Full translation & vocab list here → patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
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In 2007, Love of Siam didn’t just tell a love story—it changed Thai cinema.
A quiet film that spoke softly but hit hard, it opened a new space for stories of same-sex love with real ความจริงใจ (khwaam-jing-jai, sincerity).
It begins with มิตรภาพ (mít-dtrà-phâap, friendship): Mew & Tong, childhood neighbors who grow apart after tragedy—then meet again at Siam Square, where old feelings return and questions of ตัวตน (dtua-ton, identity) rise.
Marketed as a boy-meets-girl romance, the reveal shocked audiences—but word of mouth praised its ความกล้า (khwaam-glâa, bravery), warmth, and emotional depth.
The soundtrack—“กันและกัน,” “เพียงเธอ”—stitched past to present and lived on in people’s hearts.
There’s no fairy-tale ending. Instead, a small wooden doll and a big ความเข้าใจ (khwaam-khâo-jai, understanding).
More than a love story, it’s about family, loss, forgiveness—and it quietly ignited Thailand’s BL wave.
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Full translation & vocab list here → patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
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When people think of Khao Yai, they picture mountains, mist, and pretty cafés.
Look closer, and you’ll find something richer: a food lover’s paradise where local Isaan heat, homespun Thai comfort, and farm-fresh goodness all share the same table.
Start with legends like เป็นลาว (Pen Lao)—som tam pla ra, larb, and rustic soups that taste like they were ladled straight from someone’s kitchen. Then slow down at small farm cafés, where greens are picked that morning and cold-pressed juices glow green, orange, and beet-red in the afternoon light.
Craving cozy Thai? ยุ้งข้าว เขาใหญ่ sets a countryside mood—tomyam steam, crispy seabass with fish sauce, chili-paste fried rice. Or dress it up at Prime 19, where a big, honest steak and a good glass of wine meet cool mountain air.
In Khao Yai, the secret ingredient is care—grow it, make it, serve it with heart.
You come for the views; you stay for the flavors… and you leave with full memory cards and a fuller stomach.
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Full translation & vocab list here → patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
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When people talk about Thai cinema, most remember the big blockbusters or intense dramas.
But in 2003, a small, heartwarming film quietly changed everything — Fan Chan (My Girl).
It wasn’t about heroes or heartbreak, but about childhood — running through dusty streets, sharing snacks, and learning what it means to grow apart.
Through Jeab and Noi-Na, the story reminded Thais of a simpler time, when friendship was pure and life moved a little slower.
Fan Chan didn’t just break box-office records; it broke through cynicism.
It proved that honesty and nostalgia could move an entire nation — no special effects needed.
For many, it wasn’t just a movie.
It was a mirror, showing who we were — and who we still are.
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Full translation & vocab list here → patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
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When Bangkokians need a break, one name comes up every time — Khao Yai.
Just a few hours’ drive and you’re surrounded by real nature: mountains, forests, waterfalls, and cool air that feels like a reset.
Thailand’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khao Yai is vast enough to cross into other provinces — and wild enough for elephants, gibbons, and deer to roam free.
People come for winding roads, misty mornings, and cafés tucked between green hills. Some drive, some camp, some just breathe.
More than a destination, Khao Yai is a “พักใจ” (rest-the-heart) place — where everything slows down and peace finds you first.
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Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai.
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When people in Thailand think of other countries, Japan often comes first. From anime and sushi to technology and travel, Japan feels like a close friend in Thai daily life. “Made in Japan” has even become a mark of quality here.
At the same time, Thais notice the contrasts—Japanese punctuality and discipline compared to Thai flexibility and warmth. Some find Japan’s lifestyle too strict, but many admire it as part of its unique charm.
For Thais, Japan is more than a destination. It’s a partner, an inspiration, and a second home in many hearts.
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Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai.
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When people think about learning Thai, the first reaction is often: “It’s so hard!” Five tones, a new script, and what sounds like lightning-fast speech can feel intimidating. But here’s the twist: look closer and Thai is simpler than you think.
