15 Thai Phrases You Should Know Before Traveling to Thailand

Basic Thai Language Rule

In other languages such as Spanish and German, each word is assigned a gender, and the grammar you use around it needs to reflect that. However, that is not the case with the Thai Language.

For the Thai Language, we have a word that we use to add politeness to sentences. This word is often used when talking to someone you don't know very well - basically, everyone you will encounter on your trip. The word you use will depend on YOUR gender.

For example, if you are a man, you would want to end every sentence with the word "krub" (ครับ) when you are talking to Thai people. If you are a woman, you would want to end every sentence with the word "ka" (คะ).

To know how this word (krub/ka) is used in real life, let's take a look at the first word that you should master before traveling in Thailand: greetings.

Tips: What is cool about the word krub/ka is that you can also use it in English, and it will still sound right, and the Thais will appreciate you using it even if they understand English. Like you can say "I don't speak Thai ka", and it will still sound awesome.

15 Useful Thai Phrases for Travel

1. Greetings in Thai

Sa Wad Dee (krub/ka): The universal way to greet a Thai is the word "sa wad dee" (สวัสดี), which can be used any time and is often accompanied by the Wai (ไหว้) gesture, the Thai version of shaking hands.

As I mentioned previously, since you will be talking to people you don't know, it is important to add the word "krub/ka" to every sentence you speak to make it more polite.

So, if you are a woman, you would say "Sa Wad Dee Ka" (สวัสดีคะ), and if you are a man, you would say "Sa Wad Dee krub" (สวัสดีครับ), no matter the gender of the receiving end. Again, the usage of the words krub/ka depends on your gender, not the other party.

Once you remember this golden rule, you should have no trouble using the krub/ka words in other phrases on this list to make the sentence sound a little smoother and more polite to Thai ears.

2. Thank You in Thai

Kob Khun (krub/ka): This is an easy one. Whenever you want to thank someone in Thailand, you should say "Kob Khun" (krub/ka) and they will say the same back.

Like when you go out and buy some street food to eat, when you pay, just say "Kob Khun (krub/ka)" and they will say it back. It is always a great word to break the ice with the locals and exchange a few smiles with them.

3. Yes/No in Thai

Chai / Mai (krub/ka): This is a rather interesting word as there is a synonym you can use in place of the translated word. The word for "yes" in Thai is Chai (krub/ka), but you can also simply use the word "krub/ka" as a way to agree. Isn't that neat?

For example, if you are a woman and someone asks you if this is your scooter, you could say "chai ka" or simply "ka" to answer their question. The same goes for men, you could say "krub" instead of "chai krub" as well.

For no, the Thai word is "mai (krub/ka)" and that is it. There is no synonym like the word yes, but that's definitely for the better. We would want a situation to be like in the movie, The Dictator and the word Aladeen 🤣.

4. How Much in Thai

Tao Rai (krub/ka): The phrase to use when you want to ask how much things are is "Tao Rai (krub/ka)", together with your pointing to the item you want to know the price of.

This is a phrase to use when you are in a market and you wish to ask how much the thing you want to buy is, and then you will either have to point or hold up the item you are referring to.

Now, if the price is too expensive, you can ask for a discount with the words "Lode Dai Mhai (krub/ka)", and then the negotiation begins. Use the words "Paeng Pai (krub/ka)" to tell them it's too expensive, and they will likely give you a bigger discount.

5. How Are You in Thai

Sabai Dee Mhai (krub/ka): If you want to ask a Thai how they are, you can use the phrase "Sabai Dee Mhai (krub/ka)." If they ask you the same, you would say "Sabai Dee (krub/ka)" to answer that you are fine.

6. No Problem in Thai

Mai Pen Rai (krub/ka): This is an awesome Thai word that technically means "No Problem" and can be used to answer someone when they say thank you. However, the phrase also has other different applications that non-Thai people would have a hard time understanding. For example, Thais sometimes use this word to save face when they make a mistake, etc.

There are many interpretations when it comes to the phrase "Mai Pen Rai", but all you need to know is that when someone says thank you to you, you can respond with "Mai Pen Rai (krub/ka)."

You can also use "Mai Pen Rai (krub/ka)" when you want to kindly reject someone else's offer, like if a tuk-tuk comes and asks you if you want a taxi. These are the two applications you will likely use when you are traveling in Thailand.

7. My Name Is in Thai

Rao Chue _______ (krub/ka): If you want to introduce yourself, you can use the phrase "Rao Chue" followed by your name and "krub/ka". "Rao" is a gender-neutral word used to refer to oneself, and "chue" is a Thai word meaning "name". So, if your name is Pete, you would say "Rao Chue Pete krub". That's it. Pretty easy, isn't it?

8. Excuse Me in Thai

Kho Tode (krub/ka): If someone is blocking your way without realizing (trust me, this happens more than you think, especially in Bangkok, with those slow walkers!), you would say Kho Tode (krub/ka). You could also use this phrase to apologize as well.

