Bus in Thai

“Bus” in Thai is รถเมล์rót-mee; you'll also hear รถทัวร์rót-tua (long-distance coach).

รถเมล์ rót-mee

city bus noun

rót high
mee mid

High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.

Parts: รถrót vehicle เมล์mee mail (from English)

The name comes from English 'mail': the first buses carried the post too.

รถทัวร์ rót-tua

long-distance bus, coach noun

rót high
tua mid

High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.

Parts: รถrót vehicle ทัวร์tua tour

The big air-conditioned buses between cities: often faster than the train, but you get a seat, not a bed.

Taught in Unit 11 · Lesson 2: How long? Buses, planes and rides of the free course.

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Other spellings you'll see

There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:

rot mae
rot me
rod tour

More travel and transport in Thai

All travel and transport

รถ rót Car
แท็กซี่ táek-sîi Taxi
จอด jàwt Stop (a car)
to stop, to park
เลี้ยว líaw Turn
to turn
ซ้าย sáai Left
ขวา kwǎa Right (direction)
right (the direction)

Learn this word in Unit 11, free

Unit 11 · Night train north · How long? Buses, planes and rides. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.

Practise it free (2 min) See Unit 11

Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones