Thai People Urged To Use Thai Language Properly

[Jai Dee]

Government to make campaign for correct Thai language usage

Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Thirapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร์ เสรีรังสรรค์) confirmed the government is ready to allocate a budget to make a campaign for Thai people to correctly use Thai language.

Mr. Thirapat said the campaign to promote correct usage of Thai language has to be done both in formal and informal educational means, especially in the media because it has a big influence on how the language is being used. Every sector including the state and private sectors as well as the general public must act seriously and continuously on this issue, and the government is ready to provide financial supports for relevant departments such as the Royal Institute and media organizations, such as the Government’s Public Relations Department. Moreover, the government has reiterated that the media programmes that promote Thai language like Pasathai Wanlakam (ภาษาไทยวันละคำ) will be revived.

Meanwhile, Royal Institute Secretary Jintana Phandufak (จินตนา พันธุฟัก) revealed the institute plans to revise the new edition of Thai dictionary in order to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 80th Anniversary. The revision will include new terminologies and vocabularies being used by His Majesty the King such as Sufficiency Economy.

The institute will also improve the new edition of Thai dictionary so it can be used more conveniently.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Royal Institute of Thailand and PRD campaigning for Thai people to use Thai language properly

The Royal Institute of Thailand and the Government Public Relations Department launch a campaign for Thai people to speak and write correct Thai language.

Mrs. Chintana Bhandhufalck, the Secretary-General of the Royal Institute of Thailand, said the purpose of this campaign is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The campaign’s theme is “Year 2007 Is the Year of Thai Language”. Many public and private agencies have joined this campaign by organizing many activities to promote Thai people to use Thai language rightly through writing, speaking, or even singing.

A radio programme to promote the proper usage of Thai language is also being broadcast everyday throughout this year on 7 AM and 12 PM via Radio Thailand. The programme is sponsored by Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited.

The show comprehensively define many different Thai vocabularies so Thai listeners would be able to use them correctly and understand the importance of Thai language.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 January 2007

[astral]

Language is a dynamic entity with words and expressions being added all the time........

[kmart]

Language is a dynamic entity with words and expressions being added all the time........

This is true.

But I watched some news programme this morning and there are two Thai fellas discussing the latest issues with wonderful insights like "Oh ho", "mae!" and my own personal favourite; "urr" (can be used in different tones to indicate many meanings).

these two giants of broadcasting sound like a couple of labourers on the piss together.

I would urge the Ministry of Correct Language / Culture to make a start with these oafs.

[Jai Dee]

Royal Institute to launch National Language Policy

The Royal Institute will outline a national language policy and submit it to the government at the end of this year. The policy focuses on educating Thai people on the correct usage of Thai and foreign languages as well as conserving languages of ethnic people in line with a campaign promoting ethnic languages of the United Nations.

Dr.Udom Wirojsikhadit (อุดม วโรตม์สิกขดิตถ์), a linguist scholar of the Royal Institure, said that Thai people should be able to communicate in other languages which are important in the modern world.

In addition, the institute has arranged an academic meeting at the Suan Sunandha (สวนสุนันทา) Rajabhat University on the problematic bilingual education in Thailand. Dr.Udom said that the bilingual schools in the country require the students to communicate in English regardless of their ability in the language.

According to Dr.Udom, at present Thailand has only two percent of illiteracy due to the policy promoting Thai language of Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram (ป.พิบูลสงคราม) in 1940.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 January 2007

[Acquiesce]

According to Dr.Udom, at present Thailand has only two percent of illiteracy due to the policy promoting Thai language of Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram (ป.พิบูลสงคราม) in 1940.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 January 2007

According to Dr.Udom perhaps but most agencies seem to agree that the figure is more like, males, 2.8% and females, 6.0%.

[Jai Dee]

Royal Institute suggests Malay as official language of three Southern border provinces

A Royal Institute’s scholar suggests Malay as an official language facilitating the learning of Thai language of students in the three Southern border provinces.

Dr.Udom Wirojsikhadit (อุดม วโรตม์สิกขดิตถ์), the Royal Institute’s scholar in linguist, revealed that the institute will launch a policy to promote the correct usage of Thai language as at present there are a lot of alien workers in Thailand, including Laos, Cambodians, and Burmeses. This group of people will communicate with Thais better if they learn Thai language.

