Speak Easy : Thai Basics for Visitors

Easy everyday Thai words you’ll love to use in Chiang Mai!

Whether you’re greeting locals, ordering street food, or just exploring the markets - learning a little Thai goes a long way. Here’s your friendly guide to basic Thai that makes every interaction easier and more fun.

👋 Greetings & Basics

• Sawasdee (สวัสดี) – Hello / Goodbye

• Khob Khun (ขอบคุณ) – Thank you

• Chai / Mai Chai (ใช่ / ไม่ใช่) – Yes / No

• Dai / Mai Dai (ได้ / ไม่ได้) – Can / Cannot

🙏 Polite Thai

• Khrap / Kha (ครับ / ค่ะ) – Polite ending (men/women)

• Mai Pen Rai (ไม่เป็นไร) – It’s okay / No problem

• Yin Dee Tee Dai Roo Jak (ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก) – Nice to meet you

🍜 Eating Out

• Aroy (อร่อย) – Delicious

• Mai Phet (ไม่เผ็ด) – Not spicy

• Nam (น้ำ) – Water

• Khao (ข้าว) – Rice

🛍️ Shopping & Asking

• Tao Rai? (เท่าไหร่) – How much?

• Ra ka pi sert dai mai? (ราคาพิเศษได้ไหม) – Can I get a special price?

• Naruk (น่ารัก) – Cute

🗺️ Getting Around

• Pai Tee… (ไปที่…) – Go to…

• Sai / Khwa (ซ้าย / ขวา) – Left / Right

• Long Thang (หลงทาง) – I’m lost

💡 Bonus Tips for Travelers

• Always end sentences with “kha” (women speaker) or “khrap” (men speaker) to sound polite.

• Smiles are part of the language! Don’t worry if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

• Speak slowly, not louder, if someone doesn’t understand you.

• “Mai Pen Rai” is a super useful phrase. It means “No problem” or “It’s all good.”

Here is examples

🍜  At a Restaurant

Guest: Aroy mak! (อร่อยมาก) — Very delicious!

Server: Khob khun kha/khrap! (ขอบคุณค่ะ/ครับ) — Thank you!

Guest: Mai phet, chai mai? (ไม่เผ็ด ใช่ไหม) — Not spicy, right?

Server: Chai kha! (ใช่ค่ะ) — Yes!

🛍️  At a Market

Guest: Tao rai? (เท่าไหร่) — How much?

Vendor: Neung roi baht (หนึ่งร้อยบาท) — 100 baht

Guest: Ra ka pi sert dai mai? (ราคาพิเศษได้ไหม) — Can I get a special price?

Vendor: Dai dai! (ได้ ๆ) — Sure, sure!

🛵  Asking for Directions

Guest: Pai tee Tha Phae Gate dai mai? (ไปที่ประตูท่าแพได้ไหม) — Can I go to Tha Phae Gate?

Driver: Dai krub! (ได้ครับ) — Yes, sure!

Guest: Khob khun krub! (ขอบคุณครับ) — Thank you!

🏨  At a Hotel or Guesthouse

Receptionist: Sawasdee kha! Yin dee ton rap. (สวัสดีค่ะ ยินดีต้อนรับ) — Hello! Welcome.

Guest: Chan chong wai laew (ฉันจองไว้แล้ว) — I have a booking.

Receptionist: Khun cheu arai kha? (คุณชื่ออะไรคะ) — What is your name?

Guest: Chan cheu [your name] (ฉันชื่อ [ ..... ] ) — My name is [ ..... ]

🙏  At a Temple

Guest: Sawasdee krub. (สวัสดีครับ) — Hello.

Local: Sawasdee krub! (สวัสดีครับ) — Hello!

Guest: Wat nee chue arai? (วัดนี้ชื่ออะไร) — What is the name of this temple?

Local: Wat Chedi Luang. (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) — Chedi Luang Temple.

Guest: Suay mak! (สวยมาก) — Very beautiful!