Basic Thai phrases for travel

Excuse me

RTGS Khothot khrap

kaw-TOHT krap

Use it to get someone’s attention before a question, or to squeeze past on a crowded metro.

Covers both excuse me and sorry. To call over younger staff, Thais say “nong” (younger sibling); “phi” (older sibling) is a friendly, respectful address for anyone older. If unsure, “khothot khrap” always works.

• If you’re a woman ขอโทษค่ะ Khothot kha kaw-TOHT ka
• Calling younger staff น้องครับ Nong khrap nawng krap
• Calling someone older พี่ครับ Phi khrap pee krap

Please

RTGS Karuna

gah-roo-NAH

Add it to any order or request.

On its own it sounds unfinished. It opens a request and the polite ending closes it, as in the example. It’s the formal word, used on signs, in announcements and by service staff; in conversation Thais often leave it out and let the polite ending do the work of please, as in “chuai … noi khrap” (could you …) or “kho … noi khrap” (could I have …). Women end with “kha” (ค่ะ), or “kha” (คะ) on a question.

Thank you

RTGS Khop khun khrap

kawp-KOON krap

Say it after any small service, such as a waiter bringing a dish or a shopkeeper handing over change.

Women say “khop khun kha” (ขอบคุณค่ะ). Ending with khrap (men) or kha (women) is the polite way to speak to anyone you don’t know well.

• If you’re a woman ขอบคุณค่ะ Khop khun kha kawp-KOON ka

Thank you very much

RTGS Khop khun mak khrap

kawp-KOON mahk krap

Use it when someone has gone out of their way to help and you want to show extra gratitude.

• If you’re a woman ขอบคุณมากค่ะ Khop khun mak kha kawp-KOON mahk ka

You’re welcome

RTGS Mai pen rai khrap

mai-bpen-RAI krap

Use it after someone thanks you. “No problem” is a more casual alternative.

Literally “it’s nothing”, the everyday reply to thanks. “Yindi” is a more formal “my pleasure”.

• If you’re a woman ไม่เป็นไรค่ะ Mai pen rai kha mai-bpen-RAI ka
• Formal ยินดีครับ Yindi khrap yin-DEE krap

I’m sorry

RTGS Khothot khrap

kaw-TOHT krap

Use it to apologise when you’ve made a mistake or caused someone trouble.

The same word as excuse me. Add “ching ching” (really) for extra emphasis.

• If you’re a woman ขอโทษค่ะ Khothot kha kaw-TOHT ka
• Really sorry ขอโทษจริงๆ ครับ Khothot ching ching khrap kaw-TOHT jing-JING krap

Yes

RTGS Khrap

krap

Useful for confirming a price or accepting an offer.

Thai has no all-purpose yes. Men answer “khrap” and women “kha” (ค่ะ), which covers yes, I’m listening and okay. Because “khrap” can just mean “I hear you”, a clearer yes repeats the verb of the question: “ao khrap” (I’ll take it), “dai khrap” (I can), “mi khrap” (there is). “Chai” means that’s right.

• If you’re a woman ค่ะ Kha ka
• That’s right ใช่ครับ Chai khrap chai krap

No

RTGS Mai ao khrap

mai-OW krap

Use it to turn down an offer or an extra you didn’t ask for.

Thai says no by negating the verb. “Mai ao” (don’t want) turns down an offer; “mai chai” (not right) corrects a wrong guess.

• If you’re a woman ไม่เอาค่ะ Mai ao kha mai-OW ka
• That’s not right ไม่ใช่ครับ Mai chai khrap mai-CHAI krap

Okay

RTGS O khe khrap

oh-KAY krap

Use it to agree to a plan, a price, a meeting time or a pickup point.

“Dai” (can do) is the usual way to agree to a request.

• If you’re a woman โอเคค่ะ O khe kha oh-KAY ka
• Can do ได้ครับ Dai khrap dai krap

Perfect

RTGS Di loei khrap

dee-LUHY krap

A warmer “okay” for when a suggestion suits you.

• If you’re a woman ดีเลยค่ะ Di loei kha dee-LUHY ka

That works for me

RTGS Baep nan dai khrap

baep-NAN DAI krap

Use it to accept a suggestion, such as a later table or a different room.

• If you’re a woman แบบนั้นได้ค่ะ Baep nan dai kha baep-NAN DAI ka

No problem

RTGS Mai pen rai khrap

mai-bpen-RAI krap

Use it when someone apologises to you, or to wave off a small inconvenience.

Means no problem, never mind or don’t worry about it. You’ll hear it after apologies, small mishaps and thanks.

• If you’re a woman ไม่เป็นไรค่ะ Mai pen rai kha mai-bpen-RAI ka

One moment, please

RTGS Ro paep nueng na khrap

raw BPAEP neung nah krap

Buy yourself a few seconds at the counter while you find your wallet or decide what to buy.

• If you’re a woman รอแป๊บนึงนะคะ Ro paep nueng na kha raw BPAEP neung nah ka
• Formal สักครู่นะครับ Sak khru na khrap sak-KROO nah krap

Could you help me, please?

RTGS Chuai noi dai mai khrap

chuay NOY dai MAI krap

The polite way to open a request for assistance.

