Jingjok
Bargain with a smile; ten percent is a win
lót nòi ná
Bargaining in Thailand is short and friendly, not a battle. At a local market where prices aren't marked, the first price is often already close to fair, and getting ten percent off, or having 290 rounded to 250, is a good result. Tourist areas may start higher, so there's more room. Ask once or twice with a smile: ลดหน่อยนะ, or ซื้อสองอัน ลดไหม. If the seller says ลดไม่ได้ (no discount), they may offer a small extra instead, called แถม. When the price is right, say ตกลง and pay. When it isn't, say ไม่เป็นไร ขอบคุณ and walk on, smiling. Coming back later to offer even less is what sellers dislike.
Try this today
Next time you buy two of something, ask ซื้อสองอัน ลดไหม.
Learn this in “Shopping and the market” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.