Thailand has a special place in our hearts. We spent over 10 years of our lives in the land of the smiles and we adored it. It is such a popular place to visit for so many reasons: the incredible beaches, the culture, the friendly people, the very good infrastructure, and, of course, the famous food.
For Vegans, Thailand can almost seem like paradise. There are quite a number of vegan restaurants, and more popping up every month, but also, a particular sect of Thai Buddhism actually practices a vegan diet so it is widely understood. Since most Thai men (and many women) will have done their "monk-hood", it seems like every Thai knows what veganism is, at least to some extend. Therefore, there isn't as much explaining to do as in many other countries. Very refreshing!!
In the past 20 years since we have been going to Thailand, it seems to us that more people speak English than before, especially the younger generation. That said, in restaurants and hotels, communicating requests that are outside of the box still can really confuse staff, so having a language sheet to fall back on can be really helpful.
We love this sheet over many other language sheets out there for the following reasons:
- It’s been edited by native Thai speakers, not Google!
- It includes some general phrases. This is important because if you are making requests in Thai it is really important to properly greet the person before making your requests.
- Phrases are included that are a little bit more involved than just saying you are vegan. You can explain what that really means and even thank the chef for accommodating you. These are all things that will endear the people to you and your requests. Politeness (more than you might use at home) is a highly valued trait so showing this to the people that you want to get something from will be so helpful.
- Our language guide also shares some commonly desired phrases to try to reduce the amount of waste you might inadvertently be given in Thailand. Say no to that straw and that plastic bag!
- We have the written Thai, but also the phonetics as well. Be aware that Thai is a tonal language so even if you read the pronunciation guide, if your tone is wrong you will not be understood. If you are not being understood, then just show them the text!
- If something terrible happens you have a few phrases which will hopefully get people’s attention straight away. We hope you won’t need them!
And don't forget to check out our other vegan language guides for Vietnamese, Kinyarwandan and French!
English | Pronunciation | Thai Script |
GENERAL | ||
Hello! | Sawadee | สวัสดี |
How are you? | Sabaaidii mai? | สบายดีไหม |
Goodbye! | La gawn | ลาก่อน |
VEGAN | ||
I am a vegan. I do not eat meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk or milk products (butter, yogurt cheese). | Chan pen mungsawirat chan mai kin nuea sat, plaa ahaan talae, kai, khai, nom sing tee tam majak nom | ฉันเป็นมังสะวิรัติ ฉันไม่กินเนื้อสัตว์, ปลา,อาหารทะเล,ไก่,ไข่ และนมหรือสิ่งที่ทำมาจากนม (โยเกริตย์, เนย) |
Does this food contain meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk or milk products? | Aahaan nee sai nuea sat, pla, hoi, kai, khai rue sing tee tum majak nom mai? | อาหารนี้ใส่เนื้อ, ปลา, หอย, ไก่,ไข่, นมหรือสิ่งที่ทำจากนมมั้ย |
I can't eat meat. | Chan mai kin nuea sat | ฉันไม่กินเนื้อสัตว์ |
Please no broth made from meat or fish. | mai ao soup tee tam ma jak nuea sat rue plaa | ไมเอาน้ำซุป ที่ทำจากเนื้อสัคว์ หรือปลา |
fish | plaa | ปลา |
meat | nuea sat | เนื้อสัตว์ |
pork | muu | หมู |
chicken | kai | ไก่ |
beef | nuea wua | เนื้อวัว |
egg | khai | ไข่ |
seafood | aahaan thalay | อาหารทะเล |
cow’s milk | nom wua | นมวัว |
cheese | chiit | ชีส |
yogurt | yohkert | โยเกิร์ต |
shrimp paste | kapi | กะปิ |
oyster sauce | naam man hooy | น้ำมันหอย |
Is there shrimp paste in the curry? | Kreng kang sai kapi mai | เครื่องแกงใส่กะปิไหม |
tofu | tao huu | เต้าหู้ |
soy milk | naam tao huu | นมถั่วเหลือง |
vegetables | phak | ผัก |
without __________ | mai aw | ไม่เอา |
with __________ | aw | เอา |
instead of with_____ can I have the ____ with______ | tantee ja aw kho chan aw _____ tan | แทนที่จะเอา______ขอฉันเอา_______สิ่งนี้แทน |
Please tell me if I order something that is not vegan. | prod bork chan duay tha chan sung arai tee mai chai mungsawirat | โปรดบอกฉันด้วยถ้าฉันสั่งอะไรที่ไม่ใช่มังสะวิรัติ |
Can you suggest anything from your menu that is vegan or that you can make vegan? | nanum rai karn aharn tee pen mungsawirat rue tam duay mungsawirat dai mai kha? | แนะนำรายการอาหารที่เป็นมังสะวิรัติหรือทำด้วยมังสะวิรัติด้วยได้มั๊ย? |
No fish sauce. | mai Aow Nam Pla | ไม่เอาน้ำปลา |
I eat vegan. | chan gin jay | ฉันกินเจ |
Can you check with the chef that this is vegan? | chuay tham chef dai mai kha wa nee chai mungsawirat mai? | ช่วยถามเชฟได้มั้ยคะว่านี่ใช่มังสะวิรัติมั้ย |
Can you make this dish vegan? | tham pen jay dai mai | ทำเป็นเจใด้ไหม |
Please fry in oil not butter. | Chuaii phat nai naam man mai chai neuy | ช่วยผัดในน้ำมันไม่ใช่เนย |
Thank you for accommodating me at your restaurant. I really appreciate you and the kitchen staff looking after me. | Khob khun mak kha som rab aharn tee aroit lae karn bor ri karn tee dee dee. | ขอบคุณมากค่ะสำหรับอาหารที่ อร่อยและการบริการที่ดีๆ |
Does this have any leather, silk, wool or anything else from an animal? | Mee suan pasom chak ngang pamai konsat rue chak sad mai | มีส่วนผสมจากหนัง ผ้าไหม ขนสัตว์ หรือจากสัตว์มั๊ย |
ZERO WASTE | ||
No plastic bag please! | Mai aw tung plastic | ไม่เอาถุงพลาสติก |
No straw, please! | Mai aw lord ka/krub | ไม่เอาหลอดค่ะ/ครับ |
I really don’t want a straw | Mai aw lord naka/nakrub | ไม่เอาหลอดนะคะ/ครับ |
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY | ||
Please call an ambulance! | Chuai reak rod payaban hai noi ka/krub | ช่วยโทรเรียกรถพยาบาลให้หน่อยค่ะ/ครับ |
I need someone that speaks English now. It’s an emergency! | Chan tong kan kon tee pood pasa angkrid dai ton nee duan | ฉันต้องการคนที่พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ตอนนี้ด่วน |
Please send an ambulance with a doctor on board if possible. | Ta pen pai dai chui song khun mor ma promp kab rod payaban | ถ้าเป็นไปช่วยพาคุณหมอมาพร้อมกับรถพยาบาล |
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Let's Discuss!
We'd love to hear from you! Do you have any questions? Is there anything missing in this language guide? Let us know and we might add it to a future article update!
Let's have a discussion in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!