Basic Thai Phrases You Need To Learn before Traveling to Thailand

By: Two Monkeys Travel - Contributor

Thailand, the Land of Smiles, is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. You may witness royal palaces, great temples, ancient ruins, tropical beaches, and biodiverse dive spots. It’s not only that, but Thailand is also pretty affordable too; enjoy the cuisine and spots in this enchanting country.

Sumit Chinchane

When traveling to Thailand, don’t worry as most locals in the Cities especially the tourist destinations speak English. However, in remote areas and for those who haven’t got the opportunity to study English then you might as well learn Basic Thai Phrases.

In this article, we will be giving you Basic Thai Phrases that you could learn before traveling to Thailand. This includes greetings, asking for directions, getting help on emergencies, accommodation, food, and many more. Have fun studying Thai!

Mathew Schwartz

Other articles you can read:

Table of Contents

Thai 101

• Thai has 5 tones; Low, Mid, High, Falling and Rising. The meaning may change based on tone, however, Thai people will help you out.
• Thai script or alphabet has 44 consonants and 15 vowels
• Chan is “I,” however, males may use Phom and is exclusive for them.
• For males, to make your sentence or question more polite, add khráp at the last. For females, you need to add khâ.

Frida Aguilar Estrada

Why is it important for travelers to know Thai Phrases?

Though Thai people study English in their school, some people are too shy to speak it. Most fluent ones are also found in the bustling cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. However, if you are planning to go to remote areas, it is better to prepare yourself with Thai phrases or google translate.

Locals would also enjoy hearing Foreigners speak their language. So maybe if you put effort into learning this, you will earn smiles or hopefully, a lot of Thai friends. Good luck on this learning adventure!

Greetings

Sa-wat-dii (khráp / khâ) – Hi. Hello. (formal male/female)

Sa-wat-dii toon tsjaauw– Good Morning

Sa-wat-dii toon baaj – Good Afternoon

Sa-wat-dii toon jen – Good Evening

Raa trie sawad – Good Night

Laa kon – GoodBye (formal)

Sa-wat-dii khráp / khâ  – Good-Bye (informal male/female)

Sabaai-dii rue? – How are you?

Sabaai-dii – I am fine

Introduction

Kho thot – Excuse Me.

Phom/Di-chan cheu … – (Male/Female) my name is …

Chan mā cāk … – I am from …

Chan xasay yuu ni … – I live in …

Chan pen chaw … – I am (nationality).

(Example: Chan pen chaw Filippins– I am Filipino)

Basic Responses

Chai – Yes

Mai Chai – No

Tok long – OKkay

Àdschá – Maybe

Jing jing rue – Really?

Karunaa – Please

Khop khoen khráp / khâ– Thank You (Male / Female)

Mai pen rai – You are Welcome

Speaking

Phuut phaasa … dai mai– Do You Speak (language)?

Phuut phaasa ang-krit dai mai– Do You Speak English?

Kao jai – I understand

Mai khao jai – I don’t understand

Phuut phaasa thai mai dai – I can’t speak Thai

Chan phuut thai nidhnxy – I speak a little Thai.

Phuut iik thii – Please repeat it.

Phuut chaa chaa noi – Please speak more slowly

Chan mai keaci phaasa thai – Does someone speak English?

Phuut wa … ni pen phaasa thai – How to say … in Thai?

Directions and Places

Thii nai  – Where?

… yuu thii nai – Where is the …?

Example: Hong nam yuu thii nai – Where is the toilet?

Sa-thaa-nii rot fai – Railway Station

Sanaam bin – Airport

Paai-rot-me – Bus stop

Rong-raem –  Hotel

Rong phyabal – Hospital

H̄̂āng s̄rrph s̄inkĥā – Mall

R̂ān s̄adwk sụ̄̂x – Department Store

Pai … na khráp / khâ – Take me to …, please

Ja pai … yang rai – How do I go to ..?

Thāng h̄ịn … – Which way?

Thāng h̄ịn khụ̄x Sa-thaa-nii rot fai – Which way is the train station?

kuwaa – Right

Saai – Hidari

trong pai – Straight

Sue tua pai … noi – One ticket to …, please

Accommodation

Khun mii hong waang mai – Do you have any rooms available?

Hong samrap nueng-khon raakaa thao rai? – How much is a room for one person?

Phom/Di-chan ja yu … kuen – I will stay for … nights.

Food

Kho to saamrap … thi khráp / khâ – A table for … person(s), please.

Kho duu menuu khráp / khâ– Can I see the menu, please?

Khwām phiṣ̄es̄ʹ k̄hxng r̂ān xāh̄ār khụ̄x xarị – What is the specialty of the Restaurant?

Chan tong kaan kin xāh̄ār thai – I want to eat Thai food.

Phom/di-chan mai kin …  – I don’t eat ….

Dum – Drink

Muu – pork

Nuea – beef

Kai – beef

Plaa– Fish

Kho … kaew nueng – May I have a glass of ….

Bia – Beer

Naam plao – Water

Chiyo! – Cheers!

Keb ngern duai –The check, please?

Shopping

Thao rai – How much Thèā h̄ịr̀

Nī̀i thao rai – How much is this?

Kun mī k̄hnād nī̂ h̄ịm – Do you have that (near you) in my size

Kun rap bat kredit mai  – Do you accept credit card?

At-traa laek plien tao rai – What is the exchange rate?

Chan tong kaan – I need …

Yaa – medicine

Xahar – food

Kherụ̄̀xng dụ̄̀m – drinks

K̄hxng thī̀ ralụk – souvenirs

Emergency

Tasukete – Help.

Phom/Chan tongkaan khwaam chuai luea  – I need your help.

Phom/Chan ja jaang taamruat – I’ll call the Police

Phom/Chan long thaang  – I’m lost.

Krapao khong phom/chan haai – I lost my bag

Phom/Chan mai sabaai  – I am sick.

Phom/Chan tongkaan mo – I need a doctor.

Chan t̂xngkār tidt̀x s̄t̄hān thūt k̄hxng c̄hạn – I want to contact my Embassy.

Counting

Nueng – One

Song – Two

Saam – Three

Sii – Four

Haa – Five

Hok – Six

Jet – Seven

Paet – Eight

Kao – Nine

Sip – Ten

Sip-et – Eleven

Yii-sip song – Twenty Two

Nueng roi – One Hundred

Nueng phan – One Thousand

Nueng Muen – Ten Thousand

Nueng saen– One Hundred Thousand

Nueng laan – One Million

Other terms that may be of use

Pord t̄h̀āyrūp c̄hạn – please take my picture

C̄hạn s̄āmārt̄h t̄h̀āyrūp dị̂ h̄ịm – can I take pictures?

C̄hạn s̄āmārt̄h k̄hêā – can I enter?

Thāng k̄hêā (Thāngxxk) xyū̀ thī̀h̄ịn – where is the entrance (exit)

S̄wy – Beautiful

Max Böttinger

The Basic Thai Phrases for your travel in Thailand will be helpful in your interactions with locals as well as in emergencies. Bookmark this article now and start practicing your Thai!

Are you on Pinterest? Pin these!

The original content (article & images) is owned by Two Monkeys Travel - Contributor. Visit the site here for other interesting stories.