The language of Thailand is one of most ancient of languages in the East and the South Eastern part of Asia. It is monosyllabic and uses the five basic tones of high, mid, low, rising, and falling tone to change the meaning of a single syllable. It is this particular aspect that makes it a difficult language for most Westerners to master but learning it is helpful never the less.
The Thai language is both the national and the official language of Thailand and it is also the mother tongue of the local people.
The Thai language is one of the members of the Tai Group that belongs to the Tai- Kadai family. The Tai- Kadai group of languages has originated from Southern China though linguists have linked it to the Austronesian, the Austroasiatic, or Sino-Tibetan family of languages.
The Central Thai or the Siamese or the Standard Thai is the main language spoken by approximately 25 million people. This is the main language. But there are derivatives like the Khorat Thai that is spoken by about 400,000 people in Nakhon Ratchasima. Along with the Standard Thai there are many important dialects that are spoken and some of them are - Isan is known as the North Eastern Thai and it is the language of the Isan region. It bears a close resemblance to the Lao language though it is written in the Thai alphabet. Galung language spoken in the Nakhon Phanom province Nyaw language is spoken in Sakhon Nakhon province, Nakhon Phanom province and Udon Thani province of Northeast Thailand.
These are the main dialects but besides these there are the Lü (Tai Lue, Dai), Phuan, Shan, Southern Thai (Pak Dtai) and Thai Dam to name a few others. The dialects are spoken by people in the different regions of Thailand.
Basic Greeting and Phrases
Hello - Sawasdee (krup/ka)
How are you? - Sabai dee mai
I'm fine - Sabai dee
Pleased to meet you - Dee jai thee dai phob koon
Thank you - Khop koon (krup/ka)
Never Mind - Mai pen rai
Sorry - Kor thoad (krup/ka)
I cannot speak Thai - Phoot Thai mai dai
Please speak slowly - Prohd phoot cha-cha
I dont understand - Mai kao jai
Good luck - Kor hai chok dee
Does anyone speak english? - Mee krai pood pasa ang-grit dai bangmai?
Do you understand? - Kao jai mai?
May I take a photograph? - Kor tai ruup dai mai?
Where is the rest room? - Hong nam yoo nai?
How much does this cost? - Nee tao-rai (krup/ka)?
What is this? - Nee arai?
Very expensive - Paeng maag
Do you have something cheaper? - Mee tuuk gwaa nee mai?
The bill please - Gep taang (krup/ka)
Good bye - La gon
See you again - Laew phob gan mai
Food and Drink
Not too spicy, please - Kor mai phet maag
Delicious - A-roy!!
This is too spicy - Nee phet gern pai
Chicken - Gai
Beef - Nuea
Pork - Moo
Fish - Plaa
Spicy prawn soup - Tom yum goong
Fried rice - Khao paad
Thai-style noodles - Phad Thai
Water - Nam
Tea - Cha
Coffee - Ga-Fae
Ice - Nam khang
Chilies - Prik
Places
Airport - Sanam bin
Bus station - Sa-tanee rot mae
Railway station - Sa-tanee rot fai
Police station - Sa-tanee tum-ruad
Hotel - Rong-raem
Embassy - Sa-tantoot
Hospital - Rong-payabaan
Post office - Prai-sanee
Market - Ta-lad
Directions
I want to go - Yaak ja pai..
Where is...? - Yoo thee nai?
Turn left - Leeo sai
Turn right - Leeo kwaa
Go straight - Trong pai
Stop here - Yuut tee nee
Slow Down - Cha-cha
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