How to Speak Thai Like a Local During Your Vacation

Learning a few phrases in the local dialect of the country you are travelling to makes the entire experience easier and wholesome. Not only do you get to feel like a local, but you are also treated differently by the locals who find your efforts at being a part of their culture a great honour. This article on how to speak Thai like a local during your vacation will teach a few useful and easy phrases.

Basic Phrases in Thai to Help You Communicate Easier

Thai nationals value honour and respect, a factor that’s reflected in their dialect as well. Basic phrases are often spoken in polite terms with simple words added to the end denoting a form of ‘thank you’. Politeness is so honoured that the phrases are segregated according to gender. Here are the rules.

Males should end their sentences with krap/khrup

Females must end their sentences with kap/ka

The simple word added to the end of a question or a statement makes it polite, and respectful; kind of like ‘please’ added to a question asked in English. Here are some common phrases you will benefit from learning when travelling in Thailand. Especially areas like Koh Phangan are loved for their rustic beach vibes and laid back local ambience. The area is not as modern as Bangkok and knowing a few local phrases will help your entire experience when discovering the fabulous things to do on Koh Phangan. Combine your local experience with plenty of modern comforts choosing accommodation at a place like Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas.

Remember to end each of these phrases with krap/khrup or kap/ka according to your gender.

Hello – Sawadee

No – Mai

Yes – Chai

Thank you – khop khun

No worries- Mai pen rai (one of the commonest phrases, which is closely associated with “oh, never mind” or “it’s okay” in English

Excuse me/sorry – Khor thoad

To ask if someone can speak in English? - Kun pood paasaa anggrit dai mai

Maybe – Aaj ja

To ask where the restroom is – Hong nam yoo tee nai?

To say that you require a doctor’s attention – Phom dong gaan hai mor maa raak sa

Learn the above phrases and it will make your travels easier, and less of a foreigner making their way around the nation.

Thai Greetings You Can Learn to Sound More Local

There is no greater thrill than to see the face of a local light up when you use a few words in their language. The impact is quite favourable with the use of Thai greetings, which will earn you deeper respect. So, when in Thailand, greet a friend or stranger using the following phrases and see how impressed they are.

To ask how someone is doing? – Sawadee (khrup or ka)

Hello – Sawadee (khrup or ka)

To bid adieu – La gorn (khrup or ka)

Essential Thai Phrases When Ordering Food

The times you decide to explore the local street food will be better experiences when you know a few local phrases. The vast variety of food is quite mind-boggling and there sure will be times you wish you could communicate better to clarify ingredients or how spicy the first bite is going to be. Save yourself some trouble and learn the following Thai phrases before you check in to your hotel in Thailand.

Not spicy – mai phet

Really spicy – phet mak

A little spicy – phet nit nawy

Delicious - aroy

To say that you’d like to order something – sang aa-haan

What to Say in Thai When Shopping

Let’s not forget those shopping experiences where you are left struggling to get your point across, especially when haggling for a better price. Here are two of the most important phrases to know when shopping in Thailand.

To ask whether a discount can be obtained? - ga ru na lot ra ka hai noi (don’t forget krup or ka)

How much is this? – ra ka tao rai?

That is expensive – paeng mak

To further expand your vocabulary and integrate yourself into the local Thai culture, you can download a language app, or arm yourself with an English to Thai dictionary and practice learning the language prior to your departure to your fabulous beach resort in Koh Phangan.