PlacesSouth in Thai
“South” in Thai is ภาคใต้pâak-dtâi; you'll also hear ทิศใต้tít-dtâi (direction).
the South (southern Thailand) noun
- pâak falling
- dtâi falling
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
south (the direction) noun
- tít high
- dtâi falling
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
How to use it
ใต้dtâi means both "under" and "south". Thailand is divided into regions, ภาคpâak: the South ภาคใต้pâak-dtâi, the North ภาคเหนือpâak-nǔea, the Northeast or Isan ภาคอีสานpâak ii-sǎan and the Central Plains ภาคกลางpâak-glaang. On a compass, directions take ทิศtít: ทิศใต้tít-dtâi is south.
Southern food is famous for its heat, and Southerners speak fast, with an accent of their own.
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:
- phak tai
- pak tai
- thit tai
- tai
More places in Thai
All places
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones