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Thai Phrases for Greetings

Hello, thank you, and the polite expressions that open every door in Thailand. Start here.

19 phrases
7 min read
Free phonetic guides

Greetings are where every Thai interaction begins. A confident สวัสดีครับ (sà-wàt-dee kráp) with a slight bow changes how people see you -- from "random tourist" to "someone who made an effort." Thai people deeply value politeness, and these 8 phrases are the foundation of every other conversation you will have in Thailand.

Master these first, then layer on food ordering, market bargaining, and transport phrases. Practice with Jam Kham's travel mode to build real confidence.

Essential Greetings & Polite Phrases

8 phrases that form the foundation of every Thai conversation -- free with pronunciation guide.

Say: sà-wàt-dee low tone
Hello Thai: สวัสดี

Add ครับ (kráp, male) or ค่ะ (kâ, female) at the end. This single word covers hello, goodbye, and good morning.

Say: kòp-kun low tone
Thank you Thai: ขอบคุณ

Add ครับ/ค่ะ for politeness. Use it generously. Thais appreciate politeness above all.

Say: kŏr-tôot falling tone
Sorry / Excuse me Thai: ขอโทษ

Works for both apologizing and getting someone's attention. Very useful in crowded places.

Say: kráp/kâ high tone
Yes (polite particle) Thai: ครับ/ค่ะ

ครับ (male) / ค่ะ (female). Add to the end of any sentence for politeness. Also means "yes" on its own.

Say: mâi falling tone
No Thai: ไม่

Simple and direct. Add ครับ/ค่ะ to soften it: ไม่ครับ / ไม่ค่ะ.

Say: mâi bpen rai falling tone
No problem / Never mind Thai: ไม่เป็นไร

The most Thai phrase there is. Covers "no worries," "you're welcome," "it's OK," and "don't mention it."

Say: sà-baai dee mái mid tone
How are you? Thai: สบายดีไหม

Literally "comfortable good?" The standard reply is สบายดี (sà-baai dee, "I'm fine").

Say: pŏm/dì-chăn chêu... falling tone
My name is... Thai: ผม/ดิฉันชื่อ...

Use pŏm (male) or dì-chăn (female), followed by your name. One of the first things people ask.

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Conversation & Farewell Phrases

7 more phrases for small talk, sharing about yourself, and saying goodbye.

Say: kun maa jàak năi falling tone
Where are you from? Thai: คุณมาจากไหน

A very common question from Thai people. They are genuinely curious and friendly.

Say: maa jàak... mid tone
I'm from... Thai: มาจาก...

Follow with your country name. Most country names are similar to English: อเมริกา (America), อังกฤษ (England), ออสเตรเลีย (Australia).

Say: yòo meuang-tai naan tâo-rài falling tone
How long in Thailand? Thai: อยู่เมืองไทยนานเท่าไหร่

Another common question. Reply with the number + วัน (wan, days) or สัปดาห์ (sàp-daa, weeks).

Say: láew jer gan falling tone
See you later Thai: แล้วเจอกัน

Casual farewell. More natural than ลาก่อน (formal goodbye) in everyday situations.

Say: tîeow hâi sà-nùk falling tone
Have a good trip Thai: เที่ยวให้สนุก

A warm send-off. Thai people may say this to you when they learn you are traveling.

Say: doo-lae dtua-eng ná mid tone
Take care Thai: ดูแลตัวเองนะ

Caring and warm. The "ná" at the end softens it and makes it affectionate.

Say: laa gòn low tone
Goodbye Thai: ลาก่อน

Formal goodbye. Used less often than แล้วเจอกัน in casual situations.

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What You'll Hear Back

Thai people love asking questions. Recognize these 4 and you can hold a basic conversation.

มาจากไหน maa jàak năi Where are you from?

One of the first questions you will hear. Thai people are curious about foreigners and mean it warmly.

อยู่กี่วัน yòo gèe wan How many days are you staying?

Casual conversation starter. Reply with a number + วัน (wan, days): สามวัน (sǎam wan, "3 days").

ชอบเมืองไทยไหม chôp meuang-tai mái Do you like Thailand?

The answer is always yes. Say ชอบมาก (chôp mâak, "like it a lot") for instant goodwill.

พูดไทยได้ไหม pôot tai dâai mái Can you speak Thai?

Say นิดหน่อย (nít-nòi, "a little"). This humble response delights Thai people and opens the door to more conversation.

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From the Blog

30 Phrases That Cover 90% of Your Trip The phrases real travelers reach for most, organized by frequency. Thai Registers and Politeness Levels How formality works in Thai — from casual friends to royal language.

Related Guides

Ordering Food Use your greetings at restaurants and street stalls. Shopping & Markets Polite bargaining starts with a good greeting. Hotels & Check-in Make a great first impression at check-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say hello in Thai?
สวัสดี (sà-wàt-dee) is the standard greeting, used for hello, goodbye, and good morning/afternoon/evening. Always add the polite particle: สวัสดีครับ (sà-wàt-dee kráp) for men, or สวัสดีค่ะ (sà-wàt-dee kâ) for women. It is often accompanied by a slight bow with palms pressed together (the wai).
What is krap/ka in Thai?
ครับ (kráp) and ค่ะ (kâ) are polite particles added to the end of sentences. Men say ครับ, women say ค่ะ. They make any statement more polite and respectful. Used alone, they mean "yes." Omitting them is not rude among friends, but including them with strangers and elders shows good manners. Think of them as the Thai equivalent of "please" and "sir/ma'am" combined.
When should I do the wai (Thai greeting)?
The wai is performed by pressing your palms together at chest level and bowing slightly. Do wai to elders, monks, and people in authority. Do not wai to children, service staff, or people younger than you -- instead, return their wai with a smile and a nod. When in doubt, a smile always works. Do not overthink it; Thai people understand that foreigners are learning.
How do I introduce myself in Thai?
Say ผมชื่อ... (pŏm chêu..., "my name is...") if you are male, or ดิฉันชื่อ... (dì-chăn chêu...) if you are female, followed by your name. You can also use the more casual ชื่อ... (chêu..., "name is...") in informal settings. Thai people often use nicknames, so do not be surprised if they introduce themselves with a short name.
What does mai pen rai mean?
ไม่เป็นไร (mâi bpen rai) literally means "it is nothing" but translates to "no problem," "never mind," "you're welcome," or "don't worry about it." It is the defining phrase of Thai culture, reflecting the laid-back attitude that permeates daily life. Use it when someone apologizes, when something goes wrong, or when you want to show you are relaxed and easygoing.

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