Traveling in Thailand: 30+ Useful Vocabulary

The opportunity to go traveling in Thailand is the stuff that dreams are made of. However, that dream can turn into a nightmare if you don’t have the requisite phrases in Thai. That’s why today we’re bringing you vocabulary and sentences to get you out, about, and around. First, the most important phrase of all:

I think motorbike is the best way to travel around Thailand.

ฉันคิดว่ามอเตอร์ไซค์เป็นวิธีที่ดีที่สุดในการเดินทางทั่วประเทศไทย [Speechword voice=”Thai Female” isinline]ฉันคิดว่ามอเตอร์ไซค์เป็นวิธีที่ดีที่สุดในการเดินทางทั่วประเทศไทย[/Speechword]

(C̄hạn khid ẁā mxtexr̒sịkh̒ pĕn wiṭhī thī̀ dī thī̀s̄ud nı kār deinthāng thạ̀w pratheṣ̄thịy)

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Traveling In Thailand – Basic Vocabulary For Air Travel

This will probably be the first hurdle you’ll have to cross when getting in and out of Thailand. Check out this basic vocabulary related to the airport.

General Vacation Vocabulary

This list encompasses everything you’ll need to know when you’re actually in Thailand. Look below for the key words.

Traveling By Land – Basic Thai Vocab

Thailand is a big country, and you’ll probably be on the road or some of its majestic rivers for large parts of your trip. Learn some key vocab for getting around on land and by water.

General Thai Phrases Related To Traveling

Knowing the basic vocabulary is good, but if you really want to shine in your exchanges with Thai people, then you’ll need to know phrases. String together that vocabulary into these crucial sentences.

What To Know When Traveling In Thailand

1. Avoid Places Like Elephant ‘sanctuaries’ And Tiger Parks – Although things have become much better in recent years with regard to the treatment of animals, Thailand generally has a poor record on animal welfare. The biggest examples of this are elephant sanctuaries which aren’t, in fact, sanctuaries but places where the animals are exploited.
2. Avoid Street Dogs And Monkeys – I know it can be tempting to pet a soi dog or a monkey, but generally speaking, this is a bad idea. Monkeys are liable to try and steal any food you have and could get aggressive. Soi dogs are generally ok in the daytime, but be wary around them at night when they roam around in large packs. If you do get bitten, immediately go to one of the international private hospitals and seek immediate medical attention.
3. Fly – There is a tendency among backpackers that they want to experience the ‘real’ Thailand, which might mean an interminable 12-hour bus ride on a bus ill-fit for purpose. Not only is this dangerous (Thailand has the worst road safety in the world), but it’s illogical. You can fly to all parts of Thailand very cheaply when you’re in the country. In my view, it’s better to see as many different places as possible (and the surrounding areas) as opposed to the 100s of km of empty highway you’d see out of a bus window.
4. Carry Bug Spray – Almost all of Thailand is thick with mosquitos, as you’d expect of somewhere with a tropical monsoon climate. These mosquitos also carry blood-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. The second of these definitely sounds the scariest and leads people to take anti-malarial medications. However, I’ve heard of people who’ve had reactions to the medication far worse than if they’d actually caught malaria- and it’s worth saying I’ve never met a person who lives in Thailand who actually takes anti-malaria drugs. Better to wear bug spray and lightweight clothes that cover your arms and legs.
5. Avoid motorbikes unless you’re an experienced rider with an international driving permit – Many travel insurance plans don’t pay out if you’re injured in a motorbike crash. The real danger you face, however, is that if you hit someone else, you could be heavily prosecuted by local authorities under local laws. The danger goes up exponentially in the rainy season and in places like Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, where roads are far scarier when you get into the mountains, and medical services are few and far between
6. If you have any problems, visit the tourist police – The number to call in Thailand is 1155. They are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, speak English, and operate in all tourist areas. They are a much better option, as Thai authorities who don’t speak English can be challenging to deal with.
7. Enjoy your time – It’s easy to get lost in some of the dangers, but all things considered, Thailand is no more treacherous than places Europeans like to travel, like Greece and Spain, and this is true everywhere from Koh Samui to Urban areas like Bangkok.

Learn Thai With Ling

Thailand is the dream Southeast Asia destination you were always told it was. There’s a little something for everyone, from stunning national parks to beach resorts, and in modern cities, you’ll find museums and the odd awesome cultural centre.

The only thing left to do now is to learn some Thai. That is where Ling comes in. Ling breaks down the language into bite-sized chunks. You work your way through our course practicing reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar in 10-minute segments. Our topics include basically everything under the sun!

If you enjoyed this blog, check out a few others making waves in the blogosphere, such as survival phrases in Thai and diet vocabulary in Thai.