Learning Thai can feel hard at first, but don’t worry. You don’t need to know everything to start talking. Just a few simple words can help a lot in daily life. Thai people are friendly and happy when you try to speak their language.
Here are some useful Thai phrases with English sounds to help you begin:
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Basic greetings
- สวัสดี (sa-wat-dee) — Hello
- ขอบคุณ (khop-khun) — Thank you
- ขอโทษ (khor-thot) — Sorry
Say “ครับ” (khrap) if you’re male, or “ค่ะ” (kha) if you’re female at the end to sound polite. Example: sa-wat-dee khrap/kha
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Useful daily phrases
- เท่าไหร่ (tao-rai) — How much?
- ไม่เอา (mai ao) — I don’t want it
- อร่อย (a-roi) — Delicious
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน (hong-nam yoo tee nai?) — Where is the toilet?
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Tips to sound better
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Listen to locals and copy how they say words.
- Use Thai every day, even if it’s just one word. Learning Thai helps with daily life and builds confidence.
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Practice during your stay
When you live in Thailand on an ED visa, you have time to practice often. You can speak Thai at markets, on the BTS, or with neighbors. Some schools don’t guide students at all, but good schools help with both lessons and real-life practice.
Start with these easy phrases. Use them every day. You’ll be surprised how fast you improve!
