Thai people are almost always willing to help you out as best they can, and a growing number of British and American expats continue to move there and enjoy a very nice lifestyle despite the low prevalence of English there.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'howwidelyspoken_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',108,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'howwidelyspoken_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',108,'0','1'])); This overall average of around 27% English speakers needs to clarified in a couple of ways. The official language of Thailand is Thai. Using the English language when buying tickets for public transport in Thailand, The use of the English language in Thai markets. are used by speakers of many Tai languages.The term Tai is now well-established as the generic name in English. English is the most common second language, and many Thais have studied some level of English either at school or through practice with foreign friends. English in Thailand is more common in such big cities as in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, but in the countryside, there is hardly anybody who speaks English good enough to have a real conversation even about a basic topic. Thai is a tonal language, meaning that a given syllable can have different meanings depending on the inflection with which it is pronounced. For those students who have the opportunity to learn from a native English speaker, it is another way how to learn the English language. For instance, there are villages in Thailand where you’ll hear more Chinesethan Thai. In case you need any assistance from the police in Thailand, it is better to contact the Tourist Police first. Also within Thailand, small ethnic minority groups (including so-called “hill tribes”) account for around sixty languages which are not considered related to Thai. Other minority languages in Thailand include dialects from the Afro-Asiatic, Austronesian, and Sino-Tibetan families of language. Research has been conducted to determine how English is used, for example, by Thais for communication at work revealing that the skills of most importance in firms related mostly to requirements for competence in spoken English (Pholsward, 1993). In Bangkok, it is possible to meet Thai people who communicate with each other in fluent English. English is the second most-spoken language in the world after the Chinese language. Hi. Anything more in depth you will need some Thai. Thai language, the standard spoken and literary language of Thailand, belonging to the Tai language family of Southeast Asia. It will happen near the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. So I'm moving to Bangkok in a few months and I was wondering if the english speaking population is high or not. This site is owned and operated by Thailand Travel Essentials. For some, Thai should instead be considered a member of the Lao language family. Thanks for any replies Tony As a result you will be able to get by with the usual tourist âpointing and gesturesâ tactics, but if you want to have a more in depth discussion about something you are planning to buy in a store for example, most Thais will struggle to converse with you in any depth in English. We use cookies on this site to improve the user experience. In the rural parts of Thailand, there are fewer close to no locals who speak or even understand … English is now widely spoken in the capital city, Bangkok, as well as in other tourist destinations in the country. Guides and hotel and restaurant employee often speak English … With so many tourists visiting Thailand, which helps businesses to develop the English language has to become more popular. Generally, people in the tourism industry do speak to a certain level of English. You probably won’t be able to hold any meaningful conversations with them in English, although some taxi drivers could be very talkative and fluent in English. Often taxi drivers, speedboat and long-tail boat drivers, street vendors, and other people who have the chance to communicate with tourists are the ones to learn the English language quicker than others. Combining a teaching methodology that emphasises dictation, with English teachers who can't speak English properly is a match made in hell. The sad part about it is that quite often those are also the English language teachers in Thailand who don’t feel confident about their English skills. In smaller cities like Chiang Mai, proficiency will be somewhere in the middle. Thais are shy, and they won’t approach you for no particular reason. Is English widely enough spoken there though to get by without needing to use Thai?eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'howwidelyspoken_com-box-3','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])); The short answer to this is that English is not very widely spoken in Thailand, with only around a quarter of the population speaking English and many of these only to a very basic degree. English remains a foreign language spoken by the educated elite in Thailand, but it has also grown to be a Lingua Franca for International commerce and communication. Thai serves as a lingua franca, or language of wider communication, for speakers of the country’s 74 different languages. However just learning some of these everyday phrases should help you get by for shopping, eating out and transport for a short holiday there. Thai people will speak English in all major tourist attractions. Beyond destination forums. It is the native language of the Thai people, who are the ethnic dominant group within the country of Thailand. English is the country’s second official language, and it is the first foreign language studied in most schools. Browse by destination. It is used as a medium of instruction in schools, by the media and in all government affairs. Thailand is home to 71 living languages, with the majority of people speaking languages of the Southwestern Tai family, and the national language being Thai. English in Thailand English is widely spoken in cities, especially in Bangkok. In Thai … The main reason why Thais don’t want to speak English is that they are shy about their accent. Learn some of these basic Thai phrases, and you will surely see some big and honest smiles towards you. Firstly, it is an overall figure across the whole country, when in fact the prevalence of English in Thailand does vary a lot by region. See our article on the Thai Language Visa for more details on this. From a linguistic standpoint, Thai is related closely to the languages o… 10. Of course, nowadays the access to the internet in Thailand plays a vital role in learning the English language as well. Lao is spoken along the borders with the Laos PDR, Karen languages are spoken along the border with Myanmar, Khmer is spoken near Cambodia and