Are you traveling to Thailand and want to learn basic Thai phrases? If you aren’t planning on learning it, we suggest you do. Thai is a fun and interesting language to learn, and with these phrases under your belt, you’ll be able to communicate better with the locals while in Thailand and experience Thai culture more closely too.
This guide includes essential phrases for visitors such as ‘hello, thank you, how are you’ and more. So whether you’re just stopping by for a vacation or planning on residing in Thailand for an extended period, make sure to bookmark this post and refer to it as needed!
The Thai Language
Before we dive into our list of essential Thai phrases, we think it would be helpful to have a little insight into the language itself. Thai is a tonal language, which means the different tones and pronunciation of each letter in the Thai alphabet could play a huge part in the meaning of what you say.
For English Language speakers this might seem like a foreign concept, making learning Thai look very challenging. However local people are extremely friendly and will appreciate the effort you put into learning Thai even if it’s the most basic Thai phrases and will help you out. Having a simple Thai script of common words and phrases is a great idea if you want to enjoy your trip to Thailand a notch higher than you would without the local language.
Remember that you might have to repeat yourself a few times because Thai ears may not be accustomed to your pronunciations. However, they will soon understand and even help you with speaking Thai better. Below are basic phrases that visitors to Thailand, whether tourists or expats can make the most of us.
Basic Thai Phrases as You Explore Thailand’s Busy Streets
The Thai language may feel difficult to learn without a guide. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of useful Thai phrases below that are easy to say. We have classified them according to different parts of your experience in Thailand, from greeting locals to directing your taxi driver, ordering food, and many more.
Before we jump into greetings and other important Thai phrases, we will start with some basic knowledge about Thai words used to be polite when communicating with people.
Polite Ways to Speak
In the Thai language, politeness and respect make a huge difference in how people treat you. Below are some important words and how they must be used when speaking to Thai people.
Khrup/Ka
It is important to note that when speaking this native language out of politeness you must, if you are male, end these common phrases with the word “krub/khrup” (ครับ), pronounced ‘khrap’ and if you are female, end the term with “ka/kap”, pronounced ‘khaa’. For your ease, we have added it at the end of every phrase below, so do not forget to use it when you speak Thai.
Khrup/Ka can also be used to say “yes” in place of the actual Thai word for “yes” which is “chai”.
For example, if someone asks you if you want tea and you do, you could say “khrup” if you are male and vice versa.
Khun
This is similar to using Mr, Miss, or Mrs, etc when you speak English. It is used to address the person you speak to and is used before their name. For example, I would be addressed as Khun Joon.
Khun can also simply be used without the name, in place of the word “you”.
Greetings
It is courteous in any culture to greet people you meet, and the land of smiles is full of appreciation towards the little hellos and byes. Here are some of the few essential yet basic greetings one can say, along with a small or deep bow.
- Hello – Sa Wad Dee (sawatdee) Khrap / Ka
- Goodbye – Lah Gorn (la-gon) Khrap / Ka
- How Are You? – Sabai Dee Mai (sa-buy-dee-my) Khrap / Ka?
- Very Good, Thanks! – Dee Mak Mak (dee-mak-mak) Khrap / Ka
- Not Good – Mai Dee (my-dee) Khrap / Ka
- I’m Not Well – Mai Sabai (my-sa-buy) Khrap / Ka
- It’s Nice To Meet You – Yin Dee Ti Dai Roojak Khun (yin-dee-tea-die-roojak-koon) Khrap / Ka
Day-to-Day Essentials
Apart from Thai words to greet people, being polite will improve your experience in numerous ways. It can also be challenging to find restroom facilities, or simply communicate a number or date to people.
In this section, you can find every possible helpful phrase or word you will need every day to find your way around every city in Thailand whether it’s Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or any other place – we have your day-to-day essentials covered.
Courtesy
Even if you don’t have the proper knowledge to speak Thai eloquently, being polite is something that any Thai person will appreciate. While greeting and using khrap/ka at the end of a sentence itself is polite, being grateful and thanking people will get them to accommodate you more often than not. Here are some courteous phrases you can use as often as you like, the more the merrier.
- Thank You – Khob Khun (kob-koon) Khrap / Ka
- Thank You Very Much – Khob Khun Mak (kob-koon) Khrap / Ka
- Excuse Me/Sorry – Ko Tort (kor-tot) Khrap / Ka
- If You Please – Pord (pord) Khrap / Ka
- Do Not Worry/It’s Alright – Mai Pen Rai (my-pen-rye) Khrap / Ka
Agree and Disagree
A simple world like yes or no can go a long way in helping people understand what you need. These are easy to learn and will soon flow out of your mouth as smoothly as water.
