Thailand
is not really that bad with street hawkers, tuk tuk drivers
or people trying to sell you something. International sign language
of shaking your head and walking on usually works. But try some
of these phrases, you might surprise them. They then might stop
bothering you.
I don't
want any (mai ow khrab*)
I don't
have any money (mai mee dtung)
I forgot
my money (leum ow dtung ma)
*for
women you must say kaa not khrab. Click here
to visit the "Women Speaking Thai" page.
When
you are walking down a street you might hear someone ask
you "bai nai?" This means "Where are
you going?" Usually it will be a tuk tuk driver but
sometimes just an ordinary person. Some visitors get annoyed
because they hear it so often. But really, "bai
nai" is like a greeting and the person isn't really
interested in your answer.
A:
Where
are you going? (bai nai?)
B:
going
out for pleasure (bai tee o)
That might
be enough for most people. But, if a tuk tuk driver is
insistant try:
I want
to walk (ja dern bai)
A common complaint
we get are about tuk tuk drivers or other people telling
tourists that a temple or museum is closed for the day.
They then take the tourists to another place and then
eventually a gem shop. This is a scam. Try some of these
replies:
Thailand
is not really that bad with street hawkers, tuk tuk drivers
or people trying to sell you something. International sign language
of shaking your head and walking on usually works. But try some
of these phrases, you might surprise them. They then might stop
bothering you.