Rare is the foreigner who can speak fluently in Thai, but that doesn’t mean you cannot start learning a few words to 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
| Sawasdee | Greeting/Hello |
| Khun | Mr./Ms./Mrs. |
| Ka (Female), Krub (Male) | Polite marker usually put at the end of a sentence to soften the tone |
| Kob Khun | Thank You |
| Sabaidee Mai? | How are you? |
| Sabaidee, Kob Khun | I am fine, Thank you. |
| Kho thot | Excuse me/Pardon me. |
| Chuay chan noi dai mai? | Can you help me? |
| Proat put cha cha | Please speak slowly |
| Chan Sia Jai (used to express condolences) | I am sorry [for your loss] |
| Chuay torasab hai noi dai mai? | 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 |
| Khlong | 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 ka/krub | Please wrap it for me |
FOOD
| Kao | Rice |
| Kao niew | Sticky rice |
| Kao pad | Fried Rice |
| Noei | Butter |
| Khanom pang | Bread |
| Kai | Egg |
| Gai | Chicken |
| Moo | Pork |
| Pla | Fish |
| Ped | Duck |
| Nuea | Beef |
| Goong | Shrimp |
| Kung | Lobster |
| Pak | Vegetable |
| Pol la mai | Fruit |
| Kluay | Banana |
| Taeng mo | Watermelon |
| Chompoo | Rose apple |
| Farang | Guava |
| Mamuang | Mango |
| Saparod | Pineapple |
| Ang-Ngun | Grapes |
| Som | Orange |
| Nam som | Orange juice |
| Nam | Water |
| Kluea | Salt |
| Gaew | Glass |
| Sorm | Fork |
| Chorne | Spoon |
| Takiep | Chopstick |
| Phed | Spicy |
| Phed nitnoi | A little bit spicy |
| Phed maak | Very Spicy |
| Mai Sai Prik | Without Chili |
HEALTH
| Kae/Rak sa | Cure/Heal |
| Rong paya barn | Hospital |
| Pen kai | Fever |
| Ei | Cough |
| Puad hua | Headache |
| Puad tong | Stomachache |
ACCOMODATION
| Hmorn | Pillow |
| Pha hom | Blanket |
| Pha ched tua | Towel |
| Piek | Wet |
| Haeng | Dry |
| Hong nam | Toilet |
| Hong non | Bedroom |
BANKING
| Tanakarn | Bank |
| Fak ngern | Deposit |
| Torn ngern | Withdraw |
| Ngern sod | Cash |
NUMBERS
| Zoon | 0 |
| Neung | 1 |
| Song | 2 |
| Sam | 3 |
| Si | 4 |
| Ha | 5 |
| Hok | 6 |
| Jet | 7 |
| Paed | 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 muen | 10,000 |
| Neung saen | 100,000 |
| Neung lan | 1,000,000 |
