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
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