What is the first thing that comes to your mind while thinking about Thailand? An amazing tourist spot, Right? Have you ever thought about language? Do People speak English in Thailand?
The Thai people are very friendly and welcoming to foreigners. So it’s not a problem for them if you don’t speak their language.
Do People Speak English In Thailand?
English is not very widely spoken in Thailand. However, there are many English-speaking people who can speak to you in English. They can help you find your way around the country.
Even if they are not fluent in English, Thai people will still be able to understand what you are saying. They will also be able to help you with anything.
Most people will try to accommodate your needs when it comes to food and accommodation. So if you’re looking for somewhere nice, then don’t worry about language barriers too much!
National Language Of Thailand
Thai is the national language of Thailand, spoken by most Thais. It is a tonal language that uses five tones to distinguish meanings.
In addition, it has the largest number of consonants in any language and uses no vowels at all. The Thai alphabet has 44 consonants and 32 vowels.
The Thai language also makes use of a set of diacritical marks called “indic signs.” These indicate tones, as well as several other special symbols.
Why Is English Spoken Poorly In Thailand?
You may ask why English is spoken poorly in Thailand. It is because of the influence of Thailand’s rich history.
English is not widely spoken in Thailand. This is because the people of this country have very different cultures.
Many Thais don’t speak English, but they know how to read and write it. They learn this skill from their parents and teachers at school.
Thailand has a lot of immigrants from Asia and Africa. They came to work as laborers during colonial times (when there were many wars).
After independence from France in 1932, these people became Thai citizens by law.
This means that some people born before independence still speak French. However, many don’t because they never learned it before moving here. Even most Westerners think we’re all bilingual!
You can see this difference between Thai culture & Western culture at tourist spots. For example, Bangkok’s Grand Palace which was built during King Rama V‘s reign.
Some other reasons are:
1. Lack of Interest From Students:
There is a lack of interest from students in learning English. There are many reasons for this, but one of them is the high cost of tuition and classes.
The other reason is that most students do not see any benefit in learning a foreign language at such an early age. In addition to these two obstacles, there are also some cultural barriers.
2. Improper English Teaching In Thai Schools:
If you’re looking to learn English in Thailand, remember that teachers are not always the same.
A lot of people teach English as a second language. Some of them don’t even speak perfect English themselves.
So if your child goes to one of these schools, their teacher might not communicate with them properly. They may not help them learn anything useful about life in Thailand or beyond.
However, there are some schools that hire native speakers who can speak English well. But it doesn’t happen everywhere.
3. Lack Of Practice In Society:
Another reason is the lack of practice of English in society. There are many reasons for this lack of practice.
One of them is the difficulty of finding English-speaking people in Thailand. The country has a population of over 69 million people.
According to surveys, only 5% speak English at home or work. This means that most people communicate with others using Thai instead of English.
If you speak English with someone, they might not understand. As a result, they could misinterpret what you mean.
There are some other reasons why there aren’t many opportunities for practicing English. Most jobs need a degree from an accredited university which translates into higher costs.
This must be associated with attending classes each day after work hours have ended. It also costs so high. Therefore, people don’t take an interest in learning English.
4. Different Dialects Or Accents:
Another problem with speaking English in Thailand is different dialects or accents. There are many different dialects of English in Thailand. It can be difficult to grasp the subtleties of the language.
For example, you are from a country where English is spoken by people of many different backgrounds and cultures. It can be difficult to understand what some Thais say.
This will become more apparent when you go on vacation in Thailand. While interacting with locals, you will find that they speak differently than you do.
Is English Taught In Thai Schools?
The answer is yes, but it’s not as common as you might expect. There are a few private schools that offer classes in English and other languages. But they’re not widespread.
In the public school system, the case is different. There aren’t any specific lessons on speaking English or learning to read and write.
However, there are plenty of options for studying English outside of the classroom. Many people choose this method. It allows them access to more resources than what’s available in the college program.
English In Some Major Thai Cities
No doubt, there is a very percentage of Thai people who speak English. But most of them are from larger cities.
Bangkok And Chiang Mai:
Bangkok is a city of contrasts and contradictions. As you wander around, you’ll find that Thai people speak English with a broad accent. This can be difficult to understand.
In Chiang Mai, you will see people speaking English. The city is known for its cultural diversity, but you can still find many expats who speak English.
The majority of people in Chiang Mai are Thai and speak their own language fluently. But there are also many people who immigrated to Thailand from other countries.
These immigrants tend to be more fluent in English than their Thai counterparts. This is because they have learned it at school or through work experience abroad.
Pattaya And Phuket:
Pattaya is situated on the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand. It’s known for its nightlife and beach resorts.
In addition to Thai and English, Pattaya also has many other languages. These are spoken by residents or visitors from all over the world.
Phuket is a popular tourist destination in Thailand, and it’s not hard to see why. The island has beaches, mountains, and wildlife, all within easy reach of each other.
Can You Get By In Thailand Without Speaking Thai?
Yes, you can, but you need to learn some basic Thai phrases. Thailand is a very diverse country. It’s not uncommon for English speakers to visit Thailand.
The first thing to do is to make sure that you have a good grasp of the basics. This means knowing how to say your name, where you’re from, and how old you are.
If you can do this in Thai, then people will know what country or region in Thailand you’re from. This will be helpful for finding other English speakers in your area.
Conclusion:
As you can see, people in Thailand do speak English to some extent. However, it is not as common as in some other countries. It’s a good idea for travelers to learn Thai before visiting.
Even if you don’t speak any Thai, making an effort goes a long way. This can help keep things civil between yourself and others!
However, it’s important to remember that Thai society is sometimes very conservative when it comes to language.
This means that some Thais may understand basic English vocabulary and grammar structures. But they may not be comfortable using them outside of certain situations.
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