100 Essential Thai Phrases Every Expat Should Know 2025

Moving to Bangkok is an immersion into a culture rich with unique customs, incredible flavors, and a beautiful language. While you can certainly get by with English in many parts of the city, taking the time to learn a few key Thai phrases every expat should know will fundamentally change your experience for the better. It’s a sign of respect that opens doors, earns smiles, and turns a simple transaction into a friendly connection.

Don’t be intimidated by the tones or the script. The truth is, Thais are incredibly welcoming and forgiving when foreigners try to speak their language. To help you get started, we’ve created the ultimate practical guide. This isn’t a textbook; it’s a curated list of 100 essential words and phrases that you will actually use every single day, from ordering street food to navigating the city.

Why Trust This Guide?

As a Thai native and the founder of Bangkok Days, I have a deep love for my language and culture. I’ve spent years interacting with expats, listening to the phrases they struggle with and the words that truly help them in their daily lives. I love seeing the look of delight on a local’s face when a foreigner speaks to them in their own tongue. This list is compiled from that perspective—I’ve filtered out the textbook jargon to give you the practical, everyday phrases that I know will make your life in Bangkok easier and more enriching.

A Crucial Note on Politeness: ครับ (krap) and ค่ะ (ka)

Before we start, you must learn the two most important words in Thai. These are “polite particles” added to the end of almost every sentence to show respect.

• Men use ครับ (krap): It’s a short, sharp sound.
• Women use ค่ะ (ka): It’s a falling tone for statements, and a high tone (คะ / kha?) for questions.

Using these particles is essential. Forgetting them can make you sound blunt or even rude. Throughout this guide, we’ll include (krap/ka) at the end of phrases.

The Master List: 100 Essential Thai Phrases

Breaking Down the Essentials

While the table is great for reference, let’s focus on a few key categories you’ll use constantly.

Greetings and The Absolute Essentials

These are the foundations of every single interaction in Thailand.

• Hello / Goodbye (sa-wat-dee krap/ka): This is your all-purpose greeting. Use it when you enter a shop, meet someone, or leave.
• Thank you (khop khun krap/ka): You will use this dozens of times a day.
• Sorry / Excuse me (khor thot krap/ka): Use this to get someone’s attention, to apologize, or to squeeze past someone in a crowd.
• It’s okay / No problem (mai pen rai krap/ka): This is more than just a phrase; it’s a core part of Thai culture. It’s a way of saying “don’t worry about it,” “it’s all good,” and “you’re welcome” all in one. Understanding this phrase is key to understanding the Thai mindset.

At Restaurants and Street Food Stalls

Ordering food is one of the best ways to practice your Thai.

• Check, please (check bin / gep dtang krap/ka): Both phrases work perfectly. Gep dtang is slightly more informal and local.
• Not spicy (mai phet krap/ka): A life-saving phrase for many foreigners! If you want to be extra clear, say mai phet loei (not spicy at all).
• Delicious (a-roi krap/ka): Saying this to a street food vendor after your meal is a huge compliment and will always be met with a smile.

Shopping and Bargaining

These phrases are essential for navigating Bangkok’s famous markets.

• How much is this? (an-nee raa-khaa thao-rai krap/ka): Your starting point for any purchase.
• Can you lower the price? (lot noi dai mai krap/ka): Use this politely at markets. It’s part of the culture to bargain, but always do it with a smile.

Getting Around the City

These phrases will help you navigate Bangkok’s transport system with confidence.

• Go straight (dtrong bpai krap/ka): Essential for directing taxis.
• Turn left / Turn right (liao saai / liao khwaa krap/ka): The other essentials for directions.
• Stop here (jot dtrong-nee krap/ka): A clear and polite way to tell your driver you’ve reached your destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

For those looking to continue their language journey, here are some excellent and trusted resources:

• Duke Language School: A highly reputable language school based in Bangkok that offers a wide range of Thai courses for foreigners, from beginner to advanced levels. https://www.dukelanguage.com/
• SEAsite Thai Language Resources (Northern Illinois University): A comprehensive and long-standing academic resource for learning the Thai language, including lessons on script, grammar, and culture. http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Thai/

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Jade Teekhasaenee

Jade Teekhasaenee is the founder of Bangkok Days, a leading real estate strategist and digital influencer. Combining his perspective as a seasoned entrepreneur with a lifetime of local knowledge, his mission is to provide the ultimate playbook for expats, founders, and investors to thrive in the city he calls home.

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