As far as I know many tourists want to know how to communicate with Thai people, especially Thai vendors and Thai staff at service counters. Unfortunately whereas most Thai people might understand some English, they might not answer your questions in English! And if you have problems such as robbery, directions, pick-pockets, etc., and you have tried to get help, let me see if we can help you on this!!!
Here are some useful Thai phrases they normally use on the street:
Thai vendors say “Get inside and have a look = Khào-maa-khâang-nai-lûehg-doo-lûehg-chohm-gan-dâi-loey (kâ/kráb) (เข้ามาข้างในเลือกดูเลือกชมกันได้เลย (ค่ะ/ครับ)”, then they say “On sales, very cheap = Lóahd-gan-bpai-loey-khăai-gan-thùhg-thùhg-pêe (ลดกันไปเลย ขายกันถูก ถูกพี่)”
***cheap = thùhg (ถูก), expensive = phaeng (แพง)
You may ask “How much is it? = Raa-khaa-thào-rài (ราคาเท่าไหร่)”, then they tell you the price “only 50 baht = hâa-sìp-ehng (ห้าสิบเอง)”, you may say “not expensive = Khôrr-mâi-phaeng-ná (ก็ไม่แพงนะ)” or “quite expensive = Khôrr-phaeng-yòo-ná (ก็แพงอยู่นะ)”. If you want to bargain, just tell them to discount “Can you give me lower price? = Chûay-lóahd-nòi-dâi-mái (ช่วยลดหน่อยได้มั๊ย)”, if they respond “not too expensive = Mâi-phaeng-láew-ná (ไม่แพงแล้วนะ)”, or “I cannot discount more = Lóahd-èeg-mâi-dâi-láew (kâ/kráb) (ลดอีกไม่ได้แล้ว (ค่ะ/ครับ)”
If you say “My camera was stolen, where can I report that? = Glông-thùhg-khaa-mohy-jâeng-kwaam-thêe-năi (กล้องถูกขโมย ต้องแจ้งความที่ไหน)”, they might ask “Where did it happened? = hèt-gèrd- thêe-năi (เหตุเกิดที่ไหน)”, if you reply “At the lobby = Thêe-lóhb-bêe (ที่ล็อบบี้)”, or “I lost my wallet = Krà-păo-ngern-hăai (กระเป๋าเงินหาย)”, “Where did you lose it? = hăai-thêe-năi (หายที่ไหน)”, “At the restaurant = thêe-ráan-ah-hăan (หายที่ร้านอาหาร)”, “Where will I report it? = Jà-bpai-jâeng-hăai-dâi- thêe-năi (จะไปแจ้งหายได้ที่ไหน)”, “Go to Lost & Found counter = Bpai-thêe-pha-nàeg-khŏng-hăai (ไปที่แผนกของหาย)”.
***lost = hăai/lŏhng-thaang (หาย/หลงทาง), found = hăa/ hăajeu (หา/หาเจอ)
When you get lost, you may ask “Excuse me, I got lost, can you tell me where I am? = Khŏrr-thôt-kâ/kráb-chăn(phŏhm)- lŏhng-thaang –chûay-bòrg-thee-wâa-chăn(phŏhm)-yòo-thêe-năi (ขอโทษค่ะ/ครับ ฉัน(ผม)หลงทาง ช่วยบอกทีว่าฉัน(ผม)อยู่ที่ไหน)”, or “Where can I find a nice hotel? = Jà-hăa-rohng-raem-dee-dee-dâi-thêe-năi (จะหาโรงแรมดี ดี ได้ที่ไหน), or “I couldn’t find my suitcase = hăa-krà-păo-dern-thaang-mâi-jeu (หากระเป๋าเดินทางไม่เจอ)”, “Where did you put it? = Ther-oa-bpai-waang-wái-thêe-năi (เธอเอาไปว่างไว้ที่ไหน).
Khru May Thai Language Teacher!!!
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