Why SO MANY Foreigners Living in Thailand CANNOT Speak Thai?

[@ThanidaSkye]

As a Thai speaker we love it when foreigners try to learn or speak, even if you make mistakes it’s still appreciated that you show effort ! I’m trying to teach my husband Thai right now and it’s not easy!

[@theprettydead1577]

my first trip to thailand last year, i was on the plane with a thai woman and her english husband (of 11 years) i spoke more thai than he did, and really it wasn't a lot that i knew haha, but i'm determined to be good at it, even if it takes ten years. I searched out some thai bands in styles i like to give me a 'break' from the learning while still 'hearing' thai, music is my major love so i thought that might be a good way to help me learn.

[@mvnorsel6354]

No other country gives you more respect than Thailand for trying to speak Thai.

[@autumnruns]

People loved that I was speaking Thai with them! It was a lot of fun for me because I love languages and getting to connect with local people when I travel. I also thought the Thai language was really fun to speak. I’m trying to learn some Arabic before my upcoming trip to the Middle East but I miss learning Thai!

[@learnthaiwithme1041]

@@mvnorsel6354 🇹🇭🙏🌹

[@learnthaiwithme1041]

@@autumnruns I totally agree ❤🇹🇭🙏🌹

[@alexanderavanth]

Being half thai and having lived most of my life in Denmark I always admired Thai culture. I have visited Thailand many times, but never lived here. Unfortuatly my mother never thaught me Thai (only when she was mad she got verbal in Thai). I've recently moved to Thailand and now have a tutor teaching me how to speak and understand Thai. At the age of 34 it feels like a whole new world has openened up within me. Learning Thai has not only been a way to make my life easier in Thailand, but a way to unfold a culture that runs deep in my veins. Even if I am half-thai I hope to one day be considered full Thai.

[@azzking9305]

Why wouldn’t you want to be full Danish? That’s something yo be proud of

[@alexanderavanth]

@@azzking9305 I am. Let’s put it this way, I’ve always been Danish, now I am also Thai.

[@azzking9305]

Alex Avanth Funnily enough half the people on thai tv are mixed and they’re accepted as just being thai by the public in general

[@alexanderavanth]

@@azzking9305 that’s great, I also feel open hearted welcomed living in Thailand. What my struggle has been was not knowing what “being Thai” means. I know what being Danish is to me, but never had the opportunity to explore my other side.

[@azzking9305]

Alex Avanth I think it just means feeling at home, you’ve lived in the west so long you probably feel like you can’t relate to thais but that will come in time I think.

[@bloodbuddy7]

I've lived in Thailand 4-5 years and been studying on and off with a tutor in that time. I love the way the Thai language sounds. On the occasions that I leave Thailand I always feel so happy when I return and disembark from the plane into the airport and suddenly hear Thai everywhere- immediately I feel happier. I have so many happy memories of being in Thailand, in beautiful natural environments, surrounded by happy people speaking Thai. Even though I couldn't always understand them, there is a peace in my heart that I associate with all those memories and often when I hear the Thai language that peace of heart and happiness comes toward me. It is a good motivator for me to learn. My main issue is that I don't practice enough spontaneous conversation, other than daily repetitive things like ordering food and stuff like that, mainly because I often get shy and/ or hesitate while I'm trying to remember how to say something in Thai. My experience of Thai people has generally been that they often try to automatically diffuse any awkwardness, so if they know English they'll often switch to English just to make me feel comfortable, or if they don't they'll fill in the gaps in my awkwardness by continuing to talk and offer me a seat or try to find someone to help or giving something to eat or drink LOL Anyway I've finally recently started feeling more comfortable with practicing conversation with a few of my Thai friends. I know a fair amount of vocabulary at this point but I second-guess myself with the pronunciation constantly. Thai people are so encouraging when you try to speak their language, it is very sweet. I've been slacking off studying recently and focused on other things, this video is a good reminder for me to get back to practicing!

[@jomontanee]

Thank you for your kindest words.❤🙏🙏

[@Kknoyoy]

I’m happy to hear the foreigner try to speak thai language. i’m thai i keep practicing speak english as well but still not good, sometime i understand only 60% of the conversation 😂

[@lrlr2170]

❤❤❤❤

[@dandroasangtawan3316]

Thialand 🤞🤞🤞👍😊😚😘💖💝

[@cmhha6479]

why did this make me teary? Hahahaha but same. Thailand has been a home away from home for me

[@japingnook6184]

I'm Thai and I'm very glad that foreigners are interested in Thai language. I really enjoyed this video. Keep making content like this. สู้ๆครับ เป็นกำลังใจให้ครับผม😀

[@tgtAltero]

15 years living in Thailand, and I feel so blessed that I can speak Thai. I love it! This gives you another level of freedom! It's such a joy to talk in Thai to everyone, make jokes, react to their jokes and then laugh together! I understand why so many expats don't want to learn Thai language, but I think it's such a big wasted opportunity! I wish everyone could try to learn Thai and feel what I feel, what I'm experiencing everyday by talking with Thai people. It's amazing!

[@tubester4567]

Are you Tai? I Tai toooo

[@davidlamb7524]

It's just so difficult for me. I've been here longer than you too. I can only muster a dozen phrases and my comprehension when they speak is near zero.

[@giannilyanicks1718]

so much of suffering for that , no way.

