Thai Numbers: Complete Counting Guide
Learn to count from zero to one million in Thai. Master the number system, classifiers, money, and the special rules that trip up most learners.
Good News About Thai Numbers
Thai numbers follow a logical, base-10 system similar to English. Once you learn 0-10 and a few large number words, you can count to a million. The main challenges are three special rules and learning to use classifiers correctly.
Thai vs. Arabic Numerals
Thailand uses both traditional Thai numerals (๐๑๒๓๔๕๖๗๘๙) and Arabic numerals (0123456789). You'll see Arabic numerals most often in daily life, but Thai numerals appear on official documents, currency, and traditional contexts. Both are useful to recognize.
Basic Numbers: 0-10
These are the foundation. Memorize them well - every larger number builds from these.
| Number | Thai Numeral | Thai Word | Romanization | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ๐ | ศูนย์ | sǔun | Rising |
| 1 | ๑ | หนึ่ง | nùeng | Falling |
| 2 | ๒ | สอง | sǎawng | Rising |
| 3 | ๓ | สาม | sǎam | Rising |
| 4 | ๔ | สี่ | sìi | Falling |
| 5 | ๕ | ห้า | hâa | Falling |
| 6 | ๖ | หก | hòk | Low |
| 7 | ๗ | เจ็ด | jèt | Low |
| 8 | ๘ | แปด | bpàet | Low |
| 9 | ๙ | เก้า | gâo | Falling |
| 10 | ๑๐ | สิบ | sìp | Low |
Teens: 11-19
Pattern: สิบ (sìp = 10) + unit digit
Example: 15 = sìp (10) + hâa (5) = sìp-hâa
Tens: 20-90
Pattern: multiplier + สิบ (sìp = 10)
Example: 50 = hâa (5) x sìp (10) = hâa-sìp
Compound Numbers (21-99)
Combine tens + units. Remember the special rules for 1 and 2:
Hundreds and Beyond
Thai has unique words for each power of ten up to a million. Learn these five words to count to 9,999,999.
Building Larger Numbers
Special Rules: The Three Exceptions
Thai numbers are mostly regular, but these three rules trip up learners. Master them early.
11 uses "et" instead of "neung"
The number 1 becomes èt (เอ็ด) when it follows another number. So 11 is sìp-èt, 21 is yîi-sìp-èt, 101 is nùeng-ráwy-èt, etc.
20 uses "yii" instead of "sawng"
The number 2 becomes yîi (ยี่) when it multiplies ten. But 22 is yîi-sìp-sǎawng (the second 2 stays normal).
1 as a unit in tens is "et"
For 21, 31, 41, etc., the unit 1 is always èt, not nùeng. Only when 1 stands alone or starts a number (100, 1000) is it nùeng.
Memory Tip
Think of it this way: when 1 or 2 are "helping" another number (as part of a larger number), they take a different form. When they stand alone or lead, they use their normal form.
- 1 alone or leading: nùeng (หนึ่ง) - "One coffee", "100 baht"
- 1 as a helper: èt (เอ็ด) - "11", "21", "101"
- 2 alone or as unit: sǎawng (สอง) - "Two people", "22"
- 2 multiplying ten: yîi (ยี่) - "20", "200,000"
Classifiers with Numbers
In Thai, you can't just say "three dogs." You need a classifier: "dog three classifier-for-animals" (mǎa sǎam dtua).
Example: mǎa sǎam dtua = dog three [animal-classifier] = "three dogs"
| Classifier | Romanization | Used For | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| คน | khon | People | sǎam khon = three people (สามคน) |
| ตัว | dtua | Animals, furniture, clothing | sǎawng dtua = two (animals) (สองตัว) |
| อัน | an | Small objects (general) | sìi an = four (objects) (สี่อัน) |
| ใบ | bai | Flat items, leaves, tickets, bags | hâa bai = five (tickets) (ห้าใบ) |
| เล่ม | lêm | Books, notebooks, candles | sǎam lêm = three books (สามเล่ม) |
| คัน | khan | Vehicles, umbrellas, spoons | nùeng khan = one (vehicle) (หนึ่งคัน) |
| ขวด | khùat | Bottles | sǎawng khùat = two bottles (สองขวด) |
| จาน | jaan | Plates, dishes of food | sǎam jaan = three plates (สามจาน) |
| แก้ว | gâew | Glasses, cups | sìi gâew = four glasses (สี่แก้ว) |
| ที่ | thîi | Places, seats, servings | sǎawng thîi = two seats (สองที่) |
Practical Tips
- When in doubt, use "an" (อัน) - it's the general classifier and Thais will understand.
- Learn classifiers with vocabulary - when you learn a new noun, learn its classifier too.
- Classifiers apply to many contexts - ordering food, shopping, describing quantities.
Counting Money
Thai currency is the baht (บาท, bàat). 100 satang = 1 baht, but satang are rarely used in practice.
Useful Money Phrases
For more bargaining phrases, see our complete bargaining guide.
Phone Numbers
Thai phone numbers are read digit by digit, just like in English.
Phone Number Tips
- 0 is sǔun (ศูนย์) - same as the number zero
- Thai mobile numbers start with 0 - usually 08, 09, or 06
- Say digits individually - don't group them like "twenty-three"
Dates and Times
Dates
Thai dates follow the pattern: day + month + year (like British English)
Times
Thai uses a 6-hour system divided by time of day, but the 24-hour clock is common in formal contexts.
The traditional Thai time system is complex. For beginners, using the 24-hour clock (like "sìp-hâa naa-lí-gaa" for 15:00) is perfectly acceptable and widely understood.
Quick Reference Card
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Numbers 0-10
Large Numbers
Special Rules
- 11 = sìp-èt (not sìp-nùeng)
- 20 = yîi-sìp (not sǎawng-sìp)
- X1 = X-èt (21 = yîi-sìp-èt)
Top Classifiers
- khon = people
- dtua = animals
- an = objects (general)
- bai = flat items
Continue Learning
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