What do you mean there’s no Thai on Babbel?
It’s true, Thai is still absent from one of the biggest names in language learning. Babbel hasn’t added Thai to its platform, and as of 2025, it’s not showing any signs that it will.
But here’s the good news: Ling is a powerful alternative built from the ground up to support Thai learners.
Whether you’re reconnecting with family, preparing for a move to Thailand, or diving into Thai pop culture, Ling offers a complete Thai course that actually works.
Let’s explore why Thai deserves a spot on apps like Babbel—and why Ling is your best choice today.
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Why Thai Deserves A Spot On Babbel
Thai is the official language of Thailand. It has around 27 million native speakers, and 44 million people use it as a second language. That’s around 71 million global speakers!
And the relevance of the Thai language has been growing day by day.
For one, Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world, ranking 8th on World Population Review’s list of most visited countries in 2024.
Moreover, Thailand’s cultural influence is on the rise. Thai entertainment has won the hearts of countless fans worldwide, particularly in niche genres like BL (Boys’ Love), attracting massive international fan bases.
In an effort to support that, Thailand’s government has launched a massive cultural investment aimed at training millions of people in creative industries, generating trillions in economic value and solidifying Thailand’s position as a cultural leader on the global stage.
Sound familiar? It’s the same playbook that helped Korea ride the Hallyu Wave—and we all saw how that triggered a boom in Korean language learners.
Yet, despite this growing influence, Thai remains absent from major language learning platforms like Babbel.
So why is such a globally relevant language still being left out?
Why Is Thai Missing From Babbel?
Babbel is a high-quality platform, but its strengths lie in European languages like Spanish, German, French, and Italian.
In fact, Indonesian is the only Asian language available, and even that course only goes up to level A2.
Why the delay?
Here are a few likely reasons:
- Infrastructure gaps – Thai requires script-learning tools and tone training that Babbel doesn’t yet support.
- Content development complexity – Thai grammar, particles, and cultural context need deep expertise to teach effectively.
- Limited linguistic staffing – Babbel has over 150 experts, but most specialize in CEFR-aligned languages.
- Prioritization – Babbel is refining and expanding existing European courses, making less room for new ones.
It’s not that Thai isn’t worthy—it’s just not in Babbel’s current wheelhouse.
Is Thai A Hard Language To Learn?
Thai has a reputation for being “hard”—but in reality, it’s just different.
Yes, Thai is a tonal language (with five tones), and it uses its own Brahmic-inspired script. That can feel intimidating at first glance. But let’s break it down.
Unique Features Of Thai:
The first thing that can make Thai a bit challenging is that it’s a tonal language.
In English, tone is used mostly for emphasis or intonation, but in Thai, it affects meaning.
For instance, the word gài (ไก่) means “chicken” when said with a mid tone, but gâi (ไข่) with a low tone, which sounds similar, means “egg.” So you’ll have to train your ears!
Another aspect of the Thai language that differs from English is its use of particles.
For example, particles like khráp (ครับ – male) and khâ (ค่ะ – female) are used at the end of sentences to show politeness. And there are several other particles with different functions.
As for writing, the Thai script has 44 consonants and 32 vowels; it’s written from left to right, and it’s an abugida, which means that consonants have an inherent vowel sound that’s modified with diacritics.
This is quite different from the Latin alphabet English speakers are used to, but trust me, with the right tools and some perseverance, you can master it.
Now, let’s see what can make Thai less challenging.
Beginner-Friendly Aspects Of The Thai Language:
Let’s start with the best news: Thai is an analytic language, so there’s no conjugation.
This means there are no changes in verbs when it comes to tense, gender, or number. So much less to memorize!
There are also no plurals. You’ll know when something is plural either by context or additional words. And there are no articles either, so one less thing to worry about.
What’s more, Thai sentence structure is quite logical and consistent, and it follows the same word order as English: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), so it shouldn’t give you any headaches.
And finally, spoken Thai is more flexible than written Thai, so if you’re having a conversation, you can relax a little.
So, as you can see, even if some things in Thai might give you a bit of trouble, a lot of it is quite manageable. So if you rely on good resources and put your mind to it, you’ll master the language in no time.
Babbel Vs. Ling: Which One Supports Thai?
You know by now that there’s no Thai on Babbel, but let’s quickly compare both apps so you can get to know their main features:
| Features | Babbel | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Thai course | ❌ No Thai course. | ✅ Thai course designed specifically for English speakers. |
| Thai script support | ❌ No support. | ✅ Supports Thai script and teaches it with the finger-tracing method. |
| Pronunciation Practice | ❌ Not available for Thai. | ✅ Voice recognition and native speaker audio to ensure perfect pronunciation. |
| Grammar & Culture Notes | ❌ Not available for Thai. | ✅ Grammar Notes for each lesson and Culture Notes about Thai traditions, etiquette, and real-life situations. |
| Interactive Features | ✅ AI conversations, grammar guides, guided dialogues, podcasts, and audio recaps. | ✅ Gamified lessons, chatbot to practice conversations, points and leaderboards, dialogues with real-world scenarios, and more. |
| Platform Availability | ✅ Android, iOS, and web. | ✅ Android, iOS, and web. |
| Best For | Learning European languages with strong grammar foundations and structured progression. | Mastering Thai (and 60+ other languages) with engaging lessons that focus on pronunciation, grammar, writing, and cultural immersion. |
The Best Alternative To Babbel For Learning Thai
No Thai on Babbel? No problem.
