Thai is the native language of Thailand. The Thai language is a member of the Tai-Kadai language family in Southeast Asia. Thai is mutually intelligible with Laos (mutually intelligible means a relationship between languages or dialects in which speakers of different but related languages can readily understand each other without intentional study or extraordinary effort.)
In Thailand there are 4 main dialects which are;
- The central region or Bangkok dialect (Paa-Saa-Paak- Glaang) : this is the national or official language spoken which is taught throughout the country in school Thai lessons. Like “the Queen’s English”, if you will.
- Northern dialect (Paa-Saa- Nuea): this language spoken in northern region, in the formerly independent Kingdom of Lanna (Chiang Mai). It is also known as “Paa-Saa-Laan-Naa” or “Paa-Saa-Kum-Mueang”. When people from the north speak, they will normally speak slowly and will use a low voice in their accent.
- North-eastern dialect (Paa-Saa-E-Saan): this language is spoken in north-eastern region called “Isan”, and is a social-culturally distinct Thai-Laos hybrid dialect.
- Southern dialect (Paa-Saa-Dtai): this language is spoken in the southern region. Normally people from the south will speak very quickly.
Thai is a tonal language that has evolved from Sanskrit, Pali and Khmer. Thai writing uses its own alphabet, for example: ขอบคุณครับ is the Thai text for “thank you” used by men (pronounced kob khun krub) and ขอบคุณค่ะ is the Thai text for “thank you” used by women (pronounced Kob khun ka).
Road signs in Thailand are written in both Thai script and Romanic letters. English is generally understood in hotels and restaurants in major tourist destinations and is generally used by most businesses. Younger generation Thais will have learnt English in school and large parts of the population also speak Chinese and Laos.
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