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What Thai should I learn before traveling to Thailand?
Begin with greetings, polite expressions, asking for repetition, and numbers and prices. Then choose a situation from your trip, such as ordering a drink or explaining a destination. GoThai’s first three units—First conversations, Sounds & listening, and Numbers & prices—are free; the wider travel library requires Pro.
Link to this answerWhere should a complete beginner start?
Choose one exchange you expect to have on your trip. Greeting someone, ordering a drink, and asking for repetition are useful starting points because you can practice both sides of a short conversation. Use a written destination or menu item alongside your words when you need to show what you mean.
In GoThai, begin with First conversations. Try Say hello, A little politeness, and Say that again before adding more specialized vocabulary. These lessons are in the free first unit.
Which lessons should I choose for my trip?
Use this as a suggested sequence. Choose the topics that match your itinerary and the words you find difficult to recognize.
| Your next task | Where to start in GoThai | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Greet someone and make a simple request | First conversations: Say hello, A little politeness, Say that again | Free |
| Hear sound differences before repeating a phrase | Sounds & listening: Five tones, Long and short vowels | Free |
| Understand amounts and ask about a purchase | Numbers & prices: One to six, Asking and bargaining, Cash or card | Free |
| Order a meal and discuss a choice | Food & drinks: Ready to order, Make it mild, Ingredients to check | Pro |
| Explain where you want to go | Getting around: Your destination, Time and traffic, Fare and stopping | Pro |
The beginner catalog lists the three free units. The travel catalog shows the wider lesson sequence, including Pro units, before you open a lesson. You can return to a free lesson when a later conversation reveals a gap in your basics.
How should I practice a phrase?
Listen once, then read the Thai text and pronunciation guide while listening again. Repeat aloud and compare your attempt with the example. Try recognizing the phrase without the text before moving to the next one.
Leave room for the reply. After practicing an order or a question, listen to the other part of the exchange and practice asking for repetition. A remembered question is more useful when you can also recognize a familiar answer.
GoThai’s daily review revisits course phrases. A short session before your next outing can help you return to the expressions you have already studied. This is a suggested routine; progress depends on your starting point and practice, and completing a lesson is not a measure of conversational fluency.
When should I use the translator?
Use the English–Thai translator for unfamiliar text or a short message you need to show someone. Use lessons to practice listening and speaking in a situation you expect to repeat. The two tools serve different parts of the same trip.
For a restaurant visit, read ordering food in Thailand and keep the original menu visible while checking a translation. For an arrival journey, save the accommodation’s own Thai address rather than relying on a translated property name.
What should I prepare for a day without mobile data?
Download the course audio you expect to use while you have a connection. If you also need local text or photo translation, an eligible Pro account must download the separate translator pack. Follow the offline setup guide and test the functions you intend to use with the network disabled.
Keep essential addresses and booking information separately accessible. Installing the web app on your home screen does not itself download every lesson or the optional translation pack.