If Something Is Right or Wrong
- Yes – Chai (chai) Khrap / Ka
- No – Mai / Mai Chai (my-chai) Khrap / Ka
If You Can Or Can’t Do Something
- Yes – Chai (chai) Khrap / Ka
- No – Mai/Dai Mai (die-chai) Khrap / Ka
To Be Understood by Locals
Some English-speaking locals can either manage to communicate in English while some are fluent in it too. By learning the essential phrases below you might be able to find one of them, and save your stock of Thai phrases for another day. Use these phrases and get the Thai people to understand you better!
- I Don’t Understand – Mai Khao Jai (my-cow-jai) Khrap / Ka
- Can You Speak English? – Khun Pood Paasaa Anggrit Dai Mai (koon-pood-pa-sa-angrit-die-my) Khrap / Ka?
- I Don’t Know Thai – Mai Phoodt Passah Thai (my-phoot-passah-thai) Khrap / Ka
- I Can Speak a Little Thai – Phoodt Passah Thai Nid Noi (phoot-passah-thai-nid-noi) Khrap / Ka
- You Are Very Good – Geng Mak Mak (keng-mak-mak) Khrap / Ka
Restroom
Finding common restrooms can be quite a hassle in Thailand, often leading you to panic unnecessarily. Sometimes you might find one a bit too late! Best be prepared and use the phrase below to save yourself the trouble.
- Where Is The Restroom/Bathroom? – Hong Nam Yoo Tee Nai (hong-nam-you-ti-nai) Khrap / Ka?
Emergencies
These phrases will help you get aid to find a doctor or hospital urgently.
- I’m Hurt– Chan Jib (chan-jib) Khrap / Ka
- Where Is The Hospital? – Rong Payaa Baan Yoo Tee Nai (rong-payaa-baan-you-ti-nai) Khrap / Ka?
Days and Times
These basic Thai phrases can help you get around without missing important dates and times in your travel itinerary. They might not seem like a big deal, but they will really help you ensure you don’t miss out on plans.
- Today – Wonnee (won-nee) Khrap / Ka
- Tomorrow – Prungnee (proong-nee) Khrap / Ka
- Yesterday – Meuy Won (mew-won) Khrap / Ka
- What Time Is It? – Gee Mong Leow (gee-mong-lee-yo) Khrap / Ka?
- Six O Clock – Hok Mong Chao (hawk-mong-cha-ow) Khrap / Ka
- What Time Does It Open? – Burt Gee Mong Leow (bird-gee-mong-lee-yo) Khrap / Ka?
- What Time Does It Close? – Pid Gee Mong Leow (pid-gee-mong-cha-lee-yo) Khrap / Ka?
- Happy New Year – Sa Wa Dee Pee Mai (sawatdee-pee-my) Khrap / Ka
Numbers
These will simply help you purchase things better.
- 0 – Sun (sun)
- 1 – Nung (nung)
- 2 – Song (song)
- 3 – Sam (sam)
- 4 – See (see)
- 5 – Da (da)
- 6 – Hok (hawk)
- 7 – Jed (jed)
- 8 – Baed (bed)
- 9 – Gao (gow)
- 10 – Sib (sib)
Questions
Sometimes you would not need to ask a complete question, and the simple 5Ws can help you get your doubts cleared.
- Where? – Tee Nai? (ti-nai)
- What? – Arai? (a-rye)
- When? – Mu Arai? (mu-a-rye)
- How? – Yang Nai? (young-nai)
- Why? – Tam Mai? (tum-my)
Restaurant/Bar
Getting yourself delicious food is a given in any place in Thailand but sometimes you can find yourself crying over spicy dishes or finding it hard to order a vegetarian dish. The phrases below can help you order exactly what you need without having to settle for food that doesn’t suit your taste.
Placing the Order
Finding English-speaking people in restaurants can be quite difficult, and food is an everyday need. Even if you are not a food-lover, you have to check out Thai food at its homeplace, and you will never regret it. Here are some phrases that will help you get through the first stage of ordering!
