ช่วยด้วย!
Chûai dûai!
Help!
Grammar Note
"Duai" adds a pleading/request nuance when at the end of commands. "Chuai duai" is one of the most important emergency phrases
เรียกตำรวจด้วย
Rîak tamrùat dûai
Call the police
Usage
Thai police emergency number is 191
Grammar Note
"Riak" (call/summon) is versatile: "riak rot" (call a car), "riak chue" (call by name). Emergency numbers: medical 1669, police 191
เรียกรถพยาบาลด้วย
Rîak rót pháyaban dûai
Call an ambulance
Usage
Thai emergency medical number is 1669; fire and rescue is 199
Grammar Note
"Rot phayaban" = nursing car = ambulance. Same pattern: "rot dap phloeng" (fire truck), "rot tamruat" (police car). Dial 1669
ผม/ฉันไม่สบายครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn mâi sàbai khráp / khâ
I'm sick
Grammar Note
"Mai sabai" = not comfortable = feeling ill. The "mai + adjective" pattern creates negatives: "mai di" (not good), "mai aroy" (not tasty)
ผม/ฉันทำหนังสือเดินทางหายครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn tham nǎngsǔedoenthang hǎi khráp / khâ
I lost my passport
Usage
First get a police report ("bai rap jaeng khwam") at the nearest station, then contact your embassy
Grammar Note
"Nangsuedoenthang" = book + walk + road = travel document. "Tham hai" = cause to be lost (accidentally lost)
โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหนครับ / คะ
Rong pháyaban yù thî nǎi khráp / khá
Where is the hospital?
Grammar Note
"Thi nai" (where) goes at the sentence end. "Yu" is the existential verb for location. Hospital literally = "nursing building"
ผม/ฉันโดนขโมยครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don khà-moi khráp / khâ
Something was stolen from me
Usage
A police report is needed for travel insurance claims. Say "jaeng khwam" (file a report)
Grammar Note
"Don" forms passive voice for negative events: "don + verb" = to be (bad thing)-ed. "Thuek" is more neutral passive
ต้องการพบแพทย์ครับ / ค่ะ
Tông kan phóp phâet khráp / khâ
I need a doctor
Grammar Note
"Phaet" is the formal word for doctor; "mo" is the common spoken term. "Tong kan" is formal for "want/need" — right for medical contexts
ผม/ฉันต้องการติดต่อสถานทูตญี่ปุ่นครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn tông kan tìt tò sàthǎn thût yîpùn khráp / khâ
I need to contact the Japanese embassy
Usage
The Embassy of Japan in Thailand is on Wireless Road, Bangkok (02-207-8500 / 02-696-3000), with a duty officer for emergencies outside office hours. There is also a Consulate-General in Chiang Mai. Get a police report first — it speeds up passport and incident procedures
Grammar Note
"Sathan" (place) + "thut" (envoy) = embassy. The "sathan-" element builds institution names: "sathan kongsun" (consulate), "sathan phayaban" (medical facility). Note that "sathani" (station) is a different morpheme, so "sathani tamruat" (police station) and "sathani rot fai" (train station) do not belong to this set. "Tit to" covers contacting in general
ผม/ฉันต้องการอายัดบัตรเครดิตครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn tông kan ayát bàt khredìt khráp / khâ
I need to cancel my credit card
Usage
Call your card issuer first — Japanese issuers take reports 24 hours a day and accept collect calls from abroad. The number is on the back of the card, so keep a separate copy before you travel. Hotel reception can place the international call for you
Grammar Note
"Ayat" is the banking/legal term for freezing or stopping something: "ayat banchi" (freeze an account). "Yok loek" means cancel generally, but "ayat" is the right word for loss or theft. "Bat" = any card: "bat ATM", "bat prachachon" (ID card)
ขอเอกสารสำหรับเคลมประกันครับ / ค่ะ
Khǒ èkkàsǎn sǎmràp khlem pràkan khráp / khâ
I need documents for my insurance
Usage
Travel insurance claims normally need two hospital documents: "bai raprong phaet" (medical certificate) and "bai set" (receipt). Ask for both when you settle the bill. Private hospitals often bill some insurers directly — show your policy at reception to check
Grammar Note
"Khlem prakan" (from English "claim") is the everyday phrase understood at Thai hospital counters. "Prakan" builds compounds: "prakan sukkhaphap" (health insurance), "prakan kan doenthang" (travel insurance)
มีใครพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหมครับ / คะ
Mi khrai phût phasǎ angkrìt dâi mǎi khráp / khá
Is there someone who speaks English?
Usage
English is often not spoken at provincial police stations or public hospitals. The Tourist Police hotline (1155) operates in English and can arrange an interpreter. Several private hospitals in Bangkok also have Japanese-language desks
Grammar Note
"Mi khrai + verb + dai mai?" = "Is there anyone who can…?" The ability marker "dai" follows the verb ("phut dai" = can speak). "Phasa" prefixes languages: "phasa yipun" (Japanese). For an interpreter, ask "mi lam mai?"
