Bargaining in Thai: A Friendly Guide to Market Negotiation

Bargaining at Thai markets is normal and expected. It's not about getting the lowest price possible - it's about reaching a fair price with a smile.

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When to Bargain (and When Not To)

Not every purchase in Thailand involves negotiation. Here's where bargaining is appropriate.

Bargaining Expected

Street markets - Chatuchak, night markets, floating markets
Tourist stalls - Souvenirs, clothing, accessories
Some taxi rides - Pre-ride only, when meter is refused
Tuk-tuks - Always negotiate before getting in
Tourist-area shops - Not in malls, but standalone shops

Fixed Prices

Shopping malls - Prices are tagged and final
7-Eleven / convenience stores - Never bargain here
Restaurants & cafes - Pay the menu price
Supermarkets - All prices are fixed
Official transport - BTS, MRT, metered taxis

Real talk: Bargaining is a normal part of Thai market culture. Vendors expect it and price accordingly. That said, arguing over 20-30 baht (less than $1) makes you look cheap, not savvy. Know the difference between fair negotiation and penny-pinching.

Must-Know Phrases

Essential Bargaining Phrases

These phrases will get you through any market negotiation. Practice them before your trip.

How much?

Say: tâo-rài

Thai script: เท่าไหร่

Too expensive

Say: paeng-bpai

Thai script: แพงไป

Can you reduce the price?

Say: lót dâai-mái

Thai script: ลดได้ไหม

Can you reduce a little?

Say: lót nòi dâai-mái

Thai script: ลดหน่อยได้ไหม

Final price?

Say: raa-kaa sùt-táai

Thai script: ราคาสุดท้าย

Can you go cheaper?

Say: tùuk gwàa née dâai-mái

Thai script: ถูกกว่านี้ได้ไหม

If I buy two, can you discount?

Say: séu sŏrng an lót dâai-mái

Thai script: ซื้อสองอัน ลดได้ไหม

I'll take it

Say: ao

Thai script: เอา

No thank you

Say: mâi ao kòrp-kun

Thai script: ไม่เอา ขอบคุณ

Can I look?

Say: kŏr doo nòi

Thai script: ขอดูหน่อย

Do you have other colors?

Say: mee sěe èun mái

Thai script: มีสีอื่นไหม

Do you have other sizes?

Say: mee size èun mái

Thai script: มีไซส์อื่นไหม

What You'll Hear from Vendors

ราคาพิเศษ

raa-kaa pí-sèt

Special price (for you)

ลดไม่ได้

lót mâi dâai

Cannot reduce

ราคาสุดท้ายแล้ว

raa-kaa sùt-táai láew

Already final price

ได้ ได้

dâai dâai

Okay, okay (agreement)

เอาไหม

ao mái

Do you want it?

Step by Step

Sample Negotiation Script

Follow this flow for a friendly, successful negotiation.

Show Interest Casually

ขอดูหน่อย kŏr doo nòi "Can I look?"

Pick up the item, examine it. Don't look too eager.

Ask the Price

เท่าไหร่ tâo-rài "How much?"

Keep a neutral expression when you hear the price.

React Mildly

แพงไป paeng-bpai "Too expensive"

Say it with a smile, not a frown. This is friendly, not aggressive.

Make Your Counter Offer

...บาท ได้ไหม ...bàat dâai-mái "...baht, okay?"

Start around 50-60% of their asking price. Going lower feels insulting.

Negotiate Back and Forth

ลดหน่อยได้ไหม lót nòi dâai-mái "Can you reduce a little?"

Meet somewhere in the middle. Both sides should feel they won.

Close the Deal

ได้ เอา dâai, ao "Okay, I'll take it"

Once you agree, pay without further negotiation. A handshake or smile seals it.

Numbers for Negotiation (100-1,000)

Most market purchases fall in this range. Learn these to state your counter-offer.

100

หนึ่งร้อย

nèung rói

200

สองร้อย

sŏrng rói

300

สามร้อย

săam rói

400

สี่ร้อย

sèe rói

500

ห้าร้อย

hâa rói

600

หกร้อย

hòk rói

700

เจ็ดร้อย

jèt rói

800

แปดร้อย

bpàet rói

900

เก้าร้อย

gâo rói

1,000

หนึ่งพัน

nèung pan

Quick Tip: Building Numbers

For numbers like 150, 250, etc., add the tens after. Example:
150 = หนึ่งร้อยห้าสิบ (nèung rói hâa sìp)
350 = สามร้อยห้าสิบ (săam rói hâa sìp)

Want to master all Thai numbers? Check out our complete numbers guide (coming soon).

Cultural Tips for Successful Bargaining

Beyond phrases, these approaches will help you negotiate respectfully.

Always Smile

Bargaining is a friendly game in Thailand. Keep smiling throughout, even when saying "too expensive." A frown or frustrated expression will end the negotiation poorly.

Never Get Angry

Raising your voice or showing frustration is a major loss of face for everyone. If you can't agree on a price, smile and walk away. No hard feelings.

The Walk-Away Technique

If you can't reach your price, politely say "no thank you" (ไม่เอา ขอบคุณ) and start walking. Vendors often call you back with a better offer. But only use this if you genuinely mean to leave.

Buy More, Pay Less

Vendors are more willing to discount when you buy multiple items. "If I buy two, can you discount?" (ซื้อสองอัน ลดได้ไหม) often works well.

Time It Right

Early morning or near closing time can get you better deals. Vendors believe the first sale of the day brings good luck, and late in the day they want to clear stock.

Respect the Seller

Vendors work hard for modest incomes. Saving 50 baht ($1.50) isn't worth making someone feel disrespected. Fair negotiation means both parties walk away happy.

Example Dialogue at a Market

Here's how a typical bargaining conversation might go.

You: ขอดูหน่อย...สวยดี เท่าไหร่คะ/ครับ (kŏr doo nòi...sŭay dee, tâo-rài ká/kráp) "Can I look? Nice! How much?"

Vendor: สามร้อยบาทค่ะ ราคาพิเศษ (săam rói bàat kâ, raa-kaa pí-sèt) "300 baht, special price"

You: แพงไปค่ะ/ครับ สองร้อยได้ไหม (paeng-bpai ká/kráp, sŏrng rói dâai-mái) "Too expensive. 200 okay?"

Vendor: ไม่ได้ค่ะ สองร้อยห้าสิบ (mâi dâai kâ, sŏrng rói hâa sìp) "Cannot. 250 baht"

You: ได้ เอาค่ะ/ครับ ขอบคุณ (dâai, ao ká/kráp, kòrp-kun) "Okay, I'll take it. Thank you"

Continue Learning

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