Everyday Thai for Visitors

Thai script signs lit up at a night street market

Thai is a tonal language with five tones, which means the same syllable can mean completely different things depending on how you say it. That sounds intimidating, but in practice most Thais will understand what you mean from context, and any attempt at their language goes down extremely well. Even a mangled "khob khun" beats pointing and hoping. One thing to know first: Thai has polite particles added to the end of sentences. Men say krap (sometimes written krub), women say ka. You can attach either to almost any phrase to make it polite. This guide uses krap/ka to show where the particle goes.

The Golden Rule: Krap and Ka

Add krap (men) or ka (women) to the end of any phrase to make it sound respectful. Locals use it constantly. You should too.

SituationMen sayWomen say
Agreeing, saying yesKrapKa
Saying thank youKhob khun krapKhob khun ka
Any polite request...krap...ka

Basics

EnglishThai (romanised)Sounds like
Hello / GoodbyeSawadee krap/kaSa-wah-dee
Thank youKhob khun krap/kaKob-koon
Sorry / Excuse meKho thot krap/kaKor-toht
YesChai / Krap / KaChai
NoMaiMy
No thank you / I don't want itMai ao krap/kaMy ow
I don't understandMai khao jaiMy cow jai
Do you speak English?Phut angrit dai mai?Poot ang-grit dai my?
A smiling Thai woman raising her hands in greeting

At a Restaurant or Bar

EnglishThai (romanised)
WaterNam
Drinking waterNam plao
IceNam khaeng
No iceMai sai nam khaeng
Bill / Check pleaseChek bin krap/ka
DeliciousAroy
Very deliciousAroy maak
SpicyPhet
Not spicyMai phet
A little spicyPhet nit noi
No sugarMai sai nam tan
AshtrayTee khia buri
MenuMenu (same word)
Can I have...Kho... krap/ka

Examples:

  • "Kho nam krap" = Can I have water, please
  • "Mai phet krap" = Not spicy, please
  • "Chek bin ka" = Bill please (said by a woman)
Customers buying food from a Thai street food cart

Shopping and Prices

EnglishThai (romanised)
How much?Tao rai?
Too expensivePhaeng pai
Can you lower the price?Lot noi dai mai?
CheapThuuk
FreeFree (loanword, widely used)

Getting Around

EnglishThai (romanised)
Where is the toilet?Hong nam yuu tee nai?
Toilet / BathroomHong nam
LeftSai
RightKwaa
Straight aheadTrong pai
Stop hereYut tee nee

Numbers

Numbers are worth learning. You will use them for prices, ordering quantities, and understanding what you owe.

NumberThai (romanised)
0Soon
1Neung
2Song
3Sam
4See
5Ha
6Hok
7Jet
8Paet
9Gao
10Sip
11Sip-et
12Sip-song
20Yee-sip
21Yee-sip-et
30Sam-sip
100Roi
1,000Pan

So 350 baht is "sam roi ha-sip baht", and 1,200 baht is "neung pan song roi baht". In practice you can just hold up fingers or show your phone screen and you will be fine.

Overhead view of a colourful Thai fresh produce market

Food Restrictions

EnglishThai (romanised)
I'm vegetarianGin jeh / Gin mangsawirat
No meatMai sai nuea
No porkMai sai muu
No seafoodMai sai ahaan talay
I'm allergic to...Phaae...
PeanutsTua lisong
Gluten / wheatSalee

The word jeh (เจ) is what Buddhist vegan food is called in Thailand. Saying "gin jeh" at a street stall is widely understood and means no meat, no fish sauce, no eggs.

Useful Little Words

EnglishThai
Very / A lotMaak
A littleNit noi
GoodDee
Not goodMai dee
BeautifulSuay
Hot (temperature)Ron
ColdYen
BigYai
SmallLek
Same sameMeuan meuan

A Few Tips

Thai people are generally very patient with foreign attempts at their language. Smiling helps with everything. If you say something and get a confused look, try saying it slightly differently or writing it down to show a local who can help. The tones matter most for words like mai (which can mean "no", "new", "burn", or "silk" depending on tone), but context usually saves you. The word sanuk means fun, enjoyment, or having a good time. It is a core Thai value. If something is sanuk, it is worth doing. Keep that in mind and you will get along fine.