Master Thai Numbers
Thai has its own set of numerals (๐๑๒๓๔๕๖๗๘๙) that follow the Hindu-Arabic positional system. While Arabic digits are increasingly common in modern Thailand, Thai numerals still appear in legal documents, currency, and formal settings. Thai counting requires classifiers — you can't just say "five teachers," you say khru ha khon ("teacher five person"). Thai also has unique words for 10,000 (หมื่น) and 100,000 (แสน), reflecting its historical trading culture.
Watch the videos below, then download the Foreign Numbers app and practice what you've learned!
Thai Phone Numbers
How phone numbers work in Thailand & how locals say them
| Numeral | Thai Numeral | Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ๐ | ศูนย์ (sǔun) |
| 1 | ๑ | หนึ่ง (nùeng) |
| 2 | ๒ | สอง (sǎawng) |
| 3 | ๓ | สาม (sǎam) |
| 4 | ๔ | สี่ (sìi) |
| 5 | ๕ | ห้า (hâa) |
| 6 | ๖ | หก (hòk) |
| 7 | ๗ | เจ็ด (jèt) |
| 8 | ๘ | แปด (bpàaet) |
| 9 | ๙ | เก้า (gâao) |
| 10 | ๑๐ | สิบ (sìp) |
| 11 | ๑๑ | สิบเอ็ด (sìp èt) |
| 12 | ๑๒ | สิบสอง (sìp sǎawng) |
| 13 | ๑๓ | สิบสาม (sìp sǎam) |
| 14 | ๑๔ | สิบสี่ (sìp sìi) |
| 15 | ๑๕ | สิบห้า (sìp hâa) |
| 16 | ๑๖ | สิบหก (sìp hòk) |
| 17 | ๑๗ | สิบเจ็ด (sìp jèt) |
| 18 | ๑๘ | สิบแปด (sìp bpàaet) |
| 19 | ๑๙ | สิบเก้า (sìp gâao) |
| 20 | ๒๐ | ยี่สิบ (yîi sìp) |
| 21 | ๒๑ | ยี่สิบเอ็ด (yîi sìp èt) |
| 30 | ๓๐ | สามสิบ (sǎam sìp) |
| 40 | ๔๐ | สี่สิบ (sìi sìp) |
| 50 | ๕๐ | ห้าสิบ (hâa sìp) |
| 60 | ๖๐ | หกสิบ (hòk sìp) |
| 70 | ๗๐ | เจ็ดสิบ (jèt sìp) |
| 80 | ๘๐ | แปดสิบ (bpàaet sìp) |
| 90 | ๙๐ | เก้าสิบ (gâao sìp) |
| 100 | ๑๐๐ | ร้อย (ráwy) |
| 1000 | ๑๐๐๐ | พัน (pan) |
| 10000 | ๑๐๐๐๐ | หมื่น (mùuen) |
| 100000 | ๑๐๐๐๐๐ | แสน (sǎaen) |
| 1000000 | ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ล้าน (láan) |
Number data and information courtesy of Omniglot.
What Makes Thai Numbers Challenging
Thai is a tonal language with five tones, and each number has a specific tone that must be correct — saying a number with the wrong tone can make it unrecognizable or mean something different. Two numeral systems coexist: Thai numerals (๐-๙) and Arabic numerals (0-9), and you need to read both. Classifiers are mandatory when counting objects, and different objects need different classifiers. The special words for 10,000 (หมื่น/mùen) and 100,000 (แสน/sǎen) create a different large-number grouping than English.
Tips for Learning Thai Numbers
Master the five tones first — they are the foundation of all Thai number comprehension. Learn Thai numeral shapes alongside the number words, as you will encounter them on price tags, currency, and government documents. Start with the most common classifiers (khon for people, an for objects) before expanding. Practice with Thai market prices — bargaining at markets is an excellent way to drill numbers in context. Many urban Thais can switch to English for numbers if needed.
Practice Thai Numbers
Reading about numbers is one thing — understanding them spoken at natural speed is another. Test your Thai number skills with our free listening game.
Play the Number Game