How to speak Thai like a local during your vacation

 

If you are the kind of person that takes a moment to learn a few key phrases of a language before you visit a country, then know that you are truly immersing yourself in the country. Most people would consider your approach to be the most authentic way of visiting a new country. If you are planning to visit Thailand, here are some basic words, phrases and greetings that will help you move through the cities with a little more ease and become a local favourite.

Basic Thai Phrases

When learning the basic Thai phrases you can use in everyday situations, the ones that are usually the first to be taught to you in a Thai class, it is important to remember that there are male and female versions of saying these. If you are male you use "khrup" at the end of the phrase and if you are female, you use "ka." So when you say hello it is "sawadeekhrup" or "sawadeeka." Thank you is "khop khun khrup" or "khop khun ka." And excuse me or sorry is "khor thoad khrup" or "khor thoad ka." Learn how to say hello, goodbye, thank you, yes and no, where is the bathroom and I need a doctor, and you will be able to manage quite well.

Basic Greetings in Thai

Thai Greetings|Image via Freepik

The main three greetings you should know in Thai are quite easy to learn. They are hello, goodbye and how are you. In Thai that is, "sawadee," "la gorn" and "sa bai dee mai," respectively with either "khrup or ka" at the end depending on your gender. It will be very easy to impress the locals with just these three phrases and maybe a thank you. Thai people are notoriously friendly, and the country is not called the land of smiles for no reason. You are bound to easily make some long-time friends.

Basic Thai for Eating and Ordering Food

If you are visiting Thailand or any part of Asia, remember that the food is going to be spicy. It is how the food is made and the locals love spice. Unless you actually suffer, learn to enjoy the food the way it is. But if you can't eat spicy food without getting sick, you should know how to say the following phrases to help yourself out.

a. Mai phet – not spicy
b. Phet nit nawy – a little spicy
c. Phet mak – really spicy

Also, when you order the phrase is "sang aa-haan" and if you want to compliment the food, "aroy" means delicious. It will make the day of street food vendors if you say this and you may find them trying to ply you with free side dishes the next time you visi

Basic Thai for Shopping

If you are spending your holiday on a resort in Koh Samui the likes of Avani+ Samui Resort and want to go out for a little shopping in the town, here are some basic phrases you can learn.

a. Paeng mak khrup/ka – It's expensive!
b. Ra ka tao rai khrup/ka – How much does this cost?
c. Ga ru na lot ra ka hai noi khrup/ka – Can you give me a discount?

It would be a lot of fun, especially if you manage to surprise the vendors enough with your seeming grasp of the language. They might actually be compelled to give you a discount. Install an app such as Duolingo a couple of months before you go and try to learn a bit more of Thai so you can use it when you are there. You will learn to appreciate the country more when you learn to speak the language.