As for the students in the three Southern border provinces, Dr.Udom said the promotion of Malay language will facilitate the learning of Thai language in schools. The promotion complies with UNESCO’s policy emphasizing the importance of ethnic languages.

Meanwhile, Pamela McKinsey, an academic with teaching experiences in India, said that each state in India has a lot of ethnic languages. The teaching of English and Hindi, the country’s official languages, has proved effective in the country as the Indian authorities require schools to teach English and Hindi in ethnic languages.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

The Need for National Language Policy in Thailand

Language issues have become Thailand’s growing importance in the current globalizing period. With a population of over 60 million and more than 70 languages, the country has to find ways to preserve the national and minority languages while ensuring that the younger generation will be able to effectively learn foreign languages needed for international business and scholarship.

The National Language Policy Committee has been established by the Royal Institute of Thailand. The committee is considering the need for a national language policy in Thailand, and the policy would serve as a tool for the country in its international and domestic affairs. The policy would benefit national education, economy, culture, as well as national reconciliation.

On January 30th, 2007, the Royal Institute, together with the Australian government, SIL International and the Translators and Interpreters Association of Thailand, organized the “Bilingual and Multilingual Education in the National Language Policy” symposium to initiate the discussion on language policy issues in Thailand. The event was held at Chor Kaew Auditorium, Suan Sunanda of Rajabhat University.

Dr. Udom Warottamasikkhadit, the chairman of the National Language Policy Committee and Fellows of Linguistics in the Academy of Arts of the Royal Institute, stated that the symposium was organized to discuss Thailand’s national language policy and allow bilingual and multilingual education institutes to gain much knowledge on providing a more proper and practical education to their students. Dr. Udom also said the draft of the national language policy is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet by the end of this year.

At the symposium, academics and scholars reiterated the importance for bilingual and multilingual education institutes to use the mother languages of the majority of the students in their teachings because children learn best in a language they speak and understand well. This topic was raised as many bilingual and multilingual schools usually teach foreign languages to their pupils right away without allowing them to get themselves more familiarize with the new languages. As a result, a large number of students would refuse to accept the unfamiliar challenges, and they would then struggle to succeed at higher studies due to their low achievement levels.

In Thailand, Dr. Udom said, the culture is different from western cultures. Many Thai parents have a belief that bilingual and multilingual schools will be able to provide their children with a rewarding future as the world is getting smaller in the era of globalization, and mastering foreign languages are arguably compulsory in the linguistically diverse societies. With the rising demands, many entrepreneurs and education operators have quickly opened bilingual and multilingual schools.

According to Dr. Udom, many of them lack proper curricula that would enable students to learn more than one language effectively, and he referred to many cases where students failed the university entrance examinations because of their inadequate studies primarily. He made a comparison that admitting a child to study in a bilingual or multilingual school with improper curricula is like throwing a child who could not swim into a pool. He said a few would be able to successfully cope with the alien environment while most would struggle. He indicated that it would be futile for both the parents and their children because the money spent did not reap benefits while the students also wasted their time studying the education they already rejected.

Dr. Udom, who was the main coordinator of this symposium, said participants, including academics, scholars, and bilingual and multilingual school operators, would grasp the means for students to learn bilingual and multilingual courses more competently. He said that education should begin with the students’ mother tongue because they are already accustomed to the language and teachers have to ensure that their native language is solid enough before introducing foreign languages to them. Otherwise, they would face difficulties in learning both native and foreign languages. Dr. Udom pointed out that Thai language should act as a bridge or a supportive tool for students to gradually learn other foreign languages. The students would then be more responsive and able to adapt to the new learning environment with the help of their mother language.

Thailand has to take note of the languages of minority groups and recognize that ethnic diversity is a beautiful reality of the country, and it would be a great cultural loss if any of them become extinct. It is therefore important for indigenous education not to go unnoticed, and it would be a win-win situation for the country as a whole if proper education is provided to students in minority groups so they can help preserve their mother languages while identifying themselves as Thai citizens. Similarly, education for minority groups needs to build students’ fluency and confidence in using their mother tongues before introducing the Thai language to them step by step.

