In my experience trying to learn Lao after the Thai script few years
ago, Lao contains many of the same consonants as Thai (however its
total number of consonants are fewer) and its script more clearly
derived from leaf inscriptions, being significantly more rounded.

As for vowels, the Lao language seems to have an order of magnitude
more exotic-looking vowel combinations than Thai, which in my short
experience was a more difficult challenge than anything else when
learning the language.

To clarify, I can't say I've 'learned' either script, though I can
usually read place names and words I already know when seen in
context in both countries. Hoping to improve, in time!


- Walter, whose trip to Thailand is postponed, so is still online :)