[@gray2942]

Lived in Thailand for 37 years and speak the Thai language fluently. Over the years newbies have asked me how can we fit in better and asimalate into Thai society. I've always advised them to find a Thai teacher and make an effort to learn some Thai and they'll be able to understand Thais and their culture. A lot of the foriegners said I don't need to learn Thai as their wife or girlfriends speak some English.

[@brin57]

Yep, they're just lazy. Rely on their wives to get by.

[@jackdobson1992]

My missus's English is rubbidh so i have had to learn Thai.

[@ruokeren1919]

They're not lazy. If they can communicate with their partner, why do they have to learn a foreign language ? Linguistics is not for everyone AND some countries are new to introducing being bilingual into the mix. Europe, Africa and many other countries are surrounded by different languages whereas a country like Australia has been extremely isolated from the world. An island in the middle of nowhere.. Its only been in the last 20 years due to immigration and multiculturalism that other languages have been thrown into the mix there.. Not knowing another language is not being lazy, and no-ones fault. Perhaps they don't want to talk to locals or the in-laws.. A perfect excuse if you ask me..

[@brin57]

@@ruokeren1919 Learning the language and at least trying to assimilate is what pretty much every westerner expects of foreigners living in their own countries long term, so why is it suddenly different for westerners living in another country. Typical double standard colonial thinking.

[@ethics3]

Why do you have to put a negative connotation on something that most of the time doesn't even apply to people? Perhaps you had a lifestyle that provided you with a lot of free time. Maybe you were on welfare or claiming fake disability and thus did not have to worry about EARNING money . For the record , when i am in Thailand my wife covers for me . For my part I keep her house and car in good repair. You know.... MAN work . When I am back in Canada my time is taken up with WORKING to EARN a living for me and my family so that we can retire in comfort Ill pick up the language once i move full time to thailand . Btw. One of the reasons I am leaving canada is to get away from the masses that like to make snotty comments such as yours . So if you ever want to find out what REAL work is , come on down and lets see if you can keep up with me . Thats when we will see who the " lazy" one is

[@acamapichtli.raul.suppachok]

❤Thai is tricky. It seems easy to those who are at the most basic level and they get stuck in that level forever without realizing it. Tones are hard but tones are NOT the hardest obstacle to speaking fluently: it’s the correct syntax that Thais use plus the extremely large vocabulary in different registers of the language. Many rookies think that Thai is simple because there is no conjugation of verbs or past and future tenses. This fact definitely makes it even harder to correctly situate the time or person in both spoken and written Thai. Written Thai also doesn’t have punctuation, nor question marks, nor spaces between words. This doesn’t make it easier: it increases the level of difficulty. And I haven’t even mentioned the language particles !!!😢 As a fluent Thai speaker that reads and writes advanced Thai, I can tell you that after years of learning endlessly, I still struggle with Thai in a way that I don’t struggle with Mandarin or Icelandic. I learned these languages after 18 and before age 25 and I can say Thai is the most complex one. ❤

[@packageism]

Can I ask advice. I have been here 7 years and above beginner level. I have nearly learned the thai alphabet. Should I next learn the consonants? Then learn to read thai or should I get lessons in conversational thai? Thanks

[@lucaszzzable]

@@packageism how can you learn the vocabulary if you don't know the alphabet? I personally don't think speaking advanced Thai is possible without starting with learning the alphabet first..

[@Ned88Man]

with all due respect, it seems you also possess a knack for languages that might be more inherent than it is in others. Not saying others cant learn, but some people DO have a particular ability to learn languages better than others.

[@dogcatdogable]

Interesting that a few of the interviewees are already proficient in 2 or more languages, so it's not like they're incapable. Ultimately learning a new language as a working adult is tough, especially when you're in a transient job/English speaking company.

[@ethics3]

Excellent reply . The ownness being on the words " WORKING ADULT " .

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. It is good to see you speak about Thailand. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@Ptitnain2]

It's easy to say you speak multiple languages when you don't have to prove it.

[@sokaiya1]

It’s like everything else, it takes work and discipline

[@frostypeterson1002]

I have been in thailand for a week now near Udom Suk. I have struggled trying to learn thai online back at home and I thought I had a good idea how to run a conversation, once you are here you notice the pronounciations are just completely different. Took a hit in my confidence on the first few days but the last 2 days i have been out on my own buying and using my limited thai. Emersing yourself in thai is so much better than learning online. Just make sure you know how to greet, thank, sorry and also have "pom reyan passa thai you khrub" or "chuway phoot chaa chaa dai mai khrub" handy. Thai people are awesome when you try.

[@frostypeterson1002]

I have also been carrying a note pad and writing down anything some of the english speaking thai are teaching me.

[@dip_emb_mexuk]

@@frostypeterson1002 I did exactly the same thing when I lived in Mexico trying to learn Spanish. I’d always take with me a tidy notepad and jotted down new words/phrases I’d heard of from friends or locals. I’d also try to use those words in conversations as much as I could. It worked and my Spanish improved a lot.

[@patiphankongsuriya8243]

@@frostypeterson1002 you're gonna be fluent soon. Keep going🥳 เดี๋ยวก็เก่งครับ

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. It is good to see you speak about Thailand. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@ประพันธ์เเสงอรุณจรัส]

encourage to you

[@lucaszzzable]

I can read, write basic words and speak quite confidently Thai. I'm living here for 2 years, my tones are still not on spot. Thai's really appreciate you're trying and compliment you alot. Did do Thai classes for on an about 1 year

[@ประพันธ์เเสงอรุณจรัส]

encourage to you

[@philipbarnard8419]

@@ประพันธ์เเสงอรุณจรัส What is that supposed to mean?

