Most of the Thai people that you meet on Samui will be able to speck at least a little English. However, they will be happy if you make an effort to talk to them in their own tongue. This can be tricky: Thai has sounds that you probably have not heard before and is tonal language so the same sound can mean different things. To be polite: men would say “Krub ” and women say “Ka ” at the end of your words or sentences. Here below are the lists of basic Thai words that might be useful for you.
English Language
Thai Language
Yes
Chai or Krub (men) or Ka (women)
No
Mai-Chai
I
Phom or Chan
You
Khun
I do not understand.
Phom-Mai-Khao-Jai
I can not speak Thai.
Phom-Pood-Thai-Mai-Dai
Never mind, It is ok.
Mai-Pen-rai
Thank You
Khob-Khun-Krub
How much is it?
Un-Nee-Tao-Rai
That is (a bit) too expensive
Paeng-Pai (Noi)
Expensive
Paeng
Cheap
Toouk
Today
Wan-Nee
Tomorrow
Ploung-Nee
Yesterday
Mua-Wan-Nee
Big
Yai
Small
Lek
Come (to Samui)
Mar (tee-Samui)
Go
Pai
Good
Dee
Bad
Mai-Dee
Hour
Chua-Mong
Minute
Na-Tee
Second
Wee-Na-Tee
Enjoy, Have fun
Sanook
English Language
Thai Language
Hello / Hi
Sa-Wat-Dee
How are you?
Sa-Buy-Dee-Reu
I am fine.
Sa-Buy-Dee
And you?
Laew-Khun-La
Pardon?
Arai-Na
Sorry / Excuse me
Khor-Thot
Thank You (very much)
Khop-Khun (Maak)
English Language
Thai Language
Where?
Tee-Nai
When?
Meua-Rai
What?
Arai
Which? (thing)
Un-Nai
Where is / are?
(Thing)…Yoo-Tee-Nai
How much / many?
Thao-Rai
Where are you going?
Pai-Nai
How?
Yang-Rai
Why?
Tum-Mai
Can you help me?
Chuay-Dai-Mai
English Language
Thai Language
Rice
Khao
Fried rice
Khao-Pad
Water
Nam-Plao
Tea
Chaa
Coffee
Ka-Fair
Hot (Spicy)
Phet
Is it very spicy?
Phet-Maak-Mai
Not spicy
Mai-Phet
Without chilli
Mai-Sai-Prick
Delicious
Alloy
English Language
Thai Language
Beach
Haad, Had
Island
Koh
Bay
Ao
Canal
Klong
Pier
Thaa
Road
Thanon (th)
Temple
Wat
To….please
Pai….Mai
The (Hotel Name)………. hotel
Rong-Raam…(Hotel Name)….
The airport
Sa-Naam-Bin
The police station
Sa-Tha-Nee-Tun-Ruad
This address
Tee-Yoo-Nee
The (Restaurant Name)… Restaurant
Raan-R-Harn…(Restaurant Name)..
Turn left /right
Leeow Saai (left), Khwa (right)
Go straight on
Trong Pai
Stop here please
Jod-Tee-Nee
English Language
Thai Language
One
Neung
Two
Sawng
Three
Sarm
Four
See
Five
HAr
Six
Hok
Seven
Jed
Eight
Paad
Nine
Khao
Ten
Sib
Twenty
Yee-Sib
Thirty
Sarm-Sib
One Hundred
Neung-Roi
One Thousand
Neung-Pan
