10 Essential Thai Phrases for Travelers: A Beginner’s Survival Guide
Planning your first trip to Thailand? While many locals—especially in tourist areas—can speak some English, learning a few simple Thai phrases can go a long way in making your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Even just a basic greeting in Thai often brings a smile and makes interactions feel warmer.
In this guide, we introduce 10 easy Thai phrases that beginners can quickly learn and use during their travels. From greetings to ordering food, asking for directions, and handling emergencies, these phrases will help you navigate your trip with confidence—even if you’ve never studied Thai before.
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1. Basic Thai Greetings
Let’s start with the most common greetings. In Thai, polite speech includes gender-specific endings:
- “Khrap” (ครับ) for males
- “Kha” (ค่ะ) for females
Here are a few must-know expressions:
- Hello:
Sawasdee khrap / Sawasdee kha
→ Use any time of day for a friendly greeting - Thank you:
Khop khun khrap / Khop khun kha
→ Always appreciated, especially after receiving help - Sorry / Excuse me:
Khor thot khrap / Khor thot kha
→ Great for bumping into someone or getting attention politely
2. Useful Phrases for Restaurants and Street Food
Thailand is a food lover’s paradise, and knowing a few simple phrases can help you enjoy meals like a local.
- I’d like this one, please:
Ao an-nee khrap / Ao an-nee kha
→ Point to a dish and say this to order - Not spicy, please:
Mai phet khrap / Mai phet kha
→ Crucial if you’re not used to spicy food - It’s delicious!:
Aroi khrap / Aroi kha
→ Use this to compliment the chef or vendor
3. Transportation and Taxi Phrases
When using taxis or other transport, being able to say your destination can make the journey easier.
- Please go to (place):
Pai [place] khrap/kha
Example: Pai Siam kha = Please go to Siam - Stop here, please:
Jort tee-nee khrap/kha
→ Use when getting off a bus or taxi
Tip: It’s also helpful to show the location in Thai script on your phone if pronunciation is difficult.
4. Shopping and Bargaining Expressions
Markets are everywhere in Thailand, and bargaining is common in many of them. Try these phrases to enhance your shopping experience:
- How much is this?:
Tao rai khrap/kha
→ Use with a smile for better results
Bonus tip: Sellers often appreciate when foreigners try Thai—even if it’s not perfect!
5. Emergency and Help Phrases
Hopefully you won’t need them, but it’s good to know a few phrases in case of trouble.
- Help, please!:
Chuay duay khrap/kha!
→ Use in emergencies or to ask for assistance
Summary
Even if you only memorize a few Thai phrases, you’ll find your trip becomes more personal and engaging. Thai people generally appreciate the effort, and your small phrases can open big doors.
Here’s a quick recap of the top 10 phrases:
| Situation | Phrase in Thai (Romanized) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Sawasdee khrap/kha | Hello |
| Thanks | Khop khun khrap/kha | Thank you |
| Apology | Khor thot khrap/kha | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Ordering | Ao an-nee khrap/kha | I’d like this |
| Spice request | Mai phet khrap/kha | Not spicy, please |
| Compliment | Aroi khrap/kha | It’s delicious |
| Taxi request | Pai [place] khrap/kha | Go to (place), please |
| Stop here | Jort tee-nee khrap/kha | Stop here, please |
| Price inquiry | Tao rai khrap/kha | How much is this? |
| Emergency | Chuay duay khrap/kha! | Help, please! |
Start with one or two, practice out loud, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you become comfortable.