Here’s why thousands of learners are turning to Ling as the ultimate app for mastering Thai authentically and effectively.
Why Ling Stands Out As The Best Thai Learning App
- Bite-sized, gamified lessons that keep learning Thai engaging and consistent.
- Crystal-clear audio recorded by native Thai speakers for accurate listening and pronunciation.
- Interactive stroke-tracing to help you confidently write all 44 Thai consonants.
- Easy-to-digest Grammar Tips covering essentials like Thai particles and sentence structure.
- Cultural Insights woven into every lesson so you connect beyond just words.
- Conversations with a Thai chatbot that simulate real-life dialogues.
- Smart voice recognition to sharpen your speaking skills and boost confidence.
The best part? Ling offers a 7-day free trial, so you can try everything risk-free!
Why Dedicated Thai Learners Trust Ling
“Thai is tough —new script, sounds, and vocab— but Ling makes it manageable. I started with basic words, and now I’m learning to read. It’s amazing!”
– Cathy C., Hong Kong
“I first downloaded Ling to preapre for a trip to Thailand, it was the only app with Thai back then! Still highly recommend it, especially for Southeast Asian languages.👏”
– Auberon A., Chicago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trusted by over 22,400 learners worldwide with a 4.65/5 rating
From curious travelers to heritage learners, Ling is your gateway to Thai fluency, culture, and connection.
What You’ll Learn In Just 7 Days
Since Ling offers a 7-day free trial, let’s explore what you can learn by using it for a week.
| Day | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Thai alphabet + basic pronunciation |
| Day 2 | Greetings + simple phrases |
| Day 3 | Numbers + asking prices |
| Day 4 | Talking about your day |
| Day 5 | Thai grammar basics |
| Day 6 | Real-time conversations with AI |
| Day 7 | Hold your first Thai conversation! |
Frequently Asked Questions About No Thai On Babbel
Does Babbel Have Thai?
No, Babbel does not currently offer Thai, and it likely won’t anytime soon. Babbel focuses primarily on European languages, which means languages like Thai, with a different writing system, tonal pronunciation, and unique grammar, aren’t yet on their roadmap. If you’re genuinely excited about learning Thai and want an app that celebrates the language’s richness instead of skipping over it, Ling is a fantastic choice. With native speaker audio, gamified lessons, and a fun, immersive format, Ling makes mastering Thai both effective and enjoyable.
Do You Get All Languages With Babbel?
Only if you pay for their “All Languages” plan. Babbel allows access to multiple languages, but it’s limited to the ones they offer (14 in total), and Thai isn’t one of them. So even with full access, you still won’t find courses for many Asian or underrepresented languages.
Is Thai The Easiest Language To Learn?
Thai is generally not considered one of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Thai is categorized as a Category IV language, meaning it typically requires around 2,200 hours of study to reach professional working proficiency. This is due to several key challenges: Thai uses a unique script derived from ancient Indic languages, features five distinct tones, and lacks many of the grammatical structures English speakers are familiar with, like verb conjugations or plurals. Additionally, mastering proper pronunciation and understanding cultural nuances can be difficult without immersive practice. While Thai is a beautiful and rewarding language, it’s certainly not one of the easiest for native English speakers to learn.
Is Mondly Good For Thai?
Mondly does offer Thai, but it often feels surface-level for learners who want to dig deeper. The app leans more toward vocabulary and translation practice, which can be helpful early on but may leave you craving more depth. If you’re serious about truly engaging with Thai—learning to read the script, understand sentence patterns, and speak naturally—Ling is better tailored to that journey. It’s designed with Thai in mind, offering writing practice, cultural context, and real-life conversations to help you connect with the language on a personal level.
Does Pimsleur Teach Thai?
Yes, Pimsleur includes Thai, but the method relies heavily on audio-based repetition. While it’s great for practicing pronunciation and picking up phrases, it doesn’t cover reading, writing, or grammar in much detail. For a more well-rounded experience, Ling offers everything Pimsleur misses – like stroke-tracing for Thai script, cultural notes, interactive chatbot practice, and gamified lessons that make each session something you look forward to.
Start Learning Thai With Ling!
Even if there’s no Thai on Babbel, you don’t have to put your language journey on hold. You can still learn the Thai language today!
With a 4.6 rating on the App Store and 4.8 in Google Play, over 2 million users worldwide have chosen Ling as their go-to language learning tool.
Gamified lessons, grammar and culture notes, a chatbot to practice conversations with, and several other useful features make Ling an excellent option for learning not just Thai but other Asian and Eastern European languages.
You don’t even have to decide now; you can try the app for free for 7 days, see how you like it, and cancel anytime if it’s not for you.
So, ready to begin? Download the Ling app on the App Store or Google Play and start your Thai language journey!
