Animals

1. หมา

   Mǎ

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common, so "ma kat" (a dog bit me) is worth knowing. The polite word is "sunak"

2. แมว

   Maeo

   Cat

   Usage

   Common at temples and markets, and an easy small-talk opener with animal lovers

3. นก

   Nók

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word to use in a nature park or when birdwatching

4. ปลา

   Pla

   Fish

   Usage

   Works both for ordering fish at a restaurant and for talking about snorkelling

5. ม้า

   Má

   Horse

   Usage

   Used for beach horse rides. Note the tone differs from "ma" (dog) — the horse word has a high tone

6. วัว

   Wua

   Cow

   Usage

   Cows cross rural roads. Beef is "nuea wua"

7. ควาย

   Khwai

   Water buffalo

   Usage

   A familiar sight in the countryside. Aimed at a person it means "idiot", so keep it to actual animals

8. หมู

   Mǔ

   Pig

   Usage

   Also the everyday word on menus — "mu" alone means pork

9. ไก่

   Kài

   Chicken

   Usage

   Used both on street-food orders and for the animal. "Kai yang" is grilled chicken

10. เป็ด

    Pèt

    Duck

    Usage

    "Pet" (duck) sounds close to "phet" (spicy), so showing the screen avoids a mix-up when ordering

11. แพะ

    Pháe

    Goat

    Usage

    Goat meat is common in the Muslim south, so this is useful for checking ingredients

12. แกะ

    Kàe

    Sheep

    Usage

    Use it to check for lamb on a menu or at a tourist farm

13. ช้าง

    Cháng

    Elephant

    Usage

    Thailand’s national symbol — used for elephant sanctuaries and for ordering Chang beer

14. ลิง

    Ling

    Monkey

    Usage

    Monkeys snatch bags in Lopburi and Phuket — never show them food

15. เสือ

    Sǔea

    Tiger

    Usage

    Used when talking about a zoo or a tiger park

16. งู

    Ngu

    Snake

    Usage

    You can meet one on country or jungle paths. "Ngu kat" (a snake bit me) is an emergency phrase

17. จระเข้

    Chorákhê

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Used for crocodile farms and for checking what a leather product is made of

18. เต่า

    Tào

    Turtle

    Usage

    Used when diving or visiting a sea-turtle conservation centre

19. กบ

    Kòp

    Frog

    Usage

    Frog appears on rural menus — useful for checking an ingredient

20. จิ้งจก

    Chîngchòk

    House gecko

    Usage

    The small gecko on your guesthouse wall. Harmless — it eats insects, so leave it be

21. ตุ๊กแก

    Túkkae

    Tokay gecko

    Usage

    The big gecko that shouts "tokay" at night — show this word if you need to explain the noise

22. กิ้งก่า

    Kîngkà

    Lizard

    Usage

    The general word for lizards in parks and gardens. Avoid the word for monitor lizard — it doubles as an insult

23. หนู

    Nǔ

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Use it to report a hygiene problem at your lodging. The same word is also a pronoun used by children and young women

24. กระต่าย

    Kràtài

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Used at petting zoos, and easy to connect to the BTS "Rabbit Card"

25. ค้างคาว

    Khángkhao

    Bat

    Usage

    A staple of cave tours — some caves are famous for the evening exodus

26. ยุง

    Yung

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The most useful entry here. "Mi yung" (there are mosquitoes) gets you a room change or a coil. Repellent is "ya kan yung"

27. แมลงสาบ

    Málaeng sàp

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Show it to report a hygiene problem at a hotel or restaurant — no need to raise your voice

28. มด

    Mót

    Ant

    Usage

    They find food in your room fast — use it to report ants near the bed

29. ผึ้ง

    Phûeng

    Bee

    Usage

    Use it to report a sting. Honey is "nam phueng"

30. แมงมุม

    Maeng mum

    Spider

    Usage

    Use it when you find a spider in your room or a mountain hut

31. ตะขาบ

    Tàkhàp

    Centipede

    Usage

    Bites really do happen in Thailand — show this word at a clinic if you are bitten

32. ผีเสื้อ

    Phǐ sûea

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Used in national parks and butterfly gardens

33. แมลงวัน

    Málaeng wan

    Fly

    Usage

    Use it when you are concerned about hygiene at a stall or eatery

34. แมงกะพรุน

    Maeng kàphrun

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    Stings happen on southern beaches — show this word to ask for first aid

Browse all TravelPhrases languages