Thai language for tourists: Thailand is a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Knowing a few key words and phrases in Thai can make your travel experience more enjoyable and easier. Here is an expanded list of 100 essential Thai words, categorized for easier learning and use.
Basic Greetings
- Sawadee (สวัสดี) – [sa-wah-dee] – Hello / Good day
- Khob khun (ขอบคุณ) – [kob koon] – Thank you
- Chai (ใช่) – [chai] – Yes
- Mai chai (ไม่ใช่) – [mai chai] – No
- Kor tod (ขอโทษ) – [kor toht] – Sorry
- Sabai dee mai (สบายดีไหม) – [sa-bai dee mai] – How are you?
- Sabai dee (สบายดี) – [sa-bai dee] – I’m fine
- La gon (ลาก่อน) – [la gon] – Goodbye
- Phaak (พัก) – [phak] – Rest
- Jai dee (ใจดี) – [jai dee] – Kind
Numbers
- Neung (หนึ่ง) – [neung] – One
- Song (สอง) – [song] – Two
- Sam (สาม) – [sam] – Three
- See (สี่) – [see] – Four
- Ha (ห้า) – [ha] – Five
- Hok (หก) – [hok] – Six
- Jed (เจ็ด) – [jed] – Seven
- Paet (แปด) – [paet] – Eight
- Gao (เก้า) – [gao] – Nine
- Sip (สิบ) – [sip] – Ten
- Roi (ร้อย) – [roi] – Hundred
- Paan (พัน) – [paan] – Thousand
Food and Drink
- Kao (ข้าว) – [kao] – Rice
- Nam (น้ำ) – [nam] – Water
- Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) – [pad thai] – Pad Thai
- Tom Yum (ต้มยำ) – [tom yum] – Tom Yum soup
- Gai (ไก่) – [gai] – Chicken
- Moo (หมู) – [moo] – Pork
- Pla (ปลา) – [pla] – Fish
- Phak (ผัก) – [phak] – Vegetables
- Som Tam (ส้มตำ) – [som tam] – Papaya salad
- Khao Pad (ข้าวผัด) – [kao pad] – Fried rice
- Bua Loy (บัวลอย) – [bua loy] – Rice ball dessert
- Khao Niew (ข้าวเหนียว) – [kao niew] – Sticky rice
Transportation
- Rod (รถ) – [rot] – Car
- Tuk-tuk (ตุ๊กตุ๊ก) – [took-took] – Tuk-tuk
- Rot fai (รถไฟ) – [rot fai] – Train
- Khon song (คนส่ง) – [kon song] – Driver
- Thang (ทาง) – [tang] – Path/Way
- Khun pai nai (คุณไปไหน) – [koon pai nai] – Where are you going?
- Moo Ban (หมู่บ้าน) – [moo ban] – Village
- Bua (บัว) – [bua] – Boat (often used for transportation or tours)
- Saam Lor (สามล้อ) – [saam lor] – Tricycle
- Yut (หยุด) – [yut] – Stop
- Tham (ทำ) – [tham] – Do (can be used in the context of “also do” in transportation)
Directions
- Sai (ซ้าย) – [sai] – Left
- Kwa (ขวา) – [kwa] – Right
- Trong pai (ตรงไป) – [trong pai] – Go straight
- Yut (หยุด) – [yut] – Stop
- Leao (เลี้ยว) – [leaw] – Turn
- Klong (คลอง) – [klong] – Canal
- Sok (ซอก) – [sok] – Alley
- Khor (ขอ) – [khor] – Please (ask for something)
- Hong (ห้อง) – [hong] – Room
- Chan (ชั้น) – [chan] – Floor (level)
Essential Phrases
- Tao rai (เท่าไหร่) – [tao rai] – How much?
- Mai khao jai (ไม่เข้าใจ) – [mai kao jai] – I don’t understand
- Choo-ay duay (ช่วยด้วย) – [choo-ay duay] – Help!
- Pom/Chan (ผม/ฉัน) – [pom/chan] – I (male/female)
- Hong nam (ห้องน้ำ) – [hong nam] – Restroom
- Poo chai (ผู้ชาย) – [poo chai] – Man
- Poo ying (ผู้หญิง) – [poo ying] – Woman
- Rong rian (โรงเรียน) – [rong rian] – School
- Rong phayaban (โรงพยาบาล) – [rong phayaban] – Hospital
- Bai nai (ไปไหน) – [bai nai] – Where are you going?
Culture and Entertainment
- Wai (ไหว้) – [wai] – Thai greeting (bow)
- Sanook (สนุก) – [sa-nook] – Fun
- Arroy (อร่อย) – [a-roy] – Delicious
- Jai yen (ใจเย็น) – [jai yen] – Calm down
- Tem (เทม) – [tem] – Traditional
- Chao (เช้า) – [chao] – Morning
- Kruang (เครื่อง) – [kruang] – Equipment
- Sin (สิน) – [sin] – Gift
- Mue (มือ) – [mue] – Hand
- Tua (ตัว) – [tua] – Body
Time and Date
- Wan (วัน) – [wan] – Day
- Chao (เช้า) – [chao] – Morning
- Bai (บ่าย) – [bai] – Afternoon
- Yen (เย็น) – [yen] – Evening
- Dee (ดี) – [dee] – Good
- Arun (อรุณ) – [arun] – Dawn
- Mak (มาก) – [mak] – Much
- Pom (ผม) – [pom] – I (could also mean “hair” in different contexts)
- Sao (สาว) – [sao] – Girl
- Rao (เรา) – [rao] – We
Shopping
- Tua (ตั๋ว) – [tua] – Ticket
- Raa (ราคา) – [raa] – Price
- Baan (บ้าน) – [baan] – House
- Khun (คุณ) – [khun] – You (polite)
- Khong (ของ) – [khong] – Item
- Chaang (ช้าง) – [chaang] – Elephant (often a symbol or souvenir)
- Kan (การ) – [kan] – Process (e.g., shopping process)
Health and Safety
- Arthit (อาทิตย์) – [arthit] – Week
- Kham (คำ) – [kham] – Word
- Sao (สาว) – [sao] – Young lady (contextual reference in health services)
- Sook (สุข) – [sook] – Happy
- Pang (แพง) – [paeng] – Expensive
- Maa (มา) – [maa] – Come
- Jai (ใจ) – [jai] – Heart
- Tuk (ถูก) – [tuk] – Cheap
Thai language for tourists – conclusion
Knowing these 100 words can significantly enhance your travel experience in Thailand, whether you’re navigating everyday interactions, shopping, traveling, or exploring cultural sites. These words, part of the Thai language for tourists, will help you communicate more effectively and understand the local customs better. Enjoy your journey and make the most of your time in this vibrant and welcoming country!
Feel free to revisit this list as needed and practice these phrases to get more comfortable with the Thai language for tourists. Safe travels!