[@ประพันธ์เเสงอรุณจรัส]

I'm rooting for you

[@lucaszzzable]

2 months later, I hear and can speak the tones. I hear the difference between shirt and buy and can say north and meat in Thai with confidence 😂

[@Ulbre]

I've been trying to learn this language for almost 40 years (Jan 84 my first incision into Thailand), so I understand all the frustrations and hardships that many of the folk in this video come up against. I will be trying to learn this language until the day I die!

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Awesome attitude!

[@anonymouse527]

I'd call that avoiding to learn a language for 40 years.

[@hans935]

@@anonymouse527 AHAHA not wrong. The guy was cooping on so much Copium.

[@Soreto23]

90% of this people dont want to even start to learn this language

[@lilcastro04]

I've just recently moved to northern Thailand and will be here the next couple of years. I wonder if Paddy would find more foreigners who knew the language outside of Bangkok. You cannot get away with only speaking English up here. I've been in Thai class for about a month and I'm excited that I recognized a couple of words when they were speaking Thai. The smallest things feel like such a huge accomplishment. My goal is survival Thai lol 😀

[@amberallen7809]

You'd be surprised. I'm living in Chiang Mai (and I'm learning Thai) but I've met quite a few people who never really tried to learn, including a guy who married a Thai woman who didn't even know numbers, even after being married for 4 years and living in Thailand for three years. It absolutely blew my mind. Idk how he functions. I had learned numbers after a few months, because numbers are something you need to use so much.

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. It is good to see you speak about Thailand. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@nochan3271]

Paddy has really made the grade with this one

[@benzvd]

Because it's the strong belief that Thais can understand English that impedes foreigners from wanting to learn Thai

[@destinationsroadslesstraveled]

Many foreigners would disagree with you who claim English is everywhere and no need to learn Thai.

[@itsafunnyoldworld]

Paddy, you should start giving Thai lessons - I would happily sign up for that! 😃

[@bryanjenkins6246]

Great video Paddy. Really interesting topic. I’m loving your content

[@nochan3271]

The legend

[@ZeaCRoSz]

as a thai don't be shy/don't worry to speak thai we love all foreigner who try to speak thai we try to understand and help all you guys best we can do if we don't understand yours vocab' at least we try to use social actions/body language you can give it to go ,good luck everyone *** will you guys believe me? if you can speak thai or enough to communicate and even if understand a bit You will receive special services /take cares from us (most Thai people) - Subscribes already Keep making a good content like this most thai people would like to watching content like this bro

[@canardeur8390]

As a foreigner, stop answering in English when we speak Thai! It is more than annoying as it does not help as it is also perceived as a lack of respect! Especially when we speak your language, and you reply in a language that is neither yours, not even ours.

[@giannilyanicks1718]

you're a minority.

[@villagefarang5733]

I have lived here for more than 45 years and I have heard every excuse in the book. Adults just aren't willing to do the repetitive work that is necessary. They want to study "about" the language but that is like studying about the piano but never playing one. It takes practice and repetition. Come to think of it, language proficiency even among native speakers seems to be going downhill. People make no effort to speak grammatically correct English and resist any suggestion they could do better. I love the excuse that it makes no difference, as if they know what it is like to speak Thai. I assure you it makes all the difference in the world, living in Thailand, if you can actually talk with people.

[@overlandkltolondon]

Yes. At the end of the day it's just about adding to your vocab and keeping going.

[@tkthefirst298]

It surely makes the experience much more enjoyable, especially for those who have lived here for more than a decade. I can’t imagine how much they miss out on.

[@sloponyblues]

You are certainly correct about repetition being key to learning a new language. Yes it is boring to say the same thing over and over for a week or so, but that is the only way to learn. Because saying something in a new language a few times for a hour or so is not going to help you unless you are that rare individual who has a photographic memory. So yeah it is that simple and also that difficult, repetition of language. A lot of people lack the discipline to do that.

[@vampire_poop]

English, as well as all languages change all the time, this isn't language proficiency going downhill. The slang of yesterday is the standard vernacular of today. The bastardised grammar of yesterday is the standard form of today. Setting up "grammar rules" is useful for having conventions to be able to teach to, but we should seek to be *descriptive* with language, not *prescriptive*, taking language for how it is used naturally in real life contexts.

[@informative_wanderlust]

Even if I weee fluent in Thai, I would still be talking to a bunch of mask zombies

[@na-te-ei-teiglobal5507]

I love your passion in learning Thai language. Your Thai accent now is very very clear and easy to understand. 🌼

[@tom12tom12]

Great video as usual Paddy, I am getting back into learning Thai after spending a year away from the place. For me learning the numbers was the best thing I could do, living in a more rural place where people don't speak much English, 'Tao rai' and a good knowledge of the numbers can get you far!

[@darwinstubbie860]

The numbers are easy, the rest is not. We leave the TV on all day because his is the way I picked up English. In Thai, all I hear background noise that makes no sense.

[@ayaoichi9182]

Thank you for staying Thai. I’m as a Thai. I’m so impressed that foreigners learn Thai.