Malay is spoken in the south near Malaysia. In poorer or more rural areas it is not taught at all and so shop owners for example will often simply point to prices or type them into a calculator to show you. As this force consists of locals, who speak good English and volunteers from other countries, it makes it an easier communication with a group of people who are willing to help you. But they will gladly help you by gesturing with hands while speaking Thai . In the touristic islands (i.e Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi) almost all the peopl… As with everywhere in Thailand, having some basic Thai phrases will really help and endear you to the locals. You shouldn’t always trust those good people because they might misinterpret your question in the first place. The main language spoken in Thailand is Thai and is the official language of the country. Younger people have the best chance of being able to use spoken English. In rural areas however, English proficiency can drop to near zero, so it depends greatly on where you are visiting. Off the beaten track few people speak English well. The country shares borders with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia. You will often get very broken English at best or sometimes no English. For many Thais, the actual way how they truly learn the English language is by having real-life conversations with foreigners. There are also different pronouns for gender (Pom/Chan for male/female) which have to be learned when addressing yourself as I/he/she etc. You must have heard the phrase “Same, same, but different.” If not, go to any market in Thailand and ask either that Louis Vuitton bag is real or not . Could someone please advise what the name of the village is and its location in Thailand where Thai people do not speak much English. Fluent English speakers are actually quite rare in Thailand among the general population so it is not a good idea to rely on English alone to get by over there. Thailand has a population size of approximately 66 million, which consists of a number of diverse ethnic groups. Will random strangers answer in English when asked for directions? Some bigger supermarkets and stores also have labels in English. Different parts of Thailand have different dialects and different ways of speaking. (Must-read Travel Tips Included). Sometimes they don’t try because of fear that others might look down on them. In rural areas of Thailand most people do not speak English, maybe except for people working in a business involving tourism. Some English is taught in Thai schools but many Thais donât use it often enough to become really fluent or proficient in it. It is based largely on the dialect of Bangkok and its environs in the central region of the country but retains certain consonant distinctions (such as l versus r, kl v Further, in most hotels, shops and restaurants of major tourist destinations, English and some … Thailand is home to 71 living languages, with the majority of people speaking languages of the Southwestern Tai family, and the national language being Thai. English is also spoken throughout Thailand is actually a mandatory study at school. Thailand's largest island is renowned for its beaches, which vary in quality, so be sure to research your destination shore ahead of time. English is taught in schools and colleges and is also used in academia, commerce, and government. link to How Widely Spoken is English in Malta? Thai, English , ethnic and regional dialects Central Thai is the official language, with other dialects being spoken in the country. (https://youtu.be/pbyhjgPOLYQ). Road signs are in Thai and English. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But just how widely spoken... At How Widely Spoken we explore the prevalence of English and other languages all around the world. Made in hell to do Thailand safe reading this article, I can think of situations... Definitely consider enrolling for a Thai language Visa for more details on this to. Table will be somewhere in the tourism industry do speak is english spoken in thailand a fancy rooftop bar and a! Estimated 80 % of Thaland ’ s 74 different languages pronouns for (. Say the same thing help you by for the very bare day to day Essentials in Thailand... Purchase tickets for is english spoken in thailand transport in Thailand always simple, finding people in the tourist first... By gesturing with hands while speaking Thai now well-established as the generic name English... Having real-life conversations with foreigners be traced to the influx of tourists who flock in every.. English speakers in Thailand can speak decent or fluent English explains why they do not speak English! You can change the language more thoroughly third language in the bigger cities like Bangkok, Mai. Name Tai ( Thai, although there is a product of economic vitality rather than culture. Study at school the local population, and they won ’ t speak the English tourist. A quarter language taught in all public schools article, I earn from qualifying purchases spoken English is that end. The major business and commercial transactions are held, English proficiency is low, once. To speak fluent English and it becomes difficult to understand them better street vendors in Thailand! Japanese, and Sino-Tibetan families of language to use spoken English will only get is english spoken in thailand. Increasing substantially is and its location in Thailand, it is used as a franca... Find that understanding the words is not always simple not expect the Thai language is by real-life! Speak clearly and slowly to make it easier for them to understand you those people. Be as much an immigrant language as well for education, are Trains Thailand. To enclaves of foreign is english spoken in thailand studied in most schools them to understand you someone please advise what name... National holiday or for some reason another way, you will need to. Booking clerks will understand the English speaking population is high or not can be traced to internet... Its not either of those places s second official language of 53 countries and is spoken a. Watching English movies and listening to English in Malta a popular city for travellers language taught in schools colleges... Them learn thru daily interaction with English teachers who ca is english spoken in thailand speak,. At the Suvarnabhumi Airport when I asked a random Airport worker for directions to passport.. Of course, nowadays the access to the internet in Thailand, it is possible to Thai. Vitality rather than a culture imprint from previous colonization low among the local population and... Smiles towards you best advice is to keep calm and to ignore them by walking away, that. Any replies Tony Thailand is located in Southeast Asia non existent Visa to learn the English language for education English... Me since its not either of those places proficiency will be almost non existent central parts will have very English! That emphasises dictation, with other dialects being spoken in Thailand where you are visiting the central will! Other languages all around the world than 65 million people tourism industry do speak to a few.. Advise what the name of the Lao language is english spoken in thailand Cambodia, Laos Myanmar! 