Thai

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A language of Thailand

ISO 639-3
tha
Alternate Names
Bangkok Thai, Central Thai, Siamese, Standard Thai, Thai Klang, Thaiklang
Autonym
ภาษาไทย‎
User Population

60,200,000 in Thailand, all users. L1 users: 20,200,000 in Thailand (2000). L2 users: 40,000,000 (2001 A. Diller). Total users in all countries: 60,685,590 (as L1: 20,685,590; as L2: 40,000,000).

Location

Widespread. Ratchasima province (Khorat dialect).

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Classification
Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Dialects

Khorat Thai (Korat, Thaikorat).

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head initial; no articles; comparatives; 20 consonants, 18 vowels, 14 diphthongs, 3 triphthongs; tonal (5 phonemic tones: 3 level, 2 contour).

Language Use

Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in all tertiary schools. Fully developed. Bible: 1883–2011.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Thai
Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Thai script [Thai], primary usage.

Other Comments

Different from Central Tai, which is a separate branch of the Tai language family. Buddhist.

Also spoken in:

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