PlacesThailand in Thai
“Thailand” in Thai is ประเทศไทยbprà-têet-tai; you'll also hear เมืองไทยmueang tai (everyday).
Thailand name
- bprà low
- têet falling
- tai mid
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
In everyday speech Thais often say เมืองไทยmueang-tai.
Thailand (everyday) name
- mueang mid
- tai mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
You'll hear it in The Thai National Anthem (เพลงชาติไทย).
How to use it
The standard name is ประเทศไทยbprà-têet-tai, "the country of the Thai". In conversation Thais more often say เมืองไทยmueang tai, which sounds warmer. Before 1939 the country was called Siam, สยามsà-yǎam, a name you still see in shops, malls and the BTS station.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- prathet thai
- pratet tai
- mueang thai
- muang thai
More places in Thai
All places
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones