Thai Writing – Essential List of the 44 Thai

Alphabet Characters

Thai Writing – Essential List of the 44 Thai Alphabet Characters

The Importance of Thai Writing in Language Learning

Writing, reading, and speaking are all key parts of learning any language. While
many Thai learning resources focus mostly on speaking, developing writing skills is
essential for truly understanding and mastering Thai.

Introduction to Thai Writing

Thai writing comes from the ancient Khmer script, known as 'aksorn Thai' (อักษรไทย),
created by King Ramkhamhaeng the Great in 1283. It might look like a mix of
squiggles, circles, and lines at first, but the Thai script is full of unique and beautiful
characters. Thai is written from left to right, and sometimes, you need to look above
or to the right for proper reading. Traditionally, Thai is written without punctuation or
spaces between words, but modern usage includes some punctuation and spacing.
Thai Alphabet: Basics and Structure

The Thai alphabet consists of 72 characters: 44 consonants and 28 vowels. These are
divided into 3 consonant classes, 12 long vowels, and 16 short vowels. Interestingly, six
characters from old Thai, Sanskrit, or Pali are no longer in use.

Pronunciation in Thai can be a bit tricky at first because there's no official

transliteration system, and the Latin alphabet can be used in different ways. But
here’s some good news: Thai doesn’t have uppercase or lowercase letters, which
makes it simpler to learn. Plus, Thai consonants are often associated with words that
start with the same sound, making them easier to remember.

Getting Started with Thai Writing: Consonants and Pronunciation

Let's dive into Thai consonants and their pronunciations. Understanding these basics
will help you get a solid grasp of the Thai language. Here's a handy list to get you
started:

English Word Thai Consonant Example Pronunciation English Sound

chicken ก ก ไก่ go-kày g

egg ข ข ไข่ kǒ-khày k

bottle (unused) ฃ ฃ ขวด kǒ-khùat k

buffalo ค ค ควาย ko-khwaay k

person (unused) ฅ ฅ คน ko-khon k

bell ฆ ฆ ระฆัง ko-rákhaŋ k

snake ง ง งู ngo-ŋuu ng

plate จ จ จาน jo-caan j

cymbals ฉ ฉ ฉิง่ chǒ-chìŋ ch

elephant ช ้
ช ชาง cho-cháaŋ ch

chain ซ ซ โซ่ so-sôo s

tree ฌ ฌ เฌอ cho-chəə ch

English Word Thai Consonant Example Pronunciation English Sound

woman ญ ญ หญิง yo-yǐŋ y

headdress ฎ ฎ ชฎา do-chadaa d

goad ฏ ฏ ปฏัก to-patàk t

pedestal ฐ ฐ ฐาน tǒ-thǎan t

Montho ฑ ฑ มณโฑ to-montoo t

elder ฒ ฒ ผู ้เฒ่า to-phûu thâw t

novice monk ณ ณ เณร no-neen n

child ด ด เด็ก do-dèk d

turtle ต ต เต่า to-tàw t

sack ถ ถ ถุง tǒ-thǔŋ t

soldier ท ท ทหาร to-thahǎan t

flag ธ ธ ธง to-thoŋ t

mouse น น หนู no-nǔu n

leaf บ บ ใบไม ้ bo-baymáay b

fish ป ป ปลา po-plaa p

bee ผ ผ ผึง้ pǒ-phʉ̂ŋ p

lid ฝ ฝ ฝา fǒ-fǎa f

tray พ พ พาน po-phaan p

teeth ฟ ฟ ฟั น fo-fan f

junk boat ภ ภ สำเภา po-sǎmphaw p

horse ม ม ม ้า mo-máa m

giant ย ย ยักษ์ yo-yák y

boat ร ร เรือ ro-rʉa r

monkey ล ล ลิง lo-liŋ l

ring ว ว แหวน wo-wɛ̌ɛn w

 English Word Thai Consonant Example Pronunciation English Sound

pavilion ศ ศ ศาลา sǒ-sǎalaa s

hermit ษ ษ ฤๅษี sǒ-rʉʉsǐi s

tiger ส ื
ส เสอ sǒ-sʉ̌a s

chest ห ห หีบ hǒ-hìip h

kite ฬ ฬ จุฬา lo-cùlaa l

basin อ อ อ่าง o-àaŋ o

owl ฮ ฮ นกฮูก ho-nókhûuk h

You might have spotted that some Thai characters look almost identical. For
instance, "ผ" and "ฝ" are nearly identical except for an extended line. This can make it
tricky to distinguish them, especially in handwriting or different fonts. But don't worry!
With practice and patience, you can tell them apart quickly.
Understanding Thai Vowels:

Thai has 28 vowels, categorized into long and short sounds, but there are actually 32
in total, with 4 no longer in use. There's no official transliteration system, so different
sources might represent Thai words differently in the Latin alphabet.

