Travelling to Thailand is an unforgettable experience, filled with stunning landscapes, delicious food, and rich culture. But, let's be honest, navigating a new country can be quite challenging, especially when you're unfamiliar with the language. Fear not! We've got you covered with essential Thai phrases that will not only help you get by but also impress the locals. Ready to speak like a local? Let's dive in!

Before we jump into the phrases, let's talk about why learning a bit of Thai can make your trip so much better:

Before starting learning basic Thai phrases for your next Thailand trip, it's best to build a foundation by learning about some basic principles in Thai language.

Thai, also known as Siamese, is a tonal language with five tones: mid, low, falling, high, and rising, which can change the meaning of words. In Thai, the language differentiates between male and female speech through the use of polite particles. The words "ครับ" (khrap) for men and "ค่ะ" (kha) for women are polite particles added to the end of sentences. You'll see examples of these in the following sections.

Pay attention to the tone of words, as it can completely alter their meaning. Practice listening to and repeating phrases to get the tones right. Here’s a tip for beginners: If you haven’t quite mastered the tones yet, write the phrase you want to say on a note and show it to the person you're speaking with. Alternatively, type it into a translation app and use the audio feature.

Now, let’s learn about some common Thai phrases that are useful when you greet someone in Thailand:

1. Hello/Goodbye (สวัสดี - Sawasdee) Male: Sawasdee krab (สวัสดีครับ) Female: Sawasdee ka (สวัสดีค่ะ)

This versatile phrase is used to greet people and say goodbye. It’s a must-know phrase if you travel to Thailand because it is universally used and the easiest phrase you can learn before embarking on your journey of Thai language learning.

2. Thank You (ขอบคุณ - Khob khun) Male: Khob khun krab (ขอบคุณครับ) Female: Khob khun ka (ขอบคุณค่ะ)

Use the phase ‘ขอบคุณ’ to say thank you to local after receiving help. Politeness goes a long way, and a simple thank you can brighten someone's day.

3. Yes/No (ใช่/ไม่ใช่ - Chai/Mai chai) Chai (ใช่): Yes Mai chai (ไม่ใช่): No

Yes/No (Chai/Mai chai) phrases are essential for answering questions and making decisions. Make sure you learn these basic Thai phrases to ease your trip.

4. Excuse Me/Sorry (ขอโทษ - Kor toht) Male: Kor toht krab (ขอโทษครับ) Female: Kor toht ka (ขอโทษค่ะ)

In English, we use different phrases to get someone’s attention and to apologise. In Thai, locals use just one simple phrase: ‘Kor toht’. It’s perfect for both getting someone's attention and saying sorry.

Since you are going to Thailand for travel purposes, here are some useful phrases you should know when conversing with Thai people.

Don't worry about getting everything right on your first try. The effort you put into speaking Thai will be appreciated by the locals, and you’ll improve with practice. Here are a few tips to help you practise:

Learning these basic Thai phrases can significantly enhance your travel experience, making it smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or simply greeting someone, these phrases will help you connect with the culture and people of Thailand.

Are you ready to visit Thailand? Whether you are from Singapore to Bangkok, Manila to Bangkok, Sydney to Bangkok, or from many other parts of the world, you can get an unforgettable moment in Thailand, especially if you master the basic Thai phrases.

So, pack your bags, practice your Thai phrases, and explore the Traveloka app, an all-in-one travel app to book your flight, find nice hotels, and find more tourist attractions in Thailand to make your trip even easier to navigate.