Thread: Good tip for learning Thai for those living in the Kingdom

I have been learning Thai for about five years now and can speak, read, and write at probably an intermediate level (mind you the Thai books I have seen aimed at advanced learners in my opinion are only intermediate).

I live in a Thai village with no other farangs nearby and so I am forced to use Thai everyday. My wife can speak good English but none of my Thai friends can hardly speak a word. They actually speak the issan dialect of Thai here, even though we are in North Central Thailand (Phitsanulok). When I moved here two and a half years ago my Thai improved a great deal but a few months ago it plateaued.

I have found that by getting rid of all the English speaking channels on my UBC it has forced me to improve again. Most of these channels were rubbish anyway and they were all full of repeats. I now also have an excuse for watching TV as it is now a learning experience and I actually enjoy Thai TV. I am also saving 2000 bath a month.

I think that many Farang who stay in Thailand lose their motivation to learn Thai after living here a few years here. Which is a shame. I think that it is good to try new things to keep the interest going. My next plan is to give up reading novels in English and only read Thai ones for a while.

By the way, I think that anyone who says they can speak Thai after only a few months and that the tones aren't important is talking through their arse.

Originally Posted by paulg

I am also saving 2000 bath a month.

Good idea, i'm getting shot of UBC next month basically in protest at its crapness.
Not saying Thai tv is any better, in fact it's total crap but at least it's free crap.

God bless torrents and the dwindling need for a tv.

I got free crap from the Phillipines

after you pay for the dish and box, no more payments

downside is that every six months you lose the signal until the man comes round with the new key

that period gives you an excuse to do some reading etc

Originally Posted by DrAndy

downside is that every six months you lose the signal until the man comes round with the new key

The latest version of boxes are internet connected, no need for the man to come around.

Originally Posted by paulg

I actually enjoy Thai TV

There's no hope for you, your brain is obviously turning to mush. Which explains your ability to comprehend Thai no doubt.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

I got free crap from the Phillipines

after you pay for the dish and box, no more payments

downside is that every six months you lose the signal until the man comes round with the new key

that period gives you an excuse to do some reading etc

Does this mean you have Filipino TV channels?

I once lived in Saudi Arabia and we had free Filipino channels. It was completely crazy. They would speak half a sentence in English and the other half in tagalog? I thought that I was going completely mad.

The best way to learn any language is to sleep with it.

I'm trying to get my wife to agree that my Italian would improve dramatically if she'd only let me sleep with my secretary.

Sorry I just can't bring myself to watch Thai TV, I've got the cheap UBC package....still crap but cheap crap

Originally Posted by paulg

Does this mean you have Filipino TV channels?

I once lived in Saudi Arabia and we had free Filipino channels. It was completely crazy. They would speak half a sentence in English and the other half in tagalog? I thought that I was going completely mad.

yes, some of them are wonderful. I love their old films especially

we get about 40+ channels, including a couple of soft porn, BBC, CNN Sport etc etc and 10 Phillipinos

Is this thread tips about learning Thai or UBC?

The tip is to get rid of UBC cuz its shit and not to surround yourself with English speaking people which means cheaper bills and no Americans

Why does everyone seem to hate UBC so much? I think it's wonderful; especially compared to the crap cable TV I had on Saipan for 20+ years. I never was much of a TV watcher but now that I'm retired I find that I enjoy a few hours of mindless entertainment each day a great deal. Especially when its too bloody hot to do anything else.

As for learning Thai, I'm still stuck on Rosetta Stone.

you got dynasat dr. andy?

Originally Posted by bradthai

you got dynasat dr. andy?

yes, that's the one

Originally Posted by Anonymous Coward

Why does everyone seem to hate UBC so much? I think it's wonderful; especially compared to the crap cable TV I had on Saipan for 20+ years.

6 channels of soccer every saturday night at the expense of rugby.
Ancient movies shown again and again.
shows about ghosts on the serial channels proclaiming to be scientific.
advertisements at 9.04 and then every 7 minutes afterwards on every channel (meaning you can't even flick) except the crap movie channels and the crap 6 soccer channels.

crap news.
far too much weather, it's far easier to look out of the window.

This may sound crazy but I actually feel that I have more choice now that I have gotten rid of all the pay-to-view channels. Thai TV is great despite what people say. The soaps ละคน only last a few weeks at most so there is no getting bored. It can be a bit confusing though if you miss a few days and the same actors are in a new soap.

Originally Posted by paulg

Thai TV is great despite what people say

oh dear.
There really is little hope.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by paulg

Thai TV is great despite what people say

oh dear.
There really is little hope.

Are you from Wales?
I come from Dublin originally and when I was young we got HTV from Wales. I can honestly say that Thai TV is a million times better than that Hold on, now that I think about it, nearer two million

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by paulg

Thai TV is great despite what people say

oh dear.
There really is little hope.

Indeed. Apparently the worst part of acquiring Thai Nationality, is the compulsory frontal lobotomy. However, they may grant an exception to people who claim they enjoy Thai TV.

Originally Posted by paulg

The soaps only last a few weeks at most so there is no getting bored.

I find a few minutes makes me bored

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by paulg

Thai TV is great despite what people say

oh dear.
There really is little hope.

abandon hope all ye who watch TV

Originally Posted by Deaner

Is this thread tips about learning Thai or UBC?

1 post on Thai and 20 about UBC.



Sorry, 21 including this one.