Are chai tea and thai tea the same thing?

Chai tea and Thai tea as we know it in America are most definitely not the same thing.

Thai iced tea is a strong black tea sometimes spiced with anise that is served sweetened with evaporated milk. It is readily available at any Thai restaurant. Chai tea is redundant as chai is the Word for tea in India and many parts of the world. Usually Americans are thinking of Masala Chai when they speak of "chai tea." Masala means spiced. When you go to a coffee shop and order a chai, you're usually served a pre-packaged sweetened spiced black tea blended with milk. When you buy "chai" tea bags in the grocery store you're buying black tea with spices and flavors added. However, if you want a cup of Masala Chai as it is served in India, you want assam tea steeped in milk with your choice of spice added. Traditionally either cardamom or fresh ginger is added to the tea before it is heated, and the tea is sweetened to taste by the consumer. If you're making Masala Chai at home you can experiment with your favorite combination of spices. (consider vanilla, cinnamon, fresh or ground ginger, black peppercorns, whole clove, star anise, nutmeg, and even coriander or allspice)

I usually make my chai with soy milk and cardamom. I grind a few cardamom seeds with a pestle and mortar, add it to loose assam tea leaves in the bottom of a sauce pan. I cover the tea with water and bring to a boil, then I add soy (more soy milk than water) and continue to heat until it is steamy. If you're using regular milk you do not need to add water, just steep the tea leaves in simmering milk for a few minutes (3-5 min). Strain, serve, and sweeten to taste