Sawasdee! That’s hello in Thai. That was the first word I picked up when I visited Thailand. However, over my years of travel and work in Thailand, I realized that I needed to learn the local language to understand the culture better.
This is when I decided to look for apps that teach Thai, a language spoken by close to 80 Million people in the region. After trying dozens of Thai learning apps, I have realized there is no one-size-fits-all.
For instance, some are useful for improving vocabulary, while others are more effective for reading, writing, or speaking skills. And that’s why I have come up with different platforms.
Top 9 Apps for Learning the Thai Language
Before coming up with these recommendations, I have tried over 17 such apps across multiple parameters. These include teaching methods, visual quality, ease of use, update frequency, and more.
In some of these, you can also listen to how the locals pronounce certain words so you don’t only have to rely on reading alone.
Now, without further ado, let’s dig in!
1. Best of All: Ling
Ling is the perfect app to learn Thai because even though it offers support for multiple languages, Thai is their primary offering.
The app has over 200 lessons that help you understand the basics of the language and take you to make complete conversations in Thai.
I personally love the fact that they emphasize a lot on the grammar here so your grasp of the language remains strong. Ling also focuses a lot on sentence structures and improving your vocabulary over time.
Key Features
- Developed in consultation with native speakers
- Short but effective lessons
- It teaches you to listen, speak, as well as write Thai
- Supports offline downloads of the lessons
- Audio notes that can help you listen to how natives pronounce
2. Best Runner Up: Learn Thai – Phrasebook
Phrasebook is another excellent app for people who want to learn Thai. The app chalks out different categories in the Thai language – such as greetings, conversations, food, numbers, etc, from where you can pick and choose certain modules, or go for the entire course depending on your needs.
There’s a great listening program here too. This program helps you understand exactly how to pronounce certain words. The app can also test you with the help of quizzes and flashcards so that you retain the language better.
Features
- Audio notes from native male as well as female speakers
- 200+ words and phrases come free with this app
- Does not require an internet connection
- No ads in the app
- Uses quizzes and flashcards to test your knowledge
3. Best for Beginners: Pocket Thai Master
Pocket Thai Master is a unique app that helps you learn the Thai language. It takes the approach of ground-up learning, which I actually prefer.
This app focuses on the fundamentals of the language and helps you learn right from scratch. It also provides cultural context and helps you understand the differences between Thai culture and the rest of the world.
The UI of this app, however, needs a significant upgrade.
Key Features
- Teaches the script first and then the phrases
- Provides detailed insights into Thai culture
- Uses 1000+ audio recordings to help you pronounce better
- Makes use of quizzes to help you retain information
- No internet connection is required to run this app
4. Best with Audio: Simply Learn Thai
The app teaches using a method opposite to what you saw in Pocket Thai Master. It believes in going phrase-first rather than teaching the script first.
The app relies on its massive bank of over a thousand phrases across 30+ categories to teach you conversational Thai. I’d recommend this if you want to use conversational Thai for a short trip or a short-term project.
The app not only teaches you but also tests your retention of the language.
Key Features
- Over 300 free Thai phrases and words
- Listen to audio recordings to pronounce better
- Bookmark and save your favorite phrases/words
- 10+ different categories of phrases
- A quiz that helps you check your progress
5. Best Puzzle Based: LuvLingua Thai
LuvLingua believes in interaction learning concepts. Therefore, it brings in games and puzzle elements. The app takes an interesting approach to learning by taking the edutainment route.
There are different modes — easy and hard, where you can test your knowledge and learn new words. There are also auditory quizzes where you will be tested based on listening to phrases.
This is an interesting approach, but if you prefer traditional means, we have a lot of options above.
Key Features
- Game-based approach
- 20 different categories
- Learn each alphabet and how to pronounce them
- Learn by translating Thai to 18 other languages
- Audio notes that help with the correct pronunciation
6. Best for Writing: Write It! Thai
Write It! Thai is an app developed specifically for you to learn the Thai script better. The first step to learning any language is to master the script.
With this app, you get to learn how to write Thai. It showcases all the alphabets of the language and helps you recognize, memorize, and write them. You can trace your finger over the screen to write the alphabet.
It also rates and rewards you based on how well you’re doing. The app also carries audio support to help you learn how to pronounce these letters.
I found this app to be of great use as someone who knew nothing about the Thai script. It was a great primer for me.
Key Features
- Helps you learn the alphabet
- Trace your finger on the screen to write the alphabet
- Use audio notes to listen to how to pronounce each alphabet
- Gives ratings and stars after successful tests
- No internet connection is required to run the app
7. Best for Reading: Easy Thai Read
Easy Thai Read is a great app for advanced users. To use this app, you already need to know the Thai alphabet.
Once you’ve learned the alphabet, you can progress to Easy Thai, which helps you read complete words as well as sentences. By the time you finish this app, you will have a great command of this language.
However, do note that this is the second step after learning the basics from one of the other apps. An audio overlay is also provided. This allows you to know the correct pronunciation as you read.
Key Features
- Depecits meaning in English of each word
- Phonetic pronunciation
- Audio overlay
- Regular tests and quizzes
- Regular updates
8. Best for Speaking: Thai by Nemo
Thai by Nemo is a good Thai language app for anyone who wants to improve their Thai speaking skills. I love the fact that this app also works on my Apple Watch besides the regular phones and tablets.
Thai By Nemo has a different approach to teaching you Thai – it does not believe in providing chapters and lessons, but instead provides daily conversations and phrases that help you learn the language better and more organically.
The app also comes with audio pronunciations so you can speak like a native with all the correct tones.
Key Features
- Review mode that helps you retain better
- Flashcards and quizzes that test your Thai knowledge
- Hands-free interaction with the app
- Supports the Apple Watch as well
- Use the app offline
9. Learn Thai Phrases For Travel
If you want to get a quick crash course into how to speak the Thai language, you need to check out this app. This is a good app for those people who want to travel to Thailand for a short duration.
The app carries a list of close to 1500 common phrases that you can memorize to interact with the locals. It also has audio sections where you can try your speaking skills. There are regular quizzes that help you retain your language skills better.
key Features
- 1500 phrases to learn from
- Audio mode that tests your speaking skills
- Quizzes and tests to track your progress
- Learn Thai with the help of an AI assistant
- Save some of your favorite or frequently used phrases
Frequently Asked Questions
The basics of Thai (colors, numbers, greetings) can be learned relatively quickly. However, forming advanced sentences can take time. It can be safely assumed that in 6-8 months of regular training, you might be able to hold a small conversation in Thai.
Unfortunately yes. Learning Thai is difficult especially when compared to learning French, Italian, and Spanish. It is rated level 4/5 on the FSI language difficulty scale. However, it is not impossible, especially in six months.
Wrap Up!
Thai is an essential language for those who want to travel, trade, or do business in Thailand. It is also extremely important for people in the hospitality sector in that region.
Furthermore, learning Thai can also help you communicate with other people who might not be from Thailand, but are from surrounding regions as many of the languages there are fairly similar.
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