Useful Thai phrases

Thai is spoken by 95% of Thailand’s Population. When traveling in Thailand, learning a few Thai phrases will be an added advantage. You will be alternately praised and appreciated by the Thais; many of them who barely speak English or no English at all. One of the best reasons for you to learn Thai is that it helps you gain insight to its rich and beautiful culture. In addition, it will help you to easily get around Thailand easier.

Whenever you speak Thai, if you are male, you should end the sentence with “Krab” and “Kha” if you are a female. Thai Language has five tones, which are low, middle, high, rising, and falling. Vowel length is important when speaking Thai, because if you speak the word longer, it will change the meaning of the word. The best way to learn a language is through listening to native speakers.

Shopping is the first thing, many tourists do when they arrive in Thailand. Thailand has a lot to offer in terms of shopping from air-conditioned shopping malls to dozens of outdoor markets. Department stores usually have a fixed price, but in markets, you can bargain the price.

It is important to learn Thai numbers if you want to be serious about shopping and bargaining in Thailand. Prices in department stores are marked but you will have to ask the price in outdoor market then try to make it cheaper.

Once you have mastered from one to ten, the rest is easy.

Number's Unit - 10: Sib, 100: Roi, 1,000 Pan, 10,000: Muen, 100,000: Saen, 1,000,000: Laan

Example- 21: Yee sib et, 22: Yee sib song, 23: Yee sib saam, 30: Sam sib et, 32: Saam sib song, 45: See Sib har, 57: Har sib jed, 63: Hok sib saam, 71: Jed sib et, 89: Pad sib gao, 98: Gao sib paed, 1200: Nueng pan song soi, 1,312: Nueng pan sam roi sib song

From the above example I hope you can pretty much combine the unit with the numbers.

Learning another language is certainly challenging, but if you cannot get all the phrases listed here at the first time, do not be disheartened. Listen how native people speak and practice as practice makes one perfect.

Reader's comments:

just got back from my 14th trip. still love it and will continue to visit, both alone and with my family Added by: ian    Report abuse

viseted pattaya a couple of times afew years ago andit was the best time ive ever had woderful people fantastic country.but treat them with respect.a lot men i know treated the girls like slaves.and abused them .dont forget they are human beings to and its the only way they can survive. Added by: taffy    Report abuse

i will go to pattaya this sunday...for FOUR WEEKS holidays....that is the paradaise in earth..(im coming from Bradford) i been four times and i bough a condo there....im single and thai people is the more nice people in the earth too. Added by: gerard    Report abuse

Hi ,can anyone help me with some thai phrases as i am dating a thai girl in Singapore.More so, thai romance funny sentences that thrills the girl. Thanks My email is davidlow10@hotmail.com Added by: Dave    Report abuse

can I have somali girl or soamali ladyboys over there in pattaya Added by: me hurre garowe    Report abuse

the land of smiles is an amazing country, with lots to do, see & more to offer, the bar girl scene is there for all to see and if its not for you, just stay clear its as easy as that. i am a farang and proud of it! Added by: darren    Report abuse

ABSOLUTLEY FAB! i have now got lots of Thai words and phrases on paper and i have a whole folder! From little english girl. 9 years old Added by: english girl    Report abuse

irst time to Thailand and I am spellbound by the beautiful country but most of all the friendliness of the Thai people. I have been to many country but never was greeted by such friendliness. I love the beautiful Thai ladies and especially my special Thai lady Paranee. I fall in love with her and hope to marry her in the future. So love stories do begin in Pattaya, Thailand Added by: Domo    Report abuse

Sawasdee Khap! I went to Thailand 16 years ago now and found the whole experience amazing and totally mindblowing. I learnt the language as best as I could and I think it really helped enhance my time there. We didn t go to the really touristy places, we went to Chiang Mai, Krueng Thep and Hua Hin. Added by: Toby    Report abuse

I m passionate about Thailand & as other posters have said think they are lovely people & its a beautiful country with lots of history & culture. I ve driven all over Thailand. As for Jello avoiding tourist traps & a self imposed 8pm curfew. One wonders why you bother going there at all, there s so much more you re not seeing. I traveled the world alone for 6 months, i never had any trouble either. I enjoy a drink or 4, make sure to visit all the tourist traps & like to be back at the hotel by 05.a.m. :-) Added by: Lancashirelad    Report abuse

pattaya of coarse the best place i had visited and again going to visit in the jan 22nd beautifull girls and happy days to spent but just with a girl by paying bar fines dont go with a girl without bar fines just be carefull enjoy pattaya the best place i like Added by: 1234    Report abuse

Been four times in Thailand with my family. If you are in Thailand and say: I want to go to Pattaya so many people say: Oh! Bad place. Why go there? here are so many other more interesting and nice places in Thailand. But I don t pay attention and been there already two times with my family and we all had a good time. Even my kids felt safe there. And who cares if it s too commercial? Good food, a lot of choice, friendly people, a beach. We like it and will go back. Added by: pokapok    Report abuse

i dont pretend to be a thailand expert but i found the people friendly and very genuine, im sure there are bad thai people out there but every country has its bad element. i have to say Thailand is one of the few places in the world i would feel comfortable travelling to for a holiday on my own.Spent several weeks in pattaya and Udon Thani and never encountered any agro from thai or ex pats could i say that about other towns in america and europe (i dont think so) Added by: a fan    Report abuse

oh, please, you have not lived in asia for 20 yrs or you would know better. that said, there are more wonderful people in thailand than there are bad people, but there are bad people - get a life dude, there are many good westerners here too Added by: mai khao jai    Report abuse

I have been traveling to Pattaya for 2yrs i have bought a house you could say i am an expat i still comute to the u.k.to work but i find the Thai people very pleasant more so my Thai lady,lets not forget there is a crime rate every where no matter where you go i can not wait untill i retire in such a lovely country. Added by: Harry    Report abuse

Hello all, to all of those people slating another country, take a look at your own first. America - highest crime/murder rate, and so forth. You could go on for days naming the bad points of countries. The best thing to do is remember the good things about them. Thailand is a beautiful country, with fantastic people and great food. I have been to many countries and seen alot of crazy things and have had some bad stuff happen, but so what? bad things happen to good people, right? So, please, get over it, have a drink, and have some fun. - oh and to whoever said they see us as just wallets, maybe thats best, as we seem to think its ok to exploit a country for the seediest of activites, it seems only fair.... we see Iraqi s as obstacles to oil....so....who s in the right? - Remeber this - we are all flawed and we are all human. Its been fun :) Added by: Kai    Report abuse

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