Although Valentine’s Day (วันวาเลนไทน์ – wan waa-layn-tai) isn’t exactly a traditional holiday in Thailand, it sure is popular. In many ways, February 14th is the same in the Kingdom of Smiles as it is in the West – guys will buy roses (กุหลาบ – gù làap), a box of chocolate (ช็อกโกแลต – chók goh lâet), or a teddy bear (หมีเท็ดดี้ – mĕe-tét-dêe) and couples will go out on a romantic date (เดท – dàyt). Of course, there are some unique twists on this holiday in Thailand. In Bangkok, many couples will tie the knot in the Bang Rak (บางรัก) area since the name means “love district.” Some lucky couples will even win a “golden marriage certificate.” Other more adventurous couples choose to get hitched under water.

However you decide to celebrate this Valentine’s Day in Thailand, you should learn some useful vocabulary to woo your sweetheart (สุดที่รัก – sùt têe rák) in Thai:

Flirting

You are beautiful.

คุณสวยจังเลย

You are cute.

คุณน่ารัก

You are handsome.

คุณหล่อค่ะ

You look sexy.

คุณดูเซ็กซี่

You have beautiful eyes.

ตาคุณสวยมาก

You have a beautiful smile.

คุณยิ้มสวย

Can I have your phone number?

ขอเบอรืโทรศัพท์ของคุณได้ไหม

Are you free tonight?

คืนนี้คุณว่างไหม?

Can you go out with me?

ไปเที่ยวกับผมได้ไหม?

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

คุณมีแฟนหรือยัง?

Can I hold your hand?

ผมขอจับมือคุณได้ไหม?

Can I kiss you?

ผมขอจูบคุณได้ไหม

Getting Serious

You make me happy.

คุณทำให้ผมมีความสุข

I want to be with you.

ผมอยากอยู่กับคุณ

I like you a lot.

ผม/ฉัน ชอบคุณมาก

Do you want to be in a relationship?

เป็นแฟนกับผมได้ไหม?

You’re my sweetheart.

คุณคือยอดรักของผม

Getting Really Serious

I love you.

ผมรักคุณ – male

ฉันรักคุณ – female

I want to be with you forever.

ผมต้องการอยู่กับคุณตลอดไป

Will you marry me?

คุณจะแต่งงานกับฉัน?

Note that in Thai there are male and female words for “I/me” – ผม and ฉัน. Make sure you’re using the right one! As we all know, being polite is also important in Thai culture. Don’t forget to add ครับ (male) or ค่ะ (female) at the end of a sentence.

For some more practice, check out these YouTube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHsgE9hE_YE

Learn to say “I love you” in Thai.

More tips on talking about love in Thai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn8QG9W_f1o

An awesome 4-minute short that’s actually a tissue ad.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the couples out there, and for all the single guys, well, there’s always Soi Cowboy…