Thai Keyboard / Entry Method

[danissa]

Guys,

I'm a passionate novice learner of Thai language - I am taking courses of Thai, and just about to start

doing written online excersises on grammar, when I got stuck with the input method, so really wanted to

maybe ask you guys-experts, if you could help me a bit with getting Thai writing up...

What exactly is required to correctly enter Thai characters? How does the Thai character entry works,

i.e. do I need a driver or enter on-screen?

My teacher suggested I buy Thai keyboard stickers from http://www.latkey.com or get some sort of Thai keyboard,

but certainly this won't be enough to start typing without proper phonetic driver or something? I'm completely puzzled at this moment

Are there any special IME or entry methods I need to look at?

Please help!

Thanks,

DIss

[Rikker]

You need to add Thai as an input language on your computer. Nowadays it's quite easy.

If you're on Windows XP, you do that in the control panel under 'Regional and Language Options'. See this page for basic details about adding another language.

When you have more than one input language, you just have to select which language you want to input at any given time, either by clicking on the 'language bar' or by using a keyboard shortcut you've set.

Then just type away... there is a free program for learning to type Thai available, as well as numerous commercial programs, or you can use a virtual keyboard that let you click on the keys you want, etc.

[kokesaat]

You need to add Thai as an input language on your computer. Nowadays it's quite easy.

If you're on Windows XP, you do that in the control panel under 'Regional and Language Options'. See this page for basic details about adding another language.

When you have more than one input language, you just have to select which language you want to input at any given time, either by clicking on the 'language bar' or by using a keyboard shortcut you've set.

Then just type away... there is a free program for learning to type Thai available, as well as numerous commercial programs, or you can use a virtual keyboard that let you click on the keys you want, etc.

I second the vote on that free typing program. My Thai still sucks, but I can type in Thai better than many Americans can in English. Took me about 15minutes a day for about 2 weeks to get a good handle on the basics. Now I do my daily 'writing' on the keyboard......which, of course, means my Thai writing is about as bad as my English writing.

[farang1]

Are there any special IME or entry methods I need to look at?

You can use unikode for Thai which is free: virtual thai keyboard

I doubt you'll ever really need to learn to type on a real Thai keyboard.

A virtual one should be enough.

Otherwise use this virtual keyboard until you come to Thailand.

Then in Pantip Plaza in Bangkok you may buy a usb thai keyboard for just 250 baths. (probably cheaper than your sticker! )

[Rikker]

I learned to type Thai using the typing program I linked above, and to this day I just touch type Thai without Thai keyboard or stickers. So the so-called "Thai keyboard" is not a technical necessity, it just makes it easier when you forget where a certain letter is to have the Thai script on the keyboard with the English.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Rikker

[Richard W]

Are there any special IME or entry methods I need to look at?

You can use unikode for Thai which is free: virtual thai keyboard

I think this is not suitable for typing large amounts of Thai. If you use it to type large amounts of Thai, I believe you risk strain injuries to the hands or wrists (RSI etc.).

One technique I don't see advocated is to use a keyboard mapping, and have an alphabetically arranged table say what is on the key when you use your usual keyboard. Thus, to type sara ai mai malai (ไ) using a Kedmanee keyboard layout, you would look for this vowel in the table, and see 'w' if you use a QWERTY keyboard, and 'z' if you use an AZERTY keyboard. This is much quicker than having a keyboard layout diagram and then having to hunt for the symbol.

If you're really keen, you can define your own keyboard layout on Windows (XP and above, I think) for your own computer using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) - it's free. It has some limitations - it doesn't work well for cuneiform or Deseret, for example.

[farang1]

Are there any special IME or entry methods I need to look at?

You can use unikode for Thai which is free: virtual thai keyboard

I think this is not suitable for typing large amounts of Thai. If you use it to type large amounts of Thai, I believe you risk strain injuries to the hands or wrists (RSI etc.).

One technique I don't see advocated is to use a keyboard mapping, and have an alphabetically arranged table say what is on the key when you use your usual keyboard. Thus, to type sara ai mai malai (ไ) using a Kedmanee keyboard layout, you would look for this vowel in the table, and see 'w' if you use a QWERTY keyboard, and 'z' if you use an AZERTY keyboard. This is much quicker than having a keyboard layout diagram and then having to hunt for the symbol.

If you're really keen, you can define your own keyboard layout on Windows (XP and above, I think) for your own computer using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) - it's free. It has some limitations - it doesn't work well for cuneiform or Deseret, for example.

The best solution would be for sure to buy a real Thai keyboard for 250 baths at pantip...

[farang1]

for my part i use a USB keyboard, just plug when i need it

Edited March 7, 2008 by farang1

[kriswillems]

You need to add Thai as an input language on your computer. Nowadays it's quite easy.

If you're on Windows XP, you do that in the control panel under 'Regional and Language Options'. See this page for basic details about adding another language.

When you have more than one input language, you just have to select which language you want to input at any given time, either by clicking on the 'language bar' or by using a keyboard shortcut you've set.

Then just type away... there is a free program for learning to type Thai available, as well as numerous commercial programs, or you can use a virtual keyboard that let you click on the keys you want, etc.

Thanks Rikker for the link to the typing tutor. I've a Thai keyboard, but I type very slow. I'll start practicing immediately