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Learn Thai Through Travel is your go-to podcast for mastering Thai listening skills through immersive travel stories! ðâĻ
Whether youâre 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
Whether youâre 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
66Â Episodes
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ad-free version and full transcriptions, vocab list here â patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâJust across the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi feels far from Bangkokâquiet, warm, and full of āļāļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĢāļĩāļĒāļāļāđāļēāļĒ (khwaam-rÃŪiap-ngÃĒai, simplicity).From āđāļāļēāļ°āđāļāļĢāđāļ (Koh Kret) with its Mon pottery and sweet āļāļāļĄāļāđāļ§āļĒ (khà -nÅm-thÃŧuay) to riverside cafÃĐs where sunsets slow time down, the city blends heritage and modern life with real āļāļ§āļēāļĄāđāļāđāļāļāļąāļāđāļāļ (khwaam-bpen-gan-eeng, warmth).And then thereâs the foodâboat noodles, old family recipes, and āļĢāļŠāļāļēāļāļīāđāļāļāļāđāļēāļ āđ (rÃģt-chÃĒat-bà ap-bÃĒan-bÃĒan, homestyle flavor) shared by people who still greet strangers like neighbors.Nonthaburi is a reminder that sometimes āļāļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļļāļāđāļĨāđāļ āđ (khwaam-sÃđk-lÃĐk-lÃĐk, small happiness) is waiting just one river away.â
Full translation & vocab list here â patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâIn 2007, Love of Siam didnât just tell a love storyâit 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 āļāļ§āļēāļĄāļāļĢāļīāļāđāļ (khwaam-jing-jai, sincerity).It begins with āļĄāļīāļāļĢāļ āļēāļ (mÃt-dtrà -phÃĒap, friendship): Mew & Tong, childhood neighbors who grow apart after tragedyâthen meet again at Siam Square, where old feelings return and questions of āļāļąāļ§āļāļ (dtua-ton, identity) rise.Marketed as a boy-meets-girl romance, the reveal shocked audiencesâbut word of mouth praised its āļāļ§āļēāļĄāļāļĨāđāļē (khwaam-glÃĒa, bravery), warmth, and emotional depth.The soundtrackââāļāļąāļāđāļĨāļ°āļāļąāļ,â âāđāļāļĩāļĒāļāđāļāļââstitched past to present and lived on in peopleâs hearts.Thereâs no fairy-tale ending. Instead, a small wooden doll and a big āļāļ§āļēāļĄāđāļāđāļēāđāļ (khwaam-khÃĒo-jai, understanding).More than a love story, itâs about family, loss, forgivenessâand it quietly ignited Thailandâs BL wave.â
Full translation & vocab list here â â patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ âWhen people think of Khao Yai, they picture mountains, mist, and pretty cafÃĐs.Look closer, and youâll find something richer: a food loverâs paradise where local Isaan heat, homespun Thai comfort, and farm-fresh goodness all share the same table.Start with legends like āđāļāđāļāļĨāļēāļ§ (Pen Lao)âsom tam pla ra, larb, and rustic soups that taste like they were ladled straight from someoneâs 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? āļĒāļļāđāļāļāđāļēāļ§ āđāļāļēāđāļŦāļāđ sets a countryside moodâtomyam 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 careâgrow it, make it, serve it with heart.You come for the views; you stay for the flavorsâĶ and you leave with full memory cards and a fuller stomach.â
Full translation & vocab list here â â patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ âWhen people talk about Thai cinema, most remember the big blockbusters or intense dramas.But in 2003, a small, heartwarming film quietly changed everything â Fan Chan (My Girl).It wasnât about heroes or heartbreak, but about childhood â 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 didnât just break box-office records; it broke through cynicism.It proved that honesty and nostalgia could move an entire nation â no special effects needed.For many, it wasnât just a movie.It was a mirror, showing who we were â and who we still are.â
Full translation & vocab list here â â â patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â âWhen Bangkokians need a break, one name comes up every time â Khao Yai.Just a few hoursâ drive and youâre surrounded by real nature: mountains, forests, waterfalls, and cool air that feels like a reset.Thailandâs first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khao Yai is vast enough to cross into other provinces â 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 âāļāļąāļāđāļâ (rest-the-heart) place â where everything slows down and peace finds you first.â
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â .âWhen 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. âMade in Japanâ has even become a mark of quality here.At the same time, Thais notice the contrastsâJapanese punctuality and discipline compared to Thai flexibility and warmth. Some find Japanâs lifestyle too strict, but many admire it as part of its unique charm.For Thais, Japan is more than a destination. Itâs a partner, an inspiration, and a second home in many hearts.â
