Some Thai phrases to save your day in Phuket! 🙂
Most people in Phuket will understand a few words of English, especially in tourist areas or when their business depends on tourism, however, it is always fun and appreciated when visitors can exchange greetings in the Thai language. Here are a few useful Thai phrases and sentences to use when travelling to Phuket and Thailand. Some are casual and just for fun, and some might prove themselves useful, especially when it comes to food preferences or allergies.
Note that “Kap” and “Kaa” are both polite particles used in the Thai language, particularly at the end of a sentence or phrase.”Kap” is used by men, whereas “Kaa” is a polite particle that is typically used by women. However, both particles can be used by anyone, regardless of gender.
Casual conversation
| English | Prononciation | Thai |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Sawadii (Kap/Kaa) | สวัสดี |
| How are you? | Sabai dee mai (Kap/Kaa)? | สบายดีมั้ย |
| I’m fine | Sabai dee (Kap/Kaa) | สบายดี |
| I’m not well | Mai sabai | ไม่สบาย |
| Thank you | Khop kun (Kap/Kaa) | ขอบคุณ |
| You’re welcome | Mai pen rai (Kap/Kaa) | ไม่เป็นไร |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Koor thot (Kap/Kaa) | ขอโทษ |
| No problem | Mai pen rai (Kap/Kaa) | ไม่เป็นไร |
| Can you speak English? | Pood paasaa anggrit dai mai (Kap/Kaa) | พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้มั้ย |
| What is your name? | Kun chuu arai (Kap/Kaa)? | คุณชื่ออะไร |
| Where is the Bathroom? | Hongnaam tee nai (Kap/Kaa)? | ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน |
| How much is it? | Taorai (Kap/Kaa)? | เท่าไหร่ |
| Very expensive | Paeng maak | แพงมาก |
| Can you give a discount? | Lod dai mai (Kap/Kaa) ? | ลดได้มั้ย |
| English | Pronounciation | Thai |
|---|---|---|
| I’m very hungry | Hew maak | หิวมาก |
| I am vegetarian | Gin mung sa wi rad | กินมังสวิรัติ |
| I am vegan | Gin jae | กินเจ |
| Can I have water? | Kor naam praw | ขอน้ำเปล่า |
| No ice please | Mai sai nam kaeng | ไม่ใส่น้ำแข็ง |
| Is this spicy? | Ped mai | เผ็ดมั้ย |
| Not spicy please | Mai ped | ไม่เผ็ด |
| I am allergic to MSG | Gin pong shoo rod mai dai / Pair pong shoo rod | กินผงชูรสไม่ได้ / แพ้ผงชูรส |
| I can't eat nuts / I am allergic to nuts | Gin tua mai dai / Pair tua | กินถั่วไม่ได้ / แพ้ถั่ว |
| I can't drink milk / I am allergic to milk | Gin nom mai dai / Pair nom | กินนมไม่ได้ / แพ้นม |
| I can't eat eggs / I am allergic to eggs | Gin kai mai dai / Pair kai | กินไข่ไม่ได้ / แพ้ไข่ |
| I can't eat wheat / I am allergic to wheat | Gin kao sa lee mai dai / Pair kao sa lee | กินข้าวสาลีไม่ได้ / แพ้ข้าวสาลี |
| I can't eat soy / I am allergic to soy | Gin tua lhung mai dai / Pair tua lhung | กินถั่วเหลืองไม่ได้ / แพ้ถั่วเหลือง |
| I can't eat shellfish / I am allergic to shellfish | Gin seafood mai dai nok jak pla | กินซีฟู้ดไม่ได้นอกจากปลา |
| I can't eat garlic or onions / I am allergic to garlic or onions | Gin kra-tiam gap hua-hom mai dai / Pair kra-tiam gap hua-hom | ฉัน กินกระเทียมกับหัวหอมไม่ได้ / แพ้กระเทียมกับหัวหอม |
| Do you have gluten-free food? | Mee ar han tee mai mee gluten mai | มีอาหารที่ไม่มีกลูเตนมั้ย |
| Does this dish contain gluten? | Jarn nee sai gluten mai | จานนี้ใส่กลูเตนมั้ย |
Practical phrases
| English | Pronounciation | Thai |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the Bathroom? | Hongnaam yuu tee nai (Kap/Kaa)? | ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน |
| Where is there a pharmacy? | Raan kai yaa yuuu tee nai (Kap/Kaa)? | ร้านขายยาอยู่ที่ไหน |
| Where is there a hospital? | Rong-pa-ya-baan yuu tee nai (Kap/Kaa)? | โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน |
| IWhere is there an ATM? | ATM yuu tee nai (Kap/Kaa)? | ตู้ ATM อยู่ที่ไหน |
| Where can I change money? | Chan laek ngern tee nai dai bang (Kap/Kaa)? | แลกเงินที่ไหนได้บ้าง |
| Where can I book a tour? | Chan ja jong tua tee nai dai bang (Kap/Kaa)? | จะจองทัวร์ที่ไหนได้บ้าง |
Practical information about Phuket
Born in France a long long time ago, I started to travel the world early until I settled in Phuket in 1994. For the past 30 years, my passion for photography and my curiosity have taken me to every corner of Phuket, Bangkok and everywhere I could go in Thailand. My goal is to share my discoveries, photos and tips to help travellers plan their holidays by making Phuket 101 as easy as possible to use for everyone!