Recommend A Good Thai Dictionary

[Erawan]

Right folks, I'm after a good, solid, Thai-English, English-Thai dictionary. If it could also have a rough, comprehensible romanised word next to the Thai to help me pronounce it, that would be good.

Doesn't seem to be many knocking around to be honest, and the ones I have looked at didn't impress me much. So, what'll it be?

[Spee]

Oft-discussed topic ... could be mistaken but it seems like the most popular choice is B.P.-Becker's Thai-English, English-Thai dictionary, Paiboon Publishing, ISBN 1-887521-14-3; off the shelf from Amazon on the web or Se-Ed in Bkk.

[Erawan]

I heard someone mention McFarland and Haas, and my god, those books are not cheap at around $70 a pop!

[Boon Mee]

I heard someone mention McFarland and Haas, and my god, those books are not cheap at around $70 a pop!

But, you get what you pay for and the Mary Haas Dictionary is considered the most comprehensive out there.

Just wish it had English to Thai as well.

บุญมี

[sabaijai]

I heard someone mention McFarland and Haas, and my god, those books are not cheap at around $70 a pop!

But, you get what you pay for and the Mary Haas Dictionary is considered the most comprehensive out there.

Just wish it had English to Thai as well.

บุญมี

I believe McFarland has more entries, and more advanced entries (more citations per entry), than Haas.

Or at least that was my judgement when I owned both. I sold my Haas around 15 years ago because I found myself using McFarland almost exclusively.

Have heard that the Becker title is the best of the T-E, E-T dictionaries available, but don't know how it stacks up against either Haas or McFarland.

I bought my McFarland new in 1979 and have almost worn it out ...

[mynot]

I agree with Spee. I bought this dictionary for 425B. an excellent book and not that expensive

[gburns57au]

Go to Bookazine in Royal Garden Plaza and find Manich's Thai english, english Thai dictionary.....this is used by most of the Thai's here in Perth Australia.

it is an excellent dictionary for both Thai's and farang. and it is not expensive at around 200 baht.

[Ajarn]

I used to have a decent English-Thai Thai-English dictionary by a Thai guy named Wit something... 245 baht, Hardback, black/red cover, I seem to remember...

Anyone familiar with this book? Wit's last name? I'd like to buy it again if it's still around...

[withnail]

Just noticed on asiabooks.com and amazon.co.uk that oxford university press have finally made an english - thai dictionary. According to asiabooks its available for 995 baht however on amazon.co.uk it says it is to be released in feb and it will be 40 pounds (28 if you pre-order).

Here's what amazon has to say about it:

The Oxford-River Books English-Thai Dictionary has been in preparation for over ten years, and is the first English-Thai dictionary of its kind. It offers over 110,000 words and phrases, and 120,000 translations, capturing the idiomatic, colloquial, spoken and written character of English. Vocabulary is up-to-date and includes business, specialist, and computing terminology. Other features include in-text boxes giving examples of words in context, and details on specific topics such as money, and writing letters. There are also appendices on useful phrases, English irregular verbs, the characteristics of the Thai language, and key government organizations. This information is presented in an ultra-clear layout, making the dictionary accessible and easy-to-use. It is aimed at both Thai and English native speakers working and translating from English into Thai, and is ideal for advanced Thai learners who want to develop their Thai language skills.

Doesn't say anything about transliterations though.