Basic Thai Phrases You Need To Learn before Traveling to Thailand

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.

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!

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 kh^a.

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 / kh^a) – 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 / kh^a – 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 – Okay

`Adschá – Maybe

Jing jing rue – Really?

Karunaa – Please

Khop khoen khráp / kh^a– 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

Hāng srrph sink^hā – Mall

Rān sadwk sx – Department Store

Pai … na khráp / kh^a – Take me to …, please

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

Thāng hn … – Which way?

Thāng hn khx 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 / kh^a – A table for … person(s), please.

Kho duu menuu khráp / kh^a– Can I see the menu, please?

Khwām phies′ khxng rān xāhār khx xar – What is the specialty of the Restaurant?

Chan tong kaan kin xāhār 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 hr

Nīi thao rai – How much is this?

Kun mī khnād nī hm – 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

Kherxng dm – drinks

Khxng thī ralk – 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 txngkār tidtx sthān thūt khxng chn – 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 thāyrūp chn – please take my picture

Chn sāmārth thāyrūp d hm – can I take pictures?

Chn sāmārth khêā – can I enter?

Thāng khêā (Thāngxxk) xyū thīhn – where is the entrance (exit)

Swy – Beautiful

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!

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