Order anything by pointing in Thai
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Thai words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Thai phrases in this lesson
- ขอ...KHOR
- I would like...
- อันนี้un-NEE
- This one
- เท่าไหร่ค่ะtao-RAI kha
- How much is it?
- เก็บเงิน ค่ะkep-NGEN kha
- The bill, please
- จ่ายบัตรjai BAT
- By card
- เงินสดngern SOT
- In cash
- น้ำNAHM
- Water
- กาแฟga-FAE
- Coffee
- ชาchaa
- Tea
- เบียร์BIA
- Beer
- ไม่ใส่...mai SAI
- Without...
Literally "may I have": ขอกาแฟ (khor ga-FAE), a coffee, please. Add ครับ (khrap) or ค่ะ (kha).
Pointing is completely acceptable Thai communication. At bakery counters and deli sections, point at what you want and say this.
Most places have prices displayed, but this works at markets and street food stalls. Add khrap if male, kha if female. Thais expect this question and answer cheerfully.
Literally "collect money". Or simply "check" in English, which most Bangkok servers understand. Service charge is sometimes added to upscale restaurant bills; tipping is becoming more expected in tourist areas.
Literally "pay card". QR phone payments are everywhere.
Literally "fresh money". Street food is cash or QR only.
Tap water is not reliably safe for foreigners, though Thais drink it. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. "Nam ton" (hot water) is a free default at many cafes.
Thai iced coffee comes very sweet unless you ask for หวานน้อย (wahn NOI), less sweet.
Alcohol sales are restricted to 11 to 2 and 5 to midnight.
Literally "don't put ...": ไม่ใส่ผงชูรส (mai sai pong-choo-ROT), no MSG.