Dr. Udom also said language can also be used as a tool to unite people in the country, especially in the southern border provinces. The ethnic Pattani-Malay (Yawi) is a working language in the South, and misunderstandings and conflicts may occur because the southerners and people from other regions communicate in different languages. Dr. Udom said the government’s social reconciliation policy can be achieved by fine-tuning the curricula of the education institutes in the South. He said teaching Yawi language and using it as a bridge to communicating Thai language in southern schools will help the local people to recognize their cultural and national identities, and mutual understandings and social harmony would be developed between people from different parts of the country.

To ensure equal opportunity in education, the country has to take into account the language issues of Thailand’s physically disadvantaged communities, such as the roles of Braille and sign languages.

In addition, Dr. Udom suggested that teaching Thai language to foreign workforces from neighboring countries would also benefit the Thai employers as well as the country because misunderstandings would be reduced, resulting in improved performances.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 January 2007

[Bottlerocket]

He said that education should begin with the students’ mother tongue because they are already accustomed to the language and teachers have to ensure that their native language is solid enough before introducing foreign languages to them. Otherwise, they would face difficulties in learning both native and foreign languages.

Of course it begins with the mother tongue...at home. That's what they do already and it doesn't work. More doublespeak from the ministry. Thai and English should be taught side by side. That's a bilingual program. The whole problem is that with minimal exposure to other languages, people become deeply entrenched in a singular thought pattern. That is the actual obstacle to learning a second language. So let's reinforce that! Native languages that are spoken in the home and in public are not in danger of extinction. They are there for every day communication at home, in the workplace, and in public. Why doesn't he just come right out and say what he feels: "Thai people should not be educated too highly nor given the opportunity to see outside the box that we, the government and business elite, design for them. They must remain ill-experienced and ignorant masses that cowtow to our auspicious demands, forgoing any remarkable increases in the quality of their lives while relinquishing the wealth and resources of the country to our superior ability to control."

[PeaceBlondie]

Reading all three of the above news articles about this linguistic symposium, one former buzzword was conspicuous by its almost total absence: ENGLISH!! And no mention of how Thai teachers teach English: almost always by rote, emphasizing boring grammar, memorization, poor pronunciation, virtually no advanced conversational skills, almost all in Thai.

So, is this leading academic of linguistics sounding the death knell for bilingual programs and TEFL programs? Do they solve the problem that they don't know how to evaluate farang, by eliminating programs that require farang teachers?

[Jai Dee]

Royal Institute to publish new version of Thai dictionary

The Royal Institute will publish a new version of Thai language dictionary which is expected to include new contemporary vocabularies as well as words and terms concerning His Majesty the King’s initiated projects.

Secretary of the Royal Institute Jintana Phanfak (จินตนา พันธุฟัก) says despite the new version of the Thai dictionary, the institute will also continue the publication of the old one. Apart from the dictionary project, this year the Royal Institute has planned to arrange activities to promote correct usage and pronunciation of Thai language in the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the Royal Institute. The institute will hold a big event to celebrate the Thai Language Day on July 29th.

The secretary encourages those who have words and terms concerning HM the King’s initiated projects to inform the Royal Institute of them. The institute can be contacted at www.royin.go.th or 0-2356-0466-70.

The Royal Institute will officially open its new office on April 27th which is located near Sanam Seua Pa (สนามเสือป่า).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 March 2007

[Plus]

He said that education should begin with the students’ mother tongue because they are already accustomed to the language and teachers have to ensure that their native language is solid enough before introducing foreign languages to them. Otherwise, they would face difficulties in learning both native and foreign languages.

Of course it begins with the mother tongue...at home. That's what they do already and it doesn't work. More doublespeak from the ministry. Thai and English should be taught side by side. That's a bilingual program. The whole problem is that with minimal exposure to other languages, people become deeply entrenched in a singular thought pattern. That is the actual obstacle to learning a second language. So let's reinforce that!

What he said reflects official policies of European Union where they achieved 90% bilingualism in some countries and where people actually learn to speak three languages at least.

THAT works.

Thai attempts at bilingual education work for some but leave others incompetent in both languages, and they are the ones that the government should be worrying about.

It is largely an unproven, untested and academically unsound method driven by a market demand and lack of alternatives.

[Jai Dee]

Royal Institute campaigns for correct Thai language usage to celebrate the King’s 80th birthday anniversary

The Royal Institute cooperates with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, and the Public Relations Department to campaign for the correct usage of Thai language to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday anniversary.

