| Over the last decade, Thailand has grown to | | | | When making a more long-term commitment to |
| become one of the world's most popular tourist | | | | the country it becomes essential to consider |
| destinations, attracting approximately 10 million | | | | learning the language. It is near impossible to be |
| international visitors every year. Over time, | | | | considered a local, you will always remain a |
| Thailand has become known as "The Land of the | | | | foreigner, but your chances of fitting in are |
| Free" or "The Land of Smiles", and most visitors | | | | increased immensely if you can talk Thai; not only |
| would agree that both names feel appropriate. | | | | that but you will be better placed to negotiate, do |
| The appealing Thai people, beautiful landscapes, | | | | business, run a home, and build solid friendships. |
| rich nature, and tropical weather, draw people to | | | | Your life in general will run far more smoothly if |
| Thailand time after time. English is taught in most | | | | you can read descriptions on bottles in shops, talk |
| Thai schools, and the majority of westerners rely | | | | to gardeners and labourers, discuss rental |
| on the English language to communicate with the | | | | agreements or deeds with property owners and |
| locals. The standard and depth of English a given | | | | so on. Thailand has four variations of language, to |
| Thai person knows can vary considerably | | | | suit different social classes and circumstances. |
| depending on location, age, wealth and | | | | Understanding the variations |
| background. But generally, a tourist can take a | | | | Thailand has four variations of language, to suit |
| holiday and benefit from all of Thailand's main | | | | different social classes and circumstances.There is |
| tourist attractions without needing to speak a | | | | an informal, street language, a formal language, a |
| word of Thai. So, why would anyone want to | | | | religious language, and a royal language. If you are |
| learn Thai? | | | | dating a Thai person, or have made friends with |
| Understanding the culture | | | | people from a small community, or "party" |
| Cultures drive the development of language, and | | | | community you need to know that the language |
| language tells a multitude of stories about its | | | | you have learned may not be appropriate in more |
| native culture. You cannot fully understand a | | | | official or formal circumstances. You may have |
| culture without understanding its language, and | | | | learnt "street Thai", which sounds completely out |
| vice versa. Language and culture are entwined, | | | | of place in a corporate business environment. |
| and this is especially the case with Thailand. | | | | Demonstrates Respect |
| Learning even the most basic Thai will provide | | | | Tourists or immigrants tend to fall in love with |
| visitors with a much greater insight into the Thai | | | | Thailand for its people, weather, landscapes, |
| culture. Just two commonly spoken Thai phrases | | | | nature, lower cost of living, and/or culture. While |
| such as "mai pen rai" (no problem), and "cha cha" | | | | taking pleasure from all of these aspects of |
| (slowly slowly), make an enormous statement | | | | Thailand, it is respectful to at least attempt to talk |
| about the relaxed attitude of the Thai people - | | | | Thai. Even if you only speak a little Thai, it goes |
| imagine how much more of the culture you would | | | | along way with the local people. They usually |
| understand if you learned more of the language. | | | | greet any attempts to speak their language with |
| Building friendships with the locals | | | | great enthusiasm, and appreciate your efforts to |
| In the more commercial tourist destinations, most | | | | establish an equal relationship. They welcome |
| locals you encounter on a daily basis will have a | | | | visitors so warmly and share the beauty of their |
| basic grasp of the English language, but | | | | country with all. Showing respect and learning a |
| conversation may be limited to varying degrees. | | | | little of their language contributes to a positive |
| In addition, if you spend more time in the country, | | | | experience, which reaches beyond the supplier |
| or if you travel around Thailand to less developed | | | | and buyer relationship of an average holiday |
| areas, you will still encounter many locals who | | | | "transaction". |
| don't speak much English at all. If you are keen to | | | | Fun and Challenging |
| move your conversations and friendships with | | | | As the Thai language and culture are so entwined, |
| Thai people beyond the general greetings and | | | | it goes without saying that the language is fun and |
| every day chitchat, your task will be much easier | | | | lively, but also laid back and relaxed, thereby |
| and far more rewarding if you attempt to | | | | mirroring the culture and attitude that has made |
| communicate in their language. | | | | the Thai people so popular. The Thai language is a |
| Thailand for business, investment, retirement or | | | | fun language to learn. Being a tonal language it is |
| love | | | | expressive and lively, the grammar is simple, and |
| Many people are choosing Thailand as a new | | | | the more you speak the language the more you |
| home, a place to invest, or a place to carry out | | | | start to merge with the Thai culture itself, and |
| business. The development of the tourism | | | | find yourself adopting the same laid back and fun |
| industry and the country's economy as a whole | | | | loving attitude. Due to the differences in alphabet |
| has opened up what can seem like an infinite | | | | and sounds, learning the Thai language can be |
| number of business opportunities - particularly in | | | | challenging, but the more fun you have along the |
| the tourist trade. Land and property has also | | | | way, the easier it gets. |
| witnessed an explosive increase in value, and by | | | | So, there we have six good reasons to start |
| now, most people in the western world will know | | | | studying the Thai language. If you are |
| of someone who has invested in a second home | | | | contemplating visiting Thailand or learning the |
| in Thailand, has fallen in love with a Thai, or has | | | | language, I hope this article has provided you with |
| fallen in love with the country so much that | | | | some inspiration and information to assist you in |
| they've decided to stay and set up business. | | | | your decision making process. |