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What we have given you here is a basic
introduction to the fundamentals of the Thai
language. It’s suitable for getting by on your
vacation or getting an insight into the
characteristics of Thai, but to learn
properly, we can recommend a few language
courses, tutorial books and web resources.
Books
Lonely Planet Phrasebook (Lonely
Planet, 1992) is a handy pocket-sized book
with useful phrases, basic vocabulary, grammar
tutorials and tone references that you’ll need
to survive in Thailand.
Thai for Beginners, intermediate and
advanced (Paiboon, 1995) is a widely used
and easy-to-follow introduction to speaking,
reading and writing, with tutorials and simple
methods from Benjawan Poomsan Becker. Comes
with cassettes/CDs.
Thai English Dictionary (Paiboon,
2002) is about the most accurate and
consistent of the dictionaries around, in a
nice pocket-size and featuring English to
Thai, Thai (Romanised) to English and Thai
(script) to English.
Thai for Travellers (Paiboon, 2003)
is a useful appendix to the Thai for beginners
series and if you are intending on learning
with this series it’s recommended to start
with this pocket book and get used to their
transliteration process.
Thai for Lovers (Nit and Jack Adjee,
1997) is a best seller and tackles all the
common vocabulary and cultural issues that are
useful between foreigner/Thai partners.
Most of the above are available to order
online at:
www.buythaibooks.com
CD ROMs
Learning Thai Script (Allen & Unwin
1997) is an excellent tool, especially for
mastering tones and pronunciation.
Practical Thai Conversation
(Paiboon, 2004) is an interactive new media
tool with conversations at normal and slow
speeds with helpful vocabulary. Comes in three
volumes of varying difficulty (available at:
www.buythaibooks.com).
Web
Learningthai.com
This comprehensive site has been meticulously
developed by a British teacher and his
students at a famous school near Bangkok, with
a thorough set of tutorials, interactive
tools, fun games, downloads, lessons online,
forums and chat rooms, as well as books for
sale.
www.learningthai.com
Learn Thai
A rather unappealing site that is useful
mainly for its online dictionary and
translator.
www.learn-thai.com
Thai Language
A site that still needs lots of work and
appears rather dry, but does have some useful
tools such as multimedia pronunciation aids
and a Thai script guide.
www.thai-language.com
Thailand UK
The Thai language page on this site recommends
all sorts of resources for learning Thai.
www.thailand-uk.com
Schools
Language Schools
A comprehensive listing of Thai courses and
semester studies in Thailand organized through
this website. Plenty of different options to
choose from.
www.languageschoolsguide.com
AmeriSpan Study Abroad
Located in the old city, near the city's fortified walls and moat, with its own
garden. It is close to shops, restaurants, bars and an Internet cafe. The school
also teaches English to Thai students. A diverse mix of Europeans, Australians,
and some North Americans.
www.amerispan.com
Chiang Mai University
Set on this lovely campus, you can study Thai
full time with an intensive one-year course
that covers reading, writing, correct grammar,
regular tests and certification. They have a
busy programme, with a full house of students.
www.chiangmai.ac.th
Chiang Mai Payap University
A well respected course is run by this
institution, which is popular with foreigners
in Chiang Mai and offers a set curriculum at
various levels, with testing and intensive 15
hour weeks of study.
www.payap.ac.th (sometimes not available).
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