Thai useful phrases for tourists
Useful Thai Phrases for Everyday Life in Thailand
Learning a few practical Thai phrases can completely change your experience in Thailand. Even basic effort is appreciated by locals, and simple expressions can make daily interactions smoother, friendlier and more meaningful. Thai people value politeness and respect in speech, so understanding not just what to say but how to say it will help you communicate naturally.
This guide introduces useful Thai phrases you can use in common situations such as greeting people, shopping, ordering food, asking for directions and handling everyday conversations.
1. Greetings and Basic Politeness
The most important phrase to learn first is the standard Thai greeting.
Hello
สวัสดีครับ (sawatdee krap) – male speaker
สวัสดีค่ะ (sawatdee ka) – female speaker
Thai uses polite particles at the end of sentences. Men usually say krap and women say ka. These particles make speech sound polite and respectful.
You can use this greeting at any time of day. Unlike English, Thai does not require different greetings like “good morning” or “good evening” in casual situations.
But if you want you can use these –
Good morning – Sawadee ton chow
Good afternoon – Sawadee ton bai
Good evening – Sawadee ton yen
Good night – Ratri sawad Kha or Khap (formal) or Fan Dee Kha or Khap (informal), if you wish to say someone sweet dreams at night!
Thank you (Male)
ขอบคุณครับ
Khop Kun Krap
Thank you (Female)
ขอบคุณค่ะ
(Khop Kun Ka
You’re welcome/No problem
(mai pen rai)
This is a very common Thai expression. It means “it’s nothing,” “no problem,” or “never mind.”
Sorry / excuse me
(Kho thot krap / Kho thot ka)
You can use this to apologize, get attention, or politely move past someone.
Can you help me?
(chuay noi dai mai)
How are you?
Sabai dee mai
Nice to meet you!
Yin-dee Tee dai roo-jak
2. Introducing Yourself
When meeting someone new, simple introductions are enough.
My name is…
ผมชื่อ… (phom chue…) — male speaker
ฉันชื่อ… (chan chue…) — female speaker
Example –
If your name is Ben, it will be Pom Chuu Ben Krap.
If your name is Bella, it will be Chan Chuu Bella Ka.
Nice to meet you
ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก (yin dee tee dai roo jak)
Where are you from?
คุณมาจากไหน (khun maa jak nai)
I am from…
ผมมาจาก… / ฉันมาจาก… (phom maa jak… / chan maa jak…)
Thai people often enjoy friendly conversation, so basic introductions can quickly create a warm connection.
3. Ordering Food and Drinks
Food is central to daily life in Thailand, and knowing how to order politely is very useful.
I want this
เอาอันนี้ครับ / เอาอันนี้ค่ะ
(ao an nee krap / ao an nee ka)
Not spicy
ไม่เผ็ด (
mai phet)
A little spicy
เผ็ดนิดหน่อย
(phet nit noi)
Delicious
อร่อย
(aroi)
Saying “aroi” after eating is always appreciated.
Water please
ขอน้ำครับ / ขอน้ำค่ะ
(khor nam krap / khor nam ka)
The bill please
Bin Krup / Ka
No sugar please
ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล
mai sai namtaan
No ice
ไม่ใส่น้ำแข็ง
mai sai nam khaeng
Can I have a menu?
ขอเมนูหน่อย
khor menu noi
Very delicious
อร่อยมาก
aroi maak
Can I have a spoon?
Khor chón som nòi
In many local restaurants, you ask for the bill when you are ready rather than waiting for it automatically.
4. Shopping and Money
Whether at markets, malls, or street stalls, these phrases are very helpful.
How much is this?
อันนี้ราคาเท่าไหร่ (an nee raa khaa thao rai)
or
for asking just “How much?”
thao-rai krap / ka
Too expensive!
(phaeng pai!)
Can you lower the price?
(lot dai mai)
Bargaining is common in some markets but should always be done politely and with a friendly attitude.
I don’t want it
(mai ao)
Do you have smaller size?
มีไซส์เล็กกว่านี้ไหม (mee size lek gwaa nee mai)
5. Getting Around and Asking for Directions
Transportation is easy in Thailand, and basic navigation phrases help a lot.
Where is the bathroom?
ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน
(hong nam yoo tee nai)
Go straight
ตรงไป
(trong pai)
Turn left
เลี้ยวซ้าย
(liao sai)
Turn right
เลี้ยวขวา
(liao khwa)
Stop here
จอดที่นี่
(jot tee nee)
Useful when taking taxis or ride services.
How far is it?
ไกลไหม (glai mai)
I’m getting off here
ลงตรงนี้
(long trong nee)
6. Common Everyday Expressions
These phrases appear constantly in daily Thai life.
