Is it Worth Learning Thai?

By James Spellman

It is amazing how many ex-pats you meet in Phuket and Thailand who have lived here for years and can barely string a sentence together in Thai. I know a few long-term ex-pats whose Thai vocabulary is less than 10 words. The simple fact is you do not need to learn Thai to live in Thailand, especially if you are in one of the tourist destinations such as Phuket. Does that mean it is not worth learning Thai?

I know a few ex-pats who insist it is a total waste of time to learn Thai. They say you do not need to speak Thai because there are always people around who speak English. They say they have wives or staff who can act as interpreters. They even claim to have the moral high ground as they say it is more important for Thais to learn English as it is a major international language. Therefore, by not speaking Thai and forcing Thais to speak English they are doing them a favour.

These people do have a point. You certainly do not have to learn Thai to live in Phuket. However, I would still say there is one other thing these people have in common. They tend to be the people who moan the most about Thailand.

We all have our little frustrations about our lives in Thailand. Living in another culture where many rules seem to be stacked against the foreigner is bound to cause a few complaints. We all moan sometimes but it does seem that it is the people who cannot speak Thai, especially the ones who do not even try, who also spend the most time moaning about the country.

I think there are two reasons for this. The first is that their lack of interest in learning Thai is indicative of a more general negative attitude towards the country. If they had a more positive attitude to Thailand, they would be interested in learning the language. Deciding to make a foreign country your home but then making no effort to learn the local language would seem like you are standing rather aloof to that country.

The second reason is that of course it must be frustrating to not understand what people around you are saying. As much as you do not need to speak Thai, life here is easier and more enjoyable if you do.

So many things are just a little bit more difficult if you cannot speak Thai. It may be a trip to the shops, the market, a restaurant or bar. What if you need a telephone line installed or to deal with a bit of bureaucracy? What about ordering a pizza or some other service over the telephone? It is all possible without speaking Thai but just a little bit easier if you do. Many people who cannot speak Thai find themselves constantly attached to their interpreter. Whether that person is wife, employee or whoever, it must be frustrating to need them by your side all the time.

However, the real benefit of speaking Thai is not the practical side of getting chores done. The real benefit is enjoying your time in Thailand. It is in interacting with Thai people, sharing a joke and a laugh. Understanding Thai people and what is going on around you. You will have a more positive interaction with Thais if you can understand what they are saying.

A trip to the market is much more enjoyable if you can exchange a few words with the stallholders. They will also usually offer you the normal price for their goods if you ask in Thai rather than quoting the inflated price that they sometimes offer westerners. A trip to a Thai restaurant is much nicer when you can talk to the waitress. A night out with Thai friends is so much better if you can understand what they are saying in their language as well as yours.

What is it like not to get the joke? I often find myself socialising in a mixed group of westerners and Thais. Usually a few of the westerners speak some Thai and a few don’t. Sometimes, when the Thais burst out laughing, I see a reaction from the westerners who do not understand what they said. It is an almost paranoid reaction of ‘are they laughing at me.’ It comes from the constant frustration of not understanding what people are saying, of never knowing the joke.

Thais like it when foreigners make an effort to learn their language. Do not be fooled by the myth that they do not want you to learn Thai. Most of them are very pleased if you make the effort and take it as a complement to their country. The tiny handful I have met who do not like foreigners learning Thai feel that way for the worst reason. There is only one reason why Thais don’t want you to learn their language. It is because they do not want you to know what is going on. The only reason they do not want you to know what is going on is that they are up to no good. The old Thai proverb of ‘farang know too much, no good’ has a simple basis. If you know what is going on, you are difficult to con. If your Thai friends do not want you to learn Thai, then you are socialising in the wrong circles. You should find some new Thai friends.

