Best Tourist Words To Learn In Thai:
It is very important to some basics of the Thai language before your visit not only for communication but also to make sure you are being respectful of local culture.
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Helpful Thai Words & Phrases:
Hello is Sawatdee (pronounced Sa-What-Dee)
If you are Male you say Sawatdee Khrap (pronounced Sa-What-Dee Krap)
If you are Female you say Sawatdee Khun Kha (pronounced Sa-What-Dee Ka)
It is also polite to use the WAI gesture when greeting
WAI Greeting (pronounced Way) is the polite gesture used in greeting and is explained below in the next section
Goodbye is Lar Korn (pronounced La-Gone)
Thank You is Khawb Khun (pronounced Cop Coon)
If you are Female you say Khawb Khun Kha (pronounced Cop Coon Ka) to mean Thank You Kindly
Do you speak English? is Phuut Phaa-saa Ang-Grit Daai Mai (pronounced Poot Pa-sa On-Grit Die Mi) and you add the same gender ending to it like above Krap/Ka
Cheers for drinking is Chok Dee
My Name Is varies greatly based on if you are a Man or Woman
If you are Male you say Phom Chue “your name” Khrap (pronounced Pom Shew …. Krap)
If you are Female you say Di-Chan Chue “your name” Kha (pronounced De-Shawn Shew …. Kha)
Chiang with an ‘”i” means City
Chang without an ‘”i” means Elephant
Farang (pronounced Fa-Wrong) generally means foreigner and is mainly used to describe White European tourists. A Black tourist is considered a Black Farang.
How To Use the WAI Bow Greeting:
The WAI (pronounced Way) is the polite gesture used in greeting to show respect. It involves placing your palms together in front of your chest and bow/nod your head at the person your are greeting and there are 3 different ways to do it depending on how much respect you want to show.
Level 2: The next level of WAI is meant for respected people such as teachers or parents and you will bow your head until your index finger touches your forehead and your thumbs touch your nose.
Responding To A WAI: If someone gives you a WAI it is polite to return the respect but you only have to put your palms together in front of your chest and do not need to bow in return.
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