- I Would Like to Order – Sang Aa-haan (sang-aa-haan) Khrap / Ka
- Can I Have the Menu Please? – Mee Menu Mai (mee-menu-my) Khrap / Ka?
- Can I Have the Bill? – Chick Bin (chick-bin) Khrap / Ka?
- Takeaway – Ao Glub Baan (ao-glub-baan) Khrap / Ka
- I’m Hungry – Hiu (hee-you) Khrap / Ka
- I’m Really Hungry – Hiu Mak Mak (hee-yoo-mak-mak) Khrap / Ka
- Delicious – Aroi (a-roy) Khrap / Ka
- Not Tasty – Mai Aroi (a-roy) Khrap / Ka
Spicy Food
Spicy is “ped” in Thai, so adding quantifying terms like no (mai), a little bit (nid noi), etc will help you tell the waiters the exact spice level you enjoy.
- I Like a Little More Spice –Chawp Pet Noi (chop–pet-noy) Khrap / Ka
- I Want a Little Spice – Ped Nid Noi (ped-nid-noi) Khrap / Ka
- I Don’t Want Spice – Mai Ped (my-ped) Khrap / Ka
- Really Spicy – Ped Mak (ped-mak) Khrap / Ka
Sweetness
Muay Thai cafes and restaurants normally add sugar to their beverages so if you need an unsweetened cafe, the phrase below is a lifesaver. You probably won’t need more sugar but we’ve added a phrase just in case you do.
- No Sugar – Mai Sai Nam Taan (my-sign-nam-taan) Khrap / Ka
- More Sugar – Sai Nam Taan Mak (sign-nam-taan-mak) Khrap / Ka
Nut Allergy
If you want to ensure your dish is nut-free, use the phrase below to make sure the chefs avoid nuts in your dishes.
- I Cannot Eat Nuts – Kin Tua Mai Dai (kin-too-ah-my-die) Khrap / Ka
Vegan/Vegetarian
Thailand has endless vegetarian restaurants, along with many vegetarian options at other restaurants too. Just use the phrase below and get served vegetarian western food, Thai food, or vegetarian food from any other cuisine.
- I am a Vegan – Kin Jay (kin-jay) Khrap / Ka
- I am a Vegetarian – Mang Savee Rat (mang-sa-vee-raat) Khrap / Ka
- I Don’t Eat Pork, Prawns, Chicken, Beef – Mai kin moo/gung/gy/neuya (my-kin-moo/gung/new-ya) Khrap / Ka
Beverages
It’s mostly hot around Thailand, and you’ll find yourself craving for a drink more often than not. Below are some useful phrases, whether you want coffee, water, or other drinks to quench your thirst.
- Water – Nam (nam) Khrap / Ka
- Can I Have Ice? – Ow Nam Keng (owe-nam-keng) Khrap / Ka?
- Two Beers Please – Song Bia (song-bia) Khrap / Ka
- Do You Have Tea? – Me Cha Mai (mee-cha-my) Khrap / Ka?
- Hot Coffee – Kafe Ron (kafe-ron) Khrap / Ka
- Iced Coffee – Kafe Yen (kafe-yen) Khrap / Ka
Shopping
Prices for the “farang”, the Thai word for foreigners, can be much more expensive than the original price. Speaking Thai might get you a lower price or discounts from Thai vendors, so be sure to make use of these useful Thai phrases for shopping.
- How Much Is This?– Nee Tao Rai (nee-tow-rye) Khrap / Ka?
- Can I Get a Discount? – Lod Noi Dai Mai (lod-noy-die-my) Khrap / Ka?
- Can I Get a Higher Discount? – Lod Eek Noi Dai Mai (lod-eek-noy-die-my) Khrap / Ka?
- That’s Very Expensive – Paeng Mak (paeng-mak) Khrap / Ka
- I Don’t Want It, Thank You – Mai Ow, Khob Khun (my-owe-kob-koon) Khrap / Ka
- I Want This One – Ao An Nee (ao-an-nee) Khrap / Ka
Transport and Directions
Whether you are traveling by a taxi car or the famous local ‘tuk tuk’, it’s important to make sure you use a meter or get on a metered taxi. You also don’t want to be traveling in Thailand by exploring every street to get to your destination, so make sure you know how to direct your driver as much as you can.
- Turn Left/ Turn Right – Lee Yow Sai/ Lee Yow Kwaa (lee-yo-sigh/lee-yo-kwa) Khrap / Ka
- Can You Use the Taxi Meter? – Dit Meter Dai Mai (dit-meter-die-my) Khrap / Ka?
