Basic Phrases You Need to Know when you Travel to Thailand
Learning a language, or at least trying to is a huge part of traveling. Whether it’s being able to say please and thank you or mastering essential phrases like how to order a beer. Learning basic words is showing effort, respect, and an open mind.
In this article, I am going to walk you through a few basic Thai phrases and words that will immensely help you when traveling around the country.
Even though my pronunciation isn’t the best, I personally do it because I love getting wide grins and chuckles from locals when I say something unexpected in their language. When traveling in Thailand, although most people, especially those in the touristy areas speak English, here are a few basic Thai phrases that will help you get by.
Basic Thai Phrases
- Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka
- Yes – Chai (khrup/ka)
- No – Mai (khrup/ka)
- Maybe – Aaj ja (khrup/ka)
- Thank you – khop khun (khrup/ka)
- Sorry/excuse me – Khor thoad khrup/ka
- Where is the restroom– Hong nam yoo tee nai khrup/ka?
- I need a doctor- Phom dong gaan hai mor maa raak sa khrup/ka
- No worries- Mai pen rai
- Can you speak English? = Kun pood paasaa anggrit dai mai
Basic Greetings in Thai
Out of all the essentials, being able to say hello, how are yo and thank you are non-negotiable on my list. Master these three words and you will most likely make a friend or impress a local.
Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka
How are you? – Sa bai dee mai khrup/ka
Goodbye! – La gorn khrup/ka
Basic Thai for Eating and Ordering Food
Nothing is worse than being ridiculously hungry only to find out that your food is way too spicy to eat. Trust me, it happens more often than you think. With that in mind, here are a few Thai words essential for eating and ordering food.
Also, when eating in a restaurant, it pays to compliment them by saying “aroy” for the food as you’re about to pay. I do this all the time regardless if its a nice restaurant or some hole in the wall street food joint. Trust me, a small compliment goes a long way!
Not Spicy – Mai phet
A little Spicy- phet nit nawy
Really Spicy – phet mak
I would like to order- sang aa-haan
Delicious- Aroy
That’s expensive! – Paeng mak khrup/ka!
How much does this cost? – Ra ka tao rai khrup/ka?
Can you give me a discount please?– Ga ru na lot ra ka hai noi khrup/ka?
So that’s it for the basics! If you’re worried about the level of English spoken in the country- don’t! It’s a very tourist friendly country and if someone doesn’t understand the language, they will usually point you in the direction of someone who can speak.
Hopefully, this article has given you a brief overview of the various Thai phrases which will definitely come to use when traveling around.
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