[@BrentHiggins01]

"I don't find anything difficult with the Thai language - It's easy". The only reason he doesn't speak it is because his amazing voice makes him sound mean. Wow.

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. It is good to see you speak about Thailand. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@rainyseason4581]

555

[@ThaiBallzz]

@@rainyseason4581?

[@yeoniedollie]

I hope he gets more confident and comfortable speaking Thai as I think people will appreciate his effort in speaking their language :)

[@arulmuruganmohan1378]

He didn't mention he didn't want to speak, he told people think he is mean , that means he really experienced it .. first try to understand other people opinions

[@ChilloutLars]

Your enthusiasm is a big help keeping us motivated enough to keep trying to learn more each day. Thanks

[@monster_bbq]

Thank you Paddy. KZbin read my mind... I've travelled and worked (briefly) in Thailand and recon I know about 100 words and phrases. Determind to learn Thai more fluently so I can respect the local people as I hope to spend more time in their beautiful country when I retire in a couple of years. I love your interview style, Kudos! Do you think the Thais appreciate our efforts to speak their language? My father and son's names are Patrick so you had me there haha. Khob khun mak krap from Brisbane. Cheers, Mark.

[@sydysydy]

Most foreigners only stay in tourist areas and aren't serious about learning Thai culture or language. I advise serious people to live in a local area, figure out the sentences you will be using everyday and master those, then build upon that. It's the difference between being a perpetual tourist or being a true expat.

[@FailToilet]

can u give me a good examples of local places to live at in bkk? not TOO far from the "centre"

[@overlandkltolondon]

@@FailToilet Sam Sen, Bang Sue, Prachachuen, out that way.

[@sydysydy]

@@FailToilet Anywhere in Thonburi, anywhere off of Chan Road in Yanawa, anywhere off of Ladprao Road, Ramkhamhaeng, Srinakarin, Bang Sue, northern Paholyothin. But wherever you are, just speak Thai to people. If they try answering you in English, keep speaking Thai.

[@ruokeren1919]

I've figured out what to say to my wife every day. I don't speak with foreigners and I don't want to speak to locals either. "A true expat" what's that exactly ? I'll happily call myself a foreigner living in Thailand. Given Thai's don't accept foreigners as being human beings why the hell would I want to talk with them ? Dogs rate higher and have more rights and more human rights than a foreigner in Thailand. I've lived & worked in a few asian countries and learnt a few words but never understood enough to string a sentence together. Some people are not linguistic. For myself, I'm a master of the language I was born into and can communicate quite effectively with it. Personally, I find a language that speaks backwards, refers to themselves in the 3rd person and uses tones beyond comprehension as to why. I prefer to leave it to those interested in learning it but don't mock or criticise those that don't or can't. My Thai wife has difficulty communicating with Thai's depending on the area. If she has trouble what chance does a foreigner have ?

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. It is good to see you speak about Thailand. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@revenuerecipes]

Thanks for having me on Paddy was a blast !

[@puipuipuipui7638]

เก่งมากๆเลยค่ะ ภาษาไทยอาจจะยากและซับซ้อน แต่คุณพูดได้ดีมากๆค่ะ ปรบมือ

[@captaincologne7558]

Depending on the social bubble you live in, like in Bangkok with all the international people, you will get around with English. Personally, I would find this extremely annoying not to be able to communicate with the Thais in their own language, but it would be possible. The people Paddy interviewed are living proof of that. But once you live outside touristic or international areas, e.g. in rural Thailand, it is much better to speak, read and write Thai. Of course, in the beginning it is quite an effort, and your Thai learning success depends a lot on the quality of the teacher and your own discipline.

[@mbkbenz]

Dai is so good, 12 days with that good thai. I'm so impressed

[@nochan3271]

You are very nice !

[@sarayuttantiwong3987]

great programs ❤

[@punnaroothsrimongkolsilp1543]

Welcome to Thailand. ยินดีต้อนรับ

[@maxwelltensen8631]

No way, I met Daylis at the gym a couple weeks ago! Great guy. Love the videos, Paddy!

[@92edro]

great work paddy. glad to see you uploading from beautiful thailand

[@blenderconch]

It's a very friendly place, but once you start learning the language it's truly even more friendly :) Well worth the effort

[@bbarling]

I was an exchange student 30 odd years ago and learnt at high school here in Phitsanulok. I couldn't imagine living here and not speaking Thai. I think it was much more necessary back then than it is now though. If you're a business professional based in Bangkok (or Pattaya or Phuket, etc) you probably don't need to speak Thai, but I think being able to speak opens you up to many new opportunities and experiences you might otherwise miss.

[@PerkyBird]

Very interesting, though I did find myself cringing at a lot of their attempts 😅 The guy who has only been in Thailand for 12 days was amazing!

[@PerkyBird]

Just finished the video-so that’s why he’s so good haha

[@rainyseason4581]

@@PerkyBird 555

[@stevenherberts968]

Paddy, I can see how much your Thai has improved over the last few months, well done, you pronounce it better and I can see you have picked up a few more words, would love to meet you next year when I get back, wan la kam Paddy.

[@siameseworld]

Some of these foreigners probably complain why they are not treated like a local, when they themselves don't make any effort to be a local. Yes, Thai tones are hard for some, but even if you speak with foreign accent you will still get by and will receive lots of compliments and appreciation from Thais. Give it a go! P.S. please ... it's not Kap Kun Kap ... but Khob Khun Krub. That Khob sounds just like "a COB of corn".

