How do you say IV drip in Thai? The everyday phrase is ให้น้ำเกลือ (hâi náam-gleua), which literally means “giving saline”. It’s what you’ll hear in Thai clinics and hospitals when someone is put on a drip.
You don’t need Thai to book with us: our nurses speak English. But a few words can help at a pharmacy, a local clinic or a hospital front desk. We’ve kept this list short and checked every phrase against reputable Thai dictionaries.
How to read the romanisation
Thai is a tonal language: the same sound can mean different things depending on the pitch. Our spelling is a simple guide, not a perfect one.
- No mark = mid tone (flat)
- à = low tone
- â = falling tone
- á = high tone
- ǎ = rising tone
Don’t worry if your tones aren’t perfect. Showing the Thai script on your phone works well too.
Being polite: ครับ and ค่ะ
Thais end most sentences with a polite word. It changes depending on who is speaking.
| Thai | Say it | Use |
|---|---|---|
| ครับ | khráp | Men add this to the end of a sentence |
| ค่ะ | khâ | Women add this to the end of a sentence |
IV drip in Thai, and other treatment words
| English | Thai | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| IV drip (give saline) | ให้น้ำเกลือ | hâi náam-gleua |
| Saline, the drip fluid | น้ำเกลือ | náam-gleua |
| Medicine | ยา | yaa |
| I take medicine (man / woman) | ผมกินยา / ฉันกินยา | phǒm gin yaa / chǎn gin yaa |
| Allergic to | แพ้ | pháe |
| Allergic to a medicine | แพ้ยา | pháe yaa |
Thai dictionaries define น้ำเกลือ as a salt (sodium chloride) solution for injecting into a vein, and list ให้น้ำเกลือ as giving IV fluids. แพ้ is the word you’ll want if you have any allergy. Say it, then show the name of what you’re allergic to, written down.
For medicines, the easiest approach is to show the packets or a photo of them, rather than trying to translate drug names.
Thai medical phrases for symptoms
| English | Thai | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Unwell, sick | ไม่สบาย | mâi sà-baai |
| I have a fever | มีไข้ | mii khâi |
| Headache | ปวดหัว | bpùat hǔa |
| Dizzy | เวียนหัว | wian hǔa |
| Nauseous | คลื่นไส้ | khlêuan sâi |
| Vomit (everyday word) | อ้วก | ûak |
| Vomit (formal word) | อาเจียน | aa-jian |
| Diarrhoea, upset stomach | ท้องเสีย | tháwng sǐa |
How to say dehydrated in Thai: the medical term for dehydration is ภาวะขาดน้ำ (phaa-wá khàat náam), literally “a state of lacking water”. In everyday speech you’ll also hear ขาดน้ำ (khàat náam) on its own.
If you have a fever in Krabi, see a doctor rather than just a pharmacy, as it could be dengue. Our guide to feeling unwell on holiday in Krabi explains why, and which painkillers to avoid until a doctor has checked you.
Pharmacy Thai phrases
You’ll find pharmacies easily in Ao Nang. If there’s a language gap, these words help.
| English | Thai | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | ร้านขายยา | ráan khǎai yaa |
| Medicine | ยา | yaa |
| Allergic to a medicine | แพ้ยา | pháe yaa |
A simple way to ask for help: point to the symptom word in the table above, say ร้านขายยา to a taxi driver if you need to find one, and show any medicine packets you already take.
Hospital and emergency words
| English | Thai | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital | โรงพยาบาล | roong phá-yaa-baan |
| Doctor (everyday word) | หมอ | mǎw |
| Nurse | พยาบาล | phá-yaa-baan |
| Ambulance | รถพยาบาล | rót phá-yaa-baan |
| Emergency, urgent | ฉุกเฉิน | chùk-chǒen |
| Help! | ช่วยด้วย | chûay dûay |
The emergency medical number in Thailand is 1669. Save it in your phone now.
Sources we checked
We verified every word and phrase above against two reputable Thai dictionaries:
- thai-language.com, an established Thai–English dictionary that includes Royal Institute definitions
- Longdo Dictionary, which brings together the Royal Institute dictionary and technical terms, and NECTEC’s Lexitron dictionary
We’ve left out longer sentences we couldn’t check word for word. If you need more than this, a translation app is a good backup.
You don’t need Thai to book with us
Our nurses speak English, so there’s no need to practise before your drip. They’ll go through your health screening in English, explain what’s in the bag and answer your questions. You can book a drip online or message us on WhatsApp, for our IV drip clinic in Ao Nang or a visit to your hotel or villa.
When to go to hospital instead
A drip is not emergency care. Call 1669, or go straight to hospital, if you or someone with you has:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat
- Confusion, fainting or a seizure
- A high fever with a rash, bleeding gums or severe stomach pain
- Blood in vomit or stool, or vomiting that won’t stop
The nearest hospitals are Wattanapat Hospital Ao Nang, Bangkok Hospital Krabi and Krabi Hospital in Krabi Town.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say IV drip in Thai?
ให้น้ำเกลือ (hâi náam-gleua), meaning “giving saline”. The fluid itself is น้ำเกลือ (náam-gleua).
How do I say I’m allergic in Thai?
Use แพ้ (pháe), then show what you’re allergic to. แพ้ยา (pháe yaa) means allergic to a medicine.
Do your nurses speak English?
Yes. You don’t need any Thai to book or have a drip with us.
What is the emergency number in Thailand?
Call 1669 for emergency medical help and an ambulance.
Ready to feel better?
A registered nurse can come to your hotel or villa in Ao Nang and nearby beaches, or visit our clinic.
Photo: Miguel González on Pexels