Customer Reviews

The Rough Guide: Thai Dictionary Phrasebook (Rough Guide Phrasebooks)

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Searching for a great book when you're in Thailand that is easy to use is sometimes difficult, especially when it comes to finding one in which you can more easily communicate with the locals. The difference between this particular book treasure and other dictionaries is that it's easy to look up words that you want to say because they're alphabetically categorized. Same as other dictionaries, right? Yes, but this one not only has the Thai equivalent (in writing so you can show your Thai local with whom you are communicating), but also phonetics as well, so that you can try to say the words. Phonetics, at least ones that are legible and make sense, exist in this particular dictionary and not in any others that were reviewed.

There is also a dictionary in the back for when you hear a word spoken by a Thai, you can look up the phonetic equivalent of what they're saying and you can find out what they're saying in English. Quite helpful when you're immersed in the local culture.

I am about to travel to Thailand 5th time and I have found this book usefull in most everyday situations. Explanations of Thai speech and writing are good and easy to follow. English-Thai section is brilliant for its size and Thai-English is useful after getting basics strait. Translating Thai text to English is bit labour intensive.

I am sent by my company to work in Bangkok for a year or maybe two. Bangkok is a wonderful place and the people are very hospitable. However, the most difficult thing is communication. Most Thais I meet on the streets can hardly speak any English. What I need is a book that is handy and can get me to speak basic Thai immediately. This is the book that I needed all along. You can only imagine how much I enjoy practicing Thai with Thais. My Thai has improved tremendously ever since I bought this book. I would say that if you are conscientious in studying this book, you will speak reasonable Thai within a month. This book is a must buy for all expatriates working in Thailand.