The purpose of this thread is collect a small repository of info useful for learning a little Thai. It has been my experience that picking up even a little of a language is useful before visiting a locale. I have active in another window the results of an Amazon search that shows a limited variety of tapes and books available to study prior to a trip. I'll be focusing on Portuguese prior to Octcober, but plan on getting a small set of tapes and books together for a two month background learning push prior to my rookie Thanksgiving trip.

I would be interested in hearing suggestions and comments from others that have put a little effort into learning something of the language, particularly those that speak a little Spanish.

I have noticed a series of books, cassettes, and a dictionary by Benjawan Becker. I figure I'll try the begginer track of those. I have also noticed a 10 lesson Pimselur course and I'll probably take the plunge on that as well. The amount of materials available on Amazon are considerably less than one finds for Portuguese, much less Spanish.

I encourage others to contribute observations and experiences. Obviously this is not a romantic language.

If you live near North LA there is the largest Thai temple outside of Thailand and there are language classes there. Thai is a tonal language so you cannot use a book. Check the sites such as Bangkok Post and The Nation where they have some Thai tutorials.

Two sources on Thai language from one of the boards on Thailand.
In-flight Thai; Random house CD; Borders Books or check www.livingthai.com. $14. There are a series of CDs including some from:
www.learningthai.com
Check and repot back.
Thanks

Does anyone have any updated information/tips on learning some Thai from CD's? And where it is possible to buy used (or download) Pimsleurs?

Has anyone ever used the US Foreign Service Institute CD's (for Thai or anything else, like Portuguese)?

Do what I'm doing, hire your own personal female thai tutor.


KM-- here name is Da (Chanisada) for good measure


I found mine by joining:

http://thai.meetup.com/

DM

Checked out the site. The groups around LA are pretty lame. I would not waste my time there.

Hope you have better luck with Da than I did.
My Da was Rattanaporn - so I guess you found a different Da . What are the chances of that ?? Such an unusual name for a Thai girl.

KM-- all's it takes is ones interesting person ;)

Anyhow, I don't care much for the group, but I DID end up with a private Thai tutor for cheap cash-- it served me well...



(Message edited by donmarco on May 25, 2005)

IMO I think that joining a USA group to learn Thai is well worth the effort. I agree with DM on this one in that nothing ventured is nothing gained. Don't worry about the group so much, but rather observe how good the tutor and the course content are. For once I find myself NOT agreeing with Khun Mor (LOL!). The Thai language group would be very interesting if a few people like Epi, Blazers, and Don Marco were to join. There would be some colourful new words for sure.

Dave You have to see the pics of the lamers who are in these groups. Each local group has only about 3-4 members and are not even a group yet. No one wants to take charge and organize. Of course it's great to practice Thai here in US but Please - I do have certain minimum standards for whom I associate with . LOL

Much better to get a live in Thai pooying and practice more than just Thai language !

KM-- I think your missing the point somehow. I am not in "a" group, I looked up a thai local gal who teaches thai. I will take lessons. If it sucks I quit, if it doesn't I learn. Who gives a hoot if a bunch of lamers are unorganized and in small groups?

Also, I posted it in response to a request on learning a little thai.

While I'm at it, if I want to learn a language --going thru the trouble, expense, and headaches of living with a thai girl seems like way overkill for a little sex on the side. To each their own.

DM I think what we have here is a failure to communicate. I was talking only about the LA area groups. I think what you are doing is great. However the groups around HERE have no one I would even want to pair up with on a one to one basis. I was not speaking about the site itself or what you are doing - only what I could see in the LA area.

My last comment was tongue in cheek, not suggesting you marry your tutor.

I in no way meant to imply that what you were suggesting was not a good idea. I was talking about what the local groups could do for me. It was an attempt at humor that it seems you misunderstood as trying to shoot down your suggestion . That was not my intent.

BTW


You're getting as sensitive as Porker dude- lighten up my friend. :-)


(Message edited by Khun_Mor on May 25, 2005)

DM I have to say "chill man" you are usually a cool guy, so don't be so serious! Everybody is so touchy these days in the "good ole politically correct USA!" If a group is lame, then it's lame whatever way you dress it up. However your one-to-one approach with a Thai tutor is how I started to learn Thai. If you have a Thai tutor available I think you should go for ya life!

KM I think DM has the right idea. If a Thai tutor is available then go for it! (Even better if she is a hot Thai chick). IMHO people seem so oversensitive these days and we all need to chill out, so I'm with you on that one. Regarding groups I take your word for this particular group being lame losers! One-to-one is how I learned my "acceptable" Thai.

Gents,

I didn't think I was being overly serious at all or sensitive...

KM--

I responded to what you wrote, which was not an emotional response in the least. Sorry buddy if you took it as anything but.

Dave--

I'm cool as a cuke.

I ain't dressing up anything-- all the groups look lame. What I did recommend was to take a look and see if folks find a potential individual tutor.

HM--

You have some temples out that way that teach thai as well I take it. That is not an option for me (none here), if it was, I would explore that route.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys, the temple seems like the best bet to start with.

Geting a hot Thai chick tutor here would simply make it difficult to concentrate on the language and torment me with the wait to get back to where the hot Thai chicks are actually AVAILABLE.

For those who like Pimsleur courses, just thought I'd mention they have finally come out with a Comprehensive Thai I course (30 lessons).

During my trips to Thailand over the years I have bought dozens of CD, DVD, books and computer programs to learn Thai none have been worth recommending I think the one on one method has to be the best (no pun intended). Off the topic, is Brazilian Portuguese that different from European Portuguese? I'm heading to Rio in a few months and the only courses on offer here are European Portuguese.

Isawal
you'll be ok with european portuguese
they pronouce some letters differently like t for example and some vocabulary is slightly different but not too much

Athos
Thanks, after I'v done the course I'll tell you how things turned out.