After you so diligently studied very hard to learn and memorize all eleven Thai numbers (0 through 10 is 11 numbers, silly), you probably noticed that Thais rarely actually used Thai numbers. Was this all a waste? Is it even appropriate to use Thai numbers when writing? What other special rules are there when writing Thai numbers? I will admit these are very nit-picky Thai grammar rules, but I ran across some of them in a grammar book and thought it\u2019d be useful yet easy knowledge for beginners to list them all now.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with the basics.<\/p>\n
When writing Thai, when should you use Thai numbers? And when should you use Arabic (1, 2, 3, etc.) and Roman (I, II, IV, etc.) numbers? The general rule of thumb is, if you aren\u2019t sure, use Arabic numbers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Arabic numbers should be used in articles and papers, when listing prices, and when doing anything that involves math (calculating something) or science. Romanized numerals can also be used for science related purposes, such as categorizing sections in a scientific research paper.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thai numbers should only be used for the Thai lunar calendar and for abbreviations of things that use Thai numbers. Thai numbers can be used for when taking notes of things. It can also be used for room and building numbers, however this is typically avoided given the large farang population in Thailand which accesses these places. Thai numbers can also be used for chapter and page numbering in a book, and for license plates.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Should numbers be separated by a space away from other words? The answer is yes, always, except when the number is part of an abbreviation or name.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
For example:<\/p>\n
\u0e23\u0e32\u0e04\u0e32 500 \u0e1a\u0e32\u0e17\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 price 500 baht\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (separated by spaces)<\/p>\n
\u0e19\u0e49\u0e33\u0e17\u0e48\u0e27\u0e21\u0e2a\u0e39\u0e07 1-2 \u0e40\u0e21\u0e15\u0e23\u00a0\u00a0 flood waters up to 1-2 meters\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (separated by spaces)<\/p>\n
\u0e27\u0e34\u0e15\u0e21\u0e34\u0e19\u0e1a\u0e3512\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vitamin B12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (NOT separated by a space)<\/p>\n
\u0e42\u0e19\u0e40\u0e01\u0e35\u0e22 \u0e40\u0e2d\u0e47\u0e199\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nokia N9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (NOT separated by a space)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And just like in English:<\/p>\n
– Use commas to separate every 1000 in a number (for example 1,000,000). But do not use commas for years.<\/p>\n
– Use a period for decimals, such as 0.13 or \u0e51\u0e52.\u0e50\u0e58.<\/p>\n
– If there are numbers in a sentence, it\u2019s usually better to write it as \u2018one or two numbers\u2019, not \u20181 or 2 numbers\u2019.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After you so diligently studied very hard to learn and memorize all eleven Thai numbers (0 through 10 is 11 numbers, silly), you probably noticed that Thais rarely actually used Thai numbers. Was this all a waste? Is it even appropriate to use Thai numbers when writing? What other special rules are there when writing…<\/p>\n