Sawasdee PassportLearn Thai · สวัสดี

Sawasdee Passport: learn Thai on a journey through old Siam

Learn Thai on a river journey through old Siam

Sawasdee Passport is a Thai course wrapped in a story, and the first lesson is free. Your boat ties up at Ayutthaya, the island capital where the world came to trade, and you travel by river and road through the floating markets to Bangkok, north to Sukhothai and the lantern skies of Chiang Mai, east through Korat to the Khmer temple of Phimai and the Mekong, and finally south to the islands.

At every stop a guide teaches you new Thai letters, everyday words and short phrases, then tells you the history and folklore of the place. Lessons take about five minutes and work on phones, tablets and computers.

From letters to sentences

The most useful consonants in their three classes, the vowels that sit above, below and around a letter, the four tone marks, Thai numerals, everyday words and simple sentences such as “How much is this?”.

Level up as you learn

Earn XP, climb the ranks, keep a daily streak and set a daily goal. Spaced-repetition practice brings back the words you find hardest, and every word has a slow button so you can hear each tone.

History and folklore

Ayutthaya and its traders, the Chakri kings and the Grand Palace, Sukhothai and the birth of the alphabet, Lanna, the sandstone sanctuary of Phimai, the Naga of the Mekong and the creatures of the Himmaphan forest.

The route

  1. Ayutthaya อยุธยา · First letters, greetings and the wai. Cool season.
  2. The floating market ตลาดน้ำ · Vowels above, below and before a letter, and buying breakfast. Hot season.
  3. Bangkok กรุงเทพ · Numbers to ten, the tones and the Grand Palace. Rainy season.
  4. Sukhothai สุโขทัย · Short vowels, feelings and Loy Krathong. Cool season.
  5. Chiang Mai เชียงใหม่ · Family, directions and the lanterns of Yi Peng. Night skies.
  6. Korat โคราช · Silk shopping, describing things and Prasat Hin Phimai. Hot season.
  7. The Mekong แม่น้ำโขง · Isan food, folk music and the Naga of the river. Rainy season.
  8. The southern seas ทะเลใต้ · Islands, shadow puppets and your first sentences. Sea breezes.

Questions

Do I need to know any Thai?
No. The course starts with a handful of letters and greetings and always shows the Thai in English letters, with the tone marked, until you can read it.
What does it cost?
The first lesson is free, no sign-up needed. A travel pass opens every chapter: monthly, or a one-off lifetime pass.
I already have Ukiyo Passport. Do I need a new account?
No. Sign in with the same email and your account works here too. Each country has its own travel pass.
Where is my progress saved?
In this browser, and in your account once you sign in with your email, so you can carry on from any device.
Can I hear the Thai?
Yes, if your device has a Thai voice. Most phones and computers include one. Tap the turtle button to hear a word slowly.