หยุดเดี๋ยวนี้ครับ / ค่ะ
Yùt dǐao ní khráp / khâ
Stop it, please
Usage
Use to firmly tell someone to stop unwanted behavior, such as a persistent tout or harassment
Grammar Note
"Yut" is an imperative telling someone to stop; adding "diao ni" (right now) makes it more forceful and immediate
อย่าแตะต้องครับ / ค่ะ
Yà tàe tông khráp / khâ
Don't touch, please
Usage
Use to firmly refuse unwanted physical contact with your body or belongings
Grammar Note
"Ya + verb" forms a prohibition. "Tae tong" is a firmer word for physical contact than the simpler "tae"
อัคคีภัย
Àkkhi phai
Fire (conflagration)
Usage
The word for a fire or conflagration itself; point to it when reporting or describing one
ขโมย
Khà-moi
Thief
Usage
The noun for a thief; the same word also serves as the verb "to steal"
ชิงทรัพย์
Ching sáp
Robbery
Usage
The legal term for robbery — seizing property by force; use when filing a police report
วิ่งราวทรัพย์
Wîng rao sáp
Snatch theft
Usage
Theft by grabbing property in front of its owner and running off
นักล้วงกระเป๋า
Nák lúang krà-pǎo
Pickpocket
Usage
"Nak" (one who does) + "luang" (to reach a hand inside) + "krapao" (bag, pocket) = a pickpocket
ลักพาตัว
Lák pha tua
Kidnapping
Usage
The verb "to kidnap"; use to report an abduction or warn of one
ฆาตกรรม
Khât-tà-kam
Murder
Usage
The formal word for murder; use when reporting the crime
จลาจล
Chà-la-chon
Riot
Usage
Social or political turmoil and unrest; in legal usage it means a riot
ลูกระเบิด
Lûk rá-bòet
Bomb
Usage
The explosive device itself; "rabeut" alone can be the verb "to explode", so "luk" marks the object
เรียกรถดับเพลิงด้วย
Rîak rót dàp phloeng dûai
Please call a fire engine
Grammar Note
"Riak + vehicle + duai" = "please call a ___". Same frame as "riak rot phayaban duai" (call an ambulance), with the vehicle swapped
สถานีตำรวจอยู่ที่ไหนครับ / คะ
Sàthǎni tamrùat yù thî nǎi khráp / khá
Where is the police station?
Usage
"Sathani tamruat" names the police station as a building/office; "tamruat" alone is the police as an institution
Grammar Note
The "X yu thi nai" (where is X?) frame with "police station" filled in. The female final particle is the high-tone "kha" because this is a question — not the falling-tone form used in statements
ขอใบแจ้งความครับ / ค่ะ
Khǒ bai châeng khwam khráp / khâ
May I have the police report document?
Usage
Show it at a police counter after a theft to ask for this document. Travel insurance claims need the police report. "Chaeng khwam" is filing a report with the police; "bai" is the document itself. The sentence itself does not name the theft, so say or mime that part
Grammar Note
"Kho bai + document + khrap/kha" = "may I have the ___ document". Same frame as "kho bai rap rong phaet" (medical certificate), with the document name swapped
มีใครพูดภาษาญี่ปุ่นได้ไหมครับ / คะ
Mi khrai phût phasǎ yîpùn dâi mǎi khráp / khá
Is there anyone who speaks Japanese?