[@mariewinchester7790]

Thank you for the interesting interviews. I think it is really interesting to hear about their jobs and in which countries they have lived so far. I‘m so envious and I would love to talk with them more in depth to know more about their life and experiences. I wish I would have taken another career path in the past. But honestly even I know more thai than them. Thanks to my love for thai dramas. But at the same time I kind of can understand them. When I worked in brussels for a few months I would get by easily with speaking german and english, because I mostly worked with german corporations. And after work it is hard to sit down to learn a new language that is so hard to learn. But when you live there for a longer period of time, I think it would help a lot to learn the language.

[@sterlingranne2202]

Been in Thailand for just over a year. Approached the Language casually until recently. Currently, my frustration is that I'm either online with courses that rush through 30 words in 10 minutes (or faster), or learn from a friend, that does not know what the English word for the Thai word they are teaching me. Either way, I get nothing from them. I know I'm bad at languages, and need something even more remedial. ...but at least I'm trying...

[@t.chattirak4263]

As a Thai, it would be a good idea to have free Thai language classes and be taught by Thai volunteers all over the Bangkok area. If so, I would welcome to teach foreigners. 😅 Another thing is about app. I would want someone making a Thai language pronuciation app like when you saying a Thai word, it would correct your sound. You would just need to imitate the sound and get some score on how close your Thai pronunciation is.

[@nuits.8815]

เป็นความคิดที่ดีมากครับ แต่คงต้องรอรัฐบาลใหม่

[@Mishakeet]

Nah, if people want to be taught something, they should pay for the service being provided to them. It's one thing to find a conversation partner, its another thing to ask someone to spend time out of their day teaching.

[@carmcam1]

there are thai volunteers in bangkok willing to teach the language?

[@WanderingWorldwidewithLiz]

Lived in thailand for 3 years and I would say I speak intermediate thai, but I don’t know how to read or write. It was a challenge to learn, but I started off living in rural Thailand and had thai friends so I learned it naturally and was immersed in the language.

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok, Thailand my gf's from Scotland. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@klausg]

Great content Paddy. People are truly interesting and this encourages language learning. Thank you

[@janellejoy1018]

love this!!!!! My question all the time for long-term expats. Thank you.

[@suphakrittanaraksirithaowo2153]

You can talk thai pretty good man I’m Thai and I’m impressed with your experience in our language

[@thumbifyme9611]

Such a good video thank you for making it !

[@stephenmcallister3125]

That is interesting. I lived in Thailand for just a year in 1997 and the level of Thai among people who lived there was quite decent. Maybe the level of English spoken in Bangkok has increased so much since then that the need to speak Thai has got less.

[@kippsguitar6539]

Even in Bangkok English proficiency is dreadful

[@lordsudbury]

im a thai speaking/reading/writing foreigner and i love the connection i have with the country and ppl that opens up after you can speak, read, etc. i heard once that as well as Korean, Thai is a language for "babies" as it's easy for kids to learn (monosyllabic, no conjugation, etc) and i agree with that

[@hikebyskovky426]

Love the way your channel have the Eng sub and Thai sub. So I can learn the sentence from your video.

[@oywatters9415]

Greetings from Kent UK. Brilliant vlogging Paddy 🤣 Thank you so much 🙏

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Thanks for the constant support Oy!

[@jimpim6454]

How's it going with the migrants in Kent?

[@oywatters9415]

@@jimpim6454 Not into politics but situation hasn't changed much. Apparently, some of them will be put in part of university campus! (allegedly) but numbers in Manston security centre has cut by half.

[@jimpim6454]

@@oywatters9415 well whats happening is an absolute disgrace. Many people are furious about this invasion.

[@MhooChamp]

Glai = Near = ใกล้ Glai = Far = ไกล การออกเสียง การผันเสียงเป็นอะไรที่ยากสำหรับชาวต่างชาติจริงๆ เป็นกำลังใจให้ผู้ที่กำลังเรียนภาษาไทยทุกคนนะครับ ❤

[@ploy8162]

Awww I love your channel!❤❤

[@Chuangni]

Always a pleasure to see Your videos Paddy. Makes me feel good. I would like to go back to Thailand for vacation. Bring on some more videos please.

[@Pajune]

Thank you! This was super interesting!

[@jim.pearsall]

Awesome interviews 👏🏻

[@JackTorr]

Great video mate!

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Thanks Legend!

[@davidwilliams7552]

I have the numbers and basic phrases down but have realised that I need to really study the language to pick it up. Now I have the motivation to do so as I have made a long term commitment to be involved with Thailand.

[@kimtatami6559]

I love Thai and want to learn it. Everytime I go there I pick up some Thai. It's hard not to learn it when you're there. You need it to get around more easily and Thai's are so friendly they're very happy to correct you if you want to speak it and will not make fun of you.

[@potatobhu08]

I recently moved to Thailand from Malaysia and I admit the language barrier can be an issue sometimes especially towards the south like Songkhla and Pattani etc where not many tourists come compared to Bangkok or Pattaya so the locals dont really speak English well. But lucky me that there are a number of people here that speak a Malay dialect (kechek nayu as they call it) and being a Malaysian I speak fluent Malay and can converse with them. My wife is Thai so I usually get her to read menus and stuff on Grab food. I speak 4 languages (Malay,English,Tamil,Malayalam) so my tongue doesnt seem to catch on certain pronunciations of Thai words especially the letters R and L and S which really confuse me. But thank God for google translate. 1 in 30 people probably speak English here so if im lucky I come across a few.