This is only a generalisation but, in general, people who learn to speak Thai have a much more positive outlook on their life in Thailand. This is partly because if they have made a decision to learn the language then they are probably the sort of people who came to Thailand with a positive attitude from the start. It is also because if you can speak Thai then the whole experience of living in Thailand is so much more fulfilling. How can you really expect to enjoy your time with Thai people if you cannot understand what they are saying?

So while you do not need to learn Thai to live in Phuket, you will probably have a much more positive experience if you do.

If you are coming to Thailand for a holiday or longer-term and you want a quick introduction to the Thai language then see our Thai Language Introduction page. To take your Thai speaking skills to the next stage see our Beginner’s Thai Language Lessons

Nebensaison - die günstigsten Flüge

Bei den grossen Reiseagenturen sind meistens nicht die günstigsten Flüge nach Bangkok zu finden. Die grossen Reiseveranstalter kaufen Sitzplatzkontingente für ihre Pauschalreisen, schon bevor die Reisekataloge in den Druck gehen. Dies geschieht meist halbjährlich. Wenn die Reisen nicht oder nur teilweise verkauft werden, oft zum
Beispiel in der Nebensaison, werden meist kurzfristige Spezialangebote kreiert, welche von kleineren Reisebüros weiterverkauft werden. Dies beobachte ich jedes Jahr bei Thai Airways. Im May und Juny und oft auch nach den Sommerferien ab Mitte August bis Mitte September. Es lohnt sich in dieser Zeit gezielt bei kleinen Reisebüros nachzufragen.

In diesem Jahr gibt es ZRH-BKK BKK - ZRH für 1186 CHF (1100 USD). Dies ist
ein bequemer Direktflug zu einem sehr guten Preis.

Bangkok accommodation facilities

  Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is the haven of thousands of tourists and people visiting this “city of angels” each year. And presumably, the host of hotels present here to cater to the visitors are in hundreds. They range from the luxurious and grandeur ornamented hotels such as The Oriental Hotel and Peninsula Bangkok to dirt cheap $2 guest houses located in the exteriors of the city. From hospitable hosts to proximity to the shopping centers and sight-seeing locales, housing in Bangkok is as diverse as the human race itself. Bangkok, in other words, is truly a place to live and ‘die’ for!
  Apartment rentals are very cheap as compared to the oriental and traditional hotels existent in Bangkok. But accommodation cost in Bangkok depends mainly on two factors. One is the proximity to the effectively important areas of the town and the quality of services these accommodation bases produce. Such as the hotels and residential areas based in the heart of the city will be costlier and financially taxing than the ones situated on the outskirts of Bangkok. But hotels like Pathumwan Princess Hotel, holiday Inn Hotel etc are the cost-effective yet decent quality hotels in Bangkok. The Grand hotel is also a good option if you want to enjoy your stay at Bangkok, yet you don’t want to shell out hefty sum of money as accommodation rent. The efficient Sky Train Route, Silom and Siam and the Sukumvit Road are the most important routes to stay on. The sky train system is a boon to the tourists as well as hotels. It makes traversing the clingy roads and alleys of Bangkok smooth as butter!
   Since Bangkok is also one of the biggest economy centers and shopping plazas of the South-Eastern world, tourists and visitors here are aplenty round the year. The Banyan Tree on Sathon is one of the Bangkok’s tallest hotels while Sirocco on top of State Tower is the tallest bar and restaurant in the capital city. A smaller bunch of boutique hotels which offer the traveler personalized care and quality service. Phloenchit, Watthana and Khlong Toei, boasts of a ‘bed and breakfast’ string of hotels. They are a superb alternative to the motels in the Western world and are what tourists here in Bangkok call the backpackers’ heaven.
  Food and hospitality among Bangkok hotels is of an excellent quality (even though you should be ready to taste some unique and unconventional stuff!) and so is the service. The security concern in hotels is a bit more than other cities because of the haywire criminal activities in Bangkok. But most hotels have added security systems, often from foreign security services to ensure their clients’ safety.
  Bangkok is the city that never sleeps, but often the visitors to the city start losing their sleep over accommodation associated problems. But more often than not, in every instance, Bangkok has proved itself time and again to be the epitome of South Eastern civility and hospitality to the outside world and its denizens.