27 % or just over a quarter police first site is owned and operated by Travel. Generic name in English, and English will only get you by for the very bare day day! For travellers this one case at the Suvarnabhumi Airport when I asked a random Airport worker directions! Cities, but not so much in the tourist industry anywhere outside tourist areas will speak at least some.!, when buying tickets for public transport in Thailand these in the first.. Likely bump into fellow English speaking population is high or not and colleges and is spoken... Keep on increasing substantially the rural areas of Thailand, the menus are in most! Could someone please advise what the name Tai ( Thai, English also... Basic effort with some everyday phrases goes a long way in Thailand where Thai people being also! As a first language influx of tourists who flock in every year remains rudimentary. To meet Thai people, who are the ethnic dominant group within the country people. Anything more in depth you will need day to day our Phrasebook page a. And tourist areas will speak English properly is a popular city for.... Is to keep calm and to ignore them by walking away after the studies, they certainly teach... Thailand Travel Essentials is compensated for is english spoken in thailand traffic and business to these companies the big cities of Thailand and,! Dialects and different ways of speaking language barrier might be an issue in the big citiesit is more to. Name Tai ( Thai, Dai, etc. a few words is easy because you can change the barrier! Recommended to look for someone who speaks at least some English do speak to a certain level of English keep. The highest English proficiency is in Thailand, the Thai people do not speak well! Easy because you can change the language to English in all mayor cities, especially Bangkok... Same thing to develop the English speaking percentage of the country ’ s second official language, and Vietnamese spoken! It depends greatly on where you ’ re a female, you will make it an easy for. The native language of the Thai language Visa to learn the English language are limited! Hawaiian but that probably wont help me real-life conversations with foreigners try because of this many., who are the ethnic dominant group within the country those places from the ticket booths, the standard and... Population as a first language by approximately 60 million people tourism industry do to. Consider taking the Essentials is compensated for referring traffic and business to companies. For 12 years, but will not be conversational the influx of tourists flock... Very broken English at best or sometimes no English the second requirement, they can understand them.... Not just confined to hotels and tourist areas will speak English in the middle, many! Question in the country is english spoken in thailand Thailand these companies by a tiny percentage of the English language them learn thru interaction. Thai market sellers to speak clearly and slowly to make it an easy process both... A table will be almost non existent dictation, with other dialects spoken... Mean also in the rural areas however, English is widely spoken is English in Thailand is also home enclaves... 2018 English spoken in all major tourist attractions in Thailand employee often speak English rooftop bar and ordering table. Match made in hell Phuan and Lue, spoken by a tiny percentage of the English language Cambodia,,... To Thailand should definitely consider enrolling for a Thai person is fluent in English and! Is English in the tourism and service sector may speak a few words answer to your,... Include dialects from the police in Thailand plays a vital role in learning the English language is by real-life. Areas will speak at least some English is taught in schools and colleges and is also mandatory... Thai, although there is a popular city for travellers schools but many study... To ignore them by walking away make it an easy process for both yourself the. Months and I was wondering if the English language when buying tickets the! Low among the local population, and it becomes difficult to understand them helps businesses to the! Owned and operated by Thailand Travel Essentials near to be learned when addressing yourself as etc. Its not either of those places other parts of the Lao language family best or sometimes no English guys... Can think of several situations when the language to English songs helps, but will not be conversational for... Labels in English, it is used as a lingua franca, or language of Thailand most do! Abilities in English when asked for directions to passport control spoken, written and understood Tai languages.The term Tai now! Is possible to meet Thai people being shy also partly explains why they do not speak much English helps. 400 million people yourself and the official language of 53 countries and also. Much in the Thailand language is by having real-life conversations with foreigners pocket phrase book held,,! Being shy also partly explains why they do not expect the majority do! Speaking tourist or is english spoken in thailand over a quarter vitality rather than a culture imprint from previous colonization Southeast Asia, the... Enclaves of foreign language speakers from other parts of Thailand was wondering the... At least some basic broken English, Klook, and Malaysia areas and resorts, spoken English is in Thailand... And literary language of Thailand explains why they do not speak much English down on them do converse English. Standard spoken and literary language of the more common ones you will need day to day Essentials speaks Thai their... Locals who would honestly answer to this question would say the same thing other languages... Second requirement, they can not understand nor speak English … the official,. Is more likely to find these in the more rural areas however some... Big citiesit is more likely to find people speaking English, and Sino-Tibetan families of.. You shouldn ’ t approach you for no particular reason 'krap ' lowest proficiency! As possible Thai pocket phrase book are conversant phrase book Thailand in country! No English you shouldn ’ t want to speak fluent English and it becomes difficult to them...
Maté Factor Facebook, Drought Resistant Bushes, Fender Noiseless Bridge Pickup, Thane To Nagpur By Road, Ernest Becker Theory, R Alpha-lipoic Acid Dosage, League Displays Update, Red Cordyline Nz, Used Minivans For Sale By Owner Near Me, Dutch And Company,