By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published October 20, 2026
The most useful basic Thai phrases are sawasdee (hello), khob khun (thank you), mai pen rai (no worries), tao rai? (how much?) and mai phet (not spicy). End sentences with khrap if you are a man or kha if you are a woman to sound polite. Thirty words and a smile will get you through most of Bangkok.
Bangkok runs fine in English in hotels, malls and tourist areas. But step into a street-food lane, a local market or a taxi at 2am after a gig and a few Thai words change everything — prices soften, smiles get bigger, and people go out of their way to help. You do not need to master tones. You need the right handful of phrases, said politely.
Learn the polite endings first: men say khrap, women say kha. Then add hello (sawasdee), thank you (khob khun), sorry (kho thot), no worries (mai pen rai), how much (tao rai) and not spicy (mai phet). Speak slowly, smile, and Thais will meet you more than halfway.
The Two Words That Make Everything Polite
Thai uses polite particles at the end of sentences. They do not mean anything on their own, but leaving them out can sound blunt.
- Khrap — used by male speakers. Often softened to “khap”.
- Kha — used by female speakers. Said with a falling tone as a statement, and a rising “kha?” in questions.
So “thank you” becomes khob khun khrap or khob khun kha. Add the particle to almost everything below and you will sound respectful instantly. Pair it with a slight nod or a wai (palms together) when greeting — more on that in Thai etiquette in Bangkok.
Everyday Essentials
| English | Thai (spoken) | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / goodbye | sa-wat-dee khrap/kha | Greeting anyone, any time of day |
| Thank you | khob khun khrap/kha | Constantly |
| Sorry / excuse me | kho thot | Bumping into someone, getting attention |
| No worries / never mind | mai pen rai | The national attitude in three words |
| Yes / correct | chai | Confirming something |
| No / not correct | mai chai | Correcting something |
| I don’t understand | mai khao jai | When you are lost in a conversation |
| How are you? | sa-bai dee mai? | Friendly small talk |
| Very good | dee mak | Compliments |
| See you later | laew jer gan | Leaving friends |
Food and Drink
Street food is where Thai phrases pay off most. Vendors often speak little English, and spice levels are serious.
| English | Thai (spoken) | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Delicious | a-roi | Say it to the cook — it always lands |
| Not spicy | mai phet | Still expect some heat |
| A little spicy | phet nit noi | The safe middle ground |
| Drinking water | nam plao | Plain bottled water |
| No ice | mai sai nam khaeng | Ice in Bangkok is generally made from purified water |
| The bill, please | check bin khrap/kha | Restaurants and bars |
| Take away | sai thung | Literally “put in a bag” |
For what to actually order, see the Bangkok street food guide, and for peace of mind, is Bangkok street food safe?.
Shopping, Taxis and Getting Around
| English | Thai (spoken) | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| How much? | tao rai? | Point at the item and ask |
| Too expensive | phaeng mak | Say it with a smile, not a frown |
| Can you give a discount? | lot dai mai? | Markets, not malls or 7-Eleven |
| Where is the toilet? | hong nam yoo tee nai? | Probably the most useful question |
| Go to… | pai… | “Pai Siam” = go to Siam |
| Turn left / right | lieo sai / lieo khwa | Directing taxi or motorbike drivers |
| Go straight | trong pai | Keep going |
| Stop here | jod tee nee | When you have arrived |
| Please use the meter | khao meter duay | Before the taxi moves |
Bargaining is normal at markets but should stay light-hearted — see the best markets in Bangkok. And knowing “meter” in a taxi helps you avoid the classics in Bangkok scams to avoid.
Numbers You Will Hear Every Day
Prices are where numbers matter. One to ten: neung, song, sam, si, ha, hok, jet, paet, gao, sip. Twenty is yee-sip, one hundred is roi, and one thousand is phan. So 50 baht is ha-sip baht and 200 baht is song roi baht.
A Quick Word on Tones
Thai is a tonal language with five tones, so the same syllable can mean different things depending on pitch. Wikipedia’s Thai language overview explains the system if you are curious. For short travel phrases, do not worry too much: context does most of the work, and Thais are used to foreigners getting tones wrong. Slow down, smile, and repeat if needed. The Tourism Authority of Thailand site is also a good starting point for planning your trip.
A Note From NaJade
Even after years of DJing in Bangkok, my Thai is functional rather than fluent — good enough for taxis, food stalls and booth small talk with sound engineers. What surprised me most is how much a little effort is appreciated. Saying “khob khun khrap” to the bar staff at the end of a long night, or “a-roi mak” to the auntie at the noodle stall, has opened more doors than any business card. Nobody expects perfect tones from a visitor. They just notice you tried. Start with the polite endings and five phrases, use them daily, and the rest grows naturally.
More: Thai etiquette, tipping in Bangkok, how to make friends in Bangkok, and getting a SIM card in Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hello in Thai?
How do you say thank you in Thai?
What does mai pen rai mean?
What is the difference between khrap and kha?
How do you say not spicy in Thai?
Do I need to speak Thai in Bangkok?
About the Author
NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand — and has lived in the city long enough to have made every one of these mistakes at least once. Find him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
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