The Complete Guide to Learning Thai Online And Available Courses in 2025

Today’s online Thai courses offer something traditional classrooms can’t match — the freedom to learn anywhere, anytime. 

Whether you’re planning a two-week vacation to Koh Samui, relocating for business, or already an expat looking to deepen your connection with Thailand, online Thai courses have never been more accessible and better.

By the end of this guide, you’re going to discover all the ways you can learn Thai online, both through free and paid platforms. Plus you’ll find out how to make the most of your online learning with supplemental materials and even where to go to hire an online tutor. 

Before we jump into it, I can confidently say this. If you want to learn Thai on one of the most popular platforms today, check out Thaipod101. As an ExpatDen reader, you’ll get 25 percent off when you sign up.

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Why Learn Thai Online

There are many benefits to learning Thai online, which I’ll cover in the Pros and Cons section of this guide. That said, quite a few studies have been done to show why learning a language like Thai online as opposed to offline can benefit you.  

• Motivation: According to a study by the Journal of East-West Thought (JET), learning a language online can boost your engagement and proficiency in that language. Features like language-learning games, interactive exercises, and social connectivity make you part of a learning community and keep you motivated.
• Engagement: In another study published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers discovered that learning at your own pace online through informal digital platforms increases engagement.
• Better results: Finally, this study from Taylor and Francis Online studied the results of online language learners with those of on-site language learners and a hybrid of both. They found that with speaking and listening, students who learned online did better than those who learned a language on-site. 

What does this mean for you? You’re more likely to engage with what you’re learning if you practice Thai online. And if speaking and listening to Thai are your main goals, then online courses would be best for you. That said, let’s discover what the experience is typically like.

What it’s Like to Learn Thai Online

Learning Thai online is a different experience altogether than learning on-site at a language school. The way you interact with the course materials, and classmates and teacher (if there is one), also differ.

Listening

Listening is the best part of learning Thai online. You have access to video and audio clips from native speakers. They usually come with scripts, so that you can read along while watching or listening to the clip. You can also rewatch or re-listen to clips without reading along to see if your listening comprehension has improved.

Speaking

Online lessons help you learn how to speak Thai fast by focusing on basic conversations and daily-life words, teaching you sentence by sentence. Learning Thai online lets you listen and repeat what you hear as many times as needed to perfect your pronunciation. If you want to practice your speaking skills with Thai teachers, you can find one using a website like italki.

Reading

Many online courses, especially paid ones, now come with tools to help you learn how to read, making reading no longer a weak point of learning Thai online. ThaiPod101, for example, has 25 lessons dedicated to the Thai alphabet and vowels, explaining in detail how to use and pronounce each consonant while practicing Thai tones. 

Having the audio right there while reading teaches you how to pronounce words correctly, making it even better to study reading with an online program than with a textbook.

Writing

Writing is still one of the main weak points of learning Thai online, with fewer tools available to help practice writing and often no one to help check your writing. Even if you take lessons with an online private tutor, it’s not that convenient to ask your teacher to check your writing online compared to asking when taking a Thai class at a brisk-and-mortar school.

Best Online Thai Language Course

Before I go into the two top courses I recommend for learning Thai, I want to make it clear on how we came up with these choices. 

First, they are the most established Thai learning courses online. They’ve been around for over a decade and have a proven track record of helping thousands upon thousands of Thai learners. 

Second, many of our readers and our own staff members here at ExpatDen have used these courses over the years. For the most part, their feedback has always been positive.

That said, let’s jump into the two courses.   

ThaiPod 101

ThaiPod101 started as a podcast but has grown into one of the most comprehensive Thai learning resources available. The course structure progresses from complete beginner to advanced levels, providing a complete learning journey.

Here are some of the features and benefits of learning Thai through ThaiPod101:

• Read along with audio transcripts to reinforce both reading and listening skills
• Clear, consistent audio with teachers who break down lessons and speak slowly with English translations
• Short quizzes, vocabulary breakdowns, and review quizzes with Thai writing components
• 10 to 15 minute lessons perfect for commuting or daily practice sessions
• Premium flashcard option with customizable word banks for targeted practice
• Thousands of audio and video lessons across 6 skill levels
• Step-by-step approach for absolute beginners
• Lesson scripts and PDF downloads with phonetic spellings
• Pronunciation options at normal or 0.5x slower speed
• Progress tracking tools
• Native Thai instructors who speak fluent English
• Cultural context alongside language instruction
• 25 lessons on reading and writing Thai consonants and vowels, organized by frequency
• Mobile app for on-the-go learning

Here are the price points for ThaiPod101.com:

• Basic: US$8/month gets you full access to audio and video lessons
• Premium: US$25/month includes daily lessons, 2,000 core words, interactive quizzes
• Premium Plus: US$47/month gets you one-on-one teacher access, personalized learning program, assignments

ThaiPod101 offers exceptional value with hundreds of useful lessons focused on practical language acquisition. With just 20 to 30 minutes of daily study, you can complete the entire core curriculum in about six to seven months.

