Learn how to speak Thai
It is always helpful to be able to speak at least a few words of the language of the country you are visiting. Your hosts will appreciate the efforts you make.
Thai is not easy for Westerners to speak, because it is a tonal language. So a single word can have up to 5 different meanings, depending on the tone (high, medium, low, rising, falling). For example, the word 'ma' can mean: come here, dog, or horse - depending on the tone. But most Thais will understand you if you speak slowly and clearly, particularly if you use the words in a sentence. Your Thai hosts will help you if you make the effort and it will pay off in many unexpected ways. Try it and see!
Thai culture is a mixture of Buddhism and animism. Thais believe there are ghosts or spirits all around us. Some of them are benign and they make offerings to them at spirit houses, burning incense and offering food and drink. But because some spirits are dangerous they give their children nicknames so that the spirits will not recognize the children by their correct name and steal them away. If you already know the person you might be asked to use their nickname instead. Common nicknames include: Daeng (red), Moo (pig), Noi (small), and so on. Otherwise, address business people by their first names, like this: Mr Somchai, Miss Wasana.
English phrase / Thai phrase'Krup' is used by males as a polite form at the end of sentences
[ the "R" is almost silent ]
'Ka' is used by females
Sometimes you will hear "na krup" or "na ka". This is also acceptable. You should use 'Krup' or 'Ka' at the end of most sentences to make them more polite. / Sawadee krup (males)
Sawadee ka (females)
Hello (also used to say 'goodbye') / Sawadee krup/ka
Thank you / Kob khun krup, Kob khun ka
Kob khun na krup, Kob khun na ka
How are you? / Khun sabai dee ruer?
Fine thanks / Sabai dee, krup/ka
I can't speak Thai / Poot Thai mai dai, krup/ka
Never mind / Mai pen rai, krup/ka
Good (as in, "I like it") / Dee, krup/ka
Very good / Dee mark, krup/ka
Very tasty, krup/ka / Aroy dee, krup/ka
No good, krup/ka / Mai dee
Please bring me a glass of iced water/tea/coffee / Kor narm yen geow, krup/ka
Kor narm char, krup/ka
Kor cafeé, krup/ka
How much? / Towlai, , krup/ka?
How much is this? / Yarng nee towlai, krup/ka?
Wow! Why is it so expensive? / Oy! Tum-mai pang mark, krup/ka?
How much can you reduce the price? / Rot dai towlai, krup/ka?
How much to go to Silom Road? / Pai thanon Silom towlai, krup/ka?
Where are you going? / Ja painai, krup/ka?
Can I speak to Mr Somchart, please? / Kor poot cup Khun Somchart, krup/ka?
What time can we meet? / Rao ja jer gun key morng, krup/ka?
Where can we meet? / Rao ja jer gun tee nai, krup/ka?
Come here / Ma nee!
Turn left / Leo sai
Turn right / Leo kwa
Go straight ahead / Trong bai
Stop here / Yoot tee nee
Slow down / Cha cha
Be careful / Ra warng
I don't want any (it) thanks / Mai ow, krup
Can you eat hot food? (as in chilli hot) / Khun kin aharn pet dai mai, krup?
I can't eat hot food / Pom kin aharn pet mai dai, krup
I like to eat hot food / Pom chop kin aharn pet, krup
I've lost my room key / Hai goonjaer hong bai lao, krup
Bring me a Heinekin beer / Kor beer Heinekin, krup
Monday / Wan chun
Tuesday / Wan unkarn
Wednesday / Wan poot
Thursday / Wan paroohut
Friday / Wan sook
Saturday / Wan sao
Sunday / Wan a-tit
Today / Wan-nee
Tomorrow / Proong-nee
Yesterday / Meur wa nee
English Number / Thai Number
1 / Neung
2 / Song
3 / Sarm
4 / See
5 / Har (high tone voice)
6 / Hock
7 / Jet
8 / Bat
9 / Kow (high tone)
10 / Sip
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 / Sip et, Sip song, Sip sarm, Sip si, Sip Har (high tone), Sip hock, Sip jet, Sip bat, Sip Gow (high tone)
20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 / Yee sip, Sarm sip, Si sip, Har (high tone) sip, Hock sip, Jet sip, Bat sip, Gow (high tone) sip
100 / Neung roy
1,000 / Neung pun
10,000 / Neung meun
100,000 / Neung saen
1,000,000 / Neung larn
Speak Thai
More Thai phrases help yourself in an emergency, and get better acquainted with local Thai people. Check out the phrases below:
Basic Greetings and Phrases Hello / Good Morning / Sawadee krup (male) kaa (female)
Thank You Kop khun (krup/kaa) / Never Mind Mai pen rai.
How are you? / Sabai dee mai?
Fine, thanks. / Sabai dee.
I cannot speak Thai. / Phoot Thai mai dai.
Please speak more slowly. / Phrohd phoot cha-cha.
I don't understand. / Mai kao chai.
Do you understand? / Kao chai mai?
May I take a photograph? / Tai ruup dai mai?
May I use the telephone? / Kor chai torasap mai?
Where is the restroom? / Hong nam yoo ti nai?
How much does it cost? / Nee tao-rai (krup/kaa)?
What is this? / Nee arai?
Very expensive. / Paeng maak.
Do you have something cheaper? / Mii tuuk gwaa nee mai?
The bill please. / Gep taang (krup/kaa).
Goodbye. / La gon.
See you again. / Laew phob gan mai.
Pleased to meet you. / Dee jai thee dai phob gan.
Happy New Year! / Sawadee bi mai!
Happy Birthday! / Sooksan wan gerd!
Good luck! / Kor hai chok dee!
Sorry / excuse me. / Kor thoad.
Does anyone speak English? / Mee krai pood pasa angrit dai bang mai?
I need a doctor. / Tong karn more ma raksa.
I want to go... / Yaak ja bai...
Where is...? / Yuk nai?
Turn left. / Leeo sai.
Turn right. / Leeo kwaa.
Straight Ahead. / Trong bai.
Stop here. / Yuut tee nee.
Slow down. / Cha-cha.
Be careful! / Ra wang!
Airport. / Sanam bin.
Bus Station. / Satanee rot mae.
Railway Station. / Satanee rot fai.
Police Station / Satanee tum-ruat.
Hotel. / Rong-raeum.
Embassy / Sa-tantoot.
Hospital / Rong-payabaan
Post Office. / Prai-sanee.
Market. / Dalaat