A Different APPROACH To Speaking English

Concrete jungle.

That’s how people describe modern megacities like Bangkok.

Noise, pollution, people everywhere, heavy traffic, non-stop, go, go, go!

But it didn’t use to be like this.

In the 1950s, most buildings were still made of wood and cars were only for the rich.

That’s when American expat Jim Thompson built his famous house here.

Visiting his house today is like stepping into a time machine.

It’s old.

It’s wooden.

Outside the windows, you see lush, green gardens.

And you can hear the sound of water from the river.

If you’re ever in Bangkok, it’s worth a visit.

But how did he end up there?

COLD WAR IN THAILAND

After the Second World War, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were focused on Southeast Asia.

The U.S. strategy in Thailand was to financially support the military and the government.

But Jim Thompson had a different approach to fighting communism.

He thought Americans should start businesses that would improve the quality of life for the locals.

Then communism would be a less attractive option.

So he quit working for the government and started a business buying Thai silk and selling it in the West.

If you’ve ever seen the musical The King and I, it was his silk the actors wore in the movie.

Even his approach to business was different.

In the 1950s, for the first time, the world was buying cheap, machine-made fabrics.

So Jim went in the opposite direction.

He sold expensive, handmade silk.

I see the same thing happening now with…

For the first time, the world is buying cheap, AI-made education.

Yesterday, a famous language teacher showed me her new AI speaking app.

I said a few words to it in French.

It corrected me.

Then I got bored.

Like Jim’s silk, some still appreciate the human touch.

That’s why I write a new story every day.

That’s why I talk to my students on Zoom every week.

And that’s why I created Vig Village.

When everyone is saying “Speak to AI,” you can still speak to real humans inside Vig Village.