[@red21111]

I can't roll the r (roh ruea) so I just use the L (roh ling) as a replacement. It has never been a problem, many Thais do it too. They kinda hear it as the same thing

[@tsurugi5]

@@red21111 thais don't roll their r's unless they're purposely overdoing it sound "posh" or making a friendly jab at said people who overdo it

[@krys38]

I feel like it’s easier to find excuses as to why Thai is hard to learn than to try hard everyday. Although I agree that living in the big cities doesn’t help, because it can be discouraging for example when you try to speak thai and the person replies in English. It happens to me a lot in Bangkok but much less when I travel the smaller cities. Also, I feel like the ability to read Thai is overlooked and considered harder than it actually is in my opinion. Once you know how to read a little bit, the world around you is a open dictionary and it opens a giant path to learning new words everyday ! It feels so rewarding and keeps the motivation up.

[@AsRandomAsNumbers]

Wow I went to Thailand just for a month just now got back and I literally learned all the numbers, and 50 words and phrases, before my trip. While in Thailand I noticed a lot of foreigners asking “how much?” In English. It blew my mind that people coming on vacation didn’t even bother to learn the Thai phrase for that question.

[@red21111]

There's different reasons to it. FIrst off if you initiate in Thai language, they almost always respond in Thai. If the only thing you know is tau rai (or qi baht) you're always going to have a hard time and need to tell them you can't speak Thai, so even if you speak some, it's always going to be a struggle so many just resort to English Another reason is there's a lot of workers from outside Thailand (Laos, Myanmar mostly) that have an easier time speaking English. They even respond in English when talked to in Thai One more is just autopilot. I am pretty fluent in basic Thai but still just talk in English sometimes. If I see them struggling in English I will switch to Thai but if both persons speak both languages I don't really think about it. I just use whatever comes to mind first

[@davidspeed2841]

I agree with the above comment. I spent a few weeks learning basic phrases and questions for my first time in Thailand. The usual greetings hello/how are you/goodbye , and also how to ask for items such as coffee, food in restaurants, chicken at street stalls, beer in bars. Enough to be pleasant and get by...but on the other hand I completely overlooked the questions asked back to me in Thai such as "do you want milk or sugar/do you want to sit in or takeaway/ do you want a big bottle or small bottle of beer" which then resulted in me reverting back to English. It did knock my confidence a little bit but it made me more determined to learn more and I am now really enjoying it. Unfortunately, in my opinion(UK especially) , second languages are not a high priority in the schooling system, as everywhere else seems to teach English as a high priority, resulting in a "ahhh why learn their language when they already speak English" attitude. I am in genuine awe of people who can master multiple languages.

[@martypoll]

I've been retired and living in Bangkok for almost 6 years now. I have tried to learn the language. I've been to language school and had private lessons. I practice vocabulary on my flashcard app. I follow KZbin Thai language videos. I have a Thai wife who is not much help. She is a terrible teacher. I can get buy in transactional situations but I am not conversational. I can read but not write. Languages (French, German) didn't come easy to me in my 20's but I've learned a lot more Thai in my 60’s. l like studying the language. It provides some intellectual stimulation. Soon I will be moving to a Thai village in Isaan. That will be a more immersive environment and will provide some additional motivation and opportunity to improve. I don't know that Thai is particularly difficult apart from there being a different alphabet. Learning Thai has revealed to me how difficult English is as language and the ambiguities of any language.

[@simohenrik1860]

Thanks for the Thai subtitles. I'd like to see them also on the Thai bits.

[@DolceArdore]

I don't live in Thailand but learned to read/write/speak/understand Thai to help me explore Thai cuisine during my visits.

[@lifeofgavity6310]

สุดยอดเลยครับ. พูดภาษาไทยเก่งมาก. ขอขอบคุณสำหรับการทำคลิปนี้.

[@mxv006]

Kudos to 12-day guy😊👍. You really got me impressed.

[@Teelit]

Nice as usual Paddy. Hope every farang can speak Thai like you or Tangmo.

[@glow1815]

I'm Cambodian I love the sounds when Thai people talk. It has a warm soft tone and pleasant to it. Unlike example like Chinese or Vietnamese language everytime I hear them talk the tone sounds aggressive not at all pleasant to hear. I would love to learn Thai language(I don't live in Thailand) For me I think I can pick it up pretty quick.

[@aerinha92]

I always work for international companies so I've been observing that the reason foreigners can't speak Thai (especially the ones who live in Bankok) because they feel like they don't need to. Since most of the people in their daily lives can communicate well in English with them. At work / where they live (city center) so they feel comfortable enough not to learn it and only know a few basic important words. You would see the ones who speak Thai are the ones who live outside of Bangkok.

[@jiminhart]

The truth is that few people are voluntary language learners if they don't perceive a pressing need or significant advantage. Money and status are of course insulators from the need to learn, too.

