Essential Thai Phrases

Used for both greetings and farewells at any time of day.

Essential in every interaction. Adding the polite particle shows respect.

Used to apologise or to get someone's attention politely.

Thailand's most famous phrase. Used to defuse tension, accept an apology, or shrug something off.

Reply with "สบายดี" (sa-bai-dee), meaning "I'm fine."

Used in formal introductions and first meetings.

Confirms or denies a statement. For simple "yes" responses, you can also repeat the verb from the question.

More formal than "sawatdee." Used when parting for a longer time.

Insert your destination. Show the address in Thai on your phone if possible.

The single most useful phrase in Thailand. Works for taxis, markets, food stalls, everywhere.

Essential for Bangkok taxis. If they refuse, find another cab.

Tell the driver exactly where to pull over.

Point at the place name on a map or say the location name before this phrase.

Direct a driver when Google Maps isn't cooperating.

Useful before deciding whether to walk, grab a taxi, or take a motorbike.

A universal necessity. Many public toilets charge 5-10 baht.

Saying this to a street food vendor or cook will make their day.

Thai "not spicy" may still be spicy by Western standards. Say "mâi pèt loei" for absolutely no spice.

A safer middle ground if you enjoy some heat but can't handle full Thai levels.

Point at a dish and say this. Replace "nèung" with the number you want.

Signal for the bill in a restaurant. Make a writing gesture in the air as a visual cue.

Thai drinks and smoothies often come extremely sweet. Essential for coffee orders.

"Gin jeh" is strict vegan (no garlic/onion). "Mang-sa-wi-rat" is standard vegetarian.

Critical for anyone with food allergies. Common additions: ถั่ว (tùa, nuts), กุ้ง (gûng, shrimp), นม (nom, milk).

Always drink bottled or filtered water in Thailand. Tap water is not safe to drink.

Rice is the base of most meals. "Kâao nĭeow" (ข้าวเหนียว) is sticky rice, popular in Isaan cuisine.

The polite way to open a negotiation. Always smile when you ask.

Say it gently with a smile, not aggressively. The vendor will usually offer a lower price.

Useful at clothing stalls and markets.

A polite way to browse without committing to buy.

Cash is still king at markets and smaller shops. Always carry some Thai baht.

Thailand has reduced single-use plastic. Bring your own bag to major shops.

Useful for walk-in guesthouses and smaller hotels.

Always ask for the price before agreeing. Walk-in rates are often negotiable.

In Thailand's heat, this is an emergency. Add "ช่วยซ่อม" (chûay sôm, please fix it).

For longer stays. Ask about utilities (ค่าน้ำ kâa náam, water; ค่าไฟ kâa fai, electricity) separately.

Literally "not comfortable." Use this at a pharmacy or hospital.

Common complaints. Pharmacies in Thailand are well-stocked and pharmacists can recommend medications.

Private hospitals offer faster service but are more expensive. Public hospitals are affordable but waits can be long.

Tell medical staff before any treatment. Carry a card with your allergies written in Thai.

The question you will hear most often. Reply: "มาจาก..." (maa jàak...) + country name.

Reply: "ชื่อ..." (chêu...) + your name. Thais use nicknames rather than full names in daily life.

A humble and endearing way to explain your language level. Thais will appreciate the effort.

Thais speak fast. This politely asks them to slow down for you.

This often earns respect and surprise from locals who assume you just arrived.

Instant way to earn a big smile. Thais are proud of their country and culture.

Accept and give business cards with both hands as a sign of respect.

A polite way to defer a decision. Avoid rushing decisions in Thai business culture.

Note: LINE is far more common than email for business communication in Thailand.

One of Thailand's most-used words. Applies to people, animals, and things alike.

For women and beautiful things. For men, use "หล่อ" (lòr, handsome).

Very common in Thai messaging culture. Often shortened to "คิดถึงนะ" (kít tĕung ná).

Gender-neutral term for a romantic partner. "Mee faen réu yang?" means "Do you have a partner yet?"

A core Thai value. If something isn't "sanuk," it's often not worth doing.

Very casual. Used among friends to make group decisions.

Because 5 in Thai is "hâa," 555 sounds like laughter. You will see this everywhere online.

Essential at Thai meals where your host will keep offering food.

You will hear (and feel) this word often in Thailand's heat.

A universal Thai conversation starter, especially between March and May.