Grammar Note
The "mi khrai phut phasa angkrit dai mai" (does anyone speak English?) with the language swapped to Japanese. Being a question, the female particle is the high-tone "kha"
คนนี้หมดสติแล้วครับ / ค่ะ
Khon ní mòt sàtì láeo khráp / khâ
This person is unconscious
Usage
Said when calling for help beside someone who has collapsed. The subject "khon ni" (this person) is stated so it is clear the speaker is not talking about themselves
Grammar Note
"Mot" (to run out) + "sati" (consciousness) = to lose consciousness. Final "laeo" marks the state as already reached, the same use as in "baet mot laeo" (the battery has died)
มีคนจมน้ำครับ / ค่ะ
Mi khon chom nám khráp / khâ
Someone is drowning
Grammar Note
"Mi + noun" states existence. "Chom" (to sink) + "nam" (water) = to drown
ผม/ฉันโดนทำร้ายครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don tham rái khráp / khâ
I was beaten
Grammar Note
The same "don + verb" passive as "phom/chan don khamoi" (I was robbed). "Tham rai" means "to cause injury or damage"
ผม/ฉันโดนขโมยขึ้นบ้านครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don khà-moi khûen bân khráp / khâ
My room was broken into
Usage
The same wording works for a hotel room; "ban" can refer to wherever you are staying, not only a house
Grammar Note
The "don + verb" passive with "khamoi khuen ban" (a thief enters the house). Thai says "khuen" (to go up) for entering a house, a relic of stilt-house architecture
คนนั้นเป็นคนร้ายครับ / ค่ะ
Khon nán pen khon rái khráp / khâ
That person is the culprit
Grammar Note
"A pen B" = "A is B". "Khon rai" is the word for the perpetrator of a crime
ผม/ฉันโดนหลอกครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don lòk khráp / khâ
I was deceived
Grammar Note
The "don + verb" passive of "phom/chan don khamoi", with "lok" (to deceive) — the same word as in "ya ma lok" (do not try to fool me)
ผม/ฉันโดนขโมยกระเป๋าเงินครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don khà-moi kràpǎo ngoen khráp / khâ
My wallet was stolen
Grammar Note
The "phom/chan don khamoi" (I was robbed) with the stolen item added. "Krapao" (bag) + "ngoen" (money) = wallet
ผม/ฉันลืมของไว้ครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn luem khǒng wái khráp / khâ
I left something behind
Grammar Note
"Luem" (forget) + object + "wai" = to leave behind. "Wai" marks that the result of the action stays in place, as in "fak krapao wai" (leave a bag in storage)
ผม/ฉันโดนรถชนครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don rót chon khráp / khâ
I was hit by a car
Grammar Note
The "don + agent + verb" passive; "thuk rot chon" (hit by a car) follows the same pattern. "Chon" is the same "collide" verb as in "chon kaeo" (clink glasses)
กรุณาไปทางออกฉุกเฉิน
Kàrúna pai thang òk chùkchǒen
Please escape through the emergency exit
Usage
Literally "please go to the emergency exit" — the ordinary way to direct someone to evacuate in Thai
Grammar Note
"Karuna + verb" is the polite request form used on signs and announcements, the same frame as "karuna wang krapao trong ni" (please put your bag here) with the verb and destination swapped
ระวัง!
Rá-wang!
Watch out!
Usage
A one-word shout warning of immediate danger; like "chuai duai!" (help!) it takes no polite final particle
Grammar Note
"Rawang" means "to take care so that no danger arises", as in "rawang rot" (watch out for cars). Shouted alone it functions as a warning
เร็วๆ หน่อยครับ / ค่ะ
Reo reo nòi khráp / khâ
Please hurry
Grammar Note
The mark "ๆ" repeats the preceding word; doubling an adjective intensifies it (as in "phut cha cha" = speak slowly). "Noi khrap/kha" softens the request
กรุณามาเดี๋ยวนี้
Kàrúna ma dǐao ní
Please come right away
Grammar Note
The polite "karuna + verb" request with "diao ni" (right now), placed exactly as in "yut diao ni" (stop right now)
ช่วยพาไปโรงพยาบาลด้วย
Chûai pha pai rong pháyaban dûai
Please take me to a hospital
Grammar Note
"Chuai + verb + duai" is the request frame, the same one as bare "chuai duai" (help me) with a verb phrase inserted. "Pha pai" means "to take someone somewhere"
ไฟไหม้! หนีเร็ว!
Fai mâi! Nǐ reo!
Fire! Run!
Usage
A shout to alert the people around you. The formal "akkhiphai" belongs to documents and news; a shout uses "fai mai"
Grammar Note
"Fai" (fire) + "mai" (to burn), the same compound that appears inside "phlae fai mai" (a burn). The imperative is the bare verb with "reo" (quickly) added; as a shout it takes no polite final particle, like "chuai duai!"
ขโมย! ช่วยจับด้วย!
Khà-moi! Chûai càp dûai!
Thief! Catch him!
Grammar Note
"Khamoi" means "thief". The second half inserts the verb "cap" into the "chuai duai!" (help me!) request frame; "cap" means "to hold someone so they cannot escape", as in "cap phu rai" (catch the criminal)
ผม/ฉันโดนมีดแทงครับ / ค่ะ
Phǒm / Chǎn don mîit thaeng khráp / khâ
I was stabbed
Grammar Note
The "don + agent + verb" passive of "don rot chon", filled with "miit" (knife) and "thaeng" (to stab). For insect bites a different verb is used, "kat" (to bite). "Thaeng" also means to place a bet, so "miit" is kept to stop it being read that way. This is a statement, so the female particle is the low "khâ", not the question form "khá"
มีอุบัติเหตุทางถนนครับ / ค่ะ
Mi ù-bàt-tì-hèt thang thà-nǒn khráp / khâ
There has been a traffic accident
Usage
Report that a road accident has happened, to the emergency line or to bystanders. In Thailand the ambulance is 1669 and the police 191
Grammar Note
The "มี… ครับ / ค่ะ" frame is the same as in "มีคนจมน้ำครับ / ค่ะ". "อุบัติเหตุจราจร" is also said. This is a statement, so the female particle is the low "khâ" (ค่ะ), not the high-tone question form "khá" (คะ)
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