- Do You Use the Meter?– Chai Meter Mai (chai-meter-my) Khrap / Ka?
- Nearby – Glai Glai (glye-glye) Khrap / Ka
- Straight – Dtrong Bai (dtrong-bye) Khrap / Ka
- Station – Sataani (sa-taa-nee) Khrap / Ka
- Where Is The Station? – Sataani Rot Fai, Yoo Tee Nai (sa-taa-nee) Khrap / Ka?
- Where Is The Market? – Dalaat Yoo Ti Nai (dalaat-you-ti-nai) Khrap / Ka?
- Stop – Yut (yut) Khrap / Ka
- Go – Bai (bye) Khrap / Ka
- To The Airport Please– Bai Sunambin (bye-sunam-bin) Khrap / Ka
- Slow Down – Hai Cha Long (high-cha-long) Khrap / Ka
Getting to Know Thai People
If you are interested in making Thai friends or simply want to get acquainted better, these are some phrases you must have under your belt.
- What Is Your Name? – Khun Chuer Arai (koon-chu-a-rye) Khrap / Ka?
- My Name Is (Male)– Pom Chuer ‘your name’ (pom-chu) Khrap
- My Name Is (Female)– Chan Chuer ‘your name’ (chan-chu) Ka
- Have You Eaten Yet? – Kin Khao Reang (kin-cow-ri-yang) Khrap / Ka?
- Having Fun?– Sanuk Mai (sa-nook-my) Khrap / Ka?
- I Really Like Thailand – Chob Mak Mak Prathet Thai (cho-mak-mak-prathet-Thai) Khrap / Ka
- Which Country Are You From? – Khun Majak Prathet Nai (koon-majak-prathet-nai) Khrap / Ka?
Compliments
Thai people love compliments. As long as it is respectful, feel free to shower compliments when appropriate!
- Beautiful/Handsome – Suay / Lo Mak (soo-way/low-mak) Khrap / Ka
- You Are Cute – Khun Naa Rak (koon-naa-ruck) Khrap / Ka
Thai Massage
A Thai massage is a gift from Thai culture that can leave you healed and rejuvenated. Many people come to Thailand just for this, and these Thai phrases can get you to where you need and also help you have a better massage experience.
- I Like Thai Massage – Chob Nuat Thai (chob-no-at-Thai) Khrap / Ka
- It Hurts Here – Jib Trng Nee (jib-trung-nee) Khrap / Ka
- I’d Like It Harder (Massage) – Ow Raeng (owe-ra-yang-) Khrap / Ka
- Be Gentle – On Yoon (on-yoon) Khrap / Ka
- I Feel Good – Sabai Jai (sa-bye-jai) Khrap / Ka
Muay Thai
A lot of people visit this part of Southeast Asia, just to learn the martial art of Muay Thai. If you’re one of them, below we have a simple phrase to help you find the nearest Muay Thai gym.
- Where Is The Closest Muay Thai Gym? – Muay Thai Yim Thi Kli Thisud Yoo Tee Nai (muay-thai-yim-ti-kly-ti-sood-ti-nai) Khrap / Ka?
Make The Most of Your Thailand Trip with The Thai Language
Thailand is a beautiful and culturally rich country that offers visitors plenty to see and do. However, getting around can be difficult if you don’t know the language. In this post, we’ve provided a basic list of Thai phrases that will help make your trip more enjoyable.
Knowing these phrases will allow you to communicate with locals in restaurants, shops, emergencies, transport, and other situations. While not everyone in Thailand speaks English, most people are willing to help tourists who try to speak some Thai. So go ahead and give it a try – your efforts will be greatly appreciated!
Are there any other Thai phrases that you think would be helpful for visitors? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
Pointing your index finger or feet at someone else is considered extremely rude, so it’s best to avoid this. When sitting down, pay close attention to where you point your toes and never rest them on tables or pillows that people sleep on as these are seen as disrespectful gestures. Always be cognizant of the fact that other cultures may have different customs when it comes to etiquette; keeping an open mind will help ensure proper respect in any culture.
Traditionally, the thumbs-up gesture has been seen as an offensive sign with a similar meaning to giving someone the middle finger – something that is ultimately degrading in nature. As much as adults in Thailand today have adapted it to a more global definition of praise or success, kids still regularly utilize the gesture when they quarrel.
