The
Thai language is the Country’s national language and is spoken
in all parts of the Country. Different dialects and indigenous
languages exist in up-country villages. Basic English is spoken
by people who have constant encounters with tourists including
hotel staff, bank tellers, some taxi drivers and police. The Tourist
Police assistance call line has multilingual speaking staff.
It is important to learn a few phrases before visiting the country
as these may come in handy in breaking down the language barrier
and preventing misconceptions. The Thai language is a tonal language
and the meaning and interpretation of a syllable is determined
by its pronunciation. This makes it a somewhat difficult language
to learn because you can easily be misunderstood if your make
the wrong pronunciation. The language is written in its own unique
alphabet.
There are a number of online resources for those wanting to
learn the Thai language. A great one is the Thai-language website
at: http://www.thai-language.com/ which features a free online
dictionary which can translate English or Thai words.
Basic phrases in the Thai language:
- Hello : Sawa`t dii,
- Goodbye : la kàwn,
- Excuse me: khãw thâwt,
- Thank you: khàwp khun
