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Learn Thai Through Travel

Author: ilearnThai

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Learn Thai Through Travel is your go-to podcast for mastering Thai listening skills through immersive travel stories! 🌏âœĻ
Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate learner, each episode takes you on an adventure across Thailand while helping you understand Thai naturally.
Learn more: https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
73 Episodes
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ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠–In the heart of the city, One Bangkok is where āļ­āļ™āļēāļ„āļ• (à-naa-khÃģt, the future) meets the sky—through soaring towers, world-class art, and the vibrant pulse of āļ§āļīāļ–āļĩāđ€āļĄāļ·āļ­āļ‡āļŠāļĄāļąāļĒāđƒāļŦāļĄāđˆ (wi-thí muueang sà-mĮŽi-mài, modern urban life).From the creative energy of The Storeys to the massive sculptures of the Art Loop, this landmark showcases āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļˆāļĢāļīāļ (khwaam-jà-roen, progress) at every turn. Wander through the Food Loop and watch the sunset over āļŠāļ§āļ™āļĨāļļāļĄāļžāļīāļ™āļĩ (Lumphini Park) from the terrace—a view that captures a city constantly evolving.One Bangkok is a reminder that āļ™āļ§āļąāļ•āļāļĢāļĢāļĄ (nÃĄ-wÃĄt-dtà-gam, innovation) and āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĒāļąāđˆāļ‡āļĒāļ·āļ™ (khwaam-yàng-yuuen, sustainability) are more than just concepts; they are the new heartbeat of the capital.
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠–On your way to Khao Lak or the Similans, don’t miss Catch and Co.—a unique āđ‚āļŠāļ§āđŒāļĢāļđāļĄāļ›āļĨāļēāđ„āļ—āļĒ (Thai fish showroom) in Phang Nga. This isn't just seafood; it's a āļ›āļĢāļ°āļ“āļĩāļ• (refined) journey from their own boat to your plate.Discover the art of āļ›āļĨāļēāļšāđˆāļĄ (aged fish) through creative dishes like local Fish & Chips and āļ‹āļēāļŠāļīāļĄāļīāļ›āļĨāļēāđ„āļ—āļĒ (Thai fish sashimi). It’s a āđ„āļĄāđˆāđ€āļŦāļĨāļ·āļ­āļ—āļīāđ‰āļ‡ (zero-waste) experience that proves Thai fish can compete on a world-class level.Would you like me to create a "Must-Try Menu" list to use as a caption for your social media?
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠–Did you know Thailand once had a year with only 9 months?As we prepare for āļ›āļĩ 2568 (2025), we step through the "mirror of time" to explore the fascinating evolution of the Thai New Year. From the ancient āļ§āļąāļ™āđ€āļ”āļ·āļ­āļ™āļ­āđ‰āļēāļĒ (lunar New Year) to the "peak" moment in B.E. 2483 when three months vanished from the calendar to align āļ§āļīāļ–āļĩāđ„āļ—āļĒ (the Thai way) with the world.Join us to uncover the āļ›āļĢāļ°āļ§āļąāļ•āļīāļĻāļēāļŠāļ•āļĢāđŒ (history) behind our celebrations and find a better version of yourself for the year ahead.–
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠–In Chiang Rai, āļĨāļēāļšāļŠāļ™āļēāļĄāļāļĩāļŽāļē is the kind of place that proves āļ­āļēāļŦāļēāļĢāđ€āļŦāļ™āļ·āļ­āļšāđ‰āļēāļ™ āđ† (aa-hăan nĘ‰ĖŒa bÃĒan-bÃĒan, homestyle Northern food) can be bold, deep, and unforgettable.From āđ€āļ™āļ·āđ‰āļ­āđ€āļŠāļ·āđ‰āļ­āļĢāđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđ„āļŦāđ‰ (nƉˁa-sƉ˂a-rÃĄawng-hÃĒi) to chewy āđ„āļŠāđ‰āļŦāļĄāļđāļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡ (sÃĒi-mÅ­u-yÃĒang) and my must-order āļˆāļīāđ‰āļ™āļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļžāļĢāļīāļāļ‚āđˆāļē (jÃŪn-nƉ˂ng nÃĄm-prík-khàa), every dish hits with real āļĢāļŠāđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļĄāļ‚āđ‰āļ™ (rÃģt khÊm-khÃīn, intense flavor) and the warmth of local cooking.The menu is huge, the portions honest, and the vibe feels like true āļĢāđ‰āļēāļ™āļšāđ‰āļēāļ™ āđ† (rÃĄan bÃĒan-bÃĒan, neighborhood dining)—even though the place is big and always packed with locals.If you want Chiang Rai in its most delicious form, this is where āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āđƒāļˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļ­āļēāļŦāļēāļĢāđ€āļŦāļ™āļ·āļ­ (khwaam-jing-jai khĮŽawng aa-hăan nĘ‰ĖŒa, the sincerity of Northern food) comes through in every bite.
