Traveling to an exotic spot like Thailand can be exhilarating. But sometimes, the language barrier can bring about some inconveniences, surprises and challenges. Ahead of packing your gear, get acquainted with some common sayings you are bound to encounter during your visit.
For example, when you first arrive be it by airplane, boat or train you may want to flash your biggest and best smile and say out aloud to all and sundry "sa-wat dee" which simply means “hello”, and it is so versatile a saying that it also means “goodbye”.
If on your arrival you happen to be starving (who wants to eat the food those budget airlines offer!), learn how to say "gee baht" (how much?) before running to the nearest food stand to try out the local fare.
In the event that the local cuisine does not quite agree with your stomach (do try to avoid the fried snacks of insects, arachnids and frogs) and you abruptly feel the urge to relieve yourself, remember the words "yoo tee nai" (where is?) to ask for the nearest public toilet.
Now, if after you have returned from the loo, you are swiftly met by a horde of food vendors presenting you with even more foreign food (read… fried crickets, cockroaches and scorpions – which the locals love to snack on), collect a civil smile and say "mai ow" (I do not want).
If in your rush to get away from those strange vendors of alien food, you accidentally step over someone else's foot, be certain to turn to the person and say "khor toat" (I am sorry). Oh, and never point or use your foot to move something, it is considered most impolite.
After putting a safe distance between you and those food vendors, it is now time to get yourself a metered taxi or if you are still game try a “tuk tuk”. The phrase to keep in mind is "chun/pom ja pai..." (female/male speaker, I want to go to...). Upon seeing your bewildered state, the taxi driver will with any luck take pity on you and drive you to your lodgings promptly lacking any occurrence, except for the obligatory “rort tik”, 2 hour Bangkok traffic jams!
The circumstances and story above are, of course, purely a work of fiction… well some of it is… but is that not why you wanted to travel, to see and experience a different culture!
Well now that you have learned some Thai phrases, we hope you will like traveling around this beautiful country and take our story as it was intended...not too seriously.
Have a fun holiday! From all of us at TranslateThai.com
If you do need Translation Services Bangkok, or you can translate thai into any other language do drop us a line!
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