As this year comes to a close and the new year approaches, I want to thank my Thai language students over the years. 2026 will mark two decades of me teaching Thai in New York. As I have written in previous posts, Thai is not especially difficult to learn, but it does require sustained dedication and time, in my experience, about a year of consistent study.

Here is a photo of a greeting card that one of my students gave me this month. It brings me great joy to see her communicate confidently in Thai through writing, reading, and conversation after a year of studying together.

Translation of the note: Thank you, Teacher Titcha, for being the best teacher. I have enjoyed studying Thai with you over the past year. I hope that one day I will be able to speak Thai fluently. I will study hard. I wish you good health.