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Go Deeper: An In-Depth ThaiPod 101 Review: Is It Good

Learn Thai from a White Guy

Learn Thai from a White Guy offers easy-to-learn courses with a strong focus on reading and speaking skills. Brett, the site owner, specializes in teaching students how to read Thai through his signature “How to Read Thai” course which claims results in about two weeks with consistent practice.

Here are some of the features and benefits of learning Thai through Learn Thai from a White Guy:

• Specialized “Read Thai in 2 weeks” course with nearly 50 individual lessons
• Unique teaching technique comparing Thai consonants, tones, and pronunciation to English
• Interactive tools and flashcards for memorizing vocabulary and sounds
• Audio links for every Thai word and sound to master correct pronunciation
• Well-structured lesson progression from reading basics to conversations
• Simple, everyday conversational phrases you’ll actually use
• Detailed explanations of Thai tones with English comparisons
• Progress tracking by marking completed lessons
• Teaching approach organized by consonant class (high, mid, low) rather than alphabetical order
• Self-correcting quizzes for independent learners

Here are the price points for Learn Thai from a White Guy:

• Monthly plan: US$59
• Quarterly plan: US$149.95 (recommended)
• 18-month plan: US$399.95

Learn Thai from a White Guy excels at helping students read Thai text and understand the tonal system through its clear, English-speaker-friendly approach. While it has some limitations with audio quality and lacks writing practice, it provides an excellent foundation that makes continued self-study much easier. 

To get started for free, go to Learn Thai from a White Guy and enter your email. 

Online Thai Tutors

Having a private tutor is undoubtedly one of the fastest ways to master Thai, giving you immediate feedback on tones and pronunciation. To maximize your one-on-one 59 sessions, determine your specific learning goals. 

Maybe you want to learn basic vacation phrases, vocabulary for dating, Muay Thai vocabulary, or cultural concepts like Sin Sod (Thai dowry). Each requires distinct vocabulary sets that you might not find in online courses. So, you’d need to hire a private tutor. 

Our editor, John, set a goal of starting a YouTube channel in Thai to talk about his experiences in life as a Westerner in Thailand to Thais. He has been learning from tutors on italki to help him reach his goal. He can learn when he wants, and he can rotate through different teachers. 

But what he loves most is that he can practice talking about the topics he enjoys most, like Muay Thai, travel, and raising kids in Thailand.

Italki offers over 50 Thai tutors with rates ranging from THB300 to THB900 per hour, allowing you to check profiles, watch videos, and request trial lessons before committing to packages.

Go Deeper: Recommended Thai Teachers and Tutors

Learn Thai on YouTube

You can learn Thai on YouTube. But they’re better as supplements to structured courses rather than primary learning tools. Learn Thai with Mod, Comprehensible Thai, My Thai Language School, and Adam Bradshaw offer varied approaches to learning Thai.

Learn Thai with Mod

Learning Thai with Mod is a popular YouTube channel that’s likely familiar to anyone who’s searched for Thai language resources online, with content dating back to 2013 that covers everything from Isaan dialect to Thai slang and common interjections. 

The videos feature high production values and an engaging teaching style that makes everyday Thai learning enjoyable. Mod offers a free ebook containing 190 English-derived Thai words (like “air conditioner,” “fashion,” and “die”) and also provides private Skype tutoring using Becker’s “Thai for Beginners” books at varying price points depending on your location.

Comprehensible Thai

Comprehensible Thai stands out as one of the best resources for Thai listening practice, offering hundreds of free videos spanning from beginner to advanced levels. Their distinctive teaching approach follows the ALG (Automatic Language Growth) method, where instruction is conducted entirely in Thai without translations, yet remains understandable for students at each proficiency level. 

