100 Thai Words to Survive Your First 3 Months
In your classroom, English immersion comes first (no Thai required). Outside the school gate: 7-Eleven, night markets, staffroom lunches, and the clinic. These 100 phrases keep you fed, calm, and respected.
Speaking Thai to students in class slows their English progress. Save these words for market vendors, songthaew drivers, your landlord, and your co-teacher (Phee Liang).
1. Street Food & Dining (อาหารและการสั่งกิน)
ไม่เผ็ด
mai phet
Not spicy
Essential. Thai "normal spicy" will make you cry during week 1.
เผ็ดนิดหน่อย
phet nit noi
A little bit spicy
For when you want flavor without burning your mouth off.
อร่อยมาก
a-roi maak
Delicious / Very tasty
Say this with a smile to any food cart cook. Instant friendship.
ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล
mai sai nam-taan
No sugar added
Iced coffee and smoothies come with 4 spoons of syrup unless you say this.
ไม่ใส่ผงชูรส
mai sai phong-choo-rot
No MSG
Useful if sensitive to flavor enhancers.
กลับบ้าน / ใส่ถุง
klap baan / sai thoong
Takeaway / Put in a bag
Said at any stall when taking food back to your room.
กินนี่
kin nee
Eat here / Dine in
Point to the table and say this.
น้ำเปล่า
naam plao
Plain drinking water
Bottled still drinking water.
เช็คบิล / เก็บตังค์
check bin / gep dtang
Check, please / Bill please
Raise your hand gently and say this to pay.
มังสวิรัติ / เจ
mung-sa-wi-rat / jay
Vegetarian / Strict Vegan
"Jay" guarantees no fish sauce or meat stock whatsoever.
2. 7-Eleven & Stores (เซเว่นและร้านค้า)
ไม่รับถุง
mai rap thoong
No plastic bag needed
They ask this on every single transaction.
เวฟไหม / อุ่นไหม
wave mai? / oon mai?
Microwave it? / Warm it up?
Cashier asks this for toasties and meals. Answer: "Wave krup/ka".
สแกนได้ไหม
scan dai mai?
Can I scan to pay? (PromptPay)
Once your Thai bank app is active, you use this everywhere.
เงินสด
ngern sot
Cash
Use cash until your Non-B bank account opens.
ใบเสร็จ
bai-set
Receipt
Needed for school reimbursements or tax forms.
ไม่มี
mai mee
Don't have / Out of stock
What the clerk says when an item is sold out.
อันนี้
an nee
This one
Point to shelf and say "ao an nee" (I want this one).
น้ำแข็ง
nam-khaeng
Ice
Commercial cylindrical ice with hole is 100% safe to consume.
หลอด
loot
Drinking straw
If they forget to hand you a straw with your drink.
ทิชชู่
tit-choo
Tissue / Toilet paper
Carry a pack in your day bag everywhere in Thailand.
3. Taxis & Directions (การเดินทาง)
ตรงไป
trong pai
Go straight
Essential when riding with songthaews or Grab drivers.
เลี้ยวซ้าย
liao sai
Turn left
Remember: left is 'sai'.
เลี้ยวขวา
liao khwa
Turn right
Remember: right is 'khwa'.
จอดที่นี่
jort tee nee
Stop here / Drop me here
Say politely to stop a songthaew or taxi right at your flat.
ใกล้ / ไกล
glai (near) / klai (far)
Near / Far
Tone matters: falling tone glai = near; flat tone klai = far.
สถานีขนส่ง (บขส.)
sa-tha-nee khon-song
Provincial Bus Terminal
Where you go for travel vans to Chiang Mai, Bangkok, or Tak.
ไป...
pai...
Go to...
"Pai Mor Chit 2", "Pai rong-rean" (Go to school).
เปิดมิเตอร์ด้วยครับ/ค่ะ
pert meter duay
Please turn on the meter
Never accept a flat 500 THB fare in Bangkok when landing.
น้ำมัน
nam-man
Petrol / Gasoline
At petrol station: "Nam-man tem thang" = Fill the tank full.
ช้าๆ หน่อย
chaa-chaa noi
Slow down a bit, please
Say this if a motorcycle taxi is speeding recklessly.
4. Staffroom & Respect (ในห้องพักครู)
พี่ (ตามด้วยชื่อ)
phee [Name]
Older colleague / Senior (respectful)
Call senior Thai staff "Phee + Name" (e.g. Phee Mai, Phee Min).
น้อง
nong [Name]
Younger colleague / Junior
Affectionate term used for younger staff or interns.
คุณครู
khun khru
Teacher (formal & respected)
How students, parents, and community members address you.
ใจเย็นๆ
jai yen yen
Keep a cool heart / Stay calm
Cornerstone of Thai staffroom harmony. Never display anger.
