Useful and simple phrases in Thai

Some Thai phrases to use while staying in Thailand

Most visitors to Thailand will not be able to understand any spoken Thai. Reading and writing would be next to impossible because of the different script that is used. Since many Thai people understand some English, this would not be a problem at all. However, being able to say some simple words and basic phrases like “hello” and “thank you” is fun for the tourist and would be appreciated by many Thais. Below is a list of some common words and some useful phrases in Thai for tourists.

Polite particles for male and female speakers

In Thai language different polite particles are used for male speaker and female speaker. For male the particle is “kráp”, for female “ká”. These can be used at the end of a statement or question. For example “Hello” would be “Sà wàtdii kráp” for men and “Sà wàtdii ká” for women.

Greetings, Hello, Thank you

For all greetings (hello, good morning, good afternoon etc), you can use Sà wàtdii, or the more specific greeting below.

Pronunciation in Thai

Below is a list of easy to use Thai words. Click on the to see the word in Thai script and to listen to the Thai pronunciation.

English
Thai phonetic
Audio
Hello
Sà wàtdii
Good day
Sà wàtdii
Good morning
Sà wàtdii dtāawn cháao
Good evening
Sà wàtdii dtāawn yen
Good afternoon
Sà wàtdii dtāawn bàai
Good night
Ra-trii sàwàt
Thank you
Koopkhun
No, thank you
Mai bpen rai, koopkhun
How are you?
Sabaai dii mai
I am fine
Sabaai dii

Me, you, he, she

English
Thai phonetic
Audio
I, me (male)
Pom
I, me (female)
Chán
You
Khun
He / she
Káo

Thai numbers

English
Thai phonetic
Audio
One
Nùng
Two
Sŏong
Three
Săam
Four
Sìi
Five
Hăa
Six
Hòk
Seven
Jèt
Eight
Bpèet
Nine
Găao
Ten
Sìp
One hundred
Nùng róoi
One thousand
Nùng pan

Directions for the taxi driver

English
Thai phonetic
Audio
Airport
Sànăam bin
Chatuchak market
Dtàlàat Chatuchak
Wat Arun temple
Wát Aroon

In the restaurant

English
Thai phonetic
Audio
Not spicy
Mai pèt
How much?
Thao rai
Beer
Bia
Water
Naam
Coffee
Gaffee
Thai food
Ahaan Thai
Western food
Ahaan farang
Where is the bathroom?
Hong naam yuu tii nai

Romantic Thai words

English
Thai phonetic
Audio
Darling / sweetheart
Teeruk
Love
Rak

The famous James Bond Island in the sea in Phang Nga Bay
Koh Panyi, a traditional fishermen village on stilts in the sea of Phang Nga Bay near Phuket

James Bond Island with Canoeing and Lunch by Speedboat

  • Board the boat at Ao Por Pier
  • Sightseeing at Panak Island
  • Canoeing through mangrove forests with view of limestone mountains at Koh Hong Island
  • James Bond Island
  • Explore Koh Panyi village on stilts and enjoy lunch
  • Relax and swim at Koh Naka Island
  • Full day boat trip in Phang Nga Bay with lunch
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Duration 7 to 8 hours
Book a tour
Longtail boats in Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands
A beautiful angelfish in the sea at the Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Seaview Lunch

  • Speedboat trip to Bamboo Island
  • Snorkel at Bamboo Island
  • Lunch at Koh Phi Phi Don
  • Watch the wild monkeys at Monkey Beach from the speedboat
  • Pass by Viking Cave
  • Snorkel in Pileh Lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs
  • Visit the famous Maya Bay
Buy from Viator
The famous Bridge over the River Kwai
A train on the Death Railway crossing the River Kwai

Private Tour to Bridge over River Kwai and Hellfire Pass incl train ride

  • Walk through Hellfire Pass and visit the memorial
  • Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
  • JEATH War Museum
  • Train ride on the Death Railway
  • Relax at Bridge over the river Kwai
  • Private tour with hotel pick up and lunch
  • Professional guide
  • Duration 10 to 12 hours
Buy from Viator
The illuminated Wat Arun standing on the banks of the Chao Phraya river
The massive Reclining Buddha or Sleeping Buddha at the Wat Pho

Private 3 Temples Bangkok City Tour

  • Wat Traimit - Golden Buddha
  • Drive through Chinatown
  • Phahurat Market (Little India)
  • Pak Khlong Talat flower market
  • Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha
  • Cross Chao Phraya river by boat
  • Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn
  • Professional guide, hotel pick up & drop off
  • Duration 3 to 4 hours
Buy from Viator
People paddling a sea kayak in a lagoon in Phang Nga Bay
A kayak in a mangrove forest

John Gray’s Sea Kayak Tour

  • Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay
  • Explore hidden caves and cliff lined lagoons
  • Visit Panak Island and Hong Island
  • Kayak in emerald lagoons
Book discounted tickets