About ThaiCopilot

My Thai Learning Journey

When I moved to Thailand, I did what most expats do—enrolled in an online course. It was just 3 hours long, but it taught me essential phrases that got me through the first few weeks.

Then I tried Thai classes. Honestly? It was a waste of time for the most part. Other students felt the same way. The teacher's communication skills matter a lot for classes to work, and finding the right fit is hard.

The real challenge was retention. I'd learn something in class, then forget it by the next week. Being a software professional, I started building scripts that would create flashcards with audio. It worked like a charm — I was finally retaining what I learned.

But I realized the approach wasn't scalable. I could refine it further with AI, and that's exactly what I'm doing now with ThaiCopilot.

I'm guilty of focusing too much on making the learning process more efficient for myself. But in the long run, I believe it'll pay dividends — for me and for others on the same journey.

Why Thai is Hard

Learning Thai as an expat is challenging. The language has a unique script, five tones that change word meanings entirely, and cultural context that's hard to grasp from textbooks.

• Tones: Same syllable, different tone, completely different meaning. I used to joke that I'm tone deaf. But after talking to many learners, I think tones are overrated for beginners. Context helps a lot—just listen to native speakers and mimic.
• Script: Thai script is beautiful but intimidating — 44 consonants, 32 vowels, and no spaces between words
• Your Background Matters: Thai has many words borrowed from Sanskrit and Chinese. If you have exposure to either, you might find some words familiar

In the end, learning to speak Thai is a journey. Your journey will be different from others because it depends on your background, goals, and how you learn best.

The Solution: ThaiCopilot

ThaiCopilot is built on the science of adult language learning and my experience talking to dozens of language learners about what actually works. Adults learn differently than kids—we need context, practical application, and efficient methods that fit into busy lives.

That's why ThaiCopilot focuses on conversational practice and spaced repetition, not grammar drills or rote memorization.

Key Features:

• AI Conversations: Practice real-world scenarios (ordering food, asking for directions, casual small talk) with an AI that understands context and provides feedback
• Smart Flashcards: Build vocabulary using spaced repetition—the most effective method for long-term retention
• Progress Tracking: See your learning streaks, mastered words, and areas for improvement
• Practical Focus: Learn phrases and vocabulary you'll actually use in Thailand, not academic Thai from textbooks

Where We Are Now

ThaiCopilot is in early MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stage. I'm personally onboarding the first cohort of users—friends, family, and members of Thai-learning communities I'm part of - to gather feedback before opening to the public.

This early stage means:

• Free Access: Currently free while we gather feedback and improve the platform
• Active Development: Features are being added and refined based on real user needs
• Direct Feedback Loop: As a small team (solo founder!), I personally respond to every message and implement suggestions quickly
• Rapid Iteration: We ship improvements weekly based on what users tell us they need

Our Mission

My goal is simple: help expats and travelers feel confident communicating in Thai. Whether you're ordering street food, chatting with your neighbors, or navigating Bangkok's markets, I want Thai to feel accessible, not intimidating.

Language learning should be practical, engaging, and fit into your daily life. That's what I'm building with ThaiCopilot.

About the Founder