Learning basic Thai phrases means showing effort and respect to the local culture. It will help ease interactions between you and the locals, while making your trip to Phuket a lot easier and enjoyable. It’s always great to know a little bit of the local language. Here are a few words to get you started while you are visiting Phuket.
The basics
Khap and Ka
To make your sentence or question more polite and respectful, it’s important to end your sentences with the word khap or ka when you are talking with someone in Thailand.
The ending of the sentence is based on the gender of the person speaking, not the person you are talking to. If you are a male, you should always end your sentence or phrase with the word khap. If you are a female, be sure to complete your sentence with the word ka.
Khun
Khun is the 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.
Greetings in Thai
The two most useful phrases in any country are hello and thank you. If you learn just these two phrases your visit to Phuket will be more pleasant and the people will be very appreciative.
Hello – Sa-Wat-Dee
Sawatdee is one word you’ll probably use a lot in Thailand. It means hi or hello in Thai. Try to use this saying to greet anyone who crosses your path. Don’t forget males says Sawatdee Khap and female says Sawatdee Ka. Adding these simple words to the end of the word makes it a full and polite greeting.
Thank you – Khap Khun
Thanking someone for any service or help it is polite to say Khap Khun. Again, don’t forget the gender marker. Khap Khun Khap for males or Khap Khun Ka for females.
No problem/it’s alright – Mai Pen Rai
This phrase is used a lot here in Phuket. Mai pen rai is a way to respond to someone’s apology or gratitude. Using mai pen rai tells the other person that they’re not bothering you or whatever happened is no big deal.
Sorry I bumped into you. “Mai Pen Rai”
Yes, no, can, cannot
Yes – Chai and No – Mai Chai
If someone asks you whether something is right or wrong, use chai (yes) or mai chai (no) to answer the question.
Can – Dai and Cannot – Mai Dai
If someone asks you about your ability to do something, respond with dai (yes – can) or mai dai (no – cannot).
Small & Little
These two words can be easy to mix up to a Thailand newcomer. They are used differently when speaking Thai
Small – Lek
“I would like to rent a lek (small) house.
Little or little bit – Nit Noi
“I just want Nit Noi (little bit) of my hair cut today”
Big & Large
Yai – This is the word everyone uses. It simply means big or large, you would use it the same way you use big in English.
I would like to rent a yai (big) villa.
Eating and ordering in restaurants/bars
Delicious – Aroi
If the food is delicious, don’t forget to say to the cook “aroi!”
Water – Nam
One of the most important words to learn when visiting hot tropical Phuket
Not spicy – Mai Phet
This is definitely a very important phrase to remember if you can’t handle spicy foods. If you don’t want to set your mouth on fire, be sure to learn how to say “mai phet.”
I want it to be very spicy – Ao Phed-Phet
Love spicy food? Say “ao phed-phet” to make sure that your dish is made extra spicy.
Mai Sai – Don’t put
This is an important word if you are a picky eater or have food allergies. Some Examples
No sugar – Mai Sai Nam Tam
If you are a westerner, you may be surprised how much sugar is used in many Thai dishes and drinks. If you don’t like sweet drinks or food, say “mai sai nam tam.” Or don’t put sugar.
Here my favorite Mai Sai list:
- Don’t put onion – Mai Sai Hom
- Don’t put mushroom – Mai Sai Hidt
- Don’t put egg – Mai Sai Kai
- Don’t put MSG – Mai Sai Pong Shu Rod
And lasting if you don’t want a lot of oil in your food.
- Sai Nam An Nit Noi (little bit of oil)
Numbers
Understanding simple numbers can help you throughout your Phuket experience
0 – suun
1 – neung
2 – sawn
3 – saam
4 – see
5 – haa
6 – hok –
7 – jed
8 – bpaaed
9 – gao
10 – sip
That should get you started on an enjoyable trip to Phuket.
You don’t need to speak Thai to work with Baan Wise property management company. We have been providing professional high quality property management in Phuket for over 10 years. If you need help renting your Phuket property, don’t hesitate to contact us at https://baanwise.com/contact-us/ and maybe you can try out some of your new Thai vocabulary with us!
