What is the best book/s to learn Thai?

[scubascuba3]

I'm starting 1-1 lessons just wondered what people have found to be the best books?

[WhamBam]

I found the online dictionaries very helpful, especially the ones that speak the word(s) out loud, you can listen to the same word or phrase over and over. Headphones helped to stop me annoying others while I had phrases repeated.

[scubascuba3]

I found the online dictionaries very helpful, especially the ones that speak the word(s) out loud, you can listen to the same word or phrase over and over. Headphones helped to stop me annoying others while I had phrases repeated.

Any link or name I can google so I can get the correct one?

[Baa_Mango]

I think the Boomsam Becker books are good. For true beginners the pronunciation guide and their style of transliteration makes a lot of sense.

ป = bp

ต = dt

good good

[Baa_Mango]

Thai reference grammar is amazing as well but better to get a foundation down first.

[scubascuba3]

I've been using the Android app, Thai Dictionary by Titan Soft. It's got good audio and easy to use. I tried about 4 and this was the best. It's free.

[farangdude84]

I'll second Benjawan Poomsan Becker's 3 volume series. Go through those in conjunction with outside practice and making a dictionary your new best friend.

[Baa_Mango]

on a side note with this - I didn't use Poomsan Becker's "lessons" but ended up using the books TONS and great for laying foundation for speaking, vocab, read/writing etc either way. Perhaps following the books in succession and on a chronological order may make more sense but to each their own. I found they helped me most with REALLY finding out the real sounds of some of the more difficult letters, vowels, and tone rules. In conjunction with friends, dictionaries (farangdude84), and then after your reading is ok -any written Thai material.

[makescents]

Teach Yourself Thai by David Smythe.

I own a lot of learning Thai books and Teach Yourself is well structured. I prefer the older edition as there are a few mistakes in the latest one.