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠–Just an hour from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is where āļ›āļĢāļ°āļ§āļąāļ•āļīāļĻāļēāļŠāļ•āļĢāđŒ (bprà-wàt-dti-sàat, history) breathes slowly—through ancient temples, silent stupas, and the calm rhythm of āļ§āļīāļ–āļĩāđ„āļ—āļĒāļŠāđ‰āļē āđ† (wi-thí thai chÃĄ-chÃĄ, slow Thai life).From the iconic āđ€āļĻāļĩāļĒāļĢāļžāļĢāļ°āđƒāļ™āļĢāļēāļāđ„āļĄāđ‰ (sĮan-phrÃĄ nai rÃĒak-mÃĄi) at Wat Mahathat to sunset gold over āļ§āļąāļ”āđ„āļŠāļĒāļ§āļąāļ’āļ™āļēāļĢāļēāļĄ (Wat Chaiwatthanaram), the city feels like a living postcard that whispers stories with every step.Cycle past wooden houses, grassy fields, and quiet ruins, tasting riverside āļāļļāđ‰āļ‡āđ€āļœāļē (gÃŧng-phĮŽo) and rich āļāđ‹āļ§āļĒāđ€āļ•āļĩāđ‹āļĒāļ§āđ€āļĢāļ·āļ­ (gÅ­ay-dtÄ­ao-ruea) along the way—simple flavors with deep roots.Ayutthaya is a reminder that āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļ‡āļš (khwaam-sà-ngÃēp, peacefulness) and āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļāđˆāļēāđāļāđˆ (khwaam-gào-gàe, old charm) aren’t things you look for—they find you, as soon as you begin to walk a little slower.
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠–Hidden in Chiang Rai, āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ§āļ‹āļ­āļĒāļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒāļ›āļĩ āļŠāļđāļ•āļĢāļ•āļēāļŦāļ‡āļĐāđŒ is a Northern Thai āđ‚āļ­āļĄāļēāļāļēāđ€āļŠāļ°āļšāđ‰āļēāļ™ āđ† (omakase-bÃĒan-bÃĒan, humble omakase) where every dish carries āđ€āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļĢāļēāļ§ (rƉ˂eang-raao, stories) as much as flavor.From the slow-braised āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ§āļ‹āļ­āļĒāļŦāļĄāļđ 100 āļ›āļĩ (kÃĒo-soi mÅ­u nÃđeng-rÃģi-bpee) to ancient recipes like āļ™āđ‰āļģāđ€āļ‡āļĩāđ‰āļĒāļ§āđ€āļŠāļĩāļĒāļ‡āļ•āļļāļ‡ and āļŦāļĄāļđāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļžāļĢāļīāļāļ‚āđˆāļē, each plate arrives with warmth, intention, and the depth of āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āđ€āļ—āļĻāđ€āļŦāļ™āļ·āļ­ (khrƉ˂ang-thÃĐt-nĘ‰ĖŒa, Northern spices).No walk-ins, no calls—just a handful of seats, an intimate pace, and a chef who shares the soul of “āļšāđ‰āļēāļ™āđ€āļŦāļ™āļ·āļ­â€ (bÃĒan-nĘ‰ĖŒa, Northern home).It’s the kind of meal you remember not only for its āļĢāļŠāđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļĄāļ‚āđ‰āļ™ (rÃģt khÊm-khÃīn, bold flavor) but for the feeling that you’ve tasted tradition itself.–
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → ⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠–Phuket is where āļ—āļ°āđ€āļĨāļŠāļ§āļĒ (thà-lay sÅ­ay, beautiful seas), āļ­āļēāļŦāļēāļĢāļ­āļĢāđˆāļ­āļĒ (aa-hăan à-rÃēi, great food), and āļœāļđāđ‰āļ„āļ™āļ­āļąāļ˜āļĒāļēāļĻāļąāļĒāļ”āļĩ (phÃŧu-khon àt-tha-ya-săi dee, kind people) meet in one place.From the pastel streets of āļ āļđāđ€āļāđ‡āļ•āđ€āļāđˆāļē (Phuket Gào, Old Phuket Town) to Kata’s easy surf and sunsets at āđāļŦāļĨāļĄāļžāļĢāļĄāđ€āļ—āļž (Lăem Phrom Thep), the island blends color, calm, and culture.And with bold āļĢāļŠāļŠāļēāļ•āļīāđāļšāļšāļšāđ‰āļēāļ™ āđ† (rÃģt-chÃĒat-bàap-bÃĒan-bÃĒan, homestyle flavors) in every local shop, Phuket quietly becomes the place you’ll want to āļāļĨāļąāļšāļĄāļēāļ­āļĩāļāļ„āļĢāļąāđ‰āļ‡ (glàp maa ÃŽik-krÃĄng, return to again).–
ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here → patreon.com/c/ilearnThai–Just across the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi feels far from Bangkok—quiet, warm, and full of āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļĢāļĩāļĒāļšāļ‡āđˆāļēāļĒ (khwaam-rÃŪiap-ngÃĒai, simplicity).From āđ€āļāļēāļ°āđ€āļāļĢāđ‡āļ” (Koh Kret) with its Mon pottery and sweet āļ‚āļ™āļĄāļ–āđ‰āļ§āļĒ (khà-nŏm-thÃŧuay) to riverside cafÃĐs where sunsets slow time down, the city blends heritage and modern life with real āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļāļąāļ™āđ€āļ­āļ‡ (khwaam-bpen-gan-eeng, warmth).And then there’s the food—boat noodles, old family recipes, and āļĢāļŠāļŠāļēāļ•āļīāđāļšāļšāļšāđ‰āļēāļ™ āđ† (rÃģt-chÃĒat-bàap-bÃĒan-bÃĒan, homestyle flavor) shared by people who still greet strangers like neighbors.Nonthaburi is a reminder that sometimes āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļļāļ‚āđ€āļĨāđ‡āļ āđ† (khwaam-sÃđk-lÃĐk-lÃĐk, small happiness) is waiting just one river away.–