ประชุม
pra-choom
Meeting / Staff assembly
What colleagues say when disappearing for an afternoon meeting.
กินข้าวด้วยกัน
kin khao duay kan
Eat together / Join us for food
Always say yes when Thai teachers invite you to lunch.
ผอ. (พะ-ออ)
Phor-Or
School Director / Principal
Short for phu-am-nuay-kan. Wai deeply with thumbs touching nose tip.
เรียบร้อย
riap roi
All done / Completed smoothly
Say this after handing in grading sheets or signing forms.
เข้าแถว
khao thaeo
Morning flag assembly line-up
Starts around 07:50 to 08:00 AM every school day.
เกรงใจ
kreng jai
Consideration / Reluctance to impose
Why Thai teachers won't tell you directly when something is wrong.
5. Apartment & Landlord (ที่พักและห้องเช่า)
น้ำไม่ไหล
naam mai lai
The water is not running
Text this to your apartment manager on LINE if water cuts off.
ไฟดับ
fai dap
Power outage / Electricity is out
Common during heavy northern monsoon storms.
แอร์ไม่เย็น
air mai yen
The AC is not cold
Needs a 400 THB filter clean or freon top-up.
ค่าน้ำ
khaa naam
Water bill
Usually 100 to 200 THB a month in provincial apartments.
ค่าไฟ
khaa fai
Electricity bill
Usually 800 to 1,500 THB depending on AC usage at night.
ค่าห้อง / ค่าเช่า
khaa hong / khaa chao
Room rent
Due usually between the 1st and 5th of each month.
กุญแจหาย
koon-jae haai
I lost my key
Call building security or message landlord for spare.
ช่าง
chaang
Technician / Repairman
"Chaang air" (AC tech), "Chaang fai" (electrician).
ห้องน้ำตัน / ส้วมตัน
hong-naam dtun
Toilet / drain is clogged
Never flush toilet paper down Thai pipes. Use the bin.
ซักผ้า
sak phaa
Do laundry / Wash clothes
Coin machines on every corner (20 to 40 THB per load).
6. Markets & Numbers (ตลาดและตัวเลข)
เท่าไหร่ครับ/ค่ะ
thao rai?
How much is it?
Ask politely at any market stall while pointing to an item.
ลดได้ไหม
lot dai mai?
Can you discount it?
Only use for clothes or multiple items. Never on food.
สิบ / ยี่สิบ / สามสิบ
sip / yee-sip / saam-sip
10, 20, 30
Twenty is "yee-sip", not "song-sip".
หนึ่งร้อย / สองร้อย
nueng roi / song roi
100 / 200
Walking Street dinner budget = 200 THB (song roi).
ห้าร้อย / หนึ่งพัน
haa roi / nueng phan
500 / 1,000
Break 1,000 THB notes at 7-Eleven, not small fruit stalls.
บาท
baat
Baht (THB)
Thai national currency unit.
กี่อัน
gee an?
How many pieces?
Seller asking how many skewers or pieces you want.
ชิมได้ไหม
chim dai mai?
Can I taste / try a sample?
Great at fruit stalls (mango, mangosteen, rambutan).
หวานไหม
waan mai?
Is it sweet?
Asked when picking up papayas, watermelon, or pineapples.
ถอนเงิน (ตู้ ATM)
thawn ngern
Withdraw cash (ATM machine)
Thai ATM machines charge 220 THB on international foreign cards.
7. Pharmacy & Clinic (ร้านยาและคลินิก)
ปวดหัว
puat hua
Headache
Pharmacist will hand you paracetamol ("Yaa Para").
ปวดท้อง / ท้องเสีย
puat thong / thong sia
Stomach ache / Diarrhea
Common in weeks 2-3 as gut adapts. Buy electrolyte packets.
มีไข้ / ตัวร้อน
mee khai / dtua rawn
Have a fever / Body feels hot
If fever lasts over 48h, contact school coordinator.
แพ้ยา...
phae yaa...
Allergic to [Medication]
E.g. "Phae penicillin" (Allergic to penicillin).
เจ็บคอ
jep khor
Sore throat
Happens from speaking loudly over classroom fans all morning.
ยาแก้แพ้
yaa gae phae
Antihistamine / Allergy medicine
For pollen, dust, or insect bites (cetirizine / loratadine).
ยากันยุง
yaa gan yoong
Mosquito repellent
Essential at dusk in schools and parks (pink bottle at 7-Eleven).
โรงพยาบาล
rong phayabaan
Hospital
Provincial government hospitals are modern and low-cost.
คลินิก
khlee-nik
Doctor's clinic
Doctor evening clinics open 17:00-20:00 for quick prescriptions.
ใบรับรองแพทย์
bai rap-rawng phaet
Medical certificate / Doctor's note
Required for sick leave at school and your work permit file.
