🇹🇭

Thailand · Thai Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    สวัสดีครับ / ค่ะ
    Hello (male speaker = khrap / female = kha) “sawatdee khrap / kha”
  2. 2
    ขอบคุณครับ / ค่ะ
    Thank you “khop khun khrap / kha”
  3. 3
    ขอโทษครับ / ค่ะ
    Sorry / Excuse me “kho thot khrap / kha”
  4. 4
    ไม่เป็นไร
    It's okay / No worries / You're welcome “mai pen rai”
  5. 5
    สบายดีไหม
    How are you? “sabai dee mai?”
  6. 6
    ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก
    Nice to meet you “yindee thee dai roo jak”
  7. 7
    ลาก่อนครับ / ค่ะ
    Goodbye “laa kon khrap / kha”
Local etiquette
  • Add a polite particle at the end: "khrap" if you (the speaker) are male, "kha" if female. It follows your own gender, not the listener's.
  • The "wai" (palms together, slight bow) is the traditional greeting. The higher your hands (for elders or monks), the more respectful it is.
  • Juniors initiate the wai. You need not return a wai from a child or service staff.

Basics

  1. 1
    ใช่ / ไม่ใช่
    Yes / No “chai / mai chai”
  2. 2
    ไม่เข้าใจ
    I don't understand “mai khao jai”
  3. 3
    พูดไทยไม่ได้
    I don't speak Thai “phoot thai mai dai”
  4. 4
    พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม
    Do you speak English? “phoot phaasaa angkrit dai mai?”
  5. 5
    พูดช้าๆ ได้ไหม
    Could you speak slowly? “phoot chaa chaa dai mai?”
  6. 6
    นี่คืออะไร
    What is this? “nee kheu arai?”
  7. 7
    ถ่ายรูปได้ไหม
    May I take a photo? “thai roop dai mai?”
  8. 8
    ช่วยด้วย
    Please help me “chuay duay”
Local etiquette
  • Thailand is the "Land of Smiles." Losing your temper or raising your voice causes a serious loss of face — stay calm and smile.
  • The head is considered sacred. Never pat anyone's head, not even a child's.
  • Don't point at people or things with your feet, and don't aim your soles at anyone or at a Buddha image — feet are the lowest, most impure part.

Shopping

  1. 1
    เท่าไหร่
    How much is it? “thao rai?”
  2. 2
    ลดได้ไหม
    Can you lower the price? (markets and night markets) “lot dai mai?”
  3. 3
    แพงไป
    That's too expensive “phaeng pai”
  4. 4
    จ่ายบัตรได้ไหม
    Can I pay by card? “jai bat dai mai?”
  5. 5
    ดูเฉยๆ
    I'm just looking “doo choei choei”
  6. 6
    เอาอันนี้
    I'll take this one “ao an nee”
Local etiquette
  • Bargaining is normal at night markets and street stalls. Start with a smile and "lot dai mai?", but don't haggle too aggressively.
  • Stalls and markets are often cash-only (baht), so keep small notes and coins handy.
  • Never step on or mishandle banknotes — they bear the King's image, and insulting the monarchy is a serious crime in Thailand.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    ขอเมนูหน่อย
    The menu, please “kho menu noi”
  2. 2
    เผ็ดน้อย
    A little spicy, please “phet noi”
  3. 3
    ไม่เผ็ด
    Not spicy, please “mai phet”
  4. 4
    อร่อย
    It's delicious “aroi”
  5. 5
    ขอน้ำเปล่า
    Plain water, please “kho nam plao”
  6. 6
    ไม่ใส่ผงชูรส
    No MSG, please “mai sai phong choo rot”
  7. 7
    กินเจ / มังสวิรัติ
    I'm vegetarian (kin je = strict vegan / mangsawirat = general veggie) “kin je / mangsawirat”
  8. 8
    เก็บเงินด้วย
    The bill, please “kep ngoen duay”
Local etiquette
  • Always adjust spiciness. Even with "phet noi" (a little spicy) or "mai phet" (not spicy), it may still be hot by other standards.
  • The spoon is the main utensil; the fork is used to push food onto the spoon. Chopsticks are mainly for noodle dishes.
  • If you dislike coriander (cilantro), say "mai sai phak chee" in advance.
  • Meals are shared: dishes go in the middle and everyone takes a little onto their own plate of rice.

Getting around

  1. 1
    ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน
    Where is the restroom? “hong nam yoo thee nai?”
  2. 2
    ไปส่งที่นี่
    Take me here, please (show a map or address) “pai song thee nee”
  3. 3
    เปิดมิเตอร์ด้วย
    Please turn on the meter (taxi) “poet meter duay”
  4. 4
    เรียก Grab ให้หน่อย
    Could you call a Grab for me? “riak Grab hai noi”
  5. 5
    สถานีรถไฟฟ้าอยู่ที่ไหน
    Where is the BTS/MRT station? “sathaanee rot fai faa yoo thee nai?”
  6. 6
    จอดตรงนี้
    Stop here, please “jot trong nee”
  7. 7
    ไปสนามบินเท่าไหร่
    How much to the airport? “pai sanaam bin thao rai?”
Local etiquette
  • In taxis, insist on "poet meter" (turn on the meter). Drivers who refuse and quote a flat fare often overcharge.
  • Grab is convenient and avoids fare disputes. Tuk-tuks are a tourist novelty and can cost more.
  • In central Bangkok, the BTS (Skytrain) and MRT (subway) are the fastest way to beat the traffic.
  • Women should avoid sitting next to a monk; monks do not make physical contact with women.

Hotel

  1. 1
    จองห้องไว้แล้ว
    I have a reservation “jong hong wai laeo”
  2. 2
    ขอเช็คอินครับ / ค่ะ
    I'd like to check in “kho check-in khrap / kha”
  3. 3
    เช็คเอาท์กี่โมง
    What time is check-out? “check-out kee mong?”
  4. 4
    ฝากกระเป๋าได้ไหม
    Can I store my luggage? “faak krapao dai mai?”
  5. 5
    รหัส Wi-Fi อะไร
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “rahat Wi-Fi arai?”
Local etiquette
  • To enter temples or the Grand Palace, you must cover your shoulders and knees. Carry a light cover-up or long trousers.
  • Remove your shoes before entering temples and homes, and step over — never on — the threshold.

Emergency

  1. 1
    ช่วยด้วย!
    Help! (emergency) “chuay duay!”
  2. 2
    เรียกตำรวจ
    Please call the police “riak tamruat”
  3. 3
    เรียกรถพยาบาล
    Please call an ambulance “riak rot phayaabaan”
  4. 4
    โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน
    Where is a hospital? “rong phayaabaan yoo thee nai?”
  5. 5
    ไม่สบาย
    I feel sick “mai sabai”
  6. 6
    ทำหนังสือเดินทางหาย
    I lost my passport “tham nangseu doen thaang hai”
Local etiquette
  • Tourist Police 1155 (English support), general emergency 191, ambulance 1669.
  • If you lose your passport, get a police report and contact your embassy.
  • For illness, private hospitals (Bumrungrad, Samitivej, etc.) have good English and easy travel-insurance handling.