The language of Thailand is Thai, although this might also be referred to as Siamese. This is the official language and is used all over the country. More than 20 million people are able to speak Thai. As with all countries there are different dialects in use around the country. Bangkok Thai is considered to be a different dialect than standard Thai, although there are so many people using it that it is also referred to as standard Thai. Another dialect of the language is Khorat Thai, which is spoken by less than half a million people in the Nakhon Ratchasima area.

There are a number of other languages which are used in Thailand and which are connected to the language. Isan is spoken in the north eastern part of the country and is considered to be a blend of the Thai language and the Lao language. Around 15 million people regularly use this dialect. The Galung language is used in the Nakhon Phanom area of the country. Northern Thai is also referred to as Lanna or Thai Yuan and is used in the Chiang Mai area of the country. Nyaw is a language used in the Nakhon Phanom province and the Udon Thani Province, again in the north eastern part of the country.

Phuan is a language which is used in the central parts of Thailand, although it is not known how many people use this language on a daily basis. Shan is a language which is used in the north-west part of Thailand and regular users number less than 60,000. The Song language is used by around 30,000 people living in central and northern parts of the country. In the southern parts of Thailand there is a language known as Phasa Thai, which is also known as southern Thai and which has around 5 million speakers. This is not an exhaustive list and there are several other regional languages and dialects which are used regularly. Some of these other languages have originated in other countries and have taken on some Thai grammar and phrases. It should be noted that standard Thai is used in schools and universities so most speakers of the regional languages will also use standard Thai.

There are different types of standard Thai used, depending upon the situation. Street Thai (also referred to as common Thai) is used on a day to day basis and is a very informal version of the language. Formal Thai is used in business meetings and in newspapers and is an official version of Thai. Religious Thai is used when talking to Buddhist monks or when discussing the religion. Royal Thai is used for speaking with members of the royal family or talking about them. It is usual for people to be able to use all these forms of the language as they are taught in schools.

English is now taught in Thai schools as part of the curriculum, so many of the younger generation are able to hold a conversation in English. For the older generation this is not necessarily the case, although some people may have needed to learn some English for work. In rural areas it is less likely that you will find fluent English speakers. Thai is the language used in the workplace, although in some areas, such as Bangkok, there are international companies which have English speaking staff and which use English on a daily basis. In tourist areas you are more likely to find English speakers, particularly those employed in the tourist industry.

For those who are moving to Thailand to work, it is essential to learn some of the language unless you are moving to work for an international company. Those who are just moving to the country to live may be able to get by with a few simple phrases for using in shops. However, when dealing with utility companies and government agencies there are no guarantees of finding English speakers, so it is a good idea to take lessons in the language. Language skills are essential for those who want to apply to become Thai citizens in the future.

There are a number of language schools in Thailand and these offer a wide variety of courses for Thai learners. Students can take one-to-one lessons, opt for evening classes or take intensive courses until they are able to communicate effectively. Berlitz has a famous language school in Thailand and there are many more located in different regions. There are several within the popular holiday resort of Phuket.

These schools also offer a source of employment for English speakers. Those with a TEFL qualification are often hired to work on English language courses for Thai nationals. There are also translating and other teaching opportunities available to native English speakers, and there are several international companies which actively recruit English speakers.

Most terrestrial TV in Thailand is broadcast in Thai, although there is the option to change the language on some TV sets. English language programming is mainly on satellite and cable services and these are a mix of US and UK channels. Most English programmes broadcast on Thai terrestrial TV are dubbed into Thai.

Useful Resources

Berlitz Thailand
www.berlitz.go.th
Tel: + 66 2231 1222

TLS Language School
www.tlslanguageschool.com
Tel: +66 2735 0956