Thai Transcription Guide (Modified RTGS)

This guide explains my customized system for transcribing Thai words into the Roman alphabet, based on the official RTGS with key modifications for clarity. It is a work in progress please bear with me as I apply it across the entire site.

Core System & Modifications

1. Base: Standard RTGS

The starting point is the Royal Thai General System of Transcription (RTGS). It provides the basic consonant and vowel spellings.

2. Modification 1: Vowel Length

I indicate long vowels by doubling the vowel letter.

• Short a = a
• Long aa = aa
• Short o = o
• Long oh = oh

3. Modification 2: Tones

I add diacritic marks on the first vowel letter of each syllable to indicate tone. Central Thai is very much a tonal language. If you use the wrong tone, you are saying the wrong word.

• High Tone: ´ (á)
• Low Tone: ˋ (à)
• Falling Tone: ˆ (â)
• Rising Tone: ˇ (ǎ)
• Mid Tone: No mark (a)

4. Modification 3: Syllable Separation

For multi-syllable words and names, I use a hyphen (-) to separate the syllables clearly. This helps with readability and correct tone application.

Examples

Thai Word	Standard RTGS	Modified System	Notes
กระผม	kraphom	krà-phǒm	Formal "I/me" (male). Hyphen splits syllables, tone on each vowel.
กู	ku	kuu	Rude "I/me". Long vowel.
คุณ	khun	khun	"You" (polite). Mid tone, no mark.
ดิฉัน	dichan	dì-chǎn	Formal "I/me" (female). Hyphenated, low then rising tone.
ที่รัก	thi rak	thîi-rák	"Darling". Hyphen links words, long vowel & high tone.
ท่าน	than	thâan	"You" (very formal). Long vowel with falling tone.
พี่	phi	phîi	"Elder sibling". Long vowel, falling tone.
มึง	mueang	mueng	Rude "you". Mid tone.
หนู	nu	nǔu	"I/me" (female, cute). Rising tone, long vowel.
เธอ	thoe	thooe	"You" (informal/intimate). Long vowel, mid tone.
ไค	khai	Khǎi	A name. Capitalized, rising tone. Hyphenate if part of a longer name (e.g., Khǎi-sǐi).

Important Notes (to myself)

• Tone Mark Placement: Always place the diacritic on the first vowel letter of the syllable (e.g., mueng, thooe).
• Hyphen Use: Use hyphens in multi-syllable words and names to define syllable boundaries. Apply the tone mark rule to the first vowel of each hyphenated part.
• Consistency: This system requires knowing the correct Thai pronunciation (tone and vowel length) to apply the marks accurately.