A Short History

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world today. The town had been established as a minute trading center and port on the western banks of the Chao Phraya River. After the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767 at the hands of the Burmese army, the Thai army established a new capital, Thonburi. In 1782, the new king, Chakri built the Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok. He also rechristened the title of the capital as ‘Krung Thep’ or the ‘City of Angels’. Bangkok comes from the Thai version of “island” or Bang Koh, which literally means the island. This is due to the landscape of the city that is carved and veined by canals and rivers all through. A major credit of the rise of Bangkok as a vibrant and developed city goes to these rovers and canals, and hence we understand the logic and importance behind the name of the city.  Slowly, right from the beginning of later 17th century, foreigners and merchants travelled and settled into Bangkok. By the late 19th century, numerous European and North American nations had trade treaties and merchant trades with the city of Bangkok.
 

The city, under the reigns of King Mongkut and his son King Chulalongkorn, underwent vast changes and infrastructure upheavals. The transport system and the basic amenities and services in the city also improved on a vast scale. The transport system, consisting of paved roads was built by the former king and his son rigorously bettered it. He constructed the railways to the north and also gave the city a tram line to make intra city transport easier. The 20th century saw more modernization procedures applied to the city of Bangkok. Filing up of waterways and canals to provide land to build modern areas and introduction to formal market areas and shopping stalls were the revolutionary changed to sweep Bangkok in those times.
 

While the World War II put a negative effect on Bangkok, as it was bombed by the allies in the later part of the war, the Vietnam War was more profiting. With the money that poured into the city during the war, the city saw pivotal changes and modernization that made it effectively presentable to other nations and cities around the globe.
 

The population explosion and modernization though have produced a set of new problems for the city. Deplorable conditions of housing in the poorer sections of the city as well as poverty has denigrated to unthinkable levels in Bangkok. The stark contrast among the luxuriously rich and the poor in the city is more than an eye-sore. Traffic congestion is also such a major problem in Bangkok. Crime is also on the rise here.
 

But all in all, Bangkok has grown into one of the most modern and busiest cities of the world today. The shopping malls and the cultural and exotic locales is a treat to every visitor to this platinum city of the South Eastern World. 

