Master essential Thai phrases, pronunciation, cultural etiquette. Learn crucial do's and don'ts, tipping rules, and temple manners for travel.
Essential Thai Phrases (with pronunciation)
Basics:
- Hello/Goodbye: Sawasdee krap/ka (sa-wat-dee krup/ka)
- Men say "krap", women say "ka"
- Thank you: Khob khun krap/ka (kop-koon krup/ka)
- Sorry: Khor thot (kor-tot)
- Yes: Chai (chai)
- No: Mai (my)
- How much?: Tao rai? (tao-rye)
Food:
- Delicious: Aroi (ah-roy)
- Not spicy: Mai pet (my-pet)
- Very spicy: Pet maak (pet-mak)
- Vegetarian: Kin jeh (kin-jay)
- Water: Nam (nam)
- Check please: Gep tang (kep-dang)
Emergencies:
- Help: Chuay duay (choo-ay-doo-ay)
- Hospital: Rong payabarn (rong-pa-ya-ban)
- Police: Tamruat (dum-roo-at)
- I don't understand: Mai kao jai (my-cow-jai)
Check out my list of Thai words I wisch I knew sooner.
Cultural Do's and Don'ts
✅ DO
- Remove shoes before entering homes, temples
- Dress modestly at temples (shoulders, knees covered)
- Wai (prayer hands) to show respect
- Point with full hand, not finger
- Stay calm, never raise voice
- Smile! (Thailand = Land of Smiles)
❌ DON'T
- Touch anyone's head (most sacred body part)
- Point feet at people or Buddha images (most disrespectful)
- Step on money (has King's image)
- Disrespect the Royal Family (illegal!)
- Touch monks if you're female
- Public displays of affection (hand holding OK, kissing not really)
🙏 The Wai, explained
Who Wais first:
Younger → Older
Lower status → Higher status
Customer → Service staff (optional)
How to Wai
1. Press palms together
2. Slight bow
3. Higher hands = more respect
When not to Wai
- Children
- Service staff (they wai you first)
- Street vendors
Tipping Culture
- Restaurants: 20-40 THB for great service (not expected at cheap places)
- Taxi/Grab: Round up or 20 THB
- Massage: 50-100 THB depending on service
- Hotels: 20-40 THB for cleaners
- Tim's rule: Tip for good service, not obligation
Bargaining Etiquette
- Where: Markets, street vendors, tuk-tuks
- Where NOT: 7-Eleven, malls, restaurants
- How much off: Start at 50% of asking price
- Tim's approach: Smile, be playful, walk away if too high
- Know when to stop: Don't haggle over 20 THB ($0.60)
Temple Etiquette
- Dress appropriately (covered shoulders, knees)
- Remove shoes before entering
- Don't point feet at Buddha images
- Don't turn back to Buddha
- Women can't touch monks
- Be quiet and respectful
- Don't climb on structures for photos
Social Hierarchy
- Respect for elders: Very important
- Saving face: Never embarrass someone publicly
- Mai pen rai: "No worries" - the Thai way
- Service mentality: Thais are very helpful, polite
Gesture Warnings
- 👍 = OK in Thailand
- 🤙 = Phone gesture (universal)
- ❌ = Beckoning with finger (rude - use whole hand, palm down)
- 👇 = Pointing (rude - point with full hand)
P.S. Get access my ready-to-book Thailand itineraries and maps.
