Asking for Directions in Thai
Lost in Thailand? Your Life-Saving Guide to Asking for Directions in Thai
Many visitors to Bangkok find themselves wandering through a maze of narrow alleys and confusing side streets, while Google Maps keeps “recalculating” over and over. Some end up pointing helplessly at maps, hoping for directions from a friendly Thai grandma who smiles warmly—but doesn’t quite understand what they’re asking. If that sounds familiar (or like something you’d rather avoid), this guide is here to help. With a mix of practical Thai phrases and essential vocabulary, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the city smoothly—no miming required.
Essential Direction Words with Example Phrases
| English | Thai | Pronunciation | Example Phrase (EN) | Example Phrase (TH) |
| Left | ซ้าย | sáay | Turn left. | เลี้ยวซ้าย (líaw sáay) |
| Right | ขวา | kwăa | Turn right. | เลี้ยวขวา (líaw kwăa) |
| Front / Ahead | ข้างหน้า | kâang nâa | Go straight ahead. | ตรงไปข้างหน้า (dtrong bpai kâang nâa) |
| Behind / Back | ข้างหลัง | kâang lăng | It’s behind the building. | มันอยู่ข้างหลังตึก (man yùu kâang lăng dtùeg) |
| road | ถนน | ta-nŏn | Go along the road. | ไปตามถนนเส้นนี้ (bpai dtaam tà-nǒn sên née) |
| Street/Alley | ซอย | soi | Turn left into the alley. | เลี้ยวซ้ายเข้าซอย (líaw sáay kâo soi) |
| intersection | สี่แยก | sèe yâeg | Cross the intersection. | ข้ามสี่แยก (kâam sèe yâeg) |
| T-junction | สามแยก | săam yâeg | Turn right at the T-junction. | เลี้ยวขวาที่สามแยก (líaw kwăa têe săam yâeg) |
| Traffic light | ไฟแดง | fai daeng | Stop at the traffic light. | หยุดที่ไฟแดง (yùd têe fai daeng) |
| U-turn | กลับรถ | glàb ród | Make a U-turn here. | กลับรถตรงนี้ (glàb ród dtrong née) |
The mystery of the soi: Thai sois (small streets or alleys) can be incredibly confusing with their numbering systems. You might find Soi 3, then Soi 3/1, then Soi 3/2, then Soi 5 (wait, where’s Soi 4?). Don’t try to understand it – just embrace the chaos
Most taxi drivers won’t know specific addresses. You should show them the address, but also mention a major landmark near your destination, for example “Near Terminal 21” or “Close to Emporium”. This will get you further than a perfectly written address.
Asking for Directions in Thai Language
If your phone battery dies and Google Maps gives up on you, what’s your next move? Don’t panic—these Thai direction words and phrases might just save the day (or at least save you from walking in circles).
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
| Excuse me! | ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ | kŏor tôod kráb/kâ |
| I’m lost. | ผม/ฉันหลงทาง | pŏm/chán lŏng taang |
| Can you help me? | ช่วยหน่อยได้ไหมครับ/คะ | chûay nòy dâay mái kráb/ká |
| How do I get to…? | จะไปที่…ได้ยังไงครับ/คะ | dja bpai têe…(place) dâay yàng-ngai kráb/ká (how?) |
| Where is…? | …อยู่ที่ไหน | (works for places—or even people (like you!) ….yùu têe năi |
| Is it walking distance? | เดินไปได้ไหมครับ/คะ | dern bpai dâay mǎi kráb/ká |
| How many minutes by…? (Fill in… with BTS/taxi/tuk-tuk/Motorcycle/Bus-รถเมล์-ród-may) | นั่ง…กี่นาทีครับ/คะ | nâng…gèe naa-tee kráb/ká |
| I don’t understand. | ผม/ฉันไม่เข้าใจครับ/ค่ะ | pŏm/chán mâi kâo-djai kráb/kâ |
| Can you speak slowly, please? | ช่วยพูดช้าๆ ได้ไหมครับ/คะ | chûay pûud cháa cháa dâay mái kráb/ká |
| Thank you very much! | ขอบคุณมากครับ/ค่ะ | kòorb kun mâag kráb/kâ |
Decoding Thai Responses
Curious how Thai people might answer your question? Let’s break down the common ways locals give directions—so you’re not left guessing.