Full translation & vocab list here → patreon.com/c/ilearnThai–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 āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āđƒāļˆ (khwaam-jing-jai, sincerity).It begins with āļĄāļīāļ•āļĢāļ āļēāļž (mít-dtrà-phÃĒap, friendship): Mew & Tong, childhood neighbors who grow apart after tragedy—then meet again at Siam Square, where old feelings return and questions of āļ•āļąāļ§āļ•āļ™ (dtua-ton, identity) rise.Marketed as a boy-meets-girl romance, the reveal shocked audiences—but word of mouth praised its āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļāļĨāđ‰āļē (khwaam-glÃĒa, bravery), warmth, and emotional depth.The soundtrack—“āļāļąāļ™āđāļĨāļ°āļāļąāļ™,” “āđ€āļžāļĩāļĒāļ‡āđ€āļ˜āļ­â€â€”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 āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļēāđƒāļˆ (khwaam-khÃĒo-jai, understanding).More than a love story, it’s about family, loss, forgiveness—and it quietly ignited Thailand’s BL wave.–
Full translation & vocab list here → ⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠–When people think of Khao Yai, they picture mountains, mist, and pretty cafÃĐs.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 āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļĨāļēāļ§ (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 cafÃĐs, where greens are picked that morning and cold-pressed juices glow green, orange, and beet-red in the afternoon light.Craving cozy Thai? āļĒāļļāđ‰āļ‡āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ§ āđ€āļ‚āļēāđƒāļŦāļāđˆ 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 flavorsâ€Ķ and you leave with full memory cards and a fuller stomach.–
Full translation & vocab list here → ⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠–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.–
Full translation & vocab list here → ⁠⁠patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠–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 cafÃĐs tucked between green hills. Some drive, some camp, some just breathe.More than a destination, Khao Yai is a “āļžāļąāļāđƒāļˆâ€ (rest-the-heart) place — where everything slows down and peace finds you first.–
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠.–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.–
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠.–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 āđāļĨāđ‰āļ§ (already), āļāļģāļĨāļąāļ‡ (currently), or āļˆāļ° (will) to show when something happens. One verb works for every person: āļ‰āļąāļ™āļāļīāļ™ / āđ€āļ˜āļ­āļāļīāļ™ / āđ€āļ‚āļēāļāļīāļ™ â€” all “āļāļīāļ™.”Tones? They’re logical patterns you can train by listening and repeating. And you’ll recognize plenty of loanwords—āļ„āļ­āļĄāļžāļīāļ§āđ€āļ•āļ­āļĢāđŒ, āļ­āļīāļ™āđ€āļ•āļ­āļĢāđŒāđ€āļ™āđ‡āļ•, āđāļ—āđ‡āļāļ‹āļĩāđˆâ€”right away. Thai isn’t a brick wall; it’s a door that opens easily once you take the first step.–
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠.–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.–
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠.–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.–
 Join me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn Thai a little bit every day.–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.–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.–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.–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.–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.–Full Worksheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai⁠⁠
In this episode, you’ll hear the slow version of Episode 48: āļŠāļ§āļ™āđ€āļšāļāļˆāļāļīāļ•āļī – 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!
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