Bangkok Nightlife

There’s a song by Murray Head titled ‘One night in Bangkok’ well, one night in Bangkok is just not enough! The sun sets, Bangkok takes a breath. The traffic and the rush dies down a colorful atmosphere spreads and Bangkok comes alive! Night time is the right time in Bangkok where you get this happening metropolitan city at its steamy best. Bangkok probably offers the widest range of activities that you can chose from. There is something for everybody. Right from Go-Go bars, live music, jazz bars, pubs, bars, discos, lounges, to gay clubs and cultural get-together’s Bangkok has the classic ingredients of the best night you can ever imagine.
There are modern western cafes, clubs for the rich and cheaper bars and pubs too which are very popular with the locals. The 5 km stretch of Sukhumvit Road has few of Asia’s most popular clubs.
Bangkok’s notorious Go-Go bars that suddenly became so popular are still alive and kicking. They have everything right from those famed scantily clad pole dancing girls to lady-boys and testosterone fuelling shows that we have heard so much about. The notorious ‘After Dark’ fame of Bangkok goes to such clubs. Mention this to the locals and the first place they mention is Patpong. Its become like a synonym sleazy shows, sex and night frolics. Generally people who are not ready to walk boldly into such sleazy bars, visit the much more discreet massage parlors. There are massage parlors where you can get the traditional Thai massage but mostly the term massage parlor refers to such sleazy activites. However, Bangkok boasts of having the Asia’s finest massage parlors, to completely rejuvenate and relax your mind and body.
For those looking for some live music Bangkok’s swanky hotels again have a wide variety to offer right from jazz and blues to soft rock and metal. In Bangkok you are never far from pubs and lounges. Admission is usually free while some high end restaurants may take a high price for admittance. Also dress code is not strict.
Though Bangkok came to be known more for the clubs and bars, Bangkok has a rich cultural background which got overshadowed a bit. There is a vast cultural diversity which is portrayed through arts and entertainment. Yet again, Bangkok shows the variety it is so famous for. There are the traditional ‘Khon’ and ‘Likay’ the world famous mask dances and the thai folk dances, to something for the youths, the famous ladyboy shows. Also there have been hit Broadway shows, concerts by world famous pianists and ballets.
The Patravadi theatre is a place to check out as it has world famous shows right from traditional Thai shows to contemporary for the young blood.
The latest thing coming up in Bangkok is the gay scene. Bangkok is highly tolerant and open minded where you are welcome to pick your fancy. This attitude makes it no wonder that Bangkok is now called the gay capital of Asia. Bangkok is extremely famous for the gay nightlife and offers gay pubs, bars, ladyboy shows, karaoke places, gay Go-Go bars, massages. The notorious Soi 2, Soi 4, Silom are the main Bangkok nightlife areas.
Also, transportation is not at all a problem as all these hot spots are easily accessible by the skytrain or by even bus.
Bangkok is well known to be rowdy and wild at night. However, it also has a relaxed side. Whatever side, it sure promises a lot of fun! Soon getting itself a tag of Asia’s capital of cool, Bangkok’s varied nightlife scene from live music and great jazz venues to cool bars, hip clubs and fine restaurants and much more, a night in Bangkok is something you shouldn’t miss!

About Bangkok

Bangkok, also known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai, is the capital city of Thailand. The 22nd most populous city in the world, this city promises a fast, busy and a colorful time. With around 7 million registered citizens, the city provides excellent infrastructure and utilities to satisfy its masses and the large number of tourists.
Bangkok has is one the most favorite for tourists to escape from their busy schedules to relax and rejuvenate. At the same time it a very promising destination for business tycoons.
Bangkok has already been designated as one of the sub-continent’s most important aerial transport hub. There are a number of flights into Bangkok right from cheap budgeted small scale airlines to big names which can fly you in comfort. The Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport is now open to international and domestic traffic both. All leading airlines come right to Bangkok’s doorstep. Only domestic flights are handled at the Don Muang Airport. It takes about one hour to commute between the two airports, so if you are planning a domestic flight from Don Muang after getting of at International Suvarnabhumi Airport, then you should leave at least one hour and twenty minutes time gap including the traffic delay. Way back in 2005, around ninety odd airlines serviced at the Don Muang airport. This can give you an idea about the activity at Bangkok. Don Muang has a lot of low cost, cheap airline packages to offer. This is a move to reduce the pressure on the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. This International Airport is located in Racha Thewa. This lies in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province. The airport can be approximated to about 30 kilometers to the east of Bangkok.
Moving about in Bangkok has a lot of options. One of the novel ones is the Express Boat. A complicated network of small streams has earned Bangkok the name the ‘Venice of the east’. The Khlong Saen Saep, the Chao Phraya, being a few examples. The boat express routes offer fast and a cheap transportation amongst the busy and the congested parts of Bangkok. There are at least about a hundred boats ferrying in the Khlong Saen Saep express itself. Thus a large section of the masses are depended on this mode of transportation .Bangkok has a very efficient and much needed mass transit system called as Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS). This is the elevated train also known as metro. The State Railways of Thailand is also an option for traveling. In addition to this, the bus routes can also be used to explore the heart of the lovely city of Bangkok. Infrastructure development is going on in full swing but it cannot keep pace with the increasing traffic. Currently there are a lot of grumble among the public about the bad road transport conditions prevailing in Bangkok, which also led to Bangkok being named as one of the worst cities notorious for traffic.
In money matters, the official currency of Bangkok is Baht. Also hundred Satang make a Baht. One US dollar is worth around 33 Baht. As basics, a bottle of water should cost around 7 to 10 Baht. Unlike some countries tipping is not expected for good service, but a tipping practice of 5% to 10% is usually followed.

