Restaurant
❃ Restaurant
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กี่ท่านครับ/ค่ะ
[ kii thaan khrap/kha ] -
How many people? (Formal)
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สองที่ครับ/ค่ะ
[ song thii khrap/kha ] -
Table for two
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จองไว้แล้วครับ/ค่ะ
[ jong wai laew khrap/kha ] -
I have a reservation
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จองในชื่อ...ครับ/ค่ะ
[ jong nai chue... khrap/kha ] -
Reserved under the name...
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ขอนั่งข้างนอกครับ/ค่ะ
[ kho nang khaang-nok khrap/kha ] -
Can we sit outside?
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ขอนั่งข้างในครับ/ค่ะ
[ kho nang khaang-nai khrap/kha ] -
Can we sit inside (AC)?
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ขอเมนูหน่อยครับ/ค่ะ
[ kho me-nuu noi khrap/kha ] -
Menu, please
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มีเมนูภาษาอังกฤษไหมครับ/ค่ะ
[ mii me-nuu phaa-saa ang-krit mai khrap/kha ] -
Do you have an English menu?
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มีเมนูรูปภาพไหมครับ/ค่ะ
[ mii me-nuu ruup-phaap mai khrap/kha ] -
Do you have a picture menu?
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มีเมนูแนะนำไหมครับ/ค่ะ
[ mii me-nuu nae-nam mai khrap/kha ] -
Do you have any recommendations?
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ขอเวลาคิดแป๊บหนึ่งครับ/ค่ะ
[ kho we-laa khit paep nueng khrap/kha ] -
We need a moment to think/decide
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พร้อมสั่งแล้วครับ/ค่ะ
[ phrom sang laew khrap/kha ] -
We are ready to order
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น้องครับ/ค่ะ สั่งอาหารหน่อย
[ nong khrap/kha sang aa-haan noi ] -
Excuse me (staff), we'd like to order
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มีเก้าอี้เด็กไหมครับ/ค่ะ
[ mii kao-ii dek mai khrap/kha ] -
Do you have a baby chair?
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ห้องน้ำไปทางไหนครับ/ค่ะ
[ hong-nam pai thaang nai khrap/kha ] -
Which way to the washroom?
Dining in a classic Thai restaurant involves a completely different set of social etiquettes compared to eating at a street food stall or a Western establishment. When you enter, the host will likely ask กี่ท่านครับ/ค่ะ (ki than khrap/kha), meaning "How many people?". If you have made a booking, you say จองไว้แล้ว (chong wai laeo - "I have a reservation"). Because of the extreme tropical heat, seating preferences are a major part of the restaurant experience. You might specifically request to sit in the air-conditioned room by asking ขอนั่งข้างใน (kho nang khang nai - "Can we sit inside?"). When it comes to ordering, Thai restaurants almost always provide a menu, but don't assume they have English versions. You can politely ask ขอเมนูหน่อย (kho menu noi - "Menu, please"), or specifically request a menu with photos by asking มีเมนูรูปภาพไหม (mi menu rup phap mai). The most significant cultural difference occurs when you need to get the waiter's attention. In Western countries, calling out loudly or gesturing wildly is considered rude. In Thailand, however, you must actively call the waiter over. The most common and endearing way to do this is to raise your hand slightly and call out น้อง (Nong!), which means "younger sibling". Thais use familial terms for service staff to create a friendly, respectful dynamic. If the server is visibly older than you, you can use พี่ (Phi! - "older sibling"). Never snap your fingers or whistle, as this is considered highly disrespectful and comparable to calling a dog. Once you master the confidence to call out "Nong!" across a busy dining room, you will seamlessly blend into the vibrant, communal atmosphere of Thai dining.
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