Thai Language Notebook Keyboard

[chuang]

Hi there, I have an ACER notebook with English language keyboard..can I change the keyboard into Thai language and all things Thai for the computer..

where can I have it done in Chiangmai...thanks

[mairuu]

I'm not sure that I understand correctly what you are asking.

It might depend on which version of Windows you have for where you find it, but you can change the keyboard so that it will type in many different languages. You can also swap between the different languages you have chosen by pressing shift alt.

I have Vista. I find the keyboard options under Control Panel - Regional and Language Settings. Then there is a tab for Keyboards and Languages. On this tab, click Change keyboards, on the General tab click Add. You will see a list of the keyboards available. Scroll down to Thai, click the + and you will see keyboard. Click that + and you will see several choices. I use the Thai Kedmanee one.

As far as knowing which key types which letters, you can buy keyboard stickers that show the Thai and English characters, at an IT mall. I bought mine in Bangkok for 100 baht, I think. I'm sure there are similar places in Chiang Mai.

I'm not sure what you mean by all things Thai for the computer. If you mean changing the display language in Windows to Thai you can do that also. I did this before on my laptop. I don't have it now and I don't remember how well it worked. I think that there is also a question of whether the interfaces of the programs you use support the Thai language, so it might not be of much use.

If you have the Ultimate, I think it's called, version of Windows, you should be able to change the display language Windows uses just by some selections, probably from the control panel. Looking it up in Windows Help should get you there, or Google for how to do it.

I have another version and found a program called Vistalizator that can do the change. Google for Vistalizator for the details.

I hope this helps.

[gosompoi]

Okay you know you changing the langauge is software and keyboard behavior in your operating system! but If you are talking about changing the keyboard so it has Thai letters printed on it you have two options. First one is buy a English/Thai keyboard as service part from ACER or the web for your notebook. Second for about 80 baht they sell stickers that do the same thing. One laptop which my wife uses from America we bought a Thai/English keyboard from Dell for 800 baht including post. Mine, I went with the stickers, two years later not a single one has come off or peeled up but I did clean my keyboard before with a degrease and tack cloth. I have to say I am very happy with both solutions.

[BB1950]

I'm not sure that I understand correctly what you are asking.

It might depend on which version of Windows you have for where you find it, but you can change the keyboard so that it will type in many different languages. You can also swap between the different languages you have chosen by pressing shift alt.

I have Vista. I find the keyboard options under Control Panel - Regional and Language Settings. Then there is a tab for Keyboards and Languages. On this tab, click Change keyboards, on the General tab click Add. You will see a list of the keyboards available. Scroll down to Thai, click the + and you will see keyboard. Click that + and you will see several choices. I use the Thai Kedmanee one.

As far as knowing which key types which letters, you can buy keyboard stickers that show the Thai and English characters, at an IT mall. I bought mine in Bangkok for 100 baht, I think. I'm sure there are similar places in Chiang Mai.

I'm not sure what you mean by all things Thai for the computer. If you mean changing the display language in Windows to Thai you can do that also. I did this before on my laptop. I don't have it now and I don't remember how well it worked. I think that there is also a question of whether the interfaces of the programs you use support the Thai language, so it might not be of much use.

If you have the Ultimate, I think it's called, version of Windows, you should be able to change the display language Windows uses just by some selections, probably from the control panel. Looking it up in Windows Help should get you there, or Google for how to do it.

I have another version and found a program called Vistalizator that can do the change. Google for Vistalizator for the details.

I hope this helps.

Using Vistalizator on Windows 7 will most likely invalidate your installation of Windows 7. Changes to the display language files is something that WAT (Windows Authentication Technology, otherwise known as WGA on Windows XP) looks for. Use with care!

Otherwise, changing keyboard language and using stickers on the keys works very well. I've seen stickers as low as 20 baht here in Thailand.

BTW, a Thai computer expert who speaks English fluently told me once that menus in of the Windows operating system and programs get lost in translation. He said half the time he could not really understand the Thai translation. I've noticed a similar thing working with Thais with other programs in Thai. So, having menus in Thai is really not that important, but having the ability to enter Thai text is.

[chuang]

Thank you all for the above advice....everyday one learns something new... :jap: :jap: :jap: