Chiang Mai - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I would definitely recommend learning at least basic Thai. Many of the people that you'll deal with in terms of house repairs, gardeners, maids/cleaning service, cable/internet installers, delivery service, etc. don't speak much if any English. Also, outside the tourist areas of the city center many restaurant servers, taxi drivers, cashiers in stores, etc. don't speak much English. Knowing basic survival Thai would be extremely helpful. I speak basic Thai and can only imagine how hard it would be for people who don't speak any. There are plenty of local language classes and tutors available so you can always start when you get here if you want. - Mar 2019
Knowing Thai is helpful (more so in Chiang Mai than Bangkok) but not necessary. If you can count and say - May 2007