Several teachers featured on this channel also instruct at the respected AUA language school in Bangkok, lending additional credibility to their teaching methodology.

Talk Thai with Paddy

Talk Thai with Paddy has steadily grown in popularity over the years and has turned into a solid resource for people looking to learn Thai through YouTube. Paddy doesn’t necessarily teach Thai, though. He started off documenting his own journey of learning Thai but has since branched out to interviewing other non-Thais who are fluent in the language. 

So, you learn not by practicing, but by watching other non-Thais use the language, which many learners find helpful.

Real Thailander

Real Thailander is a native Thai speaker who doesn’t just teach the language — he teaches how the Thai language functions in society. On his channel, you’ll learn about the deeper meanings behind Thai language, language taboos, and how to use basic expressions the way Thais do in everyday life. His channel is fairly new, so don’t expect dozens of videos. 

But what he already has published is a wealth of info for anyone looking to dive deeper into the nuances of Thai.   

Learn Thai with Netflix

Netflix offers a practical way to improve your Thai listening and vocabulary skills through its collection of Thai dramas, movies, and documentaries. Popular Thai series like “Girl From Nowhere,” “Bangkok Breaking,” and “The Stranded” teach you the slang, idioms, and cultural references you won’t find in most online courses.

For beginners, start with familiar content you’ve already watched in English but with Thai subtitles to build skills. Intermediate learners can benefit from Thai content with English subtitles, while advanced learners should challenge themselves with Thai audio and Thai subtitles.

But if you’re located outside of Thailand, you might not be able to access Netflix’s library of Thai content. In this case, you should get a VPN and redirect it to a Thailand server, then log in to your Netflix account. You’ll be able to see all the Thai content.

Go Deeper: The Complete Guide To Picking The Best VPN For Thailand

Interactive Tools

You have access to quite a few online interactive resources that will help you along your journey of learning Thai. Keep in mind these should be supplemental materials and not replace a comprehensive course.

Stuart Jay Raj has built an interactive online tool called Cracking Language that helps you “see” Thai tones, for those of you who are visual learners. You can even type a Thai word into the interactive box and it will map out the tone for you. It really is a great tool for people who nerd out on learning Thai.   

Everyday Thai has a large list of flash cards, listening quizzes, and matching games for both beginners and intermediate Thai learners. The website might seem a little outdated, but you can efficiently learn over 500 common Thai words using the platform. They also provide Thai articles with English translations to help improve your reading skills. 

Alternatives to Learning Thai Online

Learning Thai online isn’t the only option you have when it comes to learning the language. You can take a Thai class at a language school, you can take a course at a university, you can buy a textbook and study by yourself. You can also learn from friends or, as I mentioned earlier, hire a private tutor.

Go Deeper: The Complete Guide to Learning Thai Language for Beginners

How to Choose the Best Online Course to Learn Thai

Even if you know a little bit of Thai, mastering it will enrich your life in Thailand. It can open up a new world of opportunities for making friends, dating, finding work, traveling, and generally enjoying life here on a deeper level.

For Beginners, Long-Term Residents, and Tourists

If you plan to come to Thailand for just a few weeks and don’t know any Thai, or you’re here and want to learn, it’s worth starting now. You can do so by taking an online course from ThaiPod101. With just several hours of practice for a few weeks, you’ll be able to speak enough Thai to get by in Thailand. Then, depending on your future plans, you can continue with more advanced levels.

For Business Professionals

If you’re coming to Thailand for business reasons, you’ll want to skip an online course and hire a private online tutor through italki. This way, you and your tutor can come up with a custom course that will help you master just what you need to know for business purposes.

How to Assess Your Thai Language Learning Progress

Studying Thai online is only half the challenge. You’ll want to test yourself to see how much you’re progressing.You can do this through your online modules in whichever course you take. But you’ll also want to test yourself in real-life situations.

You can start by reading Thai signs or menus without transliteration, holding a basic conversation with a native speaker, or watching a Thai Netflix show with Thai subtitles to see how much you understand. You can also order food in Thai using the correct tones when visiting a restaurant. 

For a more comprehensive test, have your online tutor from italki review your pronunciation and provide feedback on areas where your tones or consonant sounds need improvement.

Additional Tips to Learn Thai Online

Learning Thai online might seem challenging, but with the right approach, you can make steady progress. As is the case, everyone will have their own path while learning Thai. 

