Thai Quick Language Guide
Don’t’ speak Thai? Here’s your personal phrasebook featuring essential Thai words and expressions to help you explore Thailand with ease.
Getting Around
Thailand offers many ways to travel — from tuk-tuks and trains to ferries and long-tail boats. Knowing a few key Thai phrases helps when drivers don’t speak English or rely on maps. Use these words to ask for directions, confirm fares, or tell drivers where to stop. They’re especially handy in smaller towns, where English signs are limited.
| English | Thai (Script + Transliteration) |
Meaning / Notes |
| Where is…? | อยูที่ไหน (… yuu tee nai?) | Used when asking for directions. |
| Go to … | ไป … (pai…) | Tell the driver your destination. |
| Stop here | จอดที่นี่ (jod tee nee) | Ask the driver to stop. |
| How much? | เท่าไหร่ (tao rai?) | Ask for fare or price. |
| Turn left / right | เลี้ยวซ้าย / ขวา (liao sai / kwaa) | Directional instruction. |
| Go straight | ตรงไป (trong pai) |
Go forward.
|
| Airport | สนามบิน (sanaam bin) |
Useful for taxis.
|
| Bus station | สถานีรถเมล์ (sataani rot mae) | Bus terminal |
| Train station | สถานีรถไฟ (sataani rot fai) | Train terminal |
| Boat Pier | ท่าเรือ (taa rua) | For ferries or river transport |
| Near / Far | ใกล้ / ไกล (glai / klai) | Distance words |
| Left / Right side | ฝั่งซ้าย / ฝั่งขวา (fang sai / fang kwaa) | Helpful for directions |
Food & Ordering
Thai dining is lively, social, and full of flavour. Learning a few local expressions helps you order with confidence, adjust spice levels, and thank cooks for their food. Try these phrases at street stalls, cafés, or restaurants to order politely, ask what’s in a dish, and share your compliments — a simple way to make every meal more enjoyable.
| English | Thai (Script + Transliteration) |
Meaning / Notes |
| I’m hungry | หิวข้าว (hiu khao) | Say when you’re hungry |
| Water | น้ำ (naam) | Basic drink word |
| Rice / Noodles | ข้าว / ก๋วยเตี๋ยว (khao / guay tiew) | Common meal bases |
| Spicy / Not spicy | เผ็ด / ไม่เผ็ด (pet / mai pet) | Spice control |
| A little spicy | เผ็ดนิดหน่อย (pet nit moi) | Mildly spicy |
| Delicious | อร่อย (aroy) | Compliment for good food |
| Bill please | เช็คบิล (check bin) | Ask for the bill |
| No sugar | ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล (mai sai namtaan) | Useful for drinks |
| No peanuts | ไม่ใส่ถั่ว (mai sai tua) | Allergy note |
| Take away | เอากลับบ้าน (ao glub baan) | For takeout |
| Eat here | กินที่นี่ (gin tee nee) | Dine-in option |
| Tastes good! | อร่อยมาก! (aroy mak!) | Very tasty! |
Accommodation
Whether you’re staying in a hostel or a boutique hotel, a few Thai words can make check-ins smoother. These phrases help you book rooms, ask for amenities, or sort out minor issues politely. While larger hotels often use English, smaller guesthouses may not — so knowing how to say “room,” “key,” or “hot water” keeps things easy and respectful.
