What language do they speak in Thailand?

Thailand is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia, known for its stunning beaches, temples, and delicious food. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, you might be wondering what language Thai people speak.

The native language in Thailand is called “Thai”

Maybe you thought it was a trick question, but the name of the native language spoken in Thailand today is simply called “Thai.” Thai is the official language of Thailand and is spoken by the majority of the population. With over 69 million people, Thailand is the 20th most populous country in the world. Besides Thai, there are also several minority languages spoken in Thailand, including Lao, Karen, and Malay.

However, if you dig deeper into Thailand's history, you'll find that there were actually over 60 "Tai" languages. The one that we now know as "Thai" today comes from what used to be known as "Central Tai".

How did Thai become the official language of Thailand?

In the 7th century, a diverse group of people living in Southern China known as the "Tai" people began migrating westward into Southeast Asia. Over the years as they spread farther apart, the language began to diverge into distinct separate languages, known as Northern Tai, Central Tai, and Southwestern Tai.

These languages would evolve into languages that are now spoken in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao, Cambodia, and China (not Mandarin).

Central Tai becomes dominant

Eventually this "Central Tai" would turn into "Siamese", the language spoken by the people in the Kingdom of Siam starting in the late 1300s. As the Siamese began to expand their kingdom and exert their dominance in Southeast Asia in the 16oos, Siamese started to to take hold as the dominant Tai language in the region.

With the growth of Buddhism in the region, Buddhist monks chose to use Siamese as the language of instruction and teaching to the people throughout the region.

In the 14th century, the Thai king Ramkhamhaeng the Great commissioned the creation of a Siamese/Thai alphabet, which helped to standardize the language and make it more widely accessible to people of lower classes. In the following centuries, a number of notable works of Thai literature were written, helping to promote the use of Siamese as a language of culture and learning.

Thai becomes the national language

Siamese/Thai became the official language of Thailand in 1837 by decree of King Mongkut (Rama IV). While there were numerous minority languages spoken in Thailand at the time, including Khmer, Lao, Mon, and others, the move was largely symbolic, as Thai had already become the dominant language and mother tongue of the country.

In 1939, the Kingdom of Siam was renamed "The Kingdom of Thailand." The term "Siamese" had been used to refer to the Thai people who lived in the central plains of Thailand. However, there were many other ethnic groups living in Thailand, including the Lao, the Khmer, the Malays, and the Chinese. These ethnic groups were not considered to be "Siamese" and they were often discriminated against by the Thai government.

The name change from Siam to Thailand was an attempt to address this discrimination and to create a more inclusive national identity. The name "Thailand" is derived from the Thai word "thai", which means "free" or "independent". This name was chosen to reflect the country's desire to be a sovereign nation and to promote a sense of unity among all the people who live in Thailand.

What to know about the Thai language

The Thai language is a tonal language, which means that the same word can have different meanings depending on the pitch of your voice. There are five tones in the Thai language: mid, high, low, rising, and falling. The Thai alphabet is based on the Khmer script (from the Khmer Empire circa 802 CE–1431 CE) which is also used in Cambodia. It has 44 consonants and 15 vowels.

Thai is a relatively difficult language to learn, especially for Westerners, as the language is Latin and Germanic languages such as English or Italian. However, if you are planning a trip to Thailand, it can be helpful to learn a few basic Thai phrases to help you communicate with locals. Here are some useful Thai phrases:

Hello: Sawadee krap/kha (krap for men/kha for women)

Thank you: Khop khun krap/kha

Please: Mai pen rai

Excuse me: Khop khun khap

How much?: Ta-lai rai?

Do you speak English? Khun phuut phasaa angkrit dai mai?

Do you need to speak Thai to travel in Thailand?

While Thai is the official language of Thailand, and also the language all the people in Thailand speak, English is also widely spoken in tourist areas. Many Thais learn English in school, and there are also many expats living in Thailand who speak English. That being said, it’s always a good idea to learn a few basic Thai phrases before visiting Thailand, as this will help you communicate with locals and show respect for their culture, as well as make your trip more enjoyable for yourself.

One of the things I can say based on my experience of traveling in Thailand is that it’s a place where the locals want to help you speak their language. Thai people are so friendly in general, but this extends much further when you try to speak Thai to them. 

They will help you with your vocabulary and pronunciation, and they’ll make you feel so good about yourself for trying that you’ll feel encouraged to keep learning. This isn’t the case in all places. My experiences with learning Vietnamese in Hanoi and Mandarin in Taiwan weren’t nearly as enjoyable. This aspect of learning Thai really makes the process that much more enjoyable.

Related languages to Thai

The Thai language is a member of the Tai-Kadai language family, which is also spoken in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Thai has a rich history and literature and is considered one of the most beautiful languages in the world.

Should you learn Thai?

If you are planning a trip to Thailand or are just interested in learning a new language, learning Thai can be a great choice. Even though you can get by traveling in Thailand with just English (and many people do), learning Thai will completely change your experience with locals and help you enjoy Thai culture in ways you can’t come close to with just English.

Additionally, learning a new language is always a valuable skill, and Thai is a particularly interesting and beautiful language to learn. One of the hardest parts about learning a new language is keeping your motivation high enough throughout the process to continue.

With Thai, this can be a bit easier because learning it is so fun, and as soon as you start speaking it with native Thai speakers, the dopamine hits from speaking it correctly just keep coming. Meaning that if you do decide to learn Thai, the experience itself should be rewarding enough to keep your motivation level high.

How hard is it to speak Thai?

Thai is considered a difficult language to learn, especially for Westerners who are not familiar with tonal languages. The Thai alphabet is also quite different from the Latin alphabet used in English and other European languages, which makes it challenging to read and write. 

To make things even more challenging, Thai grammar is significantly different from English, and there are many rules that can be difficult to master. 

Even with those things being true, with dedication and practice, it is certainly possible to learn and become fluent in Thai. Many people find that learning Thai is such a rewarding and enjoyable experience that they end up spending years in the country just for the love of the language. 

And as with any language you learn, the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering a new language is priceless and can positively affect your life in many unexpected ways.

How long will it take to learn Thai?

How long it takes to learn Thai depends on many factors, including your current level of comfort and fluency in other tonal languages, the amount of time you are able to devote to studying Thai, and your learning abilities in general. Some people are able to learn conversational Thai relatively quickly, while others will need more time and practice. 

According to the Foreign Service Institute, which provides language training to U.S. government employees, Thai is considered a Category III language, meaning that it is more difficult for English speakers to learn than languages like Spanish or French. The FSI estimates that it takes around 44 weeks of full-time study (approximately 1,100 hours) to achieve a general professional proficiency in Thai. 

However, “professional proficiency” is quite a high level, and this is just a rough estimate. Your own experience may vary depending on your individual circumstances. With consistent practice, feedback, and repetition, you can quickly progress in learning Thai and start speaking with native Thai speakers sooner than you think.

Where to begin learning Thai

Whether you are planning a trip to Thailand or simply interested in learning it because it’s a beautiful language, Thai is definitely worth exploring. We’re launching a Thai course soon designed for people who want to speak Thai while traveling in Thailand.

If you want to learn the Thai words you actually need to survive in and enjoy Thailand like a local, our course will help you speak Thai fluently at the basic level. This will help you enjoy parts of Thai culture you never knew existed.

Want to join our waiting list? Send us an email at contact@weaverschool.com and we’ll make sure you’re one of the first to know once it’s available.