LANGUAGE TIPS
While English is widely spoken in tourist areas of Koh Samui, knowing a few basic Thai phrases can make your trip more enjoyable and respectful. Locals appreciate it when visitors try to speak Thai, even if it’s just a simple greeting or thank you.
Thai is a tonal language, meaning that the same word can have different meanings depending on the tone used. But don’t worry! Even if you mispronounce a word slightly, locals will usually understand you and appreciate the effort.
Below, you’ll find a list of useful Thai phrases for different travel situations, including greetings, transportation, shopping, dining, and emergencies.
Basic Thai Greetings & Politeness
In Thai, men and women use different endings to sound polite:
- Men say: krap (ครับ)
- Women say: ka (ค่ะ)
Common Greetings & Politeness
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดี | Sawasdee krap/ka |
| Goodbye | ลาก่อน | Laa gorn |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ | Khop khun krap/ka |
| Yes | ใช่ | Chai |
| No | ไม่ใช่ | Mai chai |
| Excuse me / Sorry | ขอโทษ | Khor thot |
| How are you? | สบายดีไหม? | Sabai dee mai? |
| I’m fine | สบายดี | Sabai dee |
| What is your name? | คุณชื่ออะไร? | Khun chue arai? |
| My name is… | ฉันชื่อ… | Chan chue… (for women) / Pom chue… (for men) |
| Nice to meet you | ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก | Yindee tee dai roo jak |
| See you later | แล้วพบกันใหม่ | Laew phob gan mai |
💡 Tip: A polite way to say hello is by doing a “wai” gesture (hands together like in prayer) when greeting someone.
Numbers & Counting
Knowing numbers is useful for shopping, bargaining, and transportation.
Thai Numbers 1-10
| Number | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | หนึ่ง | Neung |
| 2 | สอง | Song |
| 3 | สาม | Sam |
| 4 | สี่ | Si |
| 5 | ห้า | Ha |
| 6 | หก | Hok |
| 7 | เจ็ด | Jet |
| 8 | แปด | Paet |
| 9 | เก้า | Gao |
| 10 | สิบ | Sip |
Larger Numbers
- 100 = ร้อย (Roi)
- 1,000 = พัน (Pan)
- 10,000 = หมื่น (Meun)
- 100,000 = แสน (Saen)
- 1,000,000 = ล้าน (Laan)
💡 Tip: When bargaining, it helps to write down numbers to avoid misunderstandings.
Transportation & Getting Around
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | …อยู่ที่ไหน? | … yuu tee nai? |
| How much does it cost? | ราคาเท่าไหร่? | Raa-khaa tao-rai? |
| Taxi | แท็กซี่ | Ták-sêe |
| Tuk-tuk | ตุ๊กตุ๊ก | Tuk-tuk |
| Bus | รถเมล์ | Rot-may |
| I want to go to… | ฉันต้องการไปที่… | Chan tong gaan pai tee… |
| Stop here | หยุดตรงนี้ | Yut trong nee |
| Left | ซ้าย | Saai |
| Right | ขวา | Khwaa |
| Straight ahead | ตรงไป | Trong pai |
| Slow down | ช้าหน่อย | Chaa noi |
💡 Tip: Most taxi drivers don’t speak much English, so showing your destination on Google Maps can be very helpful.
Shopping & Bargaining
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | อันนี้ราคาเท่าไหร่? | An nee raa-khaa tao-rai? |
| Can you give me a discount? | ลดราคาได้ไหม? | Lot raa-khaa dai mai? |
| Too expensive! | แพงเกินไป! | Paeng gern pai! |
| Do you have a smaller size? | มีขนาดเล็กกว่านี้ไหม? | Mee kha-nad lek gwaa nee mai? |
| I’ll take it | ฉันเอาอันนี้ | Chan ao an nee |
| I’m just looking | ฉันแค่ดู | Chan kae doo |
| No, thank you | ไม่เป็นไร ขอบคุณ | Mai bpen rai, khop khun |
💡 Tip: Bargaining is common in markets, but not in malls or restaurants.
Dining & Ordering Food
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I would like… | ฉันต้องการ… | Chan tong gaan… |
| Menu | เมนู | May-nu |
| No spicy | ไม่เผ็ด | Mai phet |
| A little spicy | เผ็ดนิดหน่อย | Phet nit noi |
| Very spicy | เผ็ดมาก | Phet maak |
| Can I have the bill, please? | คิดเงินด้วยครับ/ค่ะ | Kit ngen duay krap/ka |
| Do you have vegetarian food? | มีอาหารมังสวิรัติไหม? | Mee ahaan mangsawirat mai? |
| No ice, please | ไม่เอาน้ำแข็ง | Mai ao nam kaeng |
| Delicious! | อร่อยมาก! | Aroi maak! |
💡 Tip: If you have food allergies, learn how to say them in Thai or show a translation on your phone.
Emergencies & Health
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | ช่วยด้วย! | Chuay duay! |
| Call the police | โทรหาตำรวจ | Toh haa tamruat |
| Call an ambulance | โทรเรียกรถพยาบาล | Toh riak rot paya-baan |
| I am lost | ฉันหลงทาง | Chan long thaang |
| I don’t feel well | ฉันรู้สึกไม่ดี | Chan roo-seuk mai dee |
| Where is the hospital? | โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน? | Rong paya-baan yuu tee nai? |
| I have an allergy to… | ฉันแพ้… | Chan pae… |
| My hotel is… | โรงแรมของฉันคือ… | Rong-raem khong chan kue… |
💡 Tip: If you need urgent medical care, go to a private hospital, as they provide better service for tourists.
Final Thoughts
Knowing a few basic Thai words and phrases can enhance your experience in Koh Samui, helping you communicate with locals and navigate the island with ease. Even if you don’t pronounce everything perfectly, locals will appreciate your effort and respond warmly.
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