Inside Thailand: Important Phrases

Transliteration of Thai to English - is difficult to do well - almost impossible - so hearing the language is important in trying to get a few good phrases. Try Simple Thai Phrases for some basics and links to many audio pages.

Thai Language has links to audio Thai - so you can hear what it actually sounds like. It is actually quite difficult to right the real sounds of Thai in English - and you will notice GREAT variations - hear it and you know it!

If you are travelling in the major tourist areas of Thailand -- Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ko Samui, etc. -- you will have little trouble finding locals who speak at least a little English. But a few handy phrases can go a long way to get a friendly reception wherever you go in the country. Plus, the more you speak, the more you'll pick up!

The first thing you need to know is that the Thai language changes a bit whether the speaker is a man or a woman. For poiteness's sake, you should end every sentence with the syllable "kup" if you're a man or "kaa" if you're a woman. Personal pronouns also change according to the gender of the speaker , but simple conversation, you can just use the generic "chun" for "I" or "me".

A few handy phrases

Mai Aow Khrap - I don't want - smile when you say it and any unwanted street seller will go away.

In many areas Thais pronounce"R" as "L"...so "roi" (100)becomes "Loi" and "restaurant" becomes "Lesterlong".

Sometimes they don't say it at all...Sri Racha is pronounced "See Rachaa". "pla" (fish) becomes "Pha" and "Khrap" = "Khap"

• Important Phrases
  
• Be prepared
  
• Tipping & Etiquette
  
• Art and Galleries
  
• Day Trips
  
• Family Travel
  
• Health & Safety
  
• Local handicraft
  
• Nightlife