Learn Thai For Free
Start free
Shopping and moneyCulture and festivals

Silk in Thai

“Silk” in Thai is ผ้าไหมpâa-mǎi.

ผ้าไหม pâa-mǎi

silk (the cloth) noun

  • pâa falling
  • mǎi rising
  • Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
  • Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
Parts: ผ้าpâa cloth, fabric ไหมmǎi silk thread

How to use it

ผ้าไหมpâa-mǎi is "silk cloth": the second word is spelled exactly like the question word ไหมmǎi. Much Thai silk is woven on home looms in Isan, and an American, Jim Thompson, made it famous abroad in the 1950s; his house in Bangkok is now a museum. Silk is a classic gift for a Thai mother-in-law.

Keep the rising tone: with a falling tone, ไหม้mâi means burnt.

Don't mix it up

  • ไหม้mâi

    to burn; burnt

    Falling tone: burnt.

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:

  • pha mai
  • pa mai
  • phamai

More shopping and money in Thai

All shopping and money
  • เงิน ngoen Money
  • เงินสด ngoen-sòt Cash
  • บาท bàat Baht

    baht (Thai currency)

  • เหรียญ rǐan Coin
  • แบงก์ báeng Banknote
  • บัตร bàt Card

Learn Thai with the free course

A complete course from your first phrase to real conversations, with audio for every word and AI speaking practice. Free, no sign-up needed.

Start the free course

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