common thai phrases
 

I'll be stopping in Bangkok for a night in November- staying at the New Siam 2 Guest House in BKK. I know from reading posts on here that you can get by speaking only English-- BUT, I would still like to know some commonly used phrases in Thai (spelled phonetically also if possible).
I will be taking an airport limo, eating at a restaurant and maybe walking through one of the markets. I want to make as much of an effort as possible
If any of you BKK pros can assist, I would be grateful:)

sa-wad-dee = hello
aa-roy = tasty
sa-nook = fun
kop-khun-khrup = thank you
su-uay = beautiful
sa-bye-dee = im fine

Just remember that to be polite Men should use Khrap and the end of a sentence or phrase and that Women should use Kaa.

So for Men

kop-khun-khrap = thank you

for Women

kop-khun-kaa = thank you

thow rye kha/khrap?
(how much?)

lort dye ma kha/khrap?
(can you give a discount?)

check bin kha/khrap!
Bill please!

so the kaa\khrap is in regards to who is speaking?-- or who is being spoken to?

It's in regard to who is speaking. (It took me a while to get that straight, too!)

This is a great site to learn a few phrases and words:

http://www.learningthai.com/

Keep in mind that many places/words that are one thing or place have a different spelling. This is due to the fact that the Thai language doesn't use the western alphabet.

I have been listening to Thai language tapes off and on since my trip in Feb of this year. It is a tonal lanuage and one of the most difficult languages I have attempted to learn.

Faces will light up with delight at your effort!

Have a nice trip!

Thai language is difficult to transliterate into English and you lose the tones as well. You'll notice many different spelling for similar words - such as "Krap" vs. "Kop"

Links to lots of audio on line for Thai are at:

http://phuketdelight.com/Language.htm

You will find Thais quite forgiving of your errors and they often pick up your meaning by context.

Also rahn ahan = restaurant and talart = market. However the one I really need to know is ...hong nahm you tee nigh? = where is the toilet? followed of course by krup or kah depending on your gender.

Careful on this one:
su-uay = beautiful
Said in a rising tone it does mean beautiful.

Otherwiwise it means unlucky or bad omen.

May I add MAI PHET = not spicey

I use the website "learning thai" suggested by Eurotraveller - its really good because it has sound as well as phonetic spelling so you get a much better idea. I can't say much in Thai but I can make myself understood because at least the words come out something like the sound on that website - before I really couldn't get the sounds right at all. Only problem is when I get it pretty close I get an answer back in Thai at a million miles an hour so I then have to work that out!!!

"May I add MAI PHET = not spicey"

Or if you like it spicy:
pet noy = A little spicy ( in actuality very spicy for most tastes )
pet pet = rather spicey
pet mahk ( or pet mahk mahk ) = very spicy..... and then when they serve you the waiters will watch you with horror to see if you keel over from the spice :)

Some more:
sa-bai-dee mai = How are you?
mai ow = I don't want it or I'm not interested
khun chuu a-rai = What is your name?
pom chuu XXX = My name is XXX.
naam = Water
hawng naam = Bathroom
nit noi = little bit
khun puut paasaa angrit dai mai = Can you speak English?

And if you really want to impress a Thai and see his or her face light up ( or start laughing uncontrollably if you mess it up )
yin-dee-tee-dai-ruu-jak = Nice to meet you.

You are right, in BKK, it really isn't necessary to speak any Thai, but it is fun to try a little and the Thais get a hoot out of it. :)

Left out one very important phrase:
Mai mee tang
I don't have any money (to buy your temple bell, massage, etc.)

I found these notes from my Thai evening classes:

Any chance of an upgrade please?

-Mai sahp wah pom ja bplien chun tee nung dai mai krup?

Can I have large bottle of Singha?
Kor bi a sing koo-at yai, krap
(yai = large lek = small)

Check please - Chek bin dooay (upmarket) or at a street stall - gep dtung

How are you doing? bpen yung ngai bahng krap? - much less formal than sabai de mai

and my favourite:
Mai sahp wah pom ja bplien chun tee nung dai mai krup? -
Can I have an upgrade please!!

If you are interested in learning a little Thai, a good place to start is http://langhub.com

It has lots of info for beginners and Thai travellers.

What about the other essentials such as:
- yes and no
- thank you
- please
- sorry, excuse me
- good morning, afternoon and good noght
- bye bye
- can you take me to XXXX

yes and no - not often used in Thai. krap (kaa for a female) is usually used to signify agreement or yes to most questions. Bplao is no, mai -not as in @mai ao krap@ = "I don't'want"
- thank you = korp khun krap / korp khun mahk = thanks very much
- please = garuna
- sorry, excuse me = kor Tort
- good morning, afternoon and good noght = Sawatdee krap
- bye bye = La gorn
- can you take me to XXXX = bpai xxx mai krap

How about.......

well done.
As in "well done chicken, or well done eggs."
Thanks

Well done chicken = Kor Gai Suk Suk
Well done eggs = Kor Kia Suk Suk