100 Essential Thai Phrases for Travelers: Complete Collection

Traveling to Thailand but don't speak Thai? This guide to 100 essential Thai phrases has you covered! From landing at the airport to returning home, it covers all common scenarios. We recommend saving this for quick reference during your trip.

Even if you only speak a few simple Thai phrases, you'll find locals' attitudes completely change—they'll appreciate your respect for their culture, offering warmer service and sometimes even better prices!

Part One: Basic Greetings (Phrases 1-10)

The most fundamental polite expressions, usable everywhere:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
1	สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ	sà-wàt-dii kráp/kâ	Hello/Goodbye	Any meeting or departure
2	ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ	kòp-kun kráp/kâ	Thank you	Expressing gratitude
3	ไม่เป็นไร	mâi bpen rai	No problem/You're welcome	Responding to thanks or apology
4	ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ	kǒr-tôot kráp/kâ	Excuse me/Sorry	Apologizing or when interrupting
5	ใช่	châi	Yes	Affirmative answer
6	ไม่ใช่	mâi châi	No	Negative answer
7	ได้	dâai	Can/May	Expressing agreement
8	ไม่ได้	mâi dâai	Cannot/May not	Expressing refusal
9	สบายดีไหม	sà-baai dii mǎi	How are you?	Greeting
10	สบายดี	sà-baai dii	I'm fine	Responding to a greeting

💡 Tip: For men, end sentences with ครับ (kráp); for women, end with ค่ะ (kâ). This is a crucial marker of politeness in Thai!

Part Two: Airport Immigration (Phrases 11-20)

All the sentences you need from getting off the plane to leaving the airport:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
11	ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน	hông-náam yùu tîi-nǎi	Where is the restroom?	Looking for a restroom
12	ผม/ฉันมาเที่ยว	pǒm/chǎn maa tîao	I'm here for travel	Answering immigration purpose
13	พักอยู่...วัน	pák yùu...wan	Staying for ... days	Answering length of stay
14	นี่คือหนังสือเดินทาง	nîi keu nǎng-sǔe dern-taang	Here is my passport	Showing your passport
15	กระเป๋าของผม/ฉัน	grà-bǎo kǒng pǒm/chǎn	My luggage	When collecting luggage
16	รถแท็กซี่อยู่ที่ไหน	rót tɛ́k-sîi yùu tîi-nǎi	Where is the taxi?	Looking for a taxi
17	แลกเงินที่ไหน	lɛ̂ɛk ngern tîi-nǎi	Where can I exchange money?	Looking for currency exchange
18	ซื้อซิมการ์ดที่ไหน	súe sim-gàat tîi-nǎi	Where can I buy a SIM card?	Buying a SIM card
19	ไปสุวรรณภูมิ	bpai sù-wan-ná-puum	Go to Suvarnabhumi Airport	Telling the driver your destination
20	กี่โมงถึง	gìi moong tǔeng	What time will we arrive?	Asking for arrival time

Part Three: Transportation (Phrases 21-35)

Essential for taxis, BTS, and asking for directions:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
21	ไป...ครับ/ค่ะ	bpai...kráp/kâ	Go to...	Telling the driver your destination
22	ตรงไป	dtrong bpai	Go straight	Giving directions
23	เลี้ยวซ้าย	líao sáai	Turn left	Giving directions
24	เลี้ยวขวา	líao kwǎa	Turn right	Giving directions
25	จอดตรงนี้	jòt dtrong níi	Stop here	Asking the driver to stop
26	ใช้มิเตอร์ครับ/ค่ะ	chái mí-dtêr kráp/kâ	Please use the meter	When getting into a taxi
27	ไกลไหม	glai mǎi	Is it far?	Asking about distance
28	ใกล้ไหม	glâi mǎi	Is it near?	Asking about distance
29	สถานีรถไฟฟ้า	sà-tǎa-nii rót-fai-fáa	Skytrain station	Looking for a BTS station
30	ซื้อตั๋วที่ไหน	súe dtǔa tîi-nǎi	Where can I buy a ticket?	Buying a ticket
31	เที่ยวนี้ไปไหน	tîao níi bpai nǎi	Where does this trip go?	Confirming destination
32	ต่อสายที่ไหน	dtòr sǎai tîi-nǎi	Where do I transfer?	Asking about transfers
33	Grab มาถึงรึยัง	Grab maa tǔeng rúe yang	Has the Grab arrived?	Waiting for a ride-hailing car
34	ผมอยู่ตรงนี้	pǒm yùu dtrong níi	I am here	Telling the driver your location
35	เร็วหน่อยได้ไหม	reo nòi dâai mǎi	Can you go faster?	When in a hurry

💡 Travel Tip: Always say "ใช้มิเตอร์" (chái mí-dtêr, "use the meter") when taking a taxi in Bangkok, otherwise you might get overcharged!

Part Four: Hotel Accommodation (Phrases 36-50)

Check-in, check-out, and service requests:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
36	ผม/ฉันจองห้องไว้	pǒm/chǎn jong hông wái	I have a room reservation	Checking in
37	เช็คอินครับ/ค่ะ	check-in kráp/kâ	Check in, please	At the front desk
38	เช็คเอาท์กี่โมง	check-out gìi moong	What time is check-out?	Asking check-out time
39	มีห้องว่างไหม	mii hông wâang mǎi	Do you have any rooms available?	Looking for a hotel on the spot
40	คืนละเท่าไหร่	keun lá tâo-rài	How much per night?	Asking for room rate
41	ขอดูห้องได้ไหม	kǒr duu hông dâai mǎi	Can I see the room?	Viewing a room
42	มีอาหารเช้าไหม	mii aa-hǎan cháo mǎi	Is breakfast included?	Confirming breakfast
43	WiFi รหัสอะไร	WiFi rá-hàt à-rai	What is the WiFi password?	Connecting to WiFi
44	ขอผ้าเช็ดตัวเพิ่ม	kǒr pâa chét dtua pêrm	Please give me more towels	Requesting service
45	แอร์ไม่เย็น	air mâi yen	The air conditioning isn't cold	Reporting a problem
46	น้ำร้อนไม่มี	náam rón mâi mii	There's no hot water	Reporting a problem
47	ขอเปลี่ยนห้อง	kǒr bplìan hông	I'd like to change rooms	Changing rooms
48	ฝากกระเป๋าได้ไหม	fàak grà-bǎo dâai mǎi	Can I leave my luggage here?	Storing luggage
49	เรียกแท็กซี่ให้หน่อย	rîak tɛ́k-sîi hâi nòi	Please call a taxi for me	Calling a taxi
50	ขอใบเสร็จ	kǒr bai-sèt	Please give me a receipt	Requesting a receipt

Part Five: Restaurant Ordering (Phrases 51-70)

From ordering food to paying the bill, full coverage:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
51	ขอดูเมนู	kǒr duu mee-nuu	Please give me the menu	Asking for the menu
52	แนะนำอะไรดี	náe-nam à-rai dii	What do you recommend?	Asking staff for recommendations
53	อันนี้อร่อยไหม	an-níi à-ròi mǎi	Is this delicious?	Asking for recommendations
54	ขอ...หนึ่งที่	kǒr...nùeng tîi	I'd like one...	Ordering food
55	ไม่ใส่ผักชี	mâi sài pàk-chii	No coriander, please	Stating dietary preferences
56	ไม่เผ็ด	mâi pèt	Not spicy, please	Stating taste preference
57	เผ็ดน้อย	pèt nói	A little spicy	Stating taste preference
58	เผ็ดมาก	pèt mâak	Very spicy	Stating taste preference
59	กินที่นี่	gin tîi-nîi	Eat here	Dining in
60	ห่อกลับบ้าน	hòr glàp bâan	Take away/To go	Taking out
61	อร่อยมาก	à-ròi mâak	Very delicious	Complimenting the food
62	เช็คบิลครับ/ค่ะ	check-bin kráp/kâ	Check, please	Asking for the bill
63	รวมกันเท่าไหร่	ruam gan tâo-rài	How much altogether?	Asking for the total price
64	จ่ายแยกได้ไหม	jàai yɛ̂ɛk dâai mǎi	Can we pay separately?	Splitting the bill
65	รับบัตรเครดิตไหม	ráp bàt kree-dìt mǎi	Do you accept credit cards?	Asking about payment methods
66	มีเมนูภาษาจีนไหม	mii mee-nuu paa-sǎa jiin mǎi	Do you have a Chinese menu?	Asking for a Chinese menu
67	นี่คืออะไร	nîi keu à-rai	What is this?	Asking about a dish
68	ขอน้ำเปล่า	kǒr náam bplào	Please give me plain water	Asking for water
69	ขอช้อนส้อม	kǒr chón sôm	Please give me a spoon and fork	Asking for cutlery
70	ทานมังสวิรัติ	taan mang-sà-wí-rát	I am vegetarian	Stating dietary habits

