Thai consonants are divided into three classes; Middle class, High class and Low class. See all 44 alphabets here.
There are nine middle class consonants (อักษรกลาง [àk –sŏrn glaang]) อักษรกลางมี 9 ตัว
[1] ก.ไก่ (Gaw Gài)
ไก่ (gài) means chicken
จาน[jaan] means plate
[3] ด.เด็ก (Daw Dèk) : เด็ก [ dèk] means kid
[4] ต.เต่า (Dtaw Dtào) : เต่า [dtào] means turtle
These two letters looks similar. The turtle has a broken head, but the kid has smooth head:)
[5] ฎ.ชฎา (Daw Chá-daa) : ชฎา (chá-daa) means Thai theatrical crown
[6] ฏ.ปฏัก (Dtaw Bpà-dtàk) : ปฏัก ( bpà-dtàk) means spear
These two letters are rarely used in common words, they are used mostly in Thai names. So most of the time ด.เด็ก([Daw Dèk) is used for 'd' sound. ต.เต่า (Dtaw Dtào) is used for 'dt' sound.
[7] บ.ใบไม้ ( Baw Bai máai) : ใบไม้ (bai máai) means leaf
[8] ป.ปลา (Bpaw Bplaa) : ปลา (bplaa) means fish
[9] อ.อ่าง (Aw àang): อ่าง means basin
*It is both consonant and vowel.
Learn how to write each letter in the next lesson.
Credit the picture from the book from my childhood:)
After this we will get to know Thai vowels, then we can start reading! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Mod
Some good memnonic to remember the middle class consonants?
ไก่จิกเด็กตายนนปากอ่าง
Very good ka. Just one typo :ไก่จิกเด็กตาย”บน”ปากโอ่ง นะคะ
Is it right that each consonant has a name and a pronunciation . How do I know the sound or pronunciation of number 6 and 7.
guess i need to go find a real thai here to teach me how to write Thai properly @_@”
Can you please do a blog on low and high class consonants like this one. As well as short vowels. Kop kun krap Kruu Mod