Phrases every visitor in Thailand should know

[reader]

From the Thaiger

Whether you’re visiting Thailand for business or pleasure, it’s always beneficial to understand the local language. Learning useful Thai phrases means showing effort and respect for the local culture. It will help ease interactions between you and the locals, making your trip more accessible and more enjoyable. Since Thai is a tonal language, it can be challenging to learn. You’ll likely make mistakes at first, but don’t let that discourage you. Even if you pronounce something wrong, most locals will still appreciate your effort and may even help you pronounce it correctly.

 

Khap and ka

Before continuing with the greetings and other useful Thai phrases, we should first cover some basic rules. To make your sentence or question more polite and respectful, it’s essential to end your sentences with the word khap/ka when you are conversing with someone in Thai.

There’s no direct translation of khap/ka in English. It’s based on the gender of the person speaking, not who you are talking to. So if you are a male, you should finish your sentence with the word khap or krap. If you are a female, complete your sentence with the phrase ka.

–Khun

Khun is a polite way to address a person. You add the word before a person’s name. While it is similar to using Mr. or Ms. in English, there’s no direct correlation to English.

 

Out of all useful Thai phrases, greeting someone and saying thank you are the essential Thai phrases you need to know. Mastering these Thai phrases will help connect you with the people you meet in the country.

–Hello – Sa-Wat-Dee

Sawatdee is one word you’ll probably use a lot in Thailand. It’s a way to say hi or hello in Thai, so try to use it to greet anyone who crosses your path. Don’t forget to add khap or ka at the end to make a complete, polite greeting. You might butcher the word at first, but don’t worry; most Thais will kindly help you with the correct pronunciation.

–Thank you – Khob Khun

 

Sorry/excuse me – Kor Toht

You can use kor toht krap/ka to apologize or ask people for your attention. You can also use it to dismiss yourself from a setting or express condolences.

–No problem/it’s alright – Mai Pen Rai

Mai pen rai is a way to respond to someone’s apology or gratitude. You’ll most likely hear this phrase a lot in Thailand. Using mai pen rai tells the other person they’re not bothering you.

–Yes/No – Chai/Mai or Dai/Mai Dai

The words yes and no are used differently in different contexts. If someone asks you whether something is right or wrong, use chai (yes) or mai chai (no) to answer the question. However, if someone asks you about your ability to do something, respond with dai (yes – can) or mai dai (no – can’t).

 

I don’t understand – Mai Khao Jai.

When you don’t understand something, say “mai khao jai.” Upon hearing this phrase, the other person may try to find different ways to explain whatever they’re trying to tell you.

–Goodbye – La Gorn

When you part ways with someone, use “la gorn khap/ka” to say goodbye to them. Sometimes, a simple wai might be enough if you’re not confident enough to pronounce the phrase.

Continues with video

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/useful-thai-phrases-every-visitor-in-thailand-should-know

[pong2]

Or this old-fashioned book-likely still for sale/in stock at (some) ASIAboox outlets: (as I was unsure after nearly 1000 days what knowledge of this beautiful THai language is still with me, I took it as a kind of reminder/help_ whilst waiting for the plane to BKK I was delighted I could understand much of the very clear and neat Thai that some around me spoke.

THai to you, by Andreas Schottenlober, ed. D.K. Today Ltd , 2562, (that is Duang Kamol, a long standing general Thai editor and bookseller), just 99 bt.

BUT for us much, much more interesting-so much that it was even forbidden in TH (I bought mine in either SIN or MY):Outrageous Thai, slang, curses, epithets. By T.F. ROden. Tuttle Publications (these also do many of those coffeetable book travelguides for ASEAN), Tokyo/Singapore. Periplus edtions, 2008-so likely out of stock. Wonder if that would be found somewhere on this www- I think even der Christian could still learn out of it.

[gayinpattaya]

Pretty shocked how bad this advice is from a media organisation like The Thaiger. I guess since Tim left it really has gone to the dogs. TnT News is great though so check that one out (his new solo venture)

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Khun is a polite way to address a person. You add the word before a person’s name. While it is similar to using Mr. or Ms. in English, there’s no direct correlation to English.

=====

This is the worst. Khun means "you" but can also be used to address a person, but rarely is. It's mostly foreigners saying it.  "Oh Hello Khun Chai, How Are You".... nah.. just don't. 

- you are hungry
- Khun Hiw
- คุณหิว

----
Probably worth noting that many boys you meet will not say Krap. They will say Ka. The gender rules are not culturally enforced and people are free to refer to themselves as they wish. Many bar boys and gay boys will also use Chan, instead of Phom. Most Thai people think nothing of it, so learning both means you won't have to think about it either. 

I'm still in my first year of Thai Language school. It's a fascinating language to learn, but a huge learning curve. You essentially have to forget everything you know about western language and start over. 

 

[iendo]

21 minutes ago, gayinpattaya said:

Probably worth noting that many boys you meet will not say Krap. They will say Ka.

 

I have only heard Fem boys say this.

 

 

[gayinpattaya]

2 minutes ago, iendo said:

I have only heard Fem boys say this.

 

 

I hear it from many normal gay boys. Every day. 
"fem boy" isn't a thing in Thailand. It's another western invention with no real relevance in Thai culture. 

[iendo]

18 minutes ago, gayinpattaya said:

I hear it from many normal gay boys. Every day. 
"fem boy" isn't a thing in Thailand. It's another western invention with no real relevance in Thai culture. 

