We recommend that you learn a few words of the language of the Tribe that you will be visiting. This will help your integration in the village, as the residents always appreciate that foreigners try to get to know the language.

Here are some of the basic civilities:

Thai:
Hello = Sawat-dii kha (for women) – Sawat-dii khrap (for men)
Thank You = Khawp khun kha / khrap
What is your name? = Khun cheu arai kha / khrap?
My name is =Di-chan cheu (your name)(for women) – Phom cheu (your name)(for men)
It’s very delicious = Arawy

Akha:
Hello (I bow my head in greeting) = U du tah ma
Thank You = Gui lah hui mi a de
I have come for a visit = Daw deh g’a la eu ma
What is your name? = Naw eu tsaw myah a jo eh ku te?
My name is = (Your name) leh ku eu meh

Lahu:
Hello = Au bo ui dya
Thank you (The blessing is big) = Au bo ui dya
I’ve come for a visit = La ve ca gui
What is your name? = Naw aw meh a hto ma meh ve le?
My name is = (Name) meh ve
It’s very delicious! = Meh ja ve

* Lonely Planet has published a Thai Hilltribes Phrasebook than can be purchased at any good library in Thailand. The Mirror Art Group also offers a free Lahu and Akha phrase book.

Links

www.mirrorartgroup.org

www.hilltribe.org