💡 Food Tip: Thai food is often very spicy by default. Remember to say "ไม่เผ็ด" (mâi pèt) or "เผ็ดน้อย" (pèt nói)!

Part Six: Shopping & Bargaining (Phrases 71-85)

Essential for night markets and shopping malls:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
71	นี่เท่าไหร่	nîi tâo-rài	How much is this?	Asking for price
72	แพงไป	pɛɛng bpai	Too expensive	Starting to bargain
73	ลดได้ไหม	lót dâai mǎi	Can you give me a discount?	Bargaining
74	ซื้อหลายชิ้นลดไหม	súe lǎai chín lót mǎi	If I buy many, can I get a discount?	Bargaining for multiple items
75	...บาทได้ไหม	...bàat dâai mǎi	Can I get it for ... Baht?	Making an offer
76	ขอลองได้ไหม	kǒr long dâai mǎi	Can I try it on/out?	Trying on/testing an item
77	มีสีอื่นไหม	mii sǐi èun mǎi	Do you have other colors?	Asking about colors
78	มีไซส์อื่นไหม	mii size èun mǎi	Do you have other sizes?	Asking about sizes
79	เอาอันนี้	ao an-níi	I'll take this one	Deciding to purchase
80	ไม่เอา	mâi ao	I don't want it	Refusing an item
81	ดูก่อน	duu gòn	I'll just look first	Still considering
82	ของแท้ไหม	kǒng tɛ́ɛ mǎi	Is it genuine/authentic?	Confirming authenticity
83	รับเงินหยวนไหม	ráp ngern yǔan mǎi	Do you accept Chinese Yuan?	Asking about payment methods
84	ขอถุง	kǒr tǔng	Please give me a bag	Asking for a bag
85	ขอบคุณไม่ต้องทอน	kòp-kun mâi dtông ton	Thank you, keep the change	Tipping

💡 Bargaining Tip: You can often bargain down to 60-70% of the price at night markets, but typically not in shopping malls!

Part Seven: Sightseeing (Phrases 86-95)

For sightseeing, taking photos, and buying tickets:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
86	ตั๋วเท่าไหร่	dtǔa tâo-rài	How much is the ticket?	Buying tickets
87	เปิดกี่โมง	bpèrt gìi moong	What time do you open?	Asking opening hours
88	ปิดกี่โมง	bpìt gìi moong	What time do you close?	Asking closing hours
89	ถ่ายรูปได้ไหม	tàai rûup dâai mǎi	Can I take photos?	Asking photo regulations
90	ช่วยถ่ายรูปให้หน่อย	chûai tàai rûup hâi nòi	Could you please take a photo for me?	Asking someone to take a photo
91	หนึ่ง สอง สาม ยิ้ม	nùeng sǒng sǎam yím	One, two, three, smile!	When taking photos
92	ที่นี่คืออะไร	tîi-nîi keu à-rai	What is this place?	Asking about a landmark
93	มีไกด์ภาษาจีนไหม	mii guide paa-sǎa jiin mǎi	Do you have a Chinese-speaking guide?	Looking for Chinese service
94	เดินไปได้ไหม	dern bpai dâai mǎi	Can I walk there?	Asking about walking distance
95	สวยมาก	sǔai mâak	So beautiful!	Complimenting scenery

Part Eight: Emergency Help (Phrases 96-100)

Hopefully you won't need these, but they're crucial to know:

#	Thai	Pronunciation	English	Usage Scenario
96	ช่วยด้วย	chûai dûai	Help!	Urgent request for help
97	เรียกตำรวจ	rîak dtam-rùat	Call the police	Reporting to police
98	ไม่สบาย	mâi sà-baai	I don't feel well	Feeling unwell
99	โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน	roong-pá-yaa-baan yùu tîi-nǎi	Where is the hospital?	Looking for a hospital
100	ผม/ฉันหลงทาง	pǒm/chǎn lǒng taang	I'm lost	When lost

Number Quick Reference

Essential for shopping and bargaining:

Number	Thai	Pronunciation	English
0	ศูนย์	sǔun	Zero
1	หนึ่ง	nùeng	One
2	สอง	sǒng	Two
3	สาม	sǎam	Three
4	สี่	sìi	Four
5	ห้า	hâa	Five
6	หก	hòk	Six
7	เจ็ด	jèt	Seven
8	แปด	bpɛ̀ɛt	Eight
9	เก้า	gâo	Nine
10	สิบ	sìp	Ten
20	ยี่สิบ	yîi-sìp	Twenty
100	ร้อย	rói	One hundred
1000	พัน	pan	One thousand

Combination Rules:

25 = ยี่สิบห้า (yîi-sìp-hâa)
150 = หนึ่งร้อยห้าสิบ (nùeng-rói-hâa-sìp)
500 = ห้าร้อย (hâa-rói)

Scenario Quick Index

Scenario	Phrase Numbers
Basic Greetings	1-10
Airport Immigration	11-20
Transportation	21-35
Hotel Accommodation	36-50
Restaurant Ordering	51-70
Shopping & Bargaining	71-85
Sightseeing	86-95
Emergency Help	96-100

Learning Tips

Before You Go

The Most Important 20 Phrases (Prioritize memorization):
- 1-5 (Basic Greetings)
- 21, 25, 26 (Transportation)
- 51, 56, 62 (Eating)
- 71-73 (Shopping)
Screenshot and Save: Take screenshots of this article and save them to your phone for quick reference anytime.
Practice Pronunciation: Use StudyThai.ai Pronunciation Training to practice speaking along.

Practical Usage Techniques

Situation	Suggestion
Can't speak	Point to the text and show it to the person
Don't understand the reply	Say "พูดช้าๆ" (pûut cháa cháa, "Speak slowly")
Complete communication breakdown	Use Google Translate + gestures

30 Essential Thai Travel Phrases (Quick Reference) - A more concise quick reference guide
Thai Travel Scenario Conversations - Full conversation practice
Complete Guide to Restaurant Ordering - Restaurant-specific topics
Shopping & Bargaining Tips - Shopping-specific topics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What if 100 phrases are too many to remember?

Just memorize the most common 20 first! See the "Most Important 20 Phrases" above. Keep the other sentences saved on your phone and refer to them as needed.

Q: Will locals understand me if my pronunciation isn't perfect?

Most will understand. Thai people are accustomed to foreigners speaking Thai. As long as your tones are roughly correct, they will likely understand. If not, you can always point to the written text.

Q: What is the difference between male and female speech?

The ending particles differ: Men use ครับ (kráp), women use ค่ะ (kâ). The rest of the sentence structure is exactly the same. In the table, where "ครับ/ค่ะ" is noted, choose based on your gender.

Q: How widely is English spoken in Thailand?

English is common in tourist areas and large shopping malls, but taxi drivers, night market vendors, and staff at local restaurants generally only speak Thai. That's why these 100 phrases are so useful!

Q: Are there any offline learning tools available?

Yes! StudyThai.ai is a PWA app that can be added to your phone's home screen, with some features available offline. Download it before you depart and use it anytime during your trip.

Take these 100 phrases and start your Thai journey!

Mastering these 100 Thai phrases will make your trip to Thailand smoother and more enjoyable. Locals will be more welcoming and friendly because you've made an effort to speak their language.

Want to learn Thai pronunciation and conversation more systematically? Try StudyThai.ai!

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100 Essential Thai Phrases for Travelers: Airport, Hotel, Shopping, Food, Transport [Complete Guide]