Director of the Royal Institute Chai-anan Samudavanija (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทรวณิช) reveals that the campaign is aimed to set standards of Thai language for teachers. The institute expects that teachers will stick to these standards when teaching students. Apart from the campaign, the institute will organize an exhibition to display its works and publicize knowledge about Thai language.

Mr Chai-anan says at present most Thai people use Thai language inaccurately in terms of meaning and forms. He hopes that the campaign will help resolve this problem.

The director adds that the institute is revising the Thai language dictionary which includes vocabularies about the Sufficiency Economy philosophy. This revised version of the dictionary is expected to be completed by December 5th, 2007, which is the 80th birthday anniversary of HM the King.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 April 2007

[Jimjim]

Reading all three of the above news articles about this linguistic symposium, one former buzzword was conspicuous by its almost total absence: ENGLISH!! And no mention of how Thai teachers teach English: almost always by rote, emphasizing boring grammar, memorization, poor pronunciation, virtually no advanced conversational skills, almost all in Thai.

So, is this leading academic of linguistics sounding the death knell for bilingual programs and TEFL programs? Do they solve the problem that they don't know how to evaluate farang, by eliminating programs that require farang teachers?

Actually, if you read closely, the article talked a lot about bilingual education and how they want it to improve and want Thai students to be fluent in languages used in the modern world and bilingual. The word ENGLISH was not often used but isn't it obvious what the main second language of choice would be? That would be English, and to a lesser degree probably Chinese.

Your complaint is way off target. Read the articles again.

[Jimjim]

I have to disagree with myself a bit. Your complaint is not way off base, as they seemed to promote learning foreign langauges more in Thai, which, if you know teaching theory about leanging second languages, is not the most effective way. It's best to learn the language by being taught and spoken to mostly in that language. But they still talked a lot about how they want bilingual education to improve, they just are misguided on the new method they want to promote, I believe.

I think they came up with this because it is true that some students are overwhelmed when they know no English and are thrown into that environment and thus shut down their brains because they feel they'll never learn. I've seen many students like this. So, perhaps, their idea of easing students into language isn't so bad. But the easing should be a short period, such as a two to three months, in my opinion. It won't necessarily help them learn faster, and those two to three months could be seen as a waste, but it could be vital for future success due to confidence given to the student.

I think with all the talk about Thai language, you missed that they want students to be more literate in other languages than they are now.

[Tony Clifton]

No problem with Chinese or English , but where's the Thai language?

The average Thai has no idea what's written on this truck...

Welcome to Xiailand, or, Thailand.

Edited April 27, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[PeaceBlondie]

Jimjim, I could have been way off base; I don't remember now!

Maybe it's just a mood I'm in today, but I don't think many Thais will ever be fluent in English. Considering how the English/EP/bilingual programs are usually mismanaged, staffed with temporary hires who aren't always properly trained or supported or competent or willing or sober; considering that many students arrive in matayom school practically brain-dead for learning purposes; considering other things - could TEFL in Thailand be a minor sport?

Besides, isn't the royal institute that's now quoted above, saying that many locals aren't even very fluent in Thai?

Thailand is a great country full of wonderful people. I wonder how many are functionally literate.

[emilythai]

These are some questions I've been asking for a language policy research paper I'm doing. Any comments??

• 1) Do you think bilingual schools are very effective? What do you think are the problems with bilingual schools?
  2) What English programs are there in Thailand and what are their goals? Do you think these programs are working?
  3) Do you think bilingual schools are the best way to teach English to Thai's as a nation? What other recommendations may you have?
  4) Do you think the promotion of English (especially in bilingual schools) is causing students to be less proficient in their Thai language?
  5) What type of curriculum (from where) and teachers do you think will be the most effective for teaching English?
  6) Do you think that it is a waste of time to put students who don't know English into a bilingual school, where they are taught at a level they don't understand?
  7) Do you think schools need to spend more time on enforcing the correct use of the Thai language? Or more time on learning English?
  8) Do you think there is a need for a National Language Policy in Thailand?
  

Thanks for your thoughts!

Edited May 17, 2007 by Jai Dee
Edited fonts and composition for clarity

[raslin]

If the Royal Institute is concerned about the Thai language it could make a start with the ex civil sercie staff college calling itself the Chulalongkorn of University.

