The most effective way to gain fluency* in Thai is to read aloud and listen to modern, colloquial texts.
CHILDREN’S STORIES
Children’s stories are not easy! The language used is often a little obscure and “literary”. Many are irrelevant for everyday conversation, often about witches, animals or monsters. Even those that are about everyday family life are not particularly relevant to adults traveling or living as an expat. Fables are useless, avoid them.