[@palmy3215]

คอนเทนท์ดีมากค่ะ ทำมาอีกนะคะ

[@dwilson1599]

Great video legend

[@pepmichael9045]

I love your videos Paddy. It's been nice seeing you doing youtube from Thailand ! I think it's the right way for the channel to grow. Keep up the good work man, cheers 🙏🏻

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Thanks a heap for the support! Means a lot

[@pepmichael9045]

@@ThaiTalkwithPaddy ยินดีครับผม

[@heavensworld0695]

I watched a lot of your videos and one phrase that I want you to change is "มาอาศัยอยู่" not "อาศัยมาอยู่". but anyway, I love your videos and been watching you for like 6-7 months Keep doing your thang man :)

[@patarasakjirathampradub1433]

G'day Paddy, I think your thai language is cleaner. Compared to last year. Cause I've been subscribed to you for many years. I'm thai in australia who are leaning english as well. ✌️✌️✌️

[@Sigma-In-Asia]

I just stumbled upon your channel and subscribed after watching a couple of your videos. I lived in Bangkok for 18 months during the Vietnam War while serving in the U.S. army. I was the translator/interpreter for my unit by the time I left. I retired to Thailand in 2010 and remained there until 2019 when I, along with thousands of others were forced to leave due to major changes in Thai immigration policy. At the time I left, I spoke Thai rather well and could read some. I live in the Philippines now, but I want to retain and even improve my Thai language skills because I hope to return there if and when the government welcomes foreigners again for long-term stays. I find your Thai narration along with English subtitles to be a big help. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!

[@godmuthagaming]

I have learned a fair bit and make an effort when in Thailand to speak Thai even if it’s not the best, Thai people are very kind. It is easier for me to communicate in broken Thai than speak English with Thais in my Scottish accent 555 😂

[@amwfpaulandjay]

Haha I am from Bangkok, Thailand but I was living /growing up in the U.K. My gf is from Dumfries, Scotland. We just opened our channel. I have started to teach Thai. Now, she can count from 1 to 1,000 easily. Have a great day mate, Paul.

[@ruokeren1919]

I'd much sooner listen to your wee Scottish accent than be surrounded by anyone speaking Thai. Its double dutch to me and not worth the effort..

[@godmuthagaming]

@@ruokeren1919 I don’t know I love how Thai sounds when spoken sweetly haha but not when it’s been yelled at me and I think I’ve backed over the dog but I’ve just not got enough sugar in the Thai tea!

[@godmuthagaming]

@@amwfpaulandjay following! Will share with my GF too.

[@amwfpaulandjay]

@@godmuthagaming Khob khun krub(ขอบคุณ​ครับ) Thanks​ a lot! I do appreciate your support. Paul

[@ธนกฤตอินทร์สงค์]

Woww..... your Thai accent is really good.

[@aliowl]

I thought you were in Thailand for just 1 month, can't leave ey...good on you x

[@susannahwilliams403]

That was a really Interesting video. I have experienced it myself. In the big cities u can get by just fine without Thai but the more u get into the village the more u might need it. I didn't study it but I just picked it up little by little when I listen to other people speak. Then I also watched lots of KZbin videos. Then one day it just clicked. Once u get over that first bump it just makes sense. When you learn a language u learn more of the culture too. It's so interesting

[@hellomello258]

I think Thai is well suited to learning with a lot of input. I've purposely avoided a lot of books/classes/websites and learned largely through watching Thai tv shows and occasionally looking up something I'm interested in. I bootstrapped my early learning, especially the writing, with the Drops app. By watching TV during my spare time in my master's (which I didn't have much of) and with no speaking partner, I speak about at the level of the interviewee who learned Thai before he came and had been there 12 days. When i move to Thailand i plan to study more intensively and to avoid English in every day interaction.

[@LittlePooky]

Your Thai language is impressive.

[@ngatiwaihitman]

Ive spent a total of 7 weeks in Thailand over the last 5 years and will be heading there with my wife and kids for 3 weeks in April as we are intending on moving over for 12 months in 2024. I know the basics.. Introduce myself, Hello, thank you, goodbye, how much?, yes, no, delicious, and I can count from 1-30 haha. Trying to put in alot more effort lately, as are my kids. Its not an easy language but neither is English. Hopefully by the time we move up there we can form basic sentences and understand the tones and the various meanings to certain words. Love ya work Paddy!!

[@georgemccarten2706]

My wife is Korean and does not speak Thai. I do to some degree, but when we are together, people usually look to her for clarification. And many continue to do that, even after she says she is not Thai. A barrier. I often get this reaction throughout Asia. She doesn't speak Mandarin either, which I do to some degree. Pisses me off sometimes, but that's not going to change things, so onwards and upwards.

[@nightclawer6679]

That just show how much Thailand and Thai people showing their kindness to foreigners. You can live here just fine without learning Thai language while you can't do that in most country which you can travel there but can't live there.

[@Pajune]

Thailand is very kind indeed! In many Nordic countries English language is mandatory in the comprehensive school. All the basic things you would need are also in English so here anyone can manage to live a proper life without learning the local language. I've noticed many locals rather speak English with the foreigners, including me :D My language is fairly difficult to learn so I'm very thankful for the system forcing me to learn English. Now I can communicate with people from all around the world.

[@ruokeren1919]

I've tried to speak thai with locals but they expect english from my mouth. Regardless of anything I say, they look blankly back and ignore me whether they understand or not. My native country has all government forms in ALL languages so immigrants there are always well informed. I don't see that in Thailand. I'm yet to see kindness coming from Thai's. You clearly dont watch your own news on how you treat each other or what you do to others daily. Nothing kind about Thai's.