8. Polite Particles (คำสุภาพ)
ครับ
khrap
Polite ending particle (for males)
Add to the end of every sentence if you are a male speaker.
ค่ะ / คะ
kha (statement) / kha (question)
Polite ending particle (for females)
Add to the end of every sentence if you are a female speaker.
ไม่เป็นไร
mai pen rai
No problem / You're welcome
The national mantra of Thailand. Smooths over any friction.
ขอโทษ
khor thot
Sorry / Excuse me
Said when passing someone closely or making a mistake.
ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ
khob khun
Thank you
Say it 20 times a day with a gentle nod.
ใช่ / ไม่ใช่
chai / mai chai
Yes, correct / No, not correct
Direct affirmation or negation.
ได้ / ไม่ได้
dai / mai dai
Can / Cannot (allowed or possible)
"Dai mai?" = Can you? "Mai dai" = Cannot.
รอแป๊บนึง
raw baep neung
Please wait just a moment
Said when grabbing your phone or checking a document.
นิดหน่อย
nit noi
A little bit
When asked if you speak Thai: "Phut dai nit noi krup/ka".
เข้าใจแล้ว
khao jai laew
I understand now / Got it
Reassures your co-teacher after an explanation.
9. Parks & Social Life (สวนสาธารณะ)
สวนสาธารณะ
suan saa-thaa-ra-na
Public municipal park
Search this + your town name on Google Maps for evening reset.
วิ่ง
wing
Run / Jog
The town park loop from 17:00 to 18:30 is pure gold.
เต้นแอโรบิก
dten aerobic
Aerobics dance class (free)
Free evening aerobic dance with speakers at every Thai park.
ตะกร้อ
dtak-raw
Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball)
Watch locals play on park concrete courts. Great agility.
ชนแก้ว
chon kaew
Cheers! / Clink glasses
Used on Wednesday karaoke nights or drinks with teachers.
เหนื่อยไหม
neuay mai?
Are you tired?
Kind question Thai teachers ask each other after events.
สนุกมาก
sa-nook maak
Very fun / Enjoyable
"Sanook" is the core principle of Thai everyday life.
เจอกันพรุ่งนี้
jer kan phroong-nee
See you tomorrow
Said when leaving the staffroom gate at 16:30.
ไปเที่ยว
pai thiao
Go traveling / Hang out for leisure
"Pai thiao nai?" = Where are you traveling this weekend?
อากาศดี
aa-gaat dee
Good weather / Nice breeze
Said in northern November-January cool morning assemblies.
10. Help & Emergencies (เหตุฉุกเฉิน)
ช่วยด้วย!
chuay duay!
Help me!
True urgent emergency shout.
พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม
phut phaa-saa ang-krit dai mai?
Can you speak English?
Always ask in Thai first. People appreciate the polite effort.
ไม่เข้าใจ
mai khao jai
I do not understand
Accompanied with a polite smile and shake of the head.
ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน
hong-naam yoo nai?
Where is the restroom / toilet?
Top 3 most used phrase by foreign travelers in Thailand.
หลงทาง
long thaang
I am lost / Lost my way
Show your phone with Google Maps pin.
รถเสีย / ยางแบน
rot sia / yaang baen
Vehicle broken down / Flat tire
Motorbike tyre patches cost 60 to 100 THB at roadside shops.
โทร 191 (ตำรวจ)
tho haa dtam-ruat (191)
Call Police (191) / Tourist Police (1155)
Tourist police speak English: 1155.
โทร 1669 (รถพยาบาล)
riak rot phayabaan (1669)
Call Medical Ambulance (1669)
First number to call for severe injury, then school coordinator.
อันตราย
an-dta-raai
Dangerous / Danger
Sign on roadworks, deep water, or electrical risks.
ขอความช่วยเหลือหน่อยครับ/ค่ะ
khor khwam chuay luea noi
Could you please help me?
The polite, non-panic way to ask any Thai bystander for a hand.
Quick Thai Language FAQs for New Teachers
Should foreign teachers speak Thai inside the classroom?
No. Thai schools hire foreign educators specifically for 100% English immersion. Speaking Thai in class slows student progress. Save your Thai vocabulary for after the 16:30 school bell—at night markets, 7-Eleven, and staffroom lunches.
What is the difference between Khrap and Kha in Thai?
Khrap (ครับ) is the polite ending particle used by male speakers, while Kha (ค่ะ / คะ) is used by female speakers. Adding Khrap or Kha to the end of any phrase immediately makes your speech polite and respectful.
What are the most important Thai phrases for a teacher's first week?
Start with Sawasdee (Hello/Goodbye), Khob khun (Thank you), Mai phet (Not spicy), Mai sai nam-taan (No sugar), Mai rap thoong (No plastic bag at 7-Eleven), and Hong-naam yoo nai? (Where is the restroom?).