At its core, Thai is straight S-V-O—no verb conjugations, no gendered nouns, no tenses to memorize. You just add easy time words like แล้ว (already), กำลัง (currently), or จะ (will) to show when something happens. One verb works for every person: ฉันกิน / เธอกิน / เขากิน — all “กิน.”
Tones? They’re logical patterns you can train by listening and repeating. And you’ll recognize plenty of loanwords—คอมพิวเตอร์, อินเตอร์เน็ต, แท็กซี่—right away. Thai isn’t a brick wall; it’s a door that opens easily once you take the first step.
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Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai.
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When talking about Thai behavior, one word rises above the rest: kreng jai.
It’s not just politeness—it’s an unwritten rule that shapes how people eat, speak, and even disagree.
Born from values of harmony and respect, kreng jai makes Thais hold back their wants, soften their words, or quietly refuse help they secretly need.
To outsiders it may look like hesitation, but in truth it’s a cultural balance—keeping relationships smooth, society gentle, and conflict at bay.
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Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai.
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When people think of Thai food, the first taste that often comes to mind is spiciness—whether from tom yum goong, green curry, or som tam. But here’s the twist: chilies weren’t always part of Thai cuisine.
They arrived from South America via Portuguese and Spanish traders, blending into local dishes until they became inseparable from the Thai palate.
Today, chilies don’t just add heat—they balance sweet, sour, and salty flavors, cool the body in Thailand’s humid climate, and define a cuisine now famous worldwide.
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Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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Just 30 kilometers from Bangkok, Phutthamonthon in Nakhon Pathom is one of Thailand’s most important Buddhist landmarks. Built in 1955 to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of Buddhism, it’s home to a 15-meter walking Buddha surrounded by stone reliefs of the Buddha’s life.
Spanning over 2,500 rai, the park is both sacred and serene — a place for prayer, meditation, cycling, or simply slowing down. Visit on a Buddhist holiday, and you’ll see candlelit processions that make the entire space glow with peace and devotion.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we take a quick escape to Nakhon Pathom, just an hour from Bangkok. Our first stop is Wat Samphran, the striking pink temple wrapped by a giant green dragon. Inside, a tunnel leads up to a 360° viewpoint, while the grounds are filled with shrines and statues that make the place both peaceful and photogenic.
Then we continue to Wat Huai Ta Kho, where a golden Buddha nearly 30 meters tall rises from open rice fields. The countryside setting is calm and breezy, perfect for reflection and photos. For a one-day trip, Nakhon Pathom offers a mix of culture, scenery, and unforgettable views.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we travel to Nakhon Pathom, just an hour from Bangkok, to visit the lively market around Phra Pathom Chedi — the tallest golden stupa in Thailand. Here, the air is filled with the aromas of grilled pork, bamboo sticky rice, and traditional Thai sweets, while the chedi’s golden spire rises above the bustling stalls.
From famous khao lam to crispy hoi tod, juicy tod man goong, and refreshing coconut ice cream, the market is a paradise for food lovers. Add in the local smiles, colorful souvenirs, and the unforgettable sight of the chedi glowing at sunset, and you’ll see why this market captures the heart of everyone who visits.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
In this episode, you’ll hear the slow version of Episode 48: สวนเบญจกิติ – The Green Oasis in the Heart of Bangkok. This is a short excerpt designed to help you practice listening and improve your Thai comprehension.
Want the full version with natural speed and extra content? Check it out on my Patreon at patreon.com/ilearnthai.
Enjoy learning Thai with me, and thank you for listening!
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we visit Benjakitti Park, Bangkok’s stunning 453-rai green oasis. Once a tobacco factory, it’s now a living “sponge park” — designed to absorb floodwaters, filter water with over 300 plant species, and give the city fresh air through more than 8,800 trees.
Walk the nature trails and boardwalks around its four ponds, cycle along dedicated paths, or cross the skywalk that links all the way to Lumpini Park. As the sun sets, skyscrapers shimmer in the water and the city feels calm for a moment.
Benjakitti isn’t just beautiful — it’s a self-sustaining ecosystem, with wetlands, an urban farm, and repurposed factory buildings turned into sports halls and cultural spaces. Come in the evening, and you’ll see joggers, kids skating, yoga groups, and sometimes even live music. It’s proof that Bangkok can slow down and breathe.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we explore Talat Noi, one of Bangkok’s most atmospheric old neighborhoods. It’s a maze of wooden houses, vintage warehouses, Chinese shrines, and hip cafés — all breathing with 200 years of history.
Just a short walk from Hua Lamphong MRT, you’ll feel the city noise fade into the sound of bicycle bells, temple gongs, and friendly chatter in a mix of Teochew Chinese and Thai. The streets are lined with faded Chinese shop signs, quirky street art, and photogenic corners — from crumbling brick walls to converted warehouse cafés.
By the river, the vibe slows down even more. Wooden boats rest on the Chao Phraya, old mechanics work quietly on hulls, and the breeze makes you forget you’re in the middle of Bangkok.
Talat Noi may not be a famous tourist spot, but if you’re after culture, character, and soul, this place might become your new favorite part of the city.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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If it’s your first time in Thailand and you want to taste what locals actually eat every day, this episode is for you. These 5 dishes might not be the global Thai “superstars,” but they’re authentic, comforting, and full of homegrown flavors that define real Thai life.
1. Larb Kua Nuea (ลาบคั่วเหนือ)
A Northern-style larb, different from Isaan larb — no lime juice here. It’s dry, spicy, and packed with local herbs like galangal, lemongrass, and chili, often served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables.
2. Bai Liang Pad Kai (ใบเหลียงผัดไข่)
A Southern specialty — tender bai liang leaves stir-fried with eggs and garlic, sometimes in pork lard for extra aroma. Simple, but deeply satisfying with hot rice.
3. Kaprao Moo Krob Kai Dao (กะเพราหมูกรอบไข่ดาว)
A crispy pork belly stir-fry with fiery chilies and holy basil, topped with a runny fried egg. Add a splash of chili fish sauce — perfection!
4. Nam Prik Ong (น้ำพริกอ่อง)
A mild, tomato-based chili dip from the North, cooked with minced pork and dried chilies. Best enjoyed with boiled veggies, sticky rice, or a boiled egg.
5. Isaan Sausage (ไส้กรอกอีสาน)
A fermented street-food sausage grilled over charcoal, eaten with fresh ginger, cabbage, and tiny spicy chilies — the perfect snack or side.
These aren’t fancy restaurant dishes — they’re the flavors Thai people grow up with. If you want to taste Thai culture in its truest form, this is where you start.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we eat our way through Song Wat Road, a riverside street where vintage buildings, street art, and legendary food meet.
Start with Urai Han Palo, famous for tender braised goose and aromatic broth. A few steps away, Ped Toon Jao Tha 945 serves rich duck noodles and a unique stir-fried morning glory with duck. For beef lovers, Rong Klun Nuea offers premium cuts in deep, flavorful broth — all in a chic vintage setting.
For dessert, I Scream Songwat tempts with wild flavors like Thai milk tea with grass jelly or lychee chili-salt. Then grab a coffee at Rough & Round or premium matcha at Matcha Maru.
End the day at Woodbrook Bangkok, a riverside café with some of the best Chao Phraya views. Sip a Brook Mountain (Thai coffee with cookies & cream) or try their Rock Bake sausage-cheese bread while watching boats glide by.
If you’re looking for Bangkok’s slow charm with unbeatable eats, Song Wat will win you over.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
🎧 Welcome to the Learn Thai Through Travel podcast!
If you want to improve your Thai through real, engaging stories, this is the place for you. Each Monday, I share short, easy-to-follow episodes about Thai culture, food, places, and everyday life — all designed to help you connect with the language in a natural way.
I’m Tam, an online Thai teacher based in Bangkok. With nearly 8 years of experience, I help learners around the world explore Thai through stories that are fun, cultural, and practical.
💡 Want to go deeper? Join my Patreon to get:
• Full Thai transcripts
• English translations
• Phonetic script (great if you can’t read Thai yet!)
• Vocabulary lists with example sentences
• Anki flashcards with audio
Whether you’re just starting out or want to strengthen your Thai, this podcast will help you feel closer to the language — and the people who speak it.
