Market etiquette
Always smile when bargaining — it’s a social exchange, not a confrontation. If a vendor accepts your price, you’re committed to buy. Night markets (ตลาดนัด) = bargain freely. Fresh food markets (ตลาดสด) = prices are usually fixed.
Asking price and quantity
เท่าไหร่
How much? — the single most useful market phrase
มีไหม
Do you have [item]? — point and ask
ขอดูหน่อย
May I look? — always ask before touching
Bargaining
ต่อได้ไหม
Can you go lower? — polite opening move
แพงไป
Too expensive — a gentle counter
ลดหน่อยได้ไหม
Can you reduce the price a little?
… บาทได้ไหม
Can I have it for … baht? — state your price
Buying and completing
เอา / ไม่เอา
I'll take it / I don't want it
ไม่ต้องใส่ถุง
No bag, please — literally "no need to put it in a bag"
ใส่ถุงด้วย
Please put it in a bag
ไม่เอาถุง
No bag please — eco-friendly, appreciated
ทอนด้วย
My change please