Below is just one example of a practical learning path to help you reach your goals. If you’re interested in finding out how other people have learned Thai, check out this article about learning Thai fast written by our contributing writer, Ben.

Build a Solid Foundation

Build basic vocabulary, pronunciation, and tone recognition during your first month. Focus on Thai script versus Romanized Thai and learn to recognize the five Thai tones: mid, low, falling, high, and rising. Start with core phrases like greetings, numbers, and basic questions.

ThaiPod101 offers excellent audio lessons for beginners. Learn Thai from a White Guy teaches pronunciation using tone rules upfront. Use apps like Anki for tone drills and core vocabulary practice.

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Start Listening and Speaking

Develop listening skills and start speaking after you’ve built some basic Thai vocabulary and understand the pronunciation and tone rules. Learn common sentence structures, verbs, and practice Thai questions and answers for small talk.

Find native Thai tutors on italki for regular practice sessions. Watch Thai YouTube channels or Netflix with Thai subtitles. You can also continue with ThaiPod101’s intermediate level audio lessons.

Read and Write the Thai Script

Learn to read and write basic Thai by mastering all 44 Thai consonants and 32 vowels. Understand tone markers and how tone rules work in writing. You can start reading signs, menus, and messages whenever possible.

Or, use ThaiPod101’s script lessons for guided practice. Try Learn Thai from a White Guy’s “Read Thai in 2 Weeks” course for a structured approach. Practice writing using Thai script books. Bangkok Post now offers free interactive audio Thai flashcards. These are worth a try if you’re beginner or intermediate level. 

Practice in the Real World

Build fluency through consistent practice and exposure. You can join Thai-speaking communities online if you don’t live in Thailand. There, you can learn slang, idioms, and cultural nuances. Focus on topic-based fluency like ordering food, visiting the doctor, and working.

If you’re in Thailand, you can practice everywhere you go, from the local market to your neighborhood cafe. I’ve found that Thais are more than willing to talk with you in Thai if you open up a conversation with them.

You can also continue to schedule weekly tutor sessions on italki. Or switch your phone apps or laptop language to Thai for daily exposure. Keep a Thai journal to practice writing. If you like to read the news, you can check out Bangkok Post’s learning section. Also aimed at English learners, you can reverse engineer it to learn Thai.

FAQs About Learning Thai Online

Is it Better to Learn Thai online or in a Classroom?

Learning Thai online offers several advantages including lower costs, flexible scheduling, and no rush hour rides on the BTS. But online learning requires more self-discipline and provides fewer opportunities for social interaction compared to on-site learning, so the best choice depends on your personal learning style and schedule.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Basic Conversational Thai Online?

With consistent daily practice of 20 to 30 minutes, you can develop basic conversational skills within three to six months. ThaiPod101 suggests that completing their core curriculum of 395 lessons takes about six to seven months of regular study.

Which Online Platform is Best for Learning to Read Thai?

Learn Thai from a White Guy is particularly strong for learning to read Thai with its signature “Read Thai in Two Weeks” course. ThaiPod101 also offers 25 lessons dedicated to Thai consonants and vowels, organized by frequency of use in daily life.

Can I Learn Thai for Free Online?

Many free resources exist on YouTube and other platforms for learning Thai vocabulary and conversation. But free resources typically lack structured learning paths and detailed instruction on consonants, tones, and grammar, making them better as supplements rather than standalone courses.

How Important is it to Learn Thai Tones?

Learning Thai tones is essential as the same word can have completely different meanings depending on the tone used. For example, the Thai word for near (ใกล้) and far (ไกล) are very similar but have different tones. That could make for some inconvenient travel if you thought a place was nearby when it was actually far away. Both ThaiPod101 and Learn Thai from a White Guy emphasize tone mastery through detailed explanations, audio examples, and practice exercises.

What’s the Best Way to Practice Speaking Thai Online?

Finding a Thai tutor through platforms like italki is the most effective way to practice speaking skills online. With over 50 tutors available at rates between THB300 and THB900 per hour, you can receive immediate feedback on your pronunciation and conversational skills, and you don’t even have to be in Thailand.

Can I Use Netflix to Improve My Thai Language Skills?

Netflix offers an excellent resource for improving Thai listening skills through Thai dramas and films with subtitle options. Start with familiar content using Thai subtitles as a beginner, then progress to Thai content with English subtitles, and finally challenge yourself with Thai audio and Thai subtitles as you improve.

What to Read Next

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