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Why learn Thai?
Thailand is a fascinating country.
The stereotypical images of it as an earthly paradise for
holidaymakers and as a seedy den of vice where drugs and prostitution
are rife both have elements of truth to them but they are
just the surface. Underneath, there is an enormous wealth
of ancient culture - and a repressive political régime
that jars with the country's name (thai means freedom).
If you want to get beyond the
usual tourist routes and attitudes, to dig deeper into Thai
life and culture, not to be considered just another farang,
you need to speak the language.
Here at JMJ in Manchester, we
have taught Thai to many different people wanting to do business
in Thailand, to buy houses there, to teach English there -
and, in one case, to understand documents about Thai aviation.
It's not all mail-order brides!
The Thai language is very different
from English, of course, and it is bound to be more difficult
for a Westerner to learn than a European language would be.
However, once you get over the initial strangeness of having
no point of reference, Thai is not so terribly hard. One or
two of our students, after a couple of years of study, are
able to write good essays in Thai. For you, this may be going
too far; perhaps you just want to be able to get to know your
Thai friends better by speaking their language. Whatever your
aims, if you put in the time and effort, you may be surprised
how far you can go.
For a useful introduction to the Thai language, check out
Learning
Thai the Easy Way. This is a very interesting site in
all sorts of ways.
You can find another good introduction
to Thai by clicking here.
Inspired to learn Thai?
If you live in or near Manchester,
you could start a one-to-one
Thai course with us tomorrow (or whenever it suits you).
There is a large Thai-speaking
community in Manchester and you should have no trouble finding
people to talk to in Thai, to practise what you've learnt
in your lessons.
Recommended Reading
If you are interested in learning
Thai, you might like to have a look at the Thai
language books we recommend to accompany any course you
take or for maintaining/improving your Thai by yourself.
If you are planning a trip to
Thailand, check out the guide
books available.
If you are interested in the
life and culture of Thailand, have a look at our recommendations
for books about or set
in Thailand. These books are in English, a range of fiction
and non-fiction that we have enjoyed and hope you will too.
Some Quick Facts About Thailand
Language:
Thai
Capital
city:
Bangkok
Regions:
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces:
Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat,
Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri,
Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen,
Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun,
Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon
Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon
Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu,
Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung,
Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra
Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap
Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon
Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara
Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan
Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani,
Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Population:
64,631,595 (July 2006 est.)
Currency:
Baht
Religion:
Buddhist
Government:
Monarchy (King Bhumibol Adulyadej). Bicameral parliamentary
system.
Internet domain:
.th
Country
calling code:
+66
If you are interested in learning more about Thailand, you
might also like to look at the following websites:
Farang
Pai Nai (online newspaper)
Thailand
Guidebook
Thailand.com
Thailand
in Wikipedia
Learn Thai at our school in Manchester:
- Tailor-made, one-to-one courses
- Intensive or longer-term courses
- Convenient Manchester location
Click here
to read more about our Thai courses.
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