Essential Thai Phrases
- For Ordering Food -
Learning a few Thai phrases can go a long way in enhancing your street food experience.
Vendors appreciate the effort and it helps ensure you get exactly what you want.
“krub/ka” (“krub” for male / “ka” for female), a polite word for Thai use as normal.
“Sawadee krub/ka” (Hello), start every interaction with a polite greeting.
"Nee arai krub/ka?" (What is this?), use a finger point to the items.
“Tao rai krub/ka?” (How much does it cost?), a must-know for checking prices.
“Kid Ngoen krub/ka” (How much does it cost?), ask the vendor for bills after finishing the meal in local style.
“Ao nee krub/ka” (I’d like to get this, please), the easiest phrase to order food (use with finger pointing to the items).
“Ao ______ krub/ka” (I’d like ______, please), the phrase to order what you want.
“Mai Ao krub/ka” (No, I don’t want), a polite reject phrase.