The book focuses on the importance of learning in establishing their new life and new social networks in Thailand. Most of them have had only elementary education in Burma, due to limited facilities in Shan State. They have to learn to speak Thai, which comes easily as their Thai Yai dialect is very similar. They also need to learn to read and write, as Thai Yai uses a different script. Many take advantage of the educational facilities available to them in Thailand to study English and other languages or computer science, or to take various vocational training courses.