Thailand is a highly preferred travel destination by tourists globally, making it a wise decision to learn Thai, especially for individuals intending to visit or reside in the country. Being among the most diverse nations, Thailand’s citizens are generally known for their warm reception of foreigners.
English is generally taught in Thai schools, so a significant portion of the Thai population can speak English conversationally or fluently. However, the level of English proficiency varies depending on the school and the socio-economic background of the individual. Those residing in major cities like Bangkok or Nonthaburi are more likely to have received English education, whereas those in remote areas may have limited proficiency in English.
Thailand has approximately 63 million people, of which about 17 million speak English. Hence, although English is widely spoken in Thailand, there are plenty of situations where knowing only English might not suffice. Although you can manage in major cities and popular tourist areas using English, it becomes more challenging once you venture out of urban areas.
Without a doubt, the primary reason for learning Thai is to effectively communicate with the people of Thailand in their official language. However, it is important to note that there are additional advantages to learning Thai. It is crucial to always show respect for the culture of a foreign country when visiting it. By acquiring language skills, you can gain a deeper comprehension of Thai culture. As a result, not only will you be able to communicate with the locals, but you will also be able to establish personal connections with them.
Introduction to the Thai Language
Thai, which is recognized as the official language of Thailand, is also the native language for a significant portion of Thais. It belongs to the Tai language group, specifically within the Tai-Kadai language family. Thai exhibits close similarities to the Lao language. Additionally, a significant portion of Thai vocabulary originates from Pali, Sanskrit, and Old Khmer, with direct borrowing from these languages.
The reason this is logical is because the Thai alphabet originated from the Old Khmer writing system, which in turn can be traced back to the Brahmi script. The Thai alphabet consists of a total of 44 consonants, but only 35 of them are regularly utilized. Furthermore, Thai has nine vowel sounds, which can be pronounced with either a long or short duration, resulting in a total of 18 vowels.
Like Chinese and Vietnamese, Thai is a language with five tones in total, making it a tonal language.
5 Basic Thai Phrases For Travelers + Thai Greeting
Before delving into the specific details of these 5 words, I want to briefly clarify the gender words ‘Krub’ and ‘Ka’ that are frequently used by Thais in their speech.
Krub is a term used to refer to a man speaking. Ka is a term used to refer to a woman speaking.
When speaking, men always add ‘Krub’ at the end of every word and sentence. Women, on the other hand, add ‘ka’ to finish every word, sentence, or question.
Thais may write ‘Krup’ in various spellings such as Krub/Kup/Kap/Cup, but it doesn’t matter as they all mean the same thing.
These gender words are determined by our identity as a speaker of a particular gender – this differs from Latin languages where gender words are assigned based on the gender of the person or object being referred to.
Is it a requirement to include ‘Krub’ or ‘Ka’ in every conversation we have?
Yes, it is! Krub or Ka is an extremely polite Thai term that is comparable to the word ‘Please’. Make sure to use Krub or Ka at the end of every sentence, question, or word. This will give your words a very polite tone. On the other hand, without adding ‘Krub’ or ‘Ka,’ what you say may sound quite harsh or demanding, as if you are ordering them to do something.
Now, travelers need to learn the 5 essential Thai words.
- Hi, Hello
Greetings, sir, how are you doing?
The woman greeted with “Sa Was Dee Ka.”
- Thank you
Man – Thank you, Krub.
A woman says “Kop Khun Ka.”
‘Wai’ is a Thai gesture used as a greeting.
I would like to briefly explain the Wai or Thai greeting gesture of bowing before we proceed to the next topic.
When traveling in Thailand, it is observed that Thai people commonly greet one another by performing a gesture known as the ‘bow’ or wai. This gesture is comparable to shaking hands, hugging, or kissing as greetings in other cultures. The bow is used in various situations including saying hi, hello, thank you, sorry, requesting permission, bidding farewell, and paying respects at temples.
As a tourist, is it possible for you to bow? Is it considered appropriate to bow?
Yes, please! Thai people appreciate when you bow, as it is considered a respectful and polite gesture in our culture.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform the traditional Thai greeting known as the “Wai.”
Bring your two palms together, placing them between your chest, and slightly bow while wearing a beautiful smile.
To achieve an elegant appearance during a bow, it is essential to ensure that your elbows are positioned close to your body. Avoid extending your elbow away from your body, as this may result in accidentally colliding with the person standing beside you.
The decision to bow or not when greeting or expressing gratitude is entirely yours, as bowing is highly adaptable. However, it is worth noting that every instance of bowing will be met with a lovely reaction smile from Thai individuals.
When you greet someone by saying hi or hello, make sure to accompany it with a bow, like Sawasdee Ka (Bow) or Kopkunka (Bow), and when you express gratitude, remember to do a bow as well.
- How much
Krub – Man Tao Rai
Tao Rai Ka – a woman who thinks step by step.
- Bathroom/ Toilet
Krub, Man is of Hong Nam descent.
Hong Nam Ka is a woman.
- Not Spicy
Ped Krub, a man.
The woman’s name is Mai Ped Ka.
If you have a love for spicy foods, you need not speak up as the majority of genuine Thai chefs will prepare delectable spicy Thai dishes for your enjoyment.