Then it could perhaps look at English transliteration and come up with Julalongkorn and Sumkhumwit Road and not Sukyumvit Road.

Ad, of course, there is also Taksin Chinawat!!

[raslin]

If the Royal Institute is concerned about the Thai language it could make a start with the ex civil sercie staff college calling itself the Chulalongkorn of University.

Then it could perhaps look at English transliteration and come up with Julalongkorn and Sukhumwit Road and not Sukhumvit Road.

Ad, of course, there is also Taksin Chinawat!!

[emilythai]

If the Royal Institute is concerned about the Thai language it could make a start with the ex civil sercie staff college calling itself the Chulalongkorn of University.

Then it could perhaps look at English transliteration and come up with Julalongkorn and Sukhumwit Road and not Sukhumvit Road.

Ad, of course, there is also Taksin Chinawat!!

What about bilingual schools? Are they effective? What could we do to improve them? What needs to change?

[Bagwan]

Since the schools catering for the masses cannot teach simple mental arithmetic, this language initiative seems to me to be a mixture of wishful thinking and hot air. Even a reasonably bilingual educated person would have difficulty in finding a position commensurate with their capabilities unless they are 'connected' so that cronyism and the use of family connections have also to be tackled if Thailand is to develop further.

[wintermute]

Since the schools catering for the masses cannot teach simple mental arithmetic, this language initiative seems to me to be a mixture of wishful thinking and hot air. Even a reasonably bilingual educated person would have difficulty in finding a position commensurate with their capabilities unless they are 'connected' so that cronyism and the use of family connections have also to be tackled if Thailand is to develop further.

The ironic thing is that there are very highly educated overseas Thais who can't find positions in Thailand because the educational system favors either domestic thais or overseas farang professors. So they are purposely kept out of the loop even though they could do the most to help Thailand turn a corner.

[Johpa]

What about bilingual schools? Are they effective? What could we do to improve them? What needs to change?

It really depends on what you mean by a bilingual school. I believe that having competent language instruction at an early age in elementary school leads to a modicum of skills if it is maintained through the secondary level. There are countries in Europe where, like Thailand, the native language is a minor world language, where instruction in English is universal and where it is hard to find a high school graduate that is not competent in English. Go to Samui or Koh Phangan and try to find a Dutch or Scandinavian tourist who does not speak reasonable English. The key point here is having competent language instruction, something still missing in most Thai schools. At least Thailand is willing to bring in some native speakers. In the US the teachers unions make it difficult to hire outsiders for short term contracts and the result is language teachers who are poor speakers of the target language. If Thailand wants to improve English language skills it should probably look towards successful countries like Holland for specific ideas.

Even better are the results I have seen from local elementary immersion programs where young children in elementary school are immersed in the target language and instruction is almost entirely in the target language with at most a single class in the native language. These programs, often lead to young kids who are functional bilinguals by the age of 10. My nephew became a fluent Spanish speaker by age 12 in such a program and my cousin was once asked if she was his nanny by a Mexican couple who the kid and spoken to in a shop.

People have to understand that for many people bilingualism is the norm with a mother tongue spoken in the home and the native tongue spoken in the streets and playgrounds.

[Jai Dee]

Royal Institute to launch online version of its 1999 Thai Dictionary

The Royal Institute will launch an on-line version of the 1999 edition of its Thai dictionary on sanook.com at the end of next month to promote correct usage of the Thai language.

Mrs. Jintana Phanfak (จินตนา พันธุ์ฟัก), secretary-general of the Royal Institute, spoke of the making of the online Royal Institute Thai Dictionary B.E. 1999, saying that the web-based dictionary will enable users to search the meanings of around 40,000 officially used words. The project is progressing under collaboration with Sanook Online Co. Ltd., which owns the sanook.com website. Mrs. Jintana said the Royal Institute realizes the importance of putting Thai language knowledge on the internet medium. She disclosed that the dictionary would also link to the Royal Institute's website so as to encourage correct usage of and promote enthusiasm in the Thai language. The online dictionary will be launched on the 29th of July on the occasion of the National Thai language day.

In the meantime the minister of culture, Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun (ไขศรี ศรีอรุณ), said that as the Ministry of Culture is responsible for the promotion of year 2007 as the year of Thai language, it is in support of the making of the online edition into VCDs which would accompany the Royal Institute's hard copy dictionaries.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 June 2007

[Johpa]

He said that education should begin with the students’ mother tongue because they are already accustomed to the language and teachers have to ensure that their native language is solid enough before introducing foreign languages to them. Otherwise, they would face difficulties in learning both native and foreign languages.

