Cute Condo Sign

I noticed this sign stuck up on the bulletin boards in my condo's lifts. Although, it's only a short sentence, I still felt it was cute and creative enough to share with my readers.

To Be in the Thai Language

Like in English, the verb 'to be' in Thai is more complicated than others, following its own unique set of rules. Thus, it's important for new learners to memorise the different forms so that you can then use this word in the proper manner. Luckily, there are only three situations you need to remember so that you can speak as naturally as possible.

Thailand's Missing Vowels

One of the most common complaints by those learning to read the Thai language is that there are so many missing vowels. While most are written down, some are completely omitted, leaving the reader to guess what they are. Fortunately, there are two simple rules that you can use to help you remember what the missing vowel sound is.

Saying Bpaw Bplaa (ป)

Another consonant which is not found in the English language is ป (which I'll write as bp). This letter actually sounds like a combination of two seperate English consonants, b and p. It is subtly different though and first time learners will have to get the pronunciation correct in order to properly speak Thai in an understandable manner. Follow the mouth techniques below and you should be able to say each consonant (b, bp and p) in the right way.

Saying Dtaw Dtao (ต) and Dtaw Bpa-dtak (ฏ)

The sound created by the Thai consonants ต and ฏ (which I write as 'dt') isn't found in the English language. When spoken, it sounds a combination of 'd' and 't', making it difficult for first-time learners to say. The trick is to place the tongue in the right place and breathe in the proper manner. To point out the difference, here I will go over how to say 't', 'dt', and 'd' in a Thai accent. By following these rules, you should be able to say each of these consonants in a discernible manner.

Saying Ngaw Nguu (ง)

While the 'ng' sound is found in English, it is always said at the end of words such as running, sang and bring. This causes difficulties for some Thai learners, as numerous Thai words also begin with this consonant. Some common words beginning with 'ng' are found below:

Thai to English Transliteration

Before jotting down any knowledge here, it will be helpful to write down my system for converting Thai letters into English. This will cover all vowels and consonants in a consistent manner for beginners interested in learning the language. It is recommended that you memorise the Thai alphabet too, since this will help your studies and make your life in Thailand a lot easier.