Travel smoother, connect deeper, and avoid awkward moments with these must-know phrases.
If you’ve ever tried ordering food, hopping in a tuk-tuk, or asking for directions in Thailand with just a smile and some creative hand gestures—you’re not alone. But here’s the secret most seasoned travelers know: learning just a handful of basic Thai phrases can completely change your experience.
Thais are famously kind and patient, especially when you make the effort to speak their language. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect (spoiler: it won’t be at first), locals genuinely appreciate the attempt. It shows respect, sparks connection, and often earns you a warmer welcome, better service, and maybe even a cheeky discount at the market.
This guide isn’t about mastering Thai overnight. It’s about helping you travel smarter, navigate everyday situations with confidence, and—most importantly—show a bit of cultural curiosity and care. From ordering that irresistible Som Tam (Papaya Salad) without the fire to asking for help politely, these simple Thai phrases will be your trusty sidekicks across the Land of Smiles.
Polite Essentials
When it comes to Thai culture, manners matter—a lot. Politeness isn’t just appreciated, it’s expected, especially from visitors. These basic Thai phrases will help you show respect, diffuse awkward moments, and leave a positive impression.
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| สวัสดี | sà-wàt-dii | Hello / Goodbye (used for both) |
| ขอบคุณ | khàawp-khun | Thank you |
| ขอโทษ | khǎaw-thôot | Sorry / Excuse me |
| ครับ / ค่ะ | khráp / khâ | Polite particles (male/female speaker) |
| ไม่เป็นไร | mâi bpen rai | It’s okay / No problem |
| ได้ครับ / ได้ค่ะ | dâai khráp / dâai khâ | Yes / Okay (polite) |
| ไม่เอาครับ / ไม่เอาค่ะ | mâi ao khráp / mâi ao khâ | No, thank you |
| ยินดีครับ / ยินดีค่ะ | yin-dii khráp / yin-dii khâ | You’re welcome / My pleasure |
| ชื่ออะไร | chûue à-rai | What’s your name? |
| ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก | yin-dii thîi dâai rúu-jàk | Nice to meet you |
Tip: Always end your sentences with “khráp” (if you’re male) or “khâ” (if you’re female) to sound respectful. It’s a small detail that goes a long way!
Getting Around
Whether you’re hopping in a tuk-tuk, catching a minivan to Pai, or trying to find your hotel on a soi that Google Maps doesn’t quite understand—these phrases will help you get where you’re going (with fewer mix-ups and a lot more smiles).
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| ไป…ยังไง? | bpai… yàang-ngai? | How do I get to…? |
| …อยู่ที่ไหน? | …yùu thîi-năi? | Where is…? |
| จอดที่นี่ได้ไหม? | jòrt thîi-nîi dâai mái? | Can (you) stop here? |
| ไปสนามบิน | bpai sà-năam-bin | Go to the airport |
| ไปโรงแรมนี้ | bpai roong-raem níi | Go to this hotel |
| ซ้าย / ขวา | sáai / khwăa | Left / Right |
| ตรงไป | dtrong bpai | Go straight |
| แพงไป / ไกลไป | phaaeng bpai / glai bpai | Too expensive / Too far |
| แท็กซี่มิเตอร์ได้ไหม? | tháek-sîi mí-dtêr dâai mái? | Can you use the meter? |
| ถึงแล้ว | thǔeng lâew | We’ve arrived / I’m here |
Tip: Keep your destination written in Thai on your phone or on a card to show drivers—especially helpful in places where English signage is limited.
Ordering Food & Drinks
Street food in Thailand is a traveler’s dream—delicious, cheap, and everywhere. But ordering can get tricky if you don’t speak Thai. With these simple phrases, you’ll be placing your order like a pro, adjusting the spice level to your taste, and maybe even getting a few approving nods from the cook.
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| เอาอันนี้ | ao an níi | I’ll take this one |
| เอา… | ao… | I’ll have… (insert food name) |
| มีก๋วยเตี๋ยวไหม? | mii gŭay-dtǐiao mái? | Do you have noodles? |
| ไม่เผ็ด | mâi phèt | Not spicy |
| เผ็ดนิดหน่อย | phèt nít-nàwy | Just a little spicy |
| เผ็ดมาก | phèt mâak | Very spicy |
| ไม่ใส่ผงชูรส | mâi sài phǒng-chuu-rót | No MSG, please |
| น้ำเปล่า / น้ำแข็ง | náam bplàao / náam-khăeng | Drinking water / Ice |
| เช็คบิล | chék bin | Check, please (bill) |
| อร่อยมาก | à-ròi mâak | Very delicious! (say this and watch them beam) |
Tip: Want to blend in? Hold your spoon in your right hand and fork in your left—Thais use the fork to push food onto the spoon, not to eat with it!
Shopping & Markets
Markets in Thailand are full of color, character, and charm—and bargaining is part of the experience. While prices are often reasonable, knowing how to politely ask for a discount or clarify a price can go a long way (and maybe save you a few baht for mango sticky rice later).
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| ราคาเท่าไหร่? | raa-khaa thâo-rài? | How much is it? |
| ลดหน่อยได้ไหม? | lót nàwy dâai mái? | Can you give me a discount? |
| แพงไป | phaaeng bpai | Too expensive |
| มีสีอื่นไหม? | mii sǐi ùuen mái? | Do you have another color? |
| มีอันเล็ก/ใหญ่ไหม? | mii an lék / yài mái? | Do you have a smaller / larger one? |
| ฉันแค่ดูเฉยๆ | chán khâe duu chǒei chǒei | I’m just looking |
| อันนี้คืออะไร? | an níi kheuu à-rai? | What is this? |
| มีของใหม่ไหม? | mii khǎawng mài mái? | Do you have a new one? |
| ขออันนี้ | khǎaw an níi | I’d like this one |
| ไม่เอาครับ / ไม่เอาค่ะ | mâi ao khráp / mâi ao khâ | No, thank you (polite refusal) |
Tip: Smile when bargaining—it’s a friendly game, not a fight. And if the seller agrees to your price, it’s polite to go through with the purchase.
Emergencies & Help
No one wants to think about things going wrong on their holiday—but if they do, being able to say a few clear words in Thai can really help. Whether it’s a minor accident or you just need assistance fast, these phrases are good to keep in your back pocket (or screenshot folder).
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| ช่วยด้วย! | chûuay dûuay! | Help! |
| เรียกรถพยาบาล | rîiak rót phá-yaa-baan | Call an ambulance |
| ฉันหลงทาง | chán lŏng thaang | I’m lost |
| โทรหาตำรวจ | thoo hăa tam-rùat | Call the police |
| กระเป๋าหาย | grà-bpăo hăai | My bag is missing |
| ฉันถูกขโมย | chán thùuk khà-mooi | I’ve been robbed |
| ฉันรู้สึกไม่ดี | chán rúu-sùek mâi dii | I don’t feel well |
| ป่วย | bpùai | Sick / Ill |
| โรงพยาบาลอยู่ไหน? | roong phá-yaa-baan yùu năi? | Where is the hospital? |
| มีใครพูดอังกฤษได้ไหม? | mii krai phûut ang-grìt dâai mái? | Does anyone speak English? |
Tip: Save the Thai emergency numbers in your phone—191 for police, 1669 for medical emergency. And if you’re staying in a hotel, grab a business card from the front desk in case you need help getting back.
Numbers & Time
Whether you’re asking what time the last boat leaves, checking the price of fresh mangoes, or making sure you’re not an hour early (or late) for a tour—these phrases will help keep things running on time and on budget.
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| หนึ่ง / สอง / สาม / สี่ / ห้า | nèung / sŏrng / săam / sìi / hâa | 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 |
| หก / เจ็ด / แปด / เก้า / สิบ | hòk / jèt / bpàet / gâo / sìp | 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 |
| เท่าไหร่? | thâo-rài? | How much? |
| กี่โมง? | gìi mohng? | What time is it? |
| ตอนเช้า / ตอนบ่าย / ตอนเย็น | dtaawn cháo / dtaawn bàai / dtaawn yen | Morning / Afternoon / Evening |
| วันนี้ / พรุ่งนี้ / เมื่อวาน | wan níi / phrûng-níi / mûea-waan | Today / Tomorrow / Yesterday |
| กี่บาท? | gìi bàat? | How many baht? |
| นาที / ชั่วโมง | naa-thii / chûua-moong | Minute / Hour |
| อีกกี่นาที? | ìik gìi naa-thii? | How many minutes more? |
| เดี๋ยวนี้ / ตอนนี้ / เร็วๆนี้ | dĭiao níi / dtaawn níi / reo-reo níi | Right now / At this moment / Very soon |
Tip: Thai people often use the 24-hour clock in formal settings (like bus schedules), but regular conversation sticks to a 12-hour format—with some uniquely Thai quirks around time-telling.
Bonus Phrases That Win Smiles
Want to go from just another tourist to a traveler who locals actually remember? These fun and friendly phrases are your secret weapon. They’re charming, warm, and show that you’re not just visiting—you’re participating.
| Thai Phrase | Pronunciation (Paiboon-style) | Meaning / Use |
| อร่อยมาก | à-ròi mâak | Very delicious! |
| สู้ๆ | sûu sûu! | Keep going! / You can do it! |
| ดีมาก | dii mâak | Very good! |
| น่ารักจัง | nâa-rák jang | So cute! (use with people, animals, things) |
| ใช่ครับ / ใช่ค่ะ | châi khráp / châi khâ | Yes, that’s right |
| ไม่เป็นไร | mâi bpen rai | It’s okay / No worries (used a lot!) |
| สนุกมาก | sà-nùk mâak | Very fun! |
| ยินดีต้อนรับ | yin-dii dtâawn-ráp | Welcome! (say this to return the vibe) |
| ขอถ่ายรูปได้ไหม? | khǎaw thàai rûup dâai mái? | Can I take a photo? |
| คนไทยใจดี | khon Thai jai dii | Thai people are kind-hearted |
Tip: Use these phrases genuinely, and you’ll often spark warm conversations, selfies with new friends, or even a little free dessert from the vendor who’s now your fan.
FREE Download – Thai Phrase Cheat Sheet
Keep this list handy on the go, perfect for your phone or backpack!
Download my printable PDF “Essential Thai Phrases For Travelers” with Thai, pronunciation, and meanings.
Final Thoughts: A Little Thai Goes a Long Way
You don’t need to be fluent in Thai to travel well—but knowing a few key phrases? That’s like holding the local cheat codes. It shows heart, builds bridges, and often turns an ordinary moment into something memorable. Whether you’re thanking a street vendor for the best meal of your trip or getting directions from a smiling grandma who’s never spoken English, these little exchanges remind you that language is more than just words—it’s connection.
So go ahead, practice a few lines, mess up the tones, laugh about it, and try again. Thai people will notice the effort, and they’ll appreciate it more than you know.
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Have a favorite Thai phrase or funny language moment to tell? Share your experience and drop it in the comments.