Although nowadays most people who work for tourists speak English, it might be of interest to learn some basic words and phrases in Thai language. This is why I have put together the ones that are more necessary when you travel abroad and I have divided them in different sections. I hope they are useful.
First, I want to make an introduction about Thai language. It originated in the south of China and it comes from the Tai-Kadai languages. It is spoken by an 85% of the population of Thailand, about 70 million people, and it has many dialects, but the one taught at schools and universities is the Siamese Thai. The Thai alphabet has 44 letters. It is a very strict tonal language, which means that there are five different tones (low, high, upward, downward and medium) and the one you use will depend on what you are saying.
GREETINGS
Hello - Sabadee Ka
How are you? - Sabadee Mai Krap
I am fine / I am not fine - Sabai / Mai Sabai
Bye - bai bai
Good luck - Chok Dee Krap
What's your name? - Kun Chai Arai Krap
My name is ... - Phom Cheu...
I can't understand you - Mai Ko Jai
Don't worry - Mai Pen Rai Kra
Please - Yin dii
You're welcome - Mai pen rai
Sorry - Kho Tht Krap
Yes - Chai
No - Mai Chai
IN A RESTAURANT
I want to eat - Kin Kao
Let's go to have some food - Pai Kin Kao
Can I have the menu, please? - Kor rai gahn ah-hahn noy?
I don't eat meat (I am vegetarian) - Mang Sa Wee Rat
The food was delicious - Aroy Mak Mak
Where's the toilet, please? - Hong Namm
Can I have the bill, please? - Check Bin Krap
No spicy - Mai Pet
Little spicy - Pet Noi
ACCOMMODATION
Where is a ...? - Yoo tee nai ...?
Hotel - Rohng raam
Hostel - Bahn
Camping - Kai pak raam
Do you have a room? - Mee horng mai?
Single room - Dee·o
Double room - Dee·ang koo
With two beds - Sorng dee·ang
Air conditioner - aa
Bathroom - Horng nam
Laundry room - Horng sak pah
Insect screen - Mung
Window - Nah dahng
BASIC FOOD
Chicken - Kai
Pork - Mu
Beef - Neu·a
Red meat - Neu·a daang
Fish - Pla
Prawns - Kung
Seafood - Ah-hahn ta-lair
Tofu - Dow hoo
Vegetables - Phak
Eggs - Kai
Rice - Kow
Noodles - sen
Soup - Nam sup
Nuts - Too-a
Ice - Nam kaang
SHOPPING
How much is it? - Tao rai?
This is expensive - Rakha phaeng
This is cheap - Rakha Thuk
Can I have a better price? - Lot nawy dai mai
I would like this one - Yaak ja seu
I love it / I hate it - Chawp / Mai chawp
I'm just taking a look - Duu choe choe
TRANSPORTS
I would like to go to... - Yaak ja pai
Plane - Khreuang bin
Ship - Reua
Bus - Rot meh
Train - Rot fai
Car - Rot yon
Motorbike - Rot maw-toe-sai
Bicycle - Rot jak-ka-yaan
Taxi - Theksi
DIRECTIONS
Where is the ...? - Yuu thii nai ...?
Bank - Tha-naa-khaan
Station - Sathani rot fai
City centre - Jai klaang meuang
Hotel - Rong raam
Hospital - Rong pha-yaa-baan
Is it nearby / far away? - Klâi / Klai?
Straight ahead - Trong pai
Left / right - Sai / Kwa
North / South / East / West - Nua / Tai / Ok / Ta-wan-tok
TIMING
Today - Wan nee
Tomorrow - Prung nee
Morning - Chow
Afternoon - Bai
Night - Yen
Monday - Wan jan
Tuesday - Wan ang-kahn
Wednesday - Wan put
Thursday - Wan pa-reu-hat
Friday - Wan suk
Saturday - Wan sow
Sunday - Wan ah-tit
NUMBERS
1 - Nung
2 - Song
3 - Sam
4 - See
5 - Hap
6 - Hok
7 - Jet
8 - Paet
9 - Gao
10 - Sip
20 - Yee Sip
50 - Hap Sip
100 - Roy
1000 - Neung Pan
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