Thailandee!com
Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Home > Practical information Thailand > Language
The Thai language
How to make yourself understood during your trip to Thailand?
Thai is the official language, but as Thailand is a very touristy country, you will have no trouble finding someone who speaks English (except in really remote areas). So if you speak a little English, you should have no difficulty making yourself understood while traveling in Thailand. There's no need to be perfectly bilingual: just know how to ask for directions, order food or book a room... I still recommend learning a few basic Thai words and phrases, or using smartphone apps that can translate or even speak Thai for you (see below).The Thai language
Thai is very different from Western languages. Its sounds and tones are often hard for us to distinguish and reproduce, and it has its own alphabet. The language is based on 5 different tones, which can completely change the meaning of a word – sometimes even to the opposite. Grammatically, however, Thai is a fairly easy language. The Thai alphabet is made up of rounded, looping characters: it has 44 consonants and 32 vowels, some of which are now obsolete. In short, as you will have understood, learning Thai is far from easy!
Learn some Thai before leaving
Thai people really appreciate it when tourists know a few Thai words, for example to say hello and thank you. Here are some expressions that, if you make the effort to use them, should bring out the famous Thai smile and an even warmer welcome. Note that in Thai, men end their sentences with the polite word “khrap” and women with “kha”.Some useful Thai words for your trip
Greetings / Introductions
| Hello / Goodbye | Sawasdee |
| How are you? | Sabaïdee maï ? |
| My name is Jean | Chew Jean |
| Nice to meet you | Yin dee tee daï rou djak |
At the restaurant
| The menu, please | Khô meniu noï |
| I'll have pad thai | Khô pad thaï noï |
| How much is it? | Raka tao raï |
| The bill, please | Check bin na |
| Water | Naam |
| Beer | Bia |
Ask for directions
| Where is ...? | ... you ti naï ? |
| I want to go to ... | Yak paï tee ... |
| Does this bus go to Chiang Mai? | Rot mae nee paï ti Chieung Mai maï ? |
| Does this train go to Chiang Mai? | Rot faï nee paï ti Chieung Mai maï ? |
| Bangkok | Krungthep |
Some useful Thai verbs
| to have | mi |
| to be (someone) | pen |
| to be (somewhere) | you |
| to eat | khin khao |
| to want | yak |
| to go | paï |
| to like (something) | chop |
| to love (someone) | rak |
Numbers
| 1 | neung | 7 | djet |
| 2 | song | 8 | bèt |
| 3 | saam | 9 | gaao |
| 4 | sii | 10 | sip |
| 5 | haa | 11 | sip èt |
| 6 | hôk | 20 | yi sip |
Ten is “sip”: put 4 in front of it to say 40, 3 for 30, etc., then add the units.
If you want to learn more, have a look at these Thai language video lessons.
Apps to talk with Thai people
Google Translate
The most useful tool once in Thailand, and free (iOS / Android):
- conversation mode: each person speaks in their own language and the app translates out loud
- camera: point it at a menu, a sign or a label and the translation appears on top
- offline: download Thai before you leave and the app works even without mobile data.
On iPhone, Apple's built-in Translate app does much the same and also supports Thai.
An AI assistant in voice mode (ChatGPT, Gemini…)
For a real conversation, it feels more natural than Google Translate: the assistant handles context and polite phrases better. It does need an internet connection. The trick is to give it instructions before you start, for example:
"You are my interpreter between English and Thai. When I speak English, repeat what I say in Thai, politely, ending your sentences with 'khrap' (or 'kha' if I am a woman). When someone speaks Thai to you, translate it into English. Do not answer yourself and do not comment, only translate."
Then put the phone between you and the other person and take turns speaking.
Grab's in-app chat
In the Grab app (taxis and ride-hailing), messages with the driver are translated automatically: handy to tell them where you are waiting.
Find accommodation in Thailand
Booking.com
Transport in Thailand
Type your departure city, your destination and the date of your trip.
Powered by 12Go Asia system
Traveling in Thailand
A little tip for the guide ?
If Thailandee.com website has helped you prepare your travel in Thailand, do not hesitate to give me a small tip by clicking on the button below. Thanks a lot !