There are several ways to get in trouble for sure. The language becomes easier if you can read it.
I visited friends over there that could read it and speak it, but I am not very good at languages. I simply love the country though. It is very beautiful and so are it's people. In fact, I currently support a Thai orphan who lives north of Bangkok..have since he was 3 months old. I "picked" him out for my support myself.