Thai phrasebook
English gets you through hotels and airports. These phrases get you through street kitchens, taxi negotiations and the moment you need to explain that you do not eat fish sauce. Pronunciation is written the way you would say it in plain English — CAPITALS mark the stressed syllable.
Basics & courtesy
Thai is tonal, but politeness carries you further than accuracy. Men end sentences with khrap, women with kha.
Hello / goodbye
สวัสดี
sa-wat-DEE khrap/kha
Add a small bow with palms together (the wai).
Thank you
ขอบคุณ
khop-KHUN khrap/kha
Sorry / excuse me
ขอโทษ
kho-THOT khrap/kha
Yes / correct
ใช่
chai
No / not
ไม่
mai
It's okay / never mind
ไม่เป็นไร
mai pen rai
The national catchphrase. Use it generously.
Do you speak English?
พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม
phoot pha-sa ang-grit dai mai
I don't understand
ไม่เข้าใจ
mai khao jai
My name is…
ผม/ดิฉันชื่อ…
phom (m) / di-chan (f) cheu…
Thai has five tones, so the same syllable can carry different meanings. Nobody expects perfect tones from a visitor — speak slowly, smile, and show the Thai script if you are not understood.