Thai Language Keyboard - Laptop?

[rockyysdt]

I'm new to this sub forum and hope someone can help with my inquiry.

Is there home market hardware regarding Thai language keyboard Laptops or is this done via software?

I'm weighing up the pros and cons of importing a Laptop vs local purchase.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[sulasno]

use a virtual Thai keyboard ?

[OlafStapleton]

Buy Thai USB keyboard, plug into laptop 200bht

windows/start/control panel/regional and language options

Language/Install files for complex script (including Thai)

Details/Language Bar to switch between Thai/English fonts

[BB1950]

It's done with software.

The keyboard does not generate a character, it only generates a keystroke. Software changes the keystroke to a character. There's an option in Region and Language settings of the Windows control panel.

You can buy stickers to place on the keys to show English/Thai characters.

[rockyysdt]

Thanks BB & to the others.

I just navigated to to the control panel and spotted the country options.

Excellent information.

Do the English/Thai character stickers for laptops vary in quality and are there brands which should be avoided?

Are they cheaply purchased at most PC suppliers in Bangkok?

It's done with software.

The keyboard does not generate a character, it only generates a keystroke. Software changes the keystroke to a character. There's an option in Region and Language settings of the Windows control panel.

You can buy stickers to place on the keys to show English/Thai characters.

[DocW]

As far as the stcky Thai/English fonts for your keyboard they are all the same except for the "Stcky factor' Just pay 80 baht as apposed to 49 baht and you will be ok.

In my opinion (unless you love your notebooks keyboard) is as another poster replied, buy an external keyboard for 200 baht (USB) Better then covering your notebook's keypad with glue.

I hope you also noticed that after you install the "Thai" font you should see in the bottom right of your Dock/Menu to the left of all your icons, a small icon that you can easily switch to Thai/English keyboard. Sometimes it just shows up on your main screen normally at the top right of your screen.

[rockyysdt]

As far as the stcky Thai/English fonts for your keyboard they are all the same except for the "Stcky factor' Just pay 80 baht as apposed to 49 baht and you will be ok.

In my opinion (unless you love your notebooks keyboard) is as another poster replied, buy an external keyboard for 200 baht (USB) Better then covering your notebook's keypad with glue.

I hope you also noticed that after you install the "Thai" font you should see in the bottom right of your Dock/Menu to the left of all your icons, a small icon that you can easily switch to Thai/English keyboard. Sometimes it just shows up on your main screen normally at the top right of your screen.

Thanks Doc.

A critical piece of advice.

Once in a different language it could be difficult to read your way out of the setting without an thai/english switch.

The keyboard via USB is also a winner.

Is USB2 standard suitable for keyboards?

[BB1950]

Thanks Doc.

A critical piece of advice.

Once in a different language it could be difficult to read your way out of the setting without an thai/english switch.

The keyboard via USB is also a winner.

Is USB2 standard suitable for keyboards?

Changing the keyboard language does not change the display language. It only changes the input language.

There is always a keystroke to change the language. You can change it in the keyboard settings.

I agree with Doc, the main factor in quality between the stickers is the adhesive used.

[mrbojangles]

My Mrs is off to Thailand in a couple of days, so I've given her the old spare laptop to take with her. It's really just for Skype and her browsing the internet etc but she wants Thaiscript enabled as we have that on the home PC and on the new laptop.

However, when I've just been to the language settings, Thai isn't on there as a language to select and it asks for the disk to install it. Obviously it's an old laptop and I've not got any of the disks. Even if I had, they would be in the UK and we're in Saudi.

Anyone any ideas how I can get the Thai language loaded?

[BB1950]

My Mrs is off to Thailand in a couple of days, so I've given her the old spare laptop to take with her. It's really just for Skype and her browsing the internet etc but she wants Thaiscript enabled as we have that on the home PC and on the new laptop.

However, when I've just been to the language settings, Thai isn't on there as a language to select and it asks for the disk to install it. Obviously it's an old laptop and I've not got any of the disks. Even if I had, they would be in the UK and we're in Saudi.

Anyone any ideas how I can get the Thai language loaded?

Obviously you must be talking about Windows XP. Most Windows XP installation CDs should have the Thai lanquage font files available. It does not have to be the CD that was used to install Windows XP.

[Sateev]

As mentioned, keytop stickers or a USB Thai keyboard, combined with installing Thai fonts in Windows and the Language Bar are the most straightforward solutions.

That said, I HATE keytop stickers, and to keep from lugging another keyboard around, I would suggest you investigate replacing the laptop keyboard with a Thai/English one. Pantip Plaza has several shops that stock keyboards, and those guys know the business well. I was able to find the correct keyboard for my wife's 5-year old Fujitsu laptop, so I'm pretty sure they will have one for most newer machines. Mine was 990 baht, over the counter. I changed it myself, of course, but it is literally a 5 minute job, and most shops will do it for you cheaply.

Just something to consider.

[bifftastic]

As far as the stcky Thai/English fonts for your keyboard they are all the same except for the "Stcky factor' Just pay 80 baht as apposed to 49 baht and you will be ok.

In my opinion (unless you love your notebooks keyboard) is as another poster replied, buy an external keyboard for 200 baht (USB) Better then covering your notebook's keypad with glue.

I hope you also noticed that after you install the "Thai" font you should see in the bottom right of your Dock/Menu to the left of all your icons, a small icon that you can easily switch to Thai/English keyboard. Sometimes it just shows up on your main screen normally at the top right of your screen.

Thanks Doc.

A critical piece of advice.

Once in a different language it could be difficult to read your way out of the setting without an thai/english switch.

The keyboard via USB is also a winner.

Is USB2 standard suitable for keyboards?

It only changes the input laguage, ie. the one you type in, it doesn't change what language the computer display is in

you'll see an icon like this

and then after a keystroke (mine's alt+shift) you'll see this

And you will be able to type in the Thai language.