Of course it begins with the mother tongue...at home. That's what they do already and it doesn't work. More doublespeak from the ministry. Thai and English should be taught side by side. That's a bilingual program. The whole problem is that with minimal exposure to other languages, people become deeply entrenched in a singular thought pattern. That is the actual obstacle to learning a second language. So let's reinforce that! Native languages that are spoken in the home and in public are not in danger of extinction. They are there for every day communication at home, in the workplace, and in public. Why doesn't he just come right out and say what he feels: "Thai people should not be educated too highly nor given the opportunity to see outside the box that we, the government and business elite, design for them. They must remain ill-experienced and ignorant masses that cowtow to our auspicious demands, forgoing any remarkable increases in the quality of their lives while relinquishing the wealth and resources of the country to our superior ability to control."

My, you express a rather strong version there of the (non-Clingon) Whorf hypothesis there suggesting that a language creates specific thought patterns.

Going back to the original headline, we first must come to an agreement upon what is the "proper" dialect of Thai as the spokesperson for the Royal Institute seems to be ignorant of modern linguistic thought which states that human brain does not allow ungrammatical or improper languages to reside within. Not that we can't all make errors on the rare occasion. So what Mr . Spokesperson is really trying to say is that he wishes to impose the dialect of Thai spoken by the people, mostly Sino-Thai, in Bangkok and spoken in closely related dialects troughout the Chao Phraya basin, as the official language whilst at the same time denigrating the other Thai dialects and Tai languages used in other parts of the coutry as being "not proper". Clearly the spokesperson wears a yellow shirt once a week to show his support for Sonthi, the I-am-not-a politician politician, a man who alsop looks down upon the rural folks.

In my experience up north, just about everyone is at least bi-lingual, and many are multi-lingual. In the rural Chiang Mai area, most folks use Kham Muang as a mother tongue and learn to speak Central Thai at an early age by exposure in the media and by use in the schools. The languages are very close so learning is quite easy. The minority kids usually speak a mother tongue in the home and learn either Kham Muang or Central Thai as a second language. Depending upon how isolated is the minority village, they often have the minority language as the mother tongue spoken in the home and a Tai language as a native tongue spoken in the market, and of course Central Thai from exposure in the schools and in the media. Then there is the rarer example of my niece, with a Karen mother and Mong father, who speaks of course Karen, Mong, Northern Thai, Central Thai, and now some English.

As for teaching English, the Thai public school system has not fared too well. But there are enough fundamental problems with the larger public education system that fixing the English language aspect may not be a priority, but it is important for the future of Thailand, as it of for any country whose native language is a minor language on the world scene. The only way to jump start the public school progrgam is to send large numbers of Thai teachers overseas for a year so that they achieve some proficiency in English.

[Dakhar]

One, I consider the source.

These language experts support "keeping it real" meaning they believe that language should not change. Well sorry, that is the nature of language. If they failed this very basic principle, every other opinion they have just falls to the ground.

I bet there is not one single text on language aquisition written in Thai, or authored by a Thai. Simply amazing.

[Richard W]

The Royal Institute will launch an on-line version of the 1999 edition of its Thai dictionary on sanook.com at the end of next month to promote correct usage of the Thai language.

Does anyone know what's happened to the current on-line version? It's disappeared from http://rirs3.royin.go.th/ridictionary/lookup.html .

[MrSnrang]

I just wish they would be like china and simplify the written language.

There are just too many ways to pronounce some words but only one correct way and it is often difficult to spell something based solely on hearing it, I always hear people having to spell out words on the radio while calling in to report something. Put that together with a tonal notation system that works different from character to character and you have a language that's ridiculously hard to master.

But it's unlikely that this will ever happen.

[tijnebijn]

I just wish they would be like china and simplify the written language.

There are just too many ways to pronounce some words but only one correct way and it is often difficult to spell something based solely on hearing it, I always hear people having to spell out words on the radio while calling in to report something. Put that together with a tonal notation system that works different from character to character and you have a language that's ridiculously hard to master.

But it's unlikely that this will ever happen.

Absolutely true.