• If you’re a woman ช่วยหน่อยได้ไหมคะ Chuai noi dai mai kha chuay NOY dai MAI ka

No need, thank you

RTGS Mai tong khrap

mai DTAWNG krap

Turns down something offered for your benefit, like a bag or help carrying your luggage.

Literally “no need”. For a warmer no, add thank you: “mai tong khrap, khop khun khrap” (ไม่ต้องครับ ขอบคุณครับ).

• If you’re a woman ไม่ต้องค่ะ Mai tong kha mai DTAWNG ka

Hello

RTGS Sawatdi khrap

sah-wat-DEE krap

An everyday greeting polite enough for staff and strangers. One of the first things you should learn in any language.

Works at any time of day, and as goodbye too. Women say “sawatdi kha” (สวัสดีค่ะ). Between adults it often comes with a wai, palms pressed together at the chest. In shops and restaurants a smile and a nod is a fine response to staff.

• If you’re a woman สวัสดีค่ะ Sawatdi kha sah-wat-DEE ka

Hi

RTGS Watdi khrap

wat-DEE krap

The casual “hello” for friends and anyone you know well.

A clipped, friendly form for people your own age or younger.

• If you’re a woman หวัดดีค่ะ Watdi kha wat-DEE ka

Goodbye

RTGS Pai kon na khrap

bpai GAWN nah krap

Say it as you leave a shop or get out of a taxi.

Literally “I’ll go first”, said by the one leaving a chat or a visit. After a quick purchase “khop khun khrap” is usually enough. “La kon” (ลาก่อน) sounds theatrical or final.

• If you’re a woman ไปก่อนนะคะ Pai kon na kha bpai GAWN nah ka
• Casual บ๊ายบาย Bai bai bye-bye

See you later

RTGS Laeo choe kan khrap

laew juh-GAN krap

For people you’ll see again, such as hotel staff or the barista you visit each morning.

• If you’re a woman แล้วเจอกันค่ะ Laeo choe kan kha laew juh-GAN ka

Have a good day

RTGS Chok di na khrap

chohk-DEE nah krap

A sign-off after a short exchange, such as paying in a shop.

Literally “good luck”, a friendly way to close a conversation. To wish someone a safe journey, say “doenthang plotphai na khrap” (เดินทางปลอดภัยนะครับ).

• If you’re a woman โชคดีนะคะ Chok di na kha chohk-DEE nah ka

Take care

RTGS Dulae tua eng duai na khrap

doo-LAE tua-AYNG duay nah krap

A friendly goodbye to someone you’ve chatted with, like a host or a shopkeeper who helped you.

• If you’re a woman ดูแลตัวเองด้วยนะคะ Dulae tua eng duai na kha doo-LAE tua-AYNG duay nah ka

My name is [name]

RTGS Phom chue [chue] khrap

pom CHEU [cheu] krap

It’s useful to introduce yourself in the local language, especially when meeting people during your travels.

“Phom” is the men’s word for I. Women often drop the pronoun: “chue … kha” (ชื่อ…ค่ะ). Thais go by first names or nicknames, so give your first name.

• If you’re a woman ฉันชื่อ[ชื่อ]ค่ะ Chan chue [chue] kha chan CHEU [cheu] ka

How are you?

RTGS Sabai di mai khrap

sah-bai-DEE mai krap

Follow your greeting with it. Some people answer briefly, others treat it as a real question.

A real question about how someone is, best with people you’ve met before. Between people who know each other, “pai nai?” (where are you off to?) and “kin khao rue yang?” (eaten yet?) are common openers.

• If you’re a woman สบายดีไหมคะ Sabai di mai kha sah-bai-DEE mai ka

I’m well, thank you

RTGS Sabai di khrap, khop khun khrap

sah-bai-DEE krap, kawp-KOON krap

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Ask the question back if you want to continue the conversation.

• If you’re a woman สบายดีค่ะ ขอบคุณค่ะ Sabai di kha, khop khun kha sah-bai-DEE ka, kawp-KOON ka

Nice to meet you

RTGS Yindi thi dai ruchak khrap

yin-DEE tee dai roo-JAK krap

A useful phrase when meeting someone new on your travels. Saying it in the local language is a nice touch.

On the formal side. It suits introductions to hosts and guides.

• If you’re a woman ยินดีที่ได้รู้จักค่ะ Yindi thi dai ruchak kha yin-DEE tee dai roo-JAK ka

I’m from [country]

RTGS Phom ma chak [prathet] khrap

pom mah jahk [bprah-TAYT] krap

The answer to one of the first questions people ask a traveller.

The answer to “ma chak nai?” (where are you from?), a common question for travellers. Women often say “ma chak … kha”.

• If you’re a woman ฉันมาจาก[ประเทศ]ค่ะ Chan ma chak [prathet] kha chan mah jahk [bprah-TAYT] ka

Have you eaten yet?

RTGS Kin khao rue yang khrap

gin KAO reu-YANG krap

A friendly check-in with people you see every day, like guesthouse staff or a regular vendor.

“Kin khao” means to eat a meal. Usually a friendly check-in, though it can lead to an invitation. Reply “kin laeo khrap” (I have) or “yang khrap” (not yet).

• If you’re a woman กินข้าวหรือยังคะ Kin khao rue yang kha gin KAO reu-YANG ka