Read your first real Thai words — today
Just 6 consonants (ก ด ต น ม ร) + 3 vowels (า ี ไ) unlock real words. Every word below is naturally mid tone, so there are no tone marks to learn yet. Master this page first, then explore the full 44 consonants and 32 vowels whenever you're ready.
These aren't a random starter set — they're some of the most frequent sounds in everyday written Thai, so learning them first gets you reading real words fastest. That's the whole reason this page exists before the full alphabet does.
Just for fun — a living map of how consonants and vowels combine. Drag any node to move it, click to hear it. Not required for learning; the list below has the same information as text.
The reading matrix — all 18 combinations
Every pairing of these 6 consonants × 3 vowels. ✓ real word means you can use it today; practice means it's a building-block sound, not a standalone word yet — no sugarcoating, just what's true.
Sound not English-friendly? ใน ("nai" = in) uses a different vowel (ใ, not ไ) even though it sounds the same — you'll meet it in the full 32 vowels.
The 44 Consonants
Every Thai consonant belongs to one of three classes — Middle, High, or Low. The class decides how tones work later. Tap any card to hear it and see details.
Vowels — Short & Long
All 32 traditional Thai vowels (สระ ๓๒): 12 short/long pairs + 8 special forms. Length changes meaning! The อ shows where the consonant sits. Tap to hear the difference.
The 5 Tones
The same syllable with a different pitch = a completely different word. Watch the pitch line, then tap to hear each tone.
🧪 Minimal-Pair Lab
Famous word sets that differ only by tone. This is where foreigners laugh — and learn.
Survival Thai 🧳
The phrases foreigners actually need — tap any line to hear it. Phonetics show tones with marks: à low · â falling · á high · ǎ rising · plain = mid.
🔢 Numbers — เลขไทย (your price-bargaining superpower)
Practice Arena
Listen and choose. No signup, no pressure — just your ears getting sharper.
Which consonant do you hear?
Travel with 84 essential phrases
Keep restaurant, market, transport, hotel, direction, and help phrases ready on your phone.