Although Western numerals (Arabic numbers) are now widely used in Thai writing, there are also ten Thai glyphs for numbers. You can see it on Thai banknotes and coins, or if you visit tourist attractions i.e. museums, important temples, historical parks, you will see Thai numerals used to show the entrance fee. Sadly but true, the practice of dual pricing by using Thai letters and numbers, is widespread in Thailand as well as many other Asian countries. (See the photos at the bottom of this post).
When I was a young student, my teacher played a game with the students in the class. We learned Thai numerals with our hands. Check it out if I can do it well:)
Watch this video to learn Thai numbers 0-10
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Mod, you have more flexibility in your hands than me 555.
But it’s true, learning Thai numbers will will not only help you identify motorcycle taxis but will save you money in the markets and when entering parks, islands and temples.
I have both Thai car and motorcycle driving licenses and always pay Thai price while my farang friends pay full price. Sweet!
Thanks for this info Mod very informative and something else to learn I shall take more notice when I get back
With a bit of sleuthing . . .
จุดเก็บค่าธรรมเนียม [jùt gèp kâa-tam-niiam] point collect fee
เด็ก [dèk] child
ผู้ใหญ่ [púu-yài] adult (person-who big)
Looks like I didn’t pay enough attention either!
So what does the sign say? The first line starts ‘Jud’. Next line is ‘dek’ or child. Third line is Poo-something for adult with prices 10 and 20 baht.
I added the explanation in the post already. Please have a look:)
สองสามปีที่แล้ว ผมไปเที่ยวดอยอินทนนท์ ลูกของเพื่อนถาม ผู้ขายตั๋ว ว่าถ้าจ่ายราคาไทยได้ เสียแต่ว่าลูกลืมใบอนุญาตประกอบอาชีพไว้ในบ้าน ผู้ขายตั๋วก็ไม้อนุญาตให้เขาผ่าน โชคดีพ่อของเขาไปเที่ยวด้วยกัน และพ่อของลูกก็จะจ่ายราคาฝรั่งให้ลูกเข้าได้ครับ
ลูกของเพื่อนคุณคีธโชคดีจริงๆค่ะ 😉
Wow, 10 baht and 20 baht compared to 100 and 200 baht , 55555.
Sawasdee ka khru mod,
Thank you for this lesson..
I would like to ask if later I see dual pricing like the picture on your post when I’m visiting a place or buying something in Thailand, is it ok to pay with the price in thai numerals though I’m a foreigner but I know exactly how much it is in thai numerals?
kob khun ka 🙂
Sawatdee ka, Thank you for reading my post. I am afraid it is not possible for foreign tourists to pay the Thai price:(
I have a foreign friend who works in Thailand and pay tax for Thai government. He and his wife went to Samed island together and before he paid for the entrance fee (200 THB for foreigners, 40 Baht for Thai), he said to the officer in Thai language “I work here and py the tax like Thai people so I can pay the Thai price”, and he did!
Then you should make a video teaching us to say “I work here and py the tax like Thai people so I can pay the Thai price!”
Just kidding, good post, I still get a little confuse with the number sometimes 🙁
they sometimes allow foreigners to pay thai-price if you have thai driving license. otherwise no way)