RE: Speaking Thai?
A simple approach is to teach yourself 5 new words and 5 new phrases a day.
Get a stack of index cards (or whatever you can find if already in Thailand). Every day, pick out 5 words and 5 phrases that would be useful to know, and then write the thai word (in English letters) out on one side and the English translation on the other.
Go to a Thai restaurant that you frequent. Be sure to pick one out with girls (can be guys but girls are more fun) who are standing around a lot. Here's a hint - this describes nearly every restaurant in thailand. They are always overstaffed because labor is so cheap.
First, do a decent job of trying to memorize your new words and phrases before you go. You'll have the sounding wrong, but it helps make her job easier.
When you're ready, have her sit down. Lift up each card and have her say the word. You may need the book on you here because she won't understand the way you've written some of them. Listen verrrrrry closely. Have her repeat it. Repeat it back to her a couple times until you're close enough for her to stop laughing at you.
Next card.
After you've gone through the cards, ask her to give you some time. Practice over and over for a while until you think you've got them ground into your memory. Then have her sit back down later to test you. You'll have some wrong but she'll correct you.
Study some more. Have her test you again.
Carry your growing stack of cards around with you all day, practicing at intervals, when eating, waiting in line, in transport, taking a shit, getting a blow job (ok only kidding), etc.
At the end of the day, test yourself before bed. Then again in the morning.
In the morning, for all the words that have become second nature, you have no need for those cards any more - throw them out. This is crucial because you've already sunk that word into your subconscious and it's making your stack unnecessarily cumbersome. It keeps you from having to drill words you already know to death and bore yourself out.
Setting them aside for a bigger stack you test on every once in a while might not be a bad idea though.
When I first got to Thailand there was a restaurant/bar that showed movies twice a day. It was one of the only bars in Lamai that didn't seem red light district, so I ate a lot of meals there and showed up nightly to catch a movie or two before going out. This place became my second home - always good to have one in a new place.
and using the method outlined above for a month and a half accellerated my learning like you wouldn't believe. I've had Thais in America ask me if I'm part Thai based on my accent. It really blew everyone away how fast I progressed.
You should also consider paying for private lessons. I was just a cheapskate at the time. I did take a 5-week class in Chiang Mai at one point but feel they're a bit overrated - group learning seems iffy for picking up a language.
Most importantly, you've got to grab your balls and swing! You've got to get out there and use the shit to sink it in, and the hardest thing will be gaining an ear for it.
Don't let people tell you there's no need for Thai in Thailand. Like most things, that's only one side of a complicated story. Many Thais are shy to speak English, even if they know it, and making an effort opens doors for you.
You'll meet people faster. You'll get better service. Older people will love the shit out of you. You'll get to make up jokes that'll seemingly work with everyone. lol Educated Thais will approve and tell you you're very clever. Everyone will see you as more than just the typical farang. You'll sometimes skip the dual pricing. You'll be able to open more girls, of all subcultures, and since they see you trying to integrate, they'll imagine some kind of future is actually possible with you (important for the mainstream girls). You'll catch people talking shit about you and be able to break the ice and turn it into a laugh.
Even knowing something stupid like "jing laaa (really)" can be a blast if you know how to say it right. Can't tell you how many times I walked into a restaurant and noticed the girls were talking about me and turned around and said that in just the right way, even if I had no clue what they were saying. Instant blushes, giggles, and laughing all around just because they think you heard what they said. It's good fun.
Also, learn to actually read (i never did) and it will help you immensely in navigating your way through life (will also accelerate your speaking ability).
Do it.
Beyond All Seas
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling
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I hope this is not a duplicative thread. If so, please excuse me 
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