20 years in Thailand, visiting and years living, never have I heard someone manly say "Ka."

I don't understand what relevance "fem boy" needs to have when my comment is directed at you and others on this board. You knew immediately what I meant when I said it, right?

ps

Hehehe, and I just learned that some men do it when they want to talk with a soft tone especially to women...so, that might be why I never heard it. Everyone else can draw their own conclusions.

[gayinpattaya]

10 minutes ago, iendo said:

20 years in Thailand, visiting and years living, never have I heard someone manly say "Ka."

I don't understand what relevance "fem boy" needs to have when my comment is directed at you and others on this board. You knew immediately what I meant when I said it, right?

 

I never said "manly". I said bar boys / gay boys. 

fem boy is an American word. Where I am from we just said "tranny" when I was growing up.

Ultimately I can only know what I am taught at my Language school, and by Thai friends who help me practice my Thai speaking, reading and writing. 

If I'm wrong, I apologise 

[floridarob]

51 minutes ago, gayinpattaya said:

Probably worth noting that many boys you meet will not say Krap. They will say Ka

Rephrase that.....the boys you hang around say Ka, some of us prefer a man  😏

 

16 minutes ago, iendo said:

20 years in Thailand, visiting and years living, never have I heard someone manly say "Ka."

His type do....plus add drama and he's in heaven 😲

 

 

52 minutes ago, gayinpattaya said:

I'm still in my first year of Thai Language school. It's a fascinating language to learn, but a huge learning curve.

You still struggle with English 😝

[iendo]

28 minutes ago, gayinpattaya said:

fem boy is an American word. Where I am from we just said "tranny" when I was growing up.
 

Fem boy and Tranny aren't the same. Give it a google.

[10tazione]

Watch Thai BL series and you will learn the full range of pronouns ueed!

[gayinpattaya]

1 hour ago, 10tazione said:

Watch Thai BL series and you will learn the full range of pronouns ueed!

It's "uuuu-e" 🤣

[colmx]

I don't think I have ever heard a single Thai say "la gorn"

The semi westernised will say bye-bye or good night. Issan folk will simply walk away saying nothing. Same way they end their phone calls without saying goodbye!

[Gaybutton]

Do you want to know the best way to learn Thai?  Listen - and listen very carefully.  Forget about phrase books.  And make sure to get the tones right. Often if you don't say the word with the correct tone, they don't understand what you are trying to say.  The tone is just as important as the word itself.

[scott456]

I like to know how to say "fuck you" in Thai.

[pong2]

Do you mean that literally (as for to do this deed) or as the US way to just swear off someone?

The latter: you had better not say that in Thai, unless you really want heaps of trouble. Thai have more refined ways of expressing such a state of mood. But those with some exposure to western culture (about 99% of the guys you are likely to meet here) will understand it in USA/en/.

For the 1st: any guy you meet will understand this or even himself tell before to you he will -or will not -allow that. Plus that if one selects a guy anywhere for some pleasure making, this will be clear from the start what to expect.

 

On the subject of adding the polite krap/kah after sentence: once, various yrs ago, there were some trials to get gays (a real ´gay´ in Thai is a hoomoo, gay usually only means the guy will do bottoming) use Kuh (or keh, in some other writings). As a kind of in between. This may have caused this misunderstanding. i do not think it has been followed up and died a soft death. BTW-Lao use other terms for krap/kah.

[Gaybutton]

2 hours ago, scott456 said:

I like to know how to say "fuck you" in Thai.

E hah! - Be very careful how you use it and who it is directed at.  The recipient is unlikely to take it lightly or think it's funny.

Don't confuse that with Yee haw.  Yee haw means brand name

Just out of curiosity, why did you want to know that one?

[ChristianPFC]

"Yet Mae", literally "fuck (your) mother" is use the same way as a general insult as "fuck you" in English.

"Ai Hea" literally "insulting prefix + monitor lizard" is used in a similar way (monitor lizard has a similar status as rat or dog or pig in insults in English).

Without tones, and teaching the tourist how to pronounce them, the transcriptions are almost useless.

[gayinpattaya]

On 11/16/2022 at 8:46 AM, Gaybutton said:

E hah! - Be very careful how you use it and who it is directed at.  The recipient is unlikely to take it lightly or think it's funny.

Don't confuse that with Yee haw.  Yee haw means brand name

Just out of curiosity, why did you want to know that one?

Yeah..... 
Please, never say this. Really there is no need. For reference, the E is flat tone, HA is rising/up tone. But still..... Never say it haha

[Gaybutton]

14 hours ago, gayinpattaya said:

Please, never say this. Really there is no need.

I agree.  Find some other way to express your displeasure about something - and be careful how you do that too.  It will especially be frowned upon if a farang says it, and any Thai who overhears it also won't appreciate it.  And there have been many incidents when the "unappreciation" directed at a farang lands the farang in a hospital.

In Thailand one of the worst mistakes a farang can make is getting angry and/or arguing.  Neither will get you anywhere and the only outcome will be negative - for the farang.  If it is something serious, call the police.  They don't want any trouble harming the "good image" of Pattaya or anywhere else in Thailand.  But whatever it is, get yourself out of the situation as gracefully as possible.  You may not like it, but that's the way it is.

Believe me, once you lose self control, now you've lost all control.