Useful Phrases to Know

A few simple Thai phrases can take you a long way—and locals will love you for trying. Here’s what to say and how to say it.

1. Greetings & Polite Expressions

• Hello: Sawasdee (สวัสดี)
  (Pronounced: sah-wah-dee)
  Sawasdee krub (for men) / Sawasdee ka (for women) for added politeness.

• Good Morning: Sawasdee ton chao (สวัสดีตอนเช้า)
  (Pronounced: sah-wah-dee ton chao)

• Good Evening: Sawasdee ton yen (สวัสดีตอนเย็น)
  (Pronounced: sah-wah-dee ton yen)

• Goodbye: Lah gorn (ลาก่อน)
  (Pronounced: lah-gon)

• Thank you: Khob khun (ขอบคุณ)
  (Pronounced: kop koon)
  Khob khun krub (for men) / Khob khun ka (for women) for extra politeness.

• You're welcome: Mai pen rai (ไม่เป็นไร)
  (Pronounced: my pen rye)
  Meaning "No problem" or "It's okay."

• Excuse me / Sorry: Khor thot (ขอโทษ)
  (Pronounced: kaw-thawt)

• Yes: Chai (ใช่)
  (Pronounced: chai)

• No: Mai chai (ไม่ใช่)
  (Pronounced: my chai)

• Please: Chao (เชิญ)
  (Pronounced: chern)

2. Getting Around

• Where is... ?: Yoo tee nai...? (อยู่ที่ไหน...?)
  (Pronounced: yoo tee nai)
  Example: Yoo tee nai, BTS station? (Where is the BTS station?)

• How much?: Tao rai? (เท่าไหร่)
  (Pronounced: tao-rai)

• I want...: Ao... (เอา...)
  (Pronounced: ow)
  Example: Ao khao pad (เอาข้าวผัด) - I want fried rice.

• Taxi: Taxi (แท็กซี่)
  (Pronounced: tak-see)
  Or, Moo tuk (มู่ตัก) for tuk-tuk.

• Left: Sai (ซ้าย)
  (Pronounced: sigh)

• Right: Kwaa (ขวา)
  (Pronounced: kwaa)

• Straight: Thang soong (ทางตรง)
  (Pronounced: tahng soong)

• How do I get to...?: Pai yang ngai... (ไปยังไง...)
  (Pronounced: pie yang-why)

3. Shopping & Dining

• How much is this?: Nee tao rai? (นี่เท่าไหร่)
  (Pronounced: nee tao-rai)

• Can I try it on?: Chao dai mai? (ชอบได้ไหม)
  (Pronounced: chao-dai-my)

• I don't understand: Mai khao jai (ไม่เข้าใจ)
  (Pronounced: my kao-jai)

• Delicious: Aroy (อร่อย)
  (Pronounced: ah-roy)

• Water: Nam (น้ำ)
  (Pronounced: nam)

• Beer: Singh (สิงห์)
  (Pronounced: sing)

• Check, please: Sia duai (เสียด้วย)
  (Pronounced: sia duay)

• Vegetarian: Mao jao (มังสวิรัติ)
  (Pronounced: mang-sa-wee-rat)

• Spicy: Ped (เผ็ด)
  (Pronounced: ped)

4. Emergencies & Health

• Help!: Chao chuai (ช่วยด้วย)
  (Pronounced: chao choui)

• I need a doctor: Ao mo (เอาหมอ)
  (Pronounced: ow maw)

• Where is the hospital?: Rong phayaban yoo tee nai? (โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน)
  (Pronounced: rong pha-ya-baan yoo tee nai)

• Police: Thahan pho (ตำรวจ)
  (Pronounced: ta-han pho)

5. Basic Numbers

• One: Neung (หนึ่ง)
  (Pronounced: neung)

• Two: Song (สอง)
  (Pronounced: song)

• Three: Sam (สาม)
  (Pronounced: sahm)

• Ten: Sip (สิบ)
  (Pronounced: sip)

• Hundred: Rao (ร้อย)
  (Pronounced: roy)

6. Polite Phrases

• Excuse me: Khor thot (ขอโทษ)
  (Pronounced: kaw-thawt)

• May I...?: Chao dai mai...? (ขอได้ไหม)
  (Pronounced: chao-dai-my)

• I’m sorry: Khony khor thot (ขอโทษ)
  (Pronounced: khaw-thawt)

• No problem: Mai pen rai (ไม่เป็นไร)
  (Pronounced: my pen rye)
  It’s a phrase used to say "don’t worry about it" or "it’s okay."

Tips for Speaking Thai:

• Tone Matters: Thai is a tonal language, so pronunciation can be tricky. The same word can have different meanings depending on the tone.

• Politeness: Adding krub (for men) or ka (for women) at the end of sentences makes them sound more polite.

• Body Language: The wai (a slight bow with your hands pressed together) is a traditional greeting in Thailand, especially when meeting someone of higher status.

These simple phrases will go a long way in making your trip to Thailand feel more personal and authentic. Even if you don’t get the pronunciation perfect, locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language. Happy travels!