If you’ve been learning English for a while but still feel unsure when speaking, you’re not alone. One of the biggest problems Thai people face is pronunciation. The good news? You don’t need to fix everything — just focus on a few key things, and you’ll sound clearer fast.
Here are 5 simple pronunciation tips made especially for Thai learners like us.
1. Practice the “TH” Sound
Many Thai speakers say “sank you” instead of “thank you,” or “dis” instead of “this.” That’s because Thai doesn’t have the “th” sound.
How to fix it:
- Put your tongue gently between your teeth. Blow out a little air.
- Practice saying:
think, thank, this, that, three
It feels strange at first, but it gets easier with practice.
2. Say the Ending Sounds
In Thai, we often skip the final sound. But in English, it’s very important.
For example:
- “cap” (หมวก)
- “cab” (แท็กซี่)
- “cat” (แมว)
Each one ends with a different sound — p, b, t — and that changes the meaning.
How to fix it:
Say each sound clearly at the end. Try these:
walked, helped, laughed
It helps to speak a little slower when practicing.
3. Long and Short Vowels
Some words sound very similar but mean different things. The only difference is vowel length.
Examples:
- ship (เรือ) vs sheep (แกะ)
- bit vs beat
How to fix it:
Short vowels are quick. Long vowels are stretched.
Practice slowly:
- “I saw a ship.”
- “I saw a sheep.”
4. Word Stress Matters
In English, one part of the word is usually stronger. In Thai, all syllables sound even, so this can be tricky.
Examples:
- comfort (not COMfort)
- about (not About)
How to fix it:
Listen to how native speakers say the word and copy the rhythm. You can also look up the word on a dictionary app — they usually show which part is stressed.
5. Record Your Voice
This tip helped me the most. Sometimes we think we sound right — until we hear ourselves.
Try this:
- Record yourself saying a sentence like:
“I think three sheep were sitting on the ship.” - Then listen to it. Are you saying “think” or “sink”? “Sheep” or “ship”?
It may feel weird at first, but it really helps you hear and fix your mistakes.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a perfect accent. But if you practice these small things every day, your pronunciation will get better — and you’ll feel more confident speaking English.
Quick Practice
Try saying these words slowly and clearly:
- think
- this
- cat
- cap
- bit
- beat
Then say this sentence:
“I think three sheep were sitting on the ship.”
You’ve got this.
And I’m walking this English journey with you.
See you in the next article.