| What They Say | Pronunciation | What It Actually Means |
| “Just keep going straight” | ตรงไปเรื่อยๆ dtrong bpai rêuay rêuay | Could mean 100 meters or 2 kilometers. Clarify! |
| “It’s around here” | อยู่แถวนี้ yùu tăew née | They might know it’s in the area but not exactly where. |
| “Walk just a little bit more” | เดินอีกนิดเดียว dern èek níd diaw | Sometimes the Thai “little bit” could still be a 15-minute walk. |
| “Very far! Don’t walk!” | glai mâag ไกลมาก yàa dern! อย่าเดิน | ‘Very far’ in Thai might mean just one kilometer—but in the heat, that feels like a marathon! That’s why locals usually grab a motorbike taxi instead of walking. |
| “Sorry. I don’t know” | ไม่รู้ครับ/ค่ะ mâi rúu kráb/kâ | Honest and straightforward. Appreciate this person! |
| Smiling and nodding | They seem to understand. | They have no idea but are too polite to say so. Ask someone else! |
Cultural insight: In Thai culture, saying “I don’t know” can sometimes be seen as losing face. Some locals might give you directions even when they’re not sure, rather than admitting they don’t know. If someone seems hesitant or vague, it might be better to smile, say “mâi bpen rai kráb/kâ, khob khun kráb/kâ” (ไม่เป็นไรครับ/ค่ะ ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ) meaning “no problem, thank you”), and politely ask someone else instead.
Real-Life Dialogue: Street Situations in Thai
Now that you’ve learned the key words and phrases, it’s time to put them into action! These real-life dialogues will help you practice listening to and speaking Thai in everyday street situations—perfect for asking directions, finding transport, and getting around like a local.
You: Excuse me, ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ (kŏor-tôod kráb/kâ)
where is the nearest BTS station? สถานี BTS ใกล้ที่สุด อยู่ที่ไหนครับ/คะ?
(sà-tǎa-nee BTS glâi têe sùd yùu têe năi kráb/ká?)
Local: It’s not far. ไม่ไกล (mâi glai)
Just go straight, แค่เดินตรงไป (kâe dern dtrong bpai)
and turn right แล้วเลี้ยวขวา (láew líaw kwăa)
at the big intersection. ที่สี่แยกใหญ่ (têe sèe-yâeg yài)
You: About how many minutes walking? เดินไปประมาณกี่นาทีครับ/คะ?
(dern bpai bprà-maan gèe naa-tee kráb/ká?)
Local: Not long. ไม่นาน (nâi naan)
Maybe 20 minutes. ประมาณ 20 นาที (prà-maan yêe-sìb naa-tee.)
But in this heat, แต่อากาศร้อนแบบนี้ (dtàe aa-gàad rórn bàeb née,)
better take a motorcycle taxi. นั่งวินมอเตอร์ไซค์ดีกว่า (nâng win moor-dtoe-sai dee gwàa.)
Only 40 baht! แค่ 40 บาทเอง! (kâe sèe-sìb baht eeng!)
You: Where’s the motorbike taxi? วินมอเตอร์ไซค์อยู่ที่ไหนครับ/คะ?
(win moor-dtôe-sai yùu têe năi kráb/ká?)
Local: [Points] Right there! ตรงนั้นไง! (drong nán ngai)
The guys in orange vests. คนใส่เสื้อกั๊กสีส้ม (kon sài sêua gág sĕe sôm)
You: Thank you so much! ขอบคุณมากครับ/ค่ะ! (kòorb-kun mâag kráb/kâ!)
Local: You’re welcome. ยินดีครับ/ค่ะ (yin dee kráb/kâ!)
Thais aren’t always great with maps, so it’s a smart idea to save a photo of your destination on your phone. Try using public transport—like the BTS—before jumping in a taxi, especially in big cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket where traffic can be intense (and taxi fares high). In the next lesson, I’ll show you how to name different types of vehicles, deal with taxis, ask bus drivers for help, and even hop on a boat like a local.
I hope this fun little Thai language guide makes your travels in Thailand smoother, more enjoyable, and a lot less exhausting. Good luck and happy exploring!
