thai!?.. At the moment I've been learning phrases and writing them down and repeating them and trying them out and it works quite well. I then re-arrange words I know and make new sentences. However I guess this isn't the best way to learn Thai.

Now do I start with the Thai alphabet and numbers and the structure of the language or do I stick to just learning vocabulary and phrases?...

Any advice would be appreciated as I'm eager to learn and not sure what the best way is. She keeps asking me what I want to know but I’m running out of phrases and think structures lessons would be better.

I was also thinking of asking one of the Thai's in our local restaurant if they could spend a couple of hours a week helping me learn why I’m in Sydney.

Cinders.

P.S. Have I spelt my signature correctly?... It's a great phrase!