"Not that good": the modesty script

Say three words of Thai and someone will praise you: พูดไทยเก่งจัง. The expected reply isn't 'thank you', it's a gentle denial: ไม่เก่งหรอก (not really) or ยังเรียนอยู่ (still learning). The other person then insists, and both of you have been polite. Thai culture values being ถ่อมตัว (modest) and keeping a low profile; openly agreeing with praise can sound boastful, even as a joke. The same pattern applies to compliments on your cooking, your clothes or your children. If you'd like to accept a compliment, ขอบคุณที่ชม with a little smile works, especially from someone older.