Do they speak English?

English in Thailand: easy in the resorts

English speakersFine in tourist areasChecked 22 October 2026

In Bangkok, Phuket, Samui and Chiang Mai, English is widely spoken in tourism. Taxi drivers and rural areas are harder. Thai is tonal, so even simple words can come out wrong, but people appreciate the effort.

English is the main language
Widely spoken
Fine in tourist areas
Limited

RatingFine in tourist areas

Say helloSawasdee khrap/kha

Areas covered2 on this page

Men end polite phrases with 'khrap', women with 'kha'. Using them, even with English, comes across as polite.

Where it differs

Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, KrabiFine in tourist areas
English in hotels, restaurants and shops.
Northern and rural ThailandLimited
Less English. Use an app.

Phrases worth learning

Sawasdee khrap/khasa-wat-DEE krap/kahHello
Khop khun khrap/khakop-KOON krap/kahThank you
Mai pen raimy pen ryeNo worries
Tao rai?tao ryeHow much?

Tips for getting by

Use Grab for taxis, so the destination is set in the app.
Have your hotel address in Thai script to show drivers.
Point at picture menus in local restaurants.
Smile and stay calm. Raising your voice is seen as a loss of face.

Why Thai is tricky

Thai has five tones, so the same syllable can mean different things depending on pitch. Don't worry about getting it perfect: Thais will appreciate the effort, and the polite endings 'khrap' (for men) and 'kha' (for women) go a long way.

Before you go

Show taxi drivers your destination on a map rather than saying it.

Stay and do

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Questions people ask

Do taxi drivers in Bangkok speak English?

Some do. Use Grab, where the destination is set in the app.

Do people speak English in Thailand?

In tourist areas like Bangkok, Phuket and Samui, yes. Less so in the north and countryside.

How do you say 'thank you' in Thai?

Khop khun khrap (men) or khop khun kha (women).

← All English spoken guides

Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.