Rare is the foreigner who can speak fluently in Thai but that doesn’t mean you cannot start learning a few words so you can get by and even impress your hosts and your new friends.
Our list is by no means comprehensive nor phonetically accurate, but it’s a good start.
GENERAL WORDS & PHRASES
| Sa was dee | Greeting/Hello |
| Khun | Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. |
| Ka (Female), Khrap (Male) | Polite word usually put at the end of a sentence |
| Khop Khun | Thank You |
| Sa bai dee mai | How are you? |
| Sa bai dee, Khop khun | I am fine, Thank you. |
| Chan sear jai | I am sorry |
| Shuay chan noi dai mai? | Can you help me? |
| Proat put cha cha | Please speak slowly |
| Kho thot | Excuse me, Pardon me. |
| Chui tor sab hai noi | Please help me to make a phone call. |
| Chok dee | Good luck |
| Liao Khwa | Turn right |
| Liao sai | Turn left |
| Proat kap cha cha | Please drive slowly |
| Koi sak kroo | Wait a moment |
| Yut | Stop |
| Thanon (th) | Street |
| Soi | lane |
| Klong | Canal |
SHOPPING
| An nii tao rai? | How much is this? |
| Paeng maak | Too expensive |
| Lot ra ka noi dai mai? | Any discount? |
| Ho hai duai | Please wrap it for me |
FOOD
| Kao | Rice |
| Kao Nyaw | Sticky rice |
| Kao phat | Fried Rice |
| Nuir | Butter |
| Ka nom pang | Bread |
| Kai | Egg |
| Gai | Chicken |
| Moo | Pork |
| Pla | Fish |
| Ped | Duck |
| Nuar | Beef |
| Kung | Shrimp |
| Kung | Lobster |
| Pak | Vegetable |
| Pol la mai | Fruit |
| Kluay | Banana |
| Teng mo | Watermelon |
| Chumpo | Rose apple |
| Falang | Guava |
| Mamuwang | Mango |
| Saparoot | Pineapple |
| Angun | Grapes |
| Som | Orange |
| Nam som | Orange juice |
| Nam | Water |
| Glur | Salt |
| Keaw | Glass |
| Sorm | Fork |
| Chorne | Spoon |
| Ta kiep | Chopstick |
| Paet | Spicy |
| Paet nitnoi | A little bit spicy |
| Paet maak | Very Spicy |
| Mai Sai Prik | Without Chili |
HEALTH
| Kae / Rak sa | Cure/Heal |
| Rong pa ya barn | Hospital |
| Pen kai | Fever |
| Ei | Cough |
| Paud hua | Headache |
| Paud tong | Stomachache |
ACCOMODATION
| Hmorn | Pillow |
| Pa hom | Blanket |
| Pa ched tua | Towel |
| Piek | Wet |
| Hang | Dry |
| Hong nam | Toilet |
| Hong norn | Bedroom |
BANKING
| Ta na karn | Bank |
| Park ngern | Deposit |
| Torn ngern | Withdraw |
| Ngern sod | Cash |
NUMBERS
| Soon | 0 |
| Neung | 1 |
| Song | 2 |
| Sam | 3 |
| Si | 4 |
| Ha | 5 |
| Hok | 6 |
| Jet | 7 |
| Paet | 8 |
| Kao | 9 |
| Sip | 10 |
| Sip et | 11 |
| Sip song | 12 |
| Yi sip | 20 |
| Yi sip et | 21 |
| Sam sip | 30 |
| Neung roi | 100 |
| Song roi | 200 |
| Ha roi | 500 |
| Neung phan | 1,000 |
| Neung mun | 10,000 |
| Neung sean | 100,000 |
| Neung lan | 1,000,000 |