Yes
ใช่ (Chai)
No
ไม่ใช่ (Mai Chai)
I understand
เข้าใจ (Khao Jai)
I don’t understand
ไม่เข้าใจ (Mai khao jai)
Speak slowly please
พูดช้าๆหน่อย (phoot chaa chaa noi)
Can you speak English?
พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม (phoot phaa saa angkrit dai mai)
7. Social Warmth and Respect
Thai communication places great importance on tone and attitude. Even simple phrases feel different depending on how gently they are spoken.
It’s okay / no problem
ไม่เป็นไร (mai pen rai)
This phrase reflects a relaxed cultural mindset. It is used to reassure others, respond to thanks, or express that something is not a big issue.
Thai does not have a direct equivalent used in every sentence like English. Politeness is usually shown through tone and polite particles instead.
Understanding Polite Particles
One of the most important features of Thai speech is the polite ending.
- ครับ (krap) — usually used by men
- ค่ะ (ka) — used by women
These are added at the end of many sentences to show politeness. They do not change the meaning of the sentence, but they change how respectful it sounds.
For example:
Thank you — ขอบคุณครับ / ขอบคุณค่ะ (khop kun krap/ khop kun ka)
Yes — ใช่ครับ / ใช่ค่ะ (chai krap / chai ka)
Using these particles regularly makes your speech sound natural and friendly.
Pronunciation Tips
Thai is a tonal language, which means the pitch of your voice changes meaning. Even if your grammar is correct, incorrect tone may cause confusion.
However, beginners do not need perfect tones immediately. Clear effort, polite tone and relaxed speaking are more important for daily communication. Thai people are generally patient and supportive when foreigners try to speak their language.
You do not need to speak perfect Thai to communicate effectively in Thailand. A small number of polite, practical phrases can help you navigate daily life, show respect and build friendly interactions.
As you continue learning, these simple phrases will form the foundation for deeper conversations and cultural understanding. Each word you use opens a small door into Thai life and even small efforts are warmly received by Thai people.
Numbers
1–10
1 – nùeng
2 – sŏng
3 – sǎam
4 – sìi
5 – hâa
6 – hòk
7 – jèt
8 – bpàet
9 – gâo
10 – sìp
11-20
11 is 10 + et (sip et)
Rest are 10 + number (sip + number)
11 – (sip et)
12 – (sip song)
13 – (sip saam)
14 – (sip see)
15 – (sip haa)
16 – (sip hok)
17 – (sip jet)
18 – (sip paet)
19 – (sip gao)
Just like 11, 20 is special. It will be Yee Sip not song sip. One more thing you can remember is that after 1, it will be “et” so 21 is yee sip et not yee sip nueng. Same for 31, 41, 91 etc.
21 – Yee sip et
22 – Yee sip song
23 – Yee sip saam
24 – Yee sip see
25 – Yee sip haa
26 – Yee sip hok
27 – Yee sip jet
28 – Yee sip paet
29 – Yee sip gao
30 – Saam sip
31 – Saam sip et
32 – Saam sip song
33 – Saam sip saam
34 – Saam sip sii
35 – Saam sip haa
36 – Saam sip hok
37 – Saam sip jet
38 – Saam sip paet
39 – Saam sip gao
40 – Sii sip
41 – sìi sìp èt
42 – sìi sìp sŏng
43 – sìi sìp sǎam
44 – sìi sìp sìi
45 – sìi sìp hâa
46 – sìi sìp hòk
47 – sìi sìp jèt
48 – sìi sìp bpàet
49 – sìi sìp gâo
50 – hâa sìp
51 – haa sip et
52 – haa sip song
53 – haa sip saam
54 – haa sip sii
55 – haa sip haa
56 – haa sip hok
57 – haa sip jet
58 – haa sip bpaet
59 – haa sip gao
60 – hok sip
61 – hok sip et
62 – hok sip song
63 – hok sip saam
64 – hok sip sii
65 – hok sip haa
66 – hok sip hok
67 – hok sip jet
68 – hok sip bpaet
69 – hok sip gao
70 – jet sip
71 – jet sip et
72 – jet sip song
73 – jet sip saam
74 – jet sip sii
75 – jet sip haa
76 – jet sip hok
77 – jet sip jet
78 – jet sip bpaet
79 – jet sip gao
80 – bpaet sip
81 – bpaet sip et
82 – bpaet sip song
83 – bpaet sip saam
84 – bpaet sip sii
85 – bpaet sip haa
86 – bpaet sip hok
87 – bpaet sip jet
88 – bpaet sip bpaet
89 – bpaet sip gao
90 – gao sip
91 – gao sip et
92 – gao sip song
93 – gao sip saam
94 – gao sip sii
95 – gao sip haa
96 – gao sip hok
97 – gao sip jet
98 – gao sip bpaet
99 – gao sip gao
100 – nueng roi