Learning at read, write and speak Thai

[Serendipity2]

I am hoping to learn Thai if I'm going to retire in Thailand. I don't mean learning to speak 'conversational' Thai so you can say "hello" and such but learn to read, write AND speak Thai.

Are there schools in Chiang Mai offering classes in learning to read, write and speak Thai available to foreigners? I'm not looking for one-on-one as that's not the best way to learn and it's costly - even in Thailand. Short of appearing at a local school and beginning in the 1st grade [I'm sure the school administration would NOT be amused] does anyone have a suggestion? Some can be learned from books but a class setting would be very helpful - especially when it came to speaking and getting the correct pronunciation etc. Thanks for any comments!

Serendipity2

[oddball]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

I am hoping to learn Thai if I'm going to retire in Thailand. I don't mean learning to speak 'conversational' Thai so you can say "hello" and such but learn to read, write AND speak Thai.

Are there schools in Chiang Mai offering classes in learning to read, write and speak Thai available to foreigners? I'm not looking for one-on-one as that's not the best way to learn and it's costly - even in Thailand. Short of appearing at a local school and beginning in the 1st grade [I'm sure the school administration would NOT be amused] does anyone have a suggestion? Some can be learned from books but a class setting would be very helpful - especially when it came to speaking and getting the correct pronunciation etc. Thanks for any comments!

Serendipity2

All I can say is you have set yourself a complex task , many I know who set out on that path , finaly settled for conversation after several years , with a natural aptitude for Asian speach , you could succeed once you master the tonal and tongue twisting . For better information on your predicament , i.e. lack of respondents , may I suggest you register with Thai Visa and visit the Chaingmai section .

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by oddball

All I can say is you have set yourself a complex task , many I know who set out on that path , finaly settled for conversation after several years , with a natural aptitude for Asian speach , you could succeed once you master the tonal and tongue twisting . For better information on your predicament , i.e. lack of respondents , may I suggest you register with Thai Visa and visit the Chaingmai section .

Thanks oddball. An excellent addition to this forum and perhaps a bit more active. I noted that there is a language school that plans to open soon but I fear it will just be spoken Thai which is of only modest value. I concur with you that learning to read, write and speak Thai is a difficult task but with the right venue I hope it's an achievable goal. Certainly worth a shot! Thanks again for the heads-up. I also read a number of posts re dentists in Chiang Mai as well. A good dentist is important to everyone who wants to live a long and lusty life!

Serendipity2

[King Silk]

None of my 'Ladies' has ever wanted me to speak Thai. If I did how could they talk about me?
Think about it........

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by King Silk

None of my 'Ladies' has ever wanted me to speak Thai. If I did how could they talk about me?
Think about it........

King Silk,

You make a good point! I think most Thai ladies want to speak English with the boyfriends. I was more thinking about the ability to function in a land where you do not or cannot speak the language. How to deal with contractors or be able to read the newspapers to know what's going on in your city. If we can't speak the language we're at a disadvantage and end up relying on the 'kindness of strangers'. That said, a quick look at the Thai written language is enough to disuade all but the bravest!

[King Silk]

Perhaps you should learn to speak the lingo, but tell your ladies you can't?
THAT could prove interesting....
Your Ladies friend "What are you doing with this ugly git Poo?"
Your Lady "Weeeell, he's got lots of dosh, and he is not too bad in bed".
Friend "How much does he give you every month?"
Your Lady "10000Bht. But I nick some out of his wallet when he isn't looking".
Friend "Mmmmmm. I get 20000 from my stupid Farang"
Your Lady "Really? I'll have to see if he will up the allowance. But remember I get 10000bht a month from that German idiot. He sends it to my account every month without fail". Which reminds me. He's coming over in a couple of weeks......"
Friend "Better disappear off to the vilage....to look after Mama who is very sick eh?"
Your Lady " Did that last time. Have to think of something new this time or he may smell a rat"
Friend "Promplem.........

(On balance perhaps you are better off NOT knowing any Thai)

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by King Silk

Perhaps you should learn to speak the lingo, but tell your ladies you can't?
THAT could prove interesting....
Your Ladies friend "What are you doing with this ugly git Poo?"
Your Lady "Weeeell, he's got lots of dosh, and he is not too bad in bed".
Friend "How much does he give you every month?"
Your Lady "10000Bht. But I nick some out of his wallet when he isn't looking".
Friend "Mmmmmm. I get 20000 from my stupid Farang"
Your Lady "Really? I'll have to see if he will up the allowance. But remember I get 10000bht a month from that German idiot. He sends it to my account every month without fail". Which reminds me. He's coming over in a couple of weeks......"
Friend "Better disappear off to the vilage....to look after Mama who is very sick eh?"
Your Lady " Did that last time. Have to think of something new this time or he may smell a rat"
Friend "Promplem.........

(On balance perhaps you are better off NOT knowing any Thai)

King Silk,

You missed your calling. You should write a book [or at least a short story] Perhaps, " FarangLand - Stories Of T"he Life and Times of The Fat Old Expat As Related By The Lovely Ladies Of Thailand. Hilarious!

Serendipity2

[King Silk]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

King Silk,

You missed your calling. You should write a book [or at least a short story] Perhaps, " FarangLand - Stories Of T"he Life and Times of The Fat Old Expat As Related By The Lovely Ladies Of Thailand. Hilarious!

Serendipity2

Fat old Git? I beg your pardon sir.......I am just a little pom pui but NOT like some....

Yes I could write a book about Farangs and Thai Ladies but I doubt it would be "Hilarious". Sad more likely old bean.........

[Serendipity2]

King Silk,

I'll bet there are a lot more "Fat Old Gits" in Chiang Mai or Phuket or Pattaya than sleek pommies!

Not too many Farangs would want to read about or re-live their disasters but I suspect many would enjoy a book of humorous tales about the travails of expats and their Thai ladies.

[King Silk]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

King Silk,

I'll bet there are a lot more "Fat Old Gits" in Chiang Mai or Phuket or Pattaya than sleek pommies!

Not too many Farangs would want to read about or re-live their disasters but I suspect many would enjoy a book of humorous tales about the travails of expats and their Thai ladies.

Actually S2 there are several books on the market that make interesting and amusing reading along those lines.....A short search will turn them up. They are all on sale at Bangkok Airport.

I will try to get a thread going about this.......