New episodes every Monday.
Let’s learn Thai, one story at a time.
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we wander down Thanon Song Wat — a quiet, history-soaked street that runs along the Chao Phraya River, just a short walk from Yaowarat but with an entirely different vibe.
This is not the Bangkok of roaring traffic and neon lights. Song Wat moves slower. It’s where old Chinese-style buildings, colorful shop houses, and century-old businesses whisper stories of a bygone era. Every corner feels like a small step back in time.
You’ll discover:
• The fascinating history of Song Wat — built during King Rama V’s reign after a great fire in Sampeng
• Hidden alleyways featuring Chinese architecture, intricate stucco, and quirky street art (like ROA’s giant elephant mural)
• A mix of cultures — Chinese tea shops, Muslim-owned dry goods stores, and classic Thai eateries
• A riverside breeze and views that make you feel like Bangkok is pausing, just for you
👀 As a Thai learner, you’ll gain:
• Handy phrases for exploring old neighborhoods, taking the ferry, and chatting with locals
• Cultural context about Bangkok’s multi-cultural roots — from Chinese temples to Muslim food stalls
• A deeper sense of how Bangkok’s past blends with its creative present
And if you’re a foodie… don’t worry. In the next episode, we’ll hunt down legendary eats in Song Wat — from famous braised goose and hidden matcha cafés to ice cream flavors you’ve never imagined.
Whether you’re a street art lover, a history nerd, or someone seeking Bangkok’s quiet soul, this episode will make you see the city differently.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we explore Sao Chingcha, one of Bangkok’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods — a place where ancient temples, colonial buildings, and legendary street food meet in the heart of the city.
Centered around the iconic red Giant Swing, this area offers a slower, more soulful side of Bangkok — just a short walk from Sam Yot MRT or a quick ride over the river from Thonburi. It’s the kind of place where you can sip coffee in a quiet alley, hear temple bells echo, and bite into street food recipes passed down for generations.
You’ll learn:
• The history behind the Giant Swing and its spiritual role in old Brahmin ceremonies
• Must-see spots nearby, like Wat Suthat, vintage bookstores, and colonial-style buildings
• Legendary eats — from 80-year-old red pork rice to thick toast and iced milk at Mont Nomsod
• How to enjoy the area like a local — from alley cafés to temple courtyards
👀 As a Thai learner, you’ll gain:
• Useful phrases for navigating old town, eating out, and talking about local history
• Cultural context behind Thai traditions, temple etiquette, and inner-city communities
• A sense of Bangkok beyond the malls — where the past still whispers in every corner
Whether you’re a foodie, a flâneur, or just someone curious about Bangkok’s quieter beauty, this episode invites you to slow down, look around, and fall in love with the city’s old soul.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
Join me on https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai and learn Thai a little bit every day.
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In this episode, we take you on a flavorful stroll through Wang Lang Market, one of Bangkok’s most beloved riverside food havens — just a tuk-tuk ride away from the nostalgic charm of Pata Pinklao.
Located beside Siriraj Hospital, Thailand’s oldest and largest hospital, Wang Lang is a bustling maze of street food, local life, and hidden gems — where students, nurses, locals, and foodies all collide in one delicious ecosystem.
You’ll learn:
• Why Wang Lang Market is a go-to spot for both locals and adventurous tourists
• What makes this market’s street food scene so exciting — from fried snacks to vintage desserts
• Must-try bites like royal-style fried pork, crispy corn fritters, and pickled guava with plum powder
• Tips on how to navigate the market, what to eat, and where to sit and soak it all in
👀 As a Thai learner, you’ll gain:
• Food-related vocabulary and phrases for street markets
• Real-life listening practice with Thai names, dishes, and street culture
• A deeper sense of how locals eat, socialize, and relax by the river
Whether you’re hungry for flavor, culture, or a more local side of Bangkok, this episode will take you right to the heart of Thonburi — where the scent of fried garlic fills the air, and the river breeze reminds you that you’re somewhere truly special.
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Full Worksheet: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai