Basic Thai Conversation for Traveler
When you can speak Thai even just a little bit, you will see how Thai’s will be impressed by you (more than you think ^_^). Even though many Thai people in Bangkok can speak English, you might still want to speak Thai in many cities out of town. Learning Thai language will make you have more fun trip and be closer with Thai people. I hope this article will make you enjoy your life when you travel in my country.
Personal pronouns: basics
Thai has many more personal pronouns than English; age, social status, gender, the relationship between the speakers, the formailty of the situation and individual personality all play a part in helping a Thai to decide the most appropriate way to refer to him/herself and address and refer to others in any situation.
As a startin g point for learners, the personal pronoun system can be simplified to the following:
Phom = I/me (Male)
Chan = I/me (female; informal)
Dichan= I/me (female;formal)
Rw = we/us
Khun = you (sing. and plur.)
Khaw = he/him; she/her; they/them
Man = it
Basic Expressions
Hello = Sa-wat-dee
Goodbye = La-gorn
Excuse me! = Kor-toet
Thank you = Korp-kunh
Your're welcome = Mai-pen-rai
Where's the restroom = Hohng-nam-pi-tarng-ni
I don't understand = Mi-kou-jai
Do you speak English? = Kuhn-poot-par-sar-ahang-griht-die-mi
Making Friends
How are you? = Sa-bai-dee-mai?
Fine = Sah-bie dee
Thanks = Korp-kuhn
What's your name? = Kuhn-chuee ah-rai
My name is....= Pom (Chan) Chuee.....
Nice to meet you = Yin-dee-tee-dai-roo-jahk
Where are you from? = Kuhn-mar-jark-ni
I come from Canada (etc.) = Pom (Chan) mar-jark Kaa-na-da
Eating out
A menu, please.= Kor me-noo nohy
What do you recommend?= Mee ah-ri na-nahm barng
I’d like a local beer.= Pom (m)/Chan (F) kor bea ti
A coffee, please. = Kor gar-fae nueng tee
A tea, please.= Kor char nueng tee
The check (bill), please. = Chehk bihn doary
Is service included? = Roarm kar bor-rih-garn lawe rue yahng
Shopping
Where’s the market?= Dtah-lart yoo tee-ni
Where’s the mall (shopping centre)?=Soon-garn-kar yoo tee-ni
I’m just looking.= Pom(M)/Chan(F) kae doo choey-choey
Can you help me?=Choary Pom(M)/Chan(F) noi di mi
How much? = Tou-ri
That’s all. =Kae nee la
Where can I pay?=Jie Tang die tee-ni
A receipt, please. Kor bi-seht doary