Thai vowels are unique because they can be placed above, below, to the left, or to
the right of consonants, sometimes in combinations. Learning the consonants first is
helpful, as they serve as a base for the vowels.

The word for vowel in Thai is 'sara' (สระ). For instance, 'sara a' (สระอะ) is like saying
'vowel a' in English.

Here's a quick look at the vowels:

Pronunciation Vowel Vowel Name Short/Long Sound

a -ะ sara a Short

aa -า sara aa Long

i -ิ sara i Short

ii -ี sara ii Long

ue -ึ sara ue Short

ue -ื sara ue Long

u -ุ sara u Short

uu -ู sara uu Long

e เ-ะ sara e Short

ee เ- sara ee Long

ae แ-ะ sara ae Short

ae แ- sara ae Long

o โ-ะ sara o Short

 Pronunciation Vowel Vowel Name Short/Long Sound

o โ- sara o Long

o เ-าะ sara o Short

o -อ sara o Long

ua -ัวะ sara ua Short

uua -ัว sara uua Long

ia เ-ียะ sara ia Short

iia เ-ีย sara iia Long

uea เ-ือะ sara uea Short

uea เ-ือ sara uea Long

oe เ-อะ sara oe Short

oe เ-อ sara oe Long

am -ำ sara am Long

ai ไ- sara ai Long

ai ใ- sara ai Long

ao เ-า sara ao Short

Some vowels change form when followed by a consonant to avoid confusion, but
their pronunciation stays the same.

Thai distinguishes between long and short vowel lengths, which can change the
meaning of a word. Be mindful of vowel length to ensure you're understood correctly.
Understanding Thai Punctuation

Thai punctuation is different from English but serves similar purposes. While full stops
(periods) can be used to end a sentence, blank spaces are more commonly used.
You’ll also see commas, brackets, and quotation marks, just like in English.
One unique Thai punctuation mark is the ‘kho mut’ ๛ (โคมูตร), which signifies the end
of a story or document. There are other special Thai characters you’ll come across as
you learn to read and write in Thai.

Why Learning the Thai Alphabet is Important

Reading and writing are crucial skills in language learning, and understanding the
Thai Alphabet is key. While speaking can get you far, being able to read and write
opens up many more opportunities.

Learning the Thai Alphabet will also boost your speaking skills. It allows you to read
documents, books, and other materials, speeding up your learning and improving
your vocabulary. Plus, you’ll gain a deeper insight into Thai culture.

When you visit Thailand, you’ll find that many authentic experiences, like local menus
and signs, are written in Thai. Knowing how to read Thai will enrich your travel
experience and help you engage more fully with the local culture.
Quick Tips for Learning the Thai Alphabet
Learning the Thai Alphabet takes time, but here are some tips to make it easier and
more fun:

1. Practice Each Sound: Start by practicing the sound of each letter. Pay
attention to vowel lengths to avoid funny mispronunciations.
2. Create Associations: Connect sounds with familiar things. For example, think
of the letter (ต) as a 'tooth.' This helps you remember them better.
3. Focus on Main Letters First: Vowels can be tricky since they can be placed
next to, above, or behind main letters. Master the main letters first to make
finding vowels easier.
4. Write by Hand: Practice writing the letters by hand. It’s rewarding to see your
handwriting improve over time, and it keeps you motivated!

Remember, learning a new alphabet is a journey. Be patient with yourself and enjoy
the process. With consistent practice and these handy tips, you'll be reading and
writing in Thai in no time. Happy learning with Ling!

If you are looking for an efficient resource to learn the Thai language, the Ling app is

here for you! The Ling app is a language learning app that has been used and loved

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