Thai Language

As a tourist visiting Thailand for the first time or occasionally, you probably won't feel the need to learn Thai language. But it's always fun to learn a few basic words and see the Thais' reaction when you speak!

It is always a good idea to learn some words before you visit Thailand is recommended because it will give you more freedom and independence.

You probably won't need to use much if you stick to the main tourist destinations. However, the Thai people you encounter will be impressed for sure if you try and use a little Thai with them.

Most people when they start to learn Thai find some things confusing. It's just because there are some special words which are used by women and men. Lots of people have been asking me about this. For example, for the word:

"I" the men use "phom" and the women will use "chan".

Actually the word "chan" can be used with both sexes but not many men say it. But you might hear some boys say "chan", that's not wrong. It's just because they are being polite not because they are using it wrong.

A few useful words in Thai

Here are a few useful words in Thai. You will hear them often, and you can try and pronounce them. Thai people are always glad to see foreigners who make the effort to learn a few basic words, so don't be shy!

Always use "krub" (for men) and "ka" (for women) when you want to be polite. Add these words to the end of all the examples below:

• Hello
  That is how we say hello in Thai. you are a male:
  you will say "Sa wat dee khrab"
  If you are a female:
  you will say "Sa wat dee kha".
  
  **for women you must say kha not khrab**
  
  
• Pleased to meet you.
  "Yin dee thee dai ruu jak kha"
  
  
• Thank you, how are you?
  "kha.. sa baay dee reuu kha"
  


• Thank you
  "Kob khun kha" (female speaker)
  "Kob khun khrab" (male speaker)
  
  
• Fine thank you.
  "sa baay dee khrap"
  
  
• "khor thot" means "sorry". You will say it when you want to interrupt someone, when you want to pass someone or when you do something wrong.
  


• No problem/you're welcome/it's ok.
  "Mai pen rai"


• Delicious (food) - "Aroy"
  
  
• How to Say "NO"
  I don't want any (mai ow khrab)
  
  
• "sia jai" means "sorry" too. But in this case it means different thing. Like if someone died or got hurt, you say "phom/di-chan sia jai" which means "I am sorry".
  
  
• Conversation with a tuk tuk driver Three-wheeled Taxi = tuk tuk
  
  
  
  
• Tourists: How much is it to go to Sukhumvit 4? (bai sukhumvit 4 tao rai?)
• Tuk-tuk driver: 50 baht (har sib baht)
• Tourists: Too expensive, how about 30 baht? (pang bai, sam sib baht dai mai?)
• Tuk-tuk driver: No. 40 baht. (mai dai. see sib baht)
• Tourists: Ok. 40 baht. (dtok long, see sib baht)