[@rainyseason4581]

@@ruokeren1919 Are you sure they were Thais?

[@melissamay7778]

We have been here 3 weeks and have learned a lot of THAI .. I agree a lot of people wont’ even try. I enjoy learning new languages and Thai people are very helpful to help you correct. They were also learning English so like to talk

[@tenkotatsu]

Very interesting video! Keep it up with your content! This might be very trivial but instead of saying "อาศัยมาอยู่ใน", it's better to say "มาอาศัยอยู่ใน". I love the way you speak Thai by the way :)

[@thailand_street_traveler]

Thai language is so beautiful ❤🙏🏼🇹🇭

[@deancordova2982]

¿ Sei pazzo ?

[@amwfpaulandjay]

This video is cool. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. It is good to see you speak about Thailand. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@benzvd]

It's beautiful but most foreigners ignore it

[@user-ZNCL]

Nice content🎉

[@cpa314]

I know work and lack of time can definitely be an issue, but I really believe that anyone living in a foreign country for an extended period of time should atleast try to learn the local language - it just helps you understand the culture and makes things so much easier for both you and locals you interact with.

[@stevenworld3364]

Good interviews.

[@philip32276]

I think the misconception is that most Thais who you think speak English are only understanding at the most about 50% of what you are saying, and will usually answer with a nod, making you think they know what you are talking about. It would drive me crazy living in a country where I didn't understand what was going on around me, but the great majority of my senior friends who have been here many many years speak a few words at most and seem to get along fine. They are satisfied living in a bubble and more power to them.

[@benzvd]

That's why. They think that all Thais understand English. Plus these days Google lens and Google Translate make them even resistant from learning Thai

[@simpletran]

Haha, this is so true. I just took a 1 month break here in Thailand, Bangkok before I continue to Vietnam and I had so many encounters where exactly this happended.

[@The199]

Wow, seeing these foreigners in the comment section living in Thailand and trying to learn or understand our culture makes me so happy. You know, Thai is way harder for foreigners than the other way around. So keep it up, you are all doing great. If anyone interested, I would love to help you with Thai and maybe we can make good friends. I also get to practice English in return.

[@rainyseason4581]

No most of them don't

[@paulikens6443]

It's a known fact It's one of the hardest languages to learn. only the other day i see it was considered the 5th hardest language to learn. so its not a surprise that foreigners don't know it or learn it. as its too difficult.

[@raynarattanapohn9524]

This content is very good.

[@marcuss6554]

Great video! I watched your other video, "Why I speak Thai (My Story)" And impressed that you learned through such extreme immersion. I would love to see a video (from anyone) comparing curriculum/effectiveness of different Thai Language schools in Thailand. I have checked out several and attended a couple and they definitely vary greatly in quality. I have come to a learning block at reading/writing. Can anyone reading this comment, recommend a school in BKK whose curriculum focuses on reading/writing?

[@overlandkltolondon]

If you are in an area with a lot of foreigners, the local Thai people are more used to 'de-toned' Thai, or the kind of Thai that comes out if you just read romanised Thai from menus etc. However, once you get outside of those areas, you need to reproduce the sounds accurately or you will not be understood.

[@TheRDMagee]

I don’t want to be that guy that says they’ve been all over Thailand, but you know I have been all over Thailand, and my tones are horrific yet I’m understood everywhere I go. And I’ve noticed when I do have issues it’s usually with an older person, and my guess they don’t even know I’m speaking Thai.

[@ruokeren1919]

@@TheRDMagee you're probably not.. I can say hello in Thai and get a blank look.. They often don't realise what I have said as they expected an english word from my mouth, but then ignored anyway.. I stopped trying..

[@Vp-vl2nh]

I am Thai people 😂 and I very feel grateful for all of you. Thai language also hard for Thai too LoL 70% of Thai students can not get A or B+ in Thai subject

[@yangtzeling7468]

The guy who said Thai is easy, and yet he doesn’t speak Thai because he may come across as rude … utter BS ! He couldn’t even repeat what Paddy said ! Caught your lies ! Hilarious 🙄

[@user-sg6ud5ce5]

No matter how rude the Thai language is, I don't understand the man speaking.😭

[@ch.6412]

I think it's easy for him because thai and Sanskrit are quite similar

[@vicx05]

He wasn't ready to be exposed like that 🤣 it's pretty sad though, so many excuses and denial, yet they choose to live there.

[@yangtzeling7468]

@@vicx05 They choose to live there so that they can feel important with a few dollars in their wallet. For those that have lived there for years and can only manage Sawadee Krup and Kup Khun Krap , it says a lot about them. Specifically , there were 2 of them trying to justify and impress their ‘ importance ‘ 🙄

[@yangtzeling7468]

@@ch.6412 If Thai and Sanskrit are quite similar , then shouldn’t it be easier to learn ?

[@AsiaStreet365]

Excellent mate.

[@devilsgold6442]

Sawaddeekub🙏🙏🙏welcome to learning and enjoy for my Thai languages👍✌❤🇹🇭😊

[@alphabravo0]

I would say main problem for learning Thai is lack of learning materials in English. For example, I am a big proponents of Pimsleur course and whereas for western languages (and Chinese and Japanese) it has all 5 levels, for Thai it has only 1 level. I think it would be good if Thailand encourage foreigners to learn Thai language by sponsoring development of all 5 levels in Pimsleur (the same goes for many other countries and their languages in Pimsleur).