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â .âWhen people think about learning Thai, the first reaction is often: âItâs so hard!â Five tones, a new script, and what sounds like lightning-fast speech can feel intimidating. But hereâs the twist: look closer and Thai is simpler than you think.At its core, Thai is straight S-V-Oâno verb conjugations, no gendered nouns, no tenses to memorize. You just add easy time words like āđāļĨāđāļ§ (already), āļāļģāļĨāļąāļ (currently), or āļāļ° (will) to show when something happens. One verb works for every person: āļāļąāļāļāļīāļ / āđāļāļāļāļīāļ / āđāļāļēāļāļīāļ â all âāļāļīāļ.âTones? Theyâre logical patterns you can train by listening and repeating. And youâll recognize plenty of loanwordsâāļāļāļĄāļāļīāļ§āđāļāļāļĢāđ, āļāļīāļāđāļāļāļĢāđāđāļāđāļ, āđāļāđāļāļāļĩāđâright away. Thai isnât a brick wall; itâs a door that opens easily once you take the first step.â
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â .âWhen talking about Thai behavior, one word rises above the rest: kreng jai.Itâs not just politenessâitâs 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 itâs a cultural balanceâkeeping relationships smooth, society gentle, and conflict at bay.â
Get the English translation script and vocabulary list at â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ .âWhen people think of Thai food, the first taste that often comes to mind is spicinessâwhether from tom yum goong, green curry, or som tam. But hereâs the twist: chilies werenât 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 donât just add heatâthey balance sweet, sour, and salty flavors, cool the body in Thailandâs humid climate, and define a cuisine now famous worldwide.â
 Join me on â â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âJust 30 kilometers from Bangkok, Phutthamonthon in Nakhon Pathom is one of Thailandâs most important Buddhist landmarks. Built in 1955 to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of Buddhism, itâs home to a 15-meter walking Buddha surrounded by stone reliefs of the Buddhaâs life.Spanning over 2,500 rai, the park is both sacred and serene â a place for prayer, meditation, cycling, or simply slowing down. Visit on a Buddhist holiday, and youâll see candlelit processions that make the entire space glow with peace and devotion.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â
 Join me on â â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIn 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.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â
 Join me on â â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIn this episode, we travel to Nakhon Pathom, just an hour from Bangkok, to visit the lively market around Phra Pathom Chedi â 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 chediâs 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 youâll see why this market captures the heart of everyone who visits.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â
In this episode, youâll hear the slow version of Episode 48: āļŠāļ§āļāđāļāļāļāļāļīāļāļī â 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 â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIn this episode, we visit Benjakitti Park, Bangkokâs stunning 453-rai green oasis. Once a tobacco factory, itâs now a living âsponge parkâ â 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 isnât just beautiful â itâs 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 youâll see joggers, kids skating, yoga groups, and sometimes even live music. Itâs proof that Bangkok can slow down and breathe.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ
Join me on â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIn this episode, we explore Talat Noi, one of Bangkokâs most atmospheric old neighborhoods. Itâs a maze of wooden houses, vintage warehouses, Chinese shrines, and hip cafÃĐs â all breathing with 200 years of history.Just a short walk from Hua Lamphong MRT, youâll 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 â from crumbling brick walls to converted warehouse cafÃĐs.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 youâre in the middle of Bangkok.Talat Noi may not be a famous tourist spot, but if youâre after culture, character, and soul, this place might become your new favorite part of the city.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ
Join me on â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIf itâs 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 âsuperstars,â but theyâre authentic, comforting, and full of homegrown flavors that define real Thai life.1. Larb Kua Nuea (āļĨāļēāļāļāļąāđāļ§āđāļŦāļāļ·āļ)A Northern-style larb, different from Isaan larb â no lime juice here. Itâs 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 (āđāļāđāļŦāļĨāļĩāļĒāļāļāļąāļāđāļāđ)A Southern specialty â 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 (āļāļ°āđāļāļĢāļēāļŦāļĄāļđāļāļĢāļāļāđāļāđāļāļēāļ§)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 â perfection!4. Nam Prik Ong (āļāđāļģāļāļĢāļīāļāļāđāļāļ)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 (āđāļŠāđāļāļĢāļāļāļāļĩāļŠāļēāļ)A fermented street-food sausage grilled over charcoal, eaten with fresh ginger, cabbage, and tiny spicy chilies â the perfect snack or side.These arenât fancy restaurant dishes â theyâre the flavors Thai people grow up with. If you want to taste Thai culture in its truest form, this is where you start.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ
Join me on â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIn 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 â 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 cafÃĐ 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 youâre looking for Bangkokâs slow charm with unbeatable eats, Song Wat will win you over.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ
ð§ 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 â all designed to help you connect with the language in a natural way.Iâm 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.ðĄ Want to go deeper? Join my Patreon to get:âĒ Full Thai transcriptsâĒ English translationsâĒ Phonetic script (great if you canât read Thai yet!)âĒ Vocabulary lists with example sentencesâĒ Anki flashcards with audioWhether youâre just starting out or want to strengthen your Thai, this podcast will help you feel closer to the language â and the people who speak it.New episodes every Monday.Letâs learn Thai, one story at a time.
Join me on â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.âIn this episode, we wander down Thanon Song Wat â 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. Itâs 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.Youâll discover:âĒ The fascinating history of Song Wat â built during King Rama Vâs reign after a great fire in SampengâĒ Hidden alleyways featuring Chinese architecture, intricate stucco, and quirky street art (like ROAâs giant elephant mural)âĒ A mix of cultures â Chinese tea shops, Muslim-owned dry goods stores, and classic Thai eateriesâĒ A riverside breeze and views that make you feel like Bangkok is pausing, just for youð As a Thai learner, youâll gain:âĒ Handy phrases for exploring old neighborhoods, taking the ferry, and chatting with localsâĒ Cultural context about Bangkokâs multi-cultural roots â from Chinese temples to Muslim food stallsâĒ A deeper sense of how Bangkokâs past blends with its creative presentAnd if youâre a foodieâĶ donât worry. In the next episode, weâll hunt down legendary eats in Song Wat â from famous braised goose and hidden matcha cafÃĐs to ice cream flavors youâve never imagined.Whether youâre a street art lover, a history nerd, or someone seeking Bangkokâs quiet soul, this episode will make you see the city differently.âFull Worksheet: â â â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ
Join me on â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThaiâ â â and learn Thai a little bit every day.-In this episode, we explore Sao Chingcha, one of Bangkokâs oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods â 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 â just a short walk from Sam Yot MRT or a quick ride over the river from Thonburi. Itâs 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.Youâll learn:âĒ The history behind the Giant Swing and its spiritual role in old Brahmin ceremoniesâĒ Must-see spots nearby, like Wat Suthat, vintage bookstores, and colonial-style buildingsâĒ Legendary eats â from 80-year-old red pork rice to thick toast and iced milk at Mont NomsodâĒ How to enjoy the area like a local â from alley cafÃĐs to temple courtyardsð As a Thai learner, youâll gain:âĒ Useful phrases for navigating old town, eating out, and talking about local historyâĒ Cultural context behind Thai traditions, temple etiquette, and inner-city communitiesâĒ A sense of Bangkok beyond the malls â where the past still whispers in every cornerWhether youâre a foodie, a flÃĒneur, or just someone curious about Bangkokâs quieter beauty, this episode invites you to slow down, look around, and fall in love with the cityâs old soul.-Full Worksheet: â â â https://www.patreon.com/c/ilearnThai
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