For example, if you are the last to arrive on the bus where everyone is waiting for you, you could say "Kho Tode (krub/ka)" and just hide away from the prying eyes of the Thais 😅😅.

9. Good Bye/Good Luck in Thai

Choke Dee (krub/ka): If you want to say goodbye or wish someone good luck in Thai, you could say "Choke Dee (krub/ka)" to them. The word can be used interchangeably for both goodbye and good luck.

For example, if you spent some time with your host in Thailand and you are about to say goodbye to each other, you can say "Choke Dee (krub/ka)" after a hug and wave goodbye.

10. Cheers in Thai

Chon Kaew: Now, there is no better ice-breaker with the Thais than to have a drink with them, raise glasses, and cheer with them using the Thai word "Chon Kaew", which is literally translated as "Let's clink our glasses together."

This word is extremely useful when you want to make new local friends at a club or a pub. The Thais are extremely fond of tourists, and if you ask them to Chon Kaew, they will. We are easy to befriend that way 😅.

As you can see, I didn't add (krub/ka) word to the end, as this word is often used in a casual environment. Therefore, you do not have to be formal by adding the word krub/ka to the end.

11. Awesome! in Thai

Sood Yod: "Awesome" is often one of the first words I learn when I travel somewhere that does not speak English. 90% of the time, I always get a laugh when I use it elsewhere, like when I say it to a taxi driver in Beijing who finally took me to the right hotel after hours of being lost.

The word awesome in Thai is Sood Yod, and it is a great word to lighten a mood or simply appreciate the other party in an informal and friendly way. Hence, you do not need to add krub/ka to the end.

12. Very Beautiful! in Thai

Suay Mak: If you want to appreciate something for its beauty, such as a view or a guesthouse, you could say "Suay Mak!". It is an informal word used to admire the beauty of something or someone, which is why we don't need to add krub/ka at the end.

If you wish to appreciate a woman's beauty, you could say "Khun Suay Mak!" But if you want to appreciate men, you will have to say "Khun Lor Mak!" which means "Very Handsome." This is because, just like in English, "beautiful" is often used for women, while "handsome" is often used for men.

13. Not Spicy, Please! in Thai

Khor Mai Ped (krub/ka): When you are ordering food in Thailand, it is always a good idea to let the chef know that you don't want your food to be spicy. The phrase you can use is "Khor Mai Ped krub/ka", which translates to "Can I have it non-spicy please?"

If you can handle spice, you will have to use "Ped Nid Noi (krub/ka)" instead, because "Khor Mai Ped" means you do not want any spice at all. So, keep that in mind when you use this phrase.

14. Just A Little Bit in Thai

Nid Noi (krub/ka): From above, you can probably guess what Nid Noi means by now. The phrase "Nid Noi" is translated to "just a little bit", which can be used in several applications.

If you want your food to be a little spicy, you would say "Ped Nid Noi krub/ka." If someone asks you if you speak Thai, you can also answer them "Nid Noi krub/ka", which means you speak a little bit of Thai.

Basically, you can use this phrase in conjunction with other Thai words to quantify the amount as small, insignificant, or not of importance. For example, if you want to say "I am a little hungry" in Thai, you would say "Hew Nid Noi", where "Hew" means hungry.

15. Very Delicious! in Thai

Aroy Mak (krub/ka): Last but not least, if you want to appreciate the food you eat in Thailand, which is something you will do quite often as we have some of the most delicious food in the world, you can say "Aroy Mak".

Trust me, if you say "Aroy Mak" to the Thais preparing your food, they will be over the moon for it. It is a word greatly appreciated by the Thais, and you can easily make their day by just saying this word when you enjoy their food. There is no better way to bond with the locals than to make them smile 😉.

Looking for some tips to traveling in Thailand? Check out:10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand

Further Reading for Thailand

Looking for more information for your trip to Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:

• Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
• Planning a trip to Thailand? Here are the 11 Best Places to Visit in Thailand.
• Looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand? Check out the 10 Best Hidden Gems to Visit in Thailand.
• Visiting a country like Thailand, you are going to need a comprehensive packing list to make sure you bring everything you need for your trip. Check out: What to Pack for Thailand - The Essential Packing List.
• Wondering when the best time to visit Thailand is? Here is a complete guide on picking The Best Time to Visit Thailand.
• If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
• More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok, and there are a ton of things you shouldn't miss in this city. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok.
• Wondering which temples are worth visiting in Bangkok? Check out: 10 BEST Temples to Visit in Bangkok.
• Want to spend a day outside Bangkok but not sure where? Here are the 9 Best Day Trips To Make From Bangkok.
• Don't have a lot of time in Bangkok? Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
• Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in Bangkok. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
• For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.
• There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here are the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai, according to the locals.
• One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. Here's a complete backpacking guide and 10-day itinerary for Mae Hong Son Loop.
• Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand, Central Thailand, or Southern Thailand?
• Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
• For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.