Thai Vowels
Thai vowels are an essential part of the Thai writing system.
Unlike Latin vowels, Thai vowels can appear before, after, above, below, or around a consonant.
Overview
Thai uses vowel symbols that combine into many written vowel forms.
Learners usually meet them through consonant examples such as กะ, กา, กิ, กี, กุ and กู.
Where vowels appear
Thai vowels are not all written in one place.
Some appear before the consonant, some after it, some above or below it, and some split around it.
Short and long vowels
Many Thai vowels come in short and long pairs.
Vowel length can change the meaning of a word, so it is important to hear and read the difference clearly.
Watch out
Thai vowels are easier to learn when attached to a sample consonant such as อ or ก.
Beginners should not expect the written order of vowel symbols to match the spoken order exactly.