About Bangkok – A Tourist’s Heaven

  Thailand has a heart named Bangkok. And according to almost every travel and tourism guide, this awesome place is one of the top tourists’ heavens in the whole world. Bangkok has every thing that a tourist may aspire for. From shopping malls to traditional authentic temples, from tall towers and architectural wonders to old palaces and parks, Bangkok is a basket full of well, every thing! According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, almost 15 million tourists had visited the city last year, a whopping rise of 3.4 million since 2005. Thailand’s most visited tourist hot spots are situated in Bangkok. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun are the most popular palaces and temples (Wats) situated in Bangkok.
    The Grand Palace, the official residence of the king, and the abode of Thailand’s monarchs since 1782, is one of the most visited and most popular sites in Thailand today. Bangkok has opened up this site which before the 1932 Revolution had been a key figure in the administrative and military system of Thailand for ages.
  Among the numerous Wats or temples in Bangkok, only a few are noteworthy. The Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, is one of the most impressive. Contrary to the name, it looks the most beautiful at sunset. It stands out not only as a religious structure, but also as an epitome of wonderful architecture in the whole of Thailand. It is one of the most ancient and ‘impressive skyscraper’ temple in Bangkok. It is believed to have inspired the asphalt jungle of modern day skyscrapers in Bangkok today.
  Wat Pho, houses the Reclining Buddha, a larger than life statue of Lord Buddha measuring up to 46 meters in length. The feet of the Buddha are 3 meters long, giving you a fair idea of the magnitude of the statue. Other temples include Wat Suthat that is one of the oldest temples in world and is home to the original Giant Swing. Wat Saket, built outside the new city walls, is an unconventional temple that acted as the city’s crematorium during the reign of King Rama I.
  Other places to visit in Bangkok are Lumpini Park and Chinatown. The former is one of the very few yet a vast open park that is open to all. The latter is one of the best among its contemporaries in Southeast Asia as far as the food, shopping and cultural fiesta is concerned. Pahurat or Little India, that is home to numerous people from Indian-origin inhabitants and holds one of the largest Sikh temples outside India is also a place worth a visit. You also may visit Jim Thompson’s house. Thompson, a former CIA agent is said to be the father of the modern silk industry in Thailand. His mysterious vanishing act in 1967 from Malaysia also makes the visit a bit more exciting.
  With affordable food and accommodation, Bangkok is truly and deservingly one of the hottest tourist attractions on the planet today.

Bangkok Skytrain

Now, in a matter of minutes, commuters can fly over Bangkok’s rooftops to arrive at their choice of destination. Stations have a range of kiosk shops with products ranging from coffee to cell phones. Computerized ticketing save busy travelers time – if they have the right change! Views from the train offer an interesting contrast from that of the street level; from the train you can actually get the impression that Bangkok is a vertical city not far detached from the media projections of New York  

The system is not perfect and the long flights of steps up to the stations has been cited as the main reason why elderly and disabled would-be patrons are still taking the bus. The situation is likely to change after a South Korean government offer of escalators for all station. Installation is expected to be completed by the middle of year 2000.

The northern part of the line goes to Mawchit (northern bus station) and a simple hop to Chatuchuk market opens a new and exotic world for western visitors. This sprawling bazaar is one of the most celebrated in Bangkok with offering that range from plastic kitchenware to snake oil.

Fares on the skytrain are reasonably priced between 10 (25c) and 30 Baht (75c) for a short hop. Stored value cards are also available for frequent users.

For centrally located visitors the thought of using a taxi will probably never cross your mind. After the first trip on the skytrain!