While many Thai people speak good English, particularly in tourist areas, knowing your pleases and thank yous will earn you a lot of smiles and kudos throughout your Thailand holidays. Even though Thai script bears no relation to our own Latin alphabet, many signs and menus will feature a semi-phonetic spelling in familiar letters too, and sometimes even a full English translation. If you're planning a Thai adventure soon, here are a few handy phrases to help you as you explore.
Hello - Sà -wà t-dee kà (f) / Sà -wà t-dee krúp (m) (Sawaddy-kah / Sawaddy-krap)
How are you? – Sà -baai dee mà i? (sah-bye dee my?)
I'm fine, thanks - Sà -baai dee kâ (f) / Sà -baai dee króp (m) (Sah-bye dee kah / Sah-bye dee krap)
Please – Kor (Core)
Sorry or Excuse me – Kor thot (Core tot)
Thankyou – Kòp kun ka (f) / Kòp kun krap (m) (Kop-koon kah / kop-koon krap)
Yes – Châi (Chai)
No – Mâi (My)
One - Neung
Two – Song
Three - Saam
Four - See
Five – Ha (this is why in Thai text speak, 555 means hahaha)
Six - Hook
Seven - Jet
Eight - Baat
Nine – Gow
Ten - Sip
How much is this? - Raa-kaa tâo rà i? (rah-kah taow-rye?) or Tâo rà i kaa? (Taow-rye kah?)
Do you speak English? – Kun pòod pa sà Angrit dai mâi ?(Kun pud-pa sah Angk-grit dye my?)
Temple – Wat (Wot)
Cinema - Rong-nang (wrong nang)
Shops - Ran kha (Rahn kah)
Straight ahead - Trng pi (Trong bye)
Turn left – Leiyw say (Lee-ow sigh)
Turn right – Leiyw k¯hwa (Lee-ow kwah)
May I take a photograph? Tai ruup dai mâi? (Tye ruhp dye my?)
Is there a restaurant near here? - Ráan aa-haan têe glâi sùt yòo nai? (ran aa-harn tee glye soot yoo nye?)
Do you have an English menu – Mi mai-nu paa-saa ang-grìt mai? (Mee may-new pah-sah angrit my?)
I'm a vegetarian - Pom gin M?ngs¯wir?ti (Pomm jin mang-sah-wee-rat)
Delicious! – A-roi! (Arr-oy!)
I don't want it spicy - Mâi au pêt (Mai ow pet)
Where's the toilet? - Hông náam yòo têe nai? (Hongnam you-tee-nigh?)
Meat - Nuea / Noya
Beef - Nuea Wua / Noya wah
Chicken – Gai or Kai
Pork – Moo
Fish - Pla
Squid – Pla murk
Duck - Ped
Prawns - Kung
Egg - Khai
Ginger – King
Chilli pepper - Phrik
Rice – Khao
Vegetarian food – Ah-hahn jay
Massaman – A nut-based medium coconut curry
Kaeng Som – A hot-sour curry
Pad Thai – A fried rice-noodle dish with peanuts and your choice of meat or vegetables and tofu
Pad See-ew – A fried rice-noodle dish with soy sauce and your choice of meat or vegetables and tofu
Tom yam kung – Hot and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass and chillies
Tom yum – Hot and sour tomato soup with mushrooms, tomatoes and shrimp