Thread: Do you have to read, write and speak Thai to be successful in life here?

A few of my fellow members here have tried to dig me in the ribs about the fact I cannot read and write Thai!

When I first arrived here over 20 years ago I really thought it was necessary so I learned about 20 Thai letters (how to write and meanings) in about 3 nights and then thought too myself......... why.

All my strategic Thai work colleagues and customers spoke perfect English, including my secretary and solicitor and I decided that my time and brain matter should be dedicated to coming up with ideas, winning orders and making money.

In fact at the outset of all of the meetings I have attended over all these years I have started speaking Thai and they (The Thais) prefer to conduct the meeting in English.

Lazy, yes in some peoples eyes I probably am but successful..........well as far as I am concerned I am content with my lot.

Maybe one day, and when I have the time on my hands I will learn Thai in it's entirety but until then..................delegate whenever possibly and with regard to any non profitable, unnecessary exercises and tasks.


Interesting to know what others think!


Footnote: Learning to speak Mandarin would certainly be my first priority anyway!

Only for social reasons I think

Depends what you want to do, but to be successful here you certainly don't need to speak Thai.

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Only for social reasons I think

Thanks happy for your comment.

In fact my spoken Thai is OK and particularly when it comes to obscure Thai engineering terminology (working on the shop floor) but I truly have never felt any frustrations and with regard to not being able to read and write Thai.

As I don't work here, knowing the basics like reading a menu and have a basic conversation with my neighbours seems to be well enough.

I don't think beeing able to read Thai Rath or Daily News could enhance your intellectual ability.

That's enough for somebody living here.

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Depends what you want to do, but to be successful here you certainly don't need to speak Thai.

I also agree bob but some people see it as a real disgrace that I am still illiterate and with regard to written Thai and after being here for so long.

No, but after 20 years you should have picked it up.

Doesn't it piss you off that you have to have things read or translated for you.

I've found it useful on many occasions.

Even educated Thai fuck up when reading and understanding instructions

Originally Posted by NickA

Doesn't it piss you off that you have to have things read or translated for you.

Yes Nick at times it is a little frustrating but at the end of the day others have to take responsibility for those document contents anyway.

We have predominately German and Japenese plant in out factories and I find myself having to translate operating instructions to the Thais.

The bottom line is I have not found it neccessary at all!

If in doubt I don't sign anything unless its written contents is firstly explained to me by someone I trust.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I also agree bob but some people see it as a real disgrace that I am still illiterate and with regard to written Thai and after being here for so long.

Just read the Pattaya news reports we can read on this board and don't worry, the press here is pure crap.

It could be useful though to be able to read some official papers, but english translations sould be easy available.

dont need it at all.

social only.

learn half a dozen words, it goes a long way, but after that the effort doesnt equate to rewards.

Fuck that, look around you, see all them that is just barely getting by, no money in the pocket or bank,, look at em real good.
They read and write and speak it fluently and how successful would you say they are,
Now look at us farang, we don't speak it nor read it nor write it and we got money in the bank and food in our belly's, now who is the most successful??

No 2 Thai can read something and come to the same conclusion, and they can not do that even by talking so the language both written and oral is useless in anything but making noise and confusion..

Business wise, I've never needed Thai fluency. It just helps with the staff that you can get along and have a giggle with them. In my personal case most of the clients I deal with are 'farangs'. So Thai is not really neccessary.

I agree with KW and G2BH, socially it helps a lot.

I don't feel the need to read Thai newspapers 'with quotations from politicians, deaths of local yaba dealers, car accidents etc...'.

Although I think not reading Thai does limit me to a certain degree on getting good deals and latest promotions, although they do trickle down to me via Thai staff, friends and the gf.

I'm also suprised occassionally that some of my Thai staff, well educated at top universities locally and overseas, do not actually know the Thai alphabet 100%. The translations from English to Thai I've tested amongst several staff/clients using the same piece of English is amazingly different.

you don't need to, no.
you aint dead yet.

fact you can't is a cause for personal embarrassment though, don't you think?

being iliterate must sting a tad.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

being iliterate must sting a tad.

It used to when challenged on TD Noony!

I really would love to be able to speak, read and write Mandarin though!

The only language I truly believe one should learn as a second language affluently!

Originally Posted by kingwilly

learn half a dozen words, it goes a long way, but after that the effort doesnt equate to rewards.

I can understand most of what is going on and can respond and be clearly understood. Enough for me!

Originally Posted by filch

Call me shallow, but living in a 'farang' bubble is quite nice.

Nail on the head mate!

In fact after all these years here I still fee like I am on holidays!

Would not change anything for anybody and any reason!

If you have been in the country for 20 years your spoken Thai should be nearly fluent and you should be able to read basic Thai.

20 years ???

I have been here 4 years and can speak Thai and read very basic Thai. Reading and writing the gibberish seems impossible as the tones and sounds seem like they have to be memorized to ever understand them.

But 20 years ????

Originally Posted by astasinim

Perhaps the nay sayers are trying to project something onto you, to make up for their own inadequacies.

Maybe your right mate but I have no understanding why!

I'm certainly no smarter than the next TD member but have the balls (after doing the homework) to have a go. Maybe being in the right place at the right time also has helped.

Originally Posted by Ghandi

But 20 years ????

I have had a work permit for 20 years but spent a lot of time setting up factories overseas. In fact doing so at the moment in Malaysia and The Philippines.

Again you question me why and really I don't think it is at all essential, not at all and is something I would only have attempted and if it was absolutely necessary!

Fvck there are a lot more important, relevent and worthwhile challenges IMO.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Fvck there are a lot more important, relevent and worthwhile challenges IMO.

i daesay there are, but reading and writing not up there somewhere??

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

i daesay there are, but reading and writing not up there somewhere??

On my list of things to do here mate but way down at the bottom!

Yes, a challenge of course but in the big picture will stay in the too hard basket for a while to come.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Yes Nick at times it is a little frustrating but at the end of the day others have to take responsibility for those document contents anyway.

I'm not talking about complex documents, I'm talking about signs in the street, supermarket, restaurant menus, leaflets, letters, instructions etc....

Originally Posted by blackgang

no money in the pocket or bank

What's it got to do with money?

Originally Posted by blackgang

No 2 Thai can read something and come to the same conclusion

Exactly, that's why it's useful to be able to read something yourself.