| English | Thai (Script + Transliteration) |
Meaning / Notes |
| Do you have a room? | มีห้องว่างไหม (mee hong wang mai?) | Ask for vacancy |
| I have a reservation | จองห้องไว้แล้ว (jorng hong wai laew) | At check-in |
| One night / Two nights | หนึ่งคืน / สองคืน (neung kuen / song kuen) | Length of stay |
| How much per night? | คืนละเท่าไหร่ (kuen la tao rai?) | Room rate inquiry |
| Air conditioning | เครื่องปรับอากาศ (kruang prup akaat) | Ask if available |
| Wi-Fi password | รหัสไวไฟ (Rahat wi-fi) | Wi-Fi access |
| Bathroom | ห้องน้ำ (hong naam) | Common facility |
| Hot water | น้ำร้อน (naam ron) | Ask for hot shower |
| Clean / Dirty | สะอาด / สกปรก (sa-aat / sokaprok) | Describe cleanliness |
| Change room | ขอเปลี่ยนห้อง (kor plian hong) | Request room change |
Shopping & Bargaining
Markets are a big part of Thai life, and bargaining is part of the fun — always done with a smile. Use these phrases to ask for prices, negotiate politely, and praise vendors. Showing a little effort in Thai often leads to warmer exchanges and sometimes even better deals.
| English | Thai (Script + Transliteration) |
Meaning / Notes |
| How much is this? | อันนี้เท่าไหร่ (an nee tao rai?) | Ask price |
| Too expensive | แพงไป (paeng pai) | Politely say too costly |
| Can you give a discount? | ลดได้ไหม (lode dai mai?) | Ask for lower price |
| I’ll take it | เอา (ao) | Confirm purchase |
| I’m just looking | ดูเฉยๆ (duu choey choey) | Browsing only |
| Small / medium / large | เล็ก / กลาง / ใหญ่ (lek / klaang / yai) | Clothing size |
| Other colours? | มีสีอื่นไหม (mee see eun mai?) | Ask colour options |
| Can I try it on? | ลองได้ไหม (long dai mai?) | Request fitting |
| Bag please | ขอถุงด้วย (kor toong duay) | Ask for bag |
| Beautiful | สวย (suay) | Compliment item |
| Cheap | ถูก (tuke) | Say when affordable |
Emergencies & Health
Serious situations are uncommon, but it’s wise to know a few Thai words for emergencies. These phrases help you ask for a doctor, describe symptoms, or contact the police. A little language knowledge can save time and bring calm when you need help quickly.
| English | Thai (Script + Transliteration) |
Meaning / Notes |
| Help! | ช่วยด้วย (chuay duay!) | Call for help |
| Call the police | เรียกตำรวจ (riak tamruat) | In emergencies |
| I’m sick | ไม่สบาย (mai sabai) | Feeling unwell |
| I have a fever | มีไข้ (mee kai) | Health issue |
| Stomatchache | ปวดท้อง (puat tong) | Common complaint |
| Need a doctor | ต้องการหมอ (tong gaan maw) | Medical help |
| Hospital | โรงพยาบาล (rong payabaan) | For emergencies |
| Pharmacy | ร้านขายยา (raan kai yaa) | Medicine shop |
| I’m lost | หลงทาง (long taang) | When disoriented |
| I’ve been robbed | ถูกปล้น (tuke plon) | Report theft |
Everyday Polite Expressions
Courtesy matters deeply in Thailand. Simple greetings, thank-you’s, and gentle tones go a long way. End your sentences with krub (for men) or ka (for women) to sound respectful and kind. These small gestures create goodwill and make every encounter a bit warmer.
| English | Thai (Script + Transliteration) |
Meaning / Notes |
| Hello / Goodbye | สวัสดี (Sawasdee) | Common greeting |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณครับ (kop khun) | To express thanks |
| You’re welcome | ยินดีครับ/ค่ะ (yin dee) | Reply to thanks |
| Yes / No | ใช่ / ไม่ใช่ (chai / mai chai) | Affirmation |
| Excuse me / Sorry | ขอโทษ (kor tode) | Polite apology |
| How are you? | สบายดีไหม (sabai dee mai?) | Casual greeting |
| I’m fine | สบายดี (sabai dee) | Common reply |
| No problem | ไม่เป็นไร (mai pen rai) | Reassuring phrase |
| I don’t understand | ไม่เข้าใจ (mai kao jai) | When confused |
| Can you speak English? | พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม (pood pasa ungkrit dai mai?) | Ask language ability |
