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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XII, 2020

According to the Official Statistics Registration Systems, in 2019 there
were 2,902,993 Thais in Generation T; 11,761,758 in Generation B; 16,267,720
in Generation X; 18,901,346 in Generation Y and 14,872,336 in Generation Z.

With regard to these statistics, Generation T and Generation B
(14,664,751) are familiar with Thai Language 2.0. Generation X (16,267,720)

received instruction in Thai Language 3.0 in school, but they are also familiar with
the new trends in the Thai Language. Generation Y and Generation Z (33,773,682)
have grown up in the era of the smartphone, computer, and the Internet.
They prefer creative and unofficial language and devise their own language
rules, perhaps under the influence of AI (artificial intelligence) and other new
technology. Generations X, Y and Z are and will continue to be influential in
shaping the characteristics of the Thai Language in the next 20 years, consequently
Thai Language 4.0 should be the answer.

Thai Language 4.0 should now be the medium to be used to enable
Thai people to understand the concepts of Thailand 4.0. The language should be
adapted to express new notions, especially those entering the society from English.
When using new Thai words in place of English terms, the original meanings
should be retained. The use of Thai alphabet letters to render foreign terms
should be as close as possible under Thai orthographic rules to reflect the original
pronunciation of the terms, e.g. Agritech, Bio-Med, Bio-Tech, Culture & High
Value Services, Designtech, Edtech, Embedded Technology, E–Marketplace,
Fintech, Foodtech, Healthtech, High Value Services, Mechatronics, Meditech,
New Engines of Growth, Robotech, Robotics, Smart Devices, Smart Enterprise,
Smart Farming, Startup, Traditional Farming, Traditional Services, Traditional
SME, Traveltech, etc.

New Thai words are added to the Thai vocabulary every day, by different
generations and circles, particularly by the younger generation and in academic
circles. The appearance of many new words are discussed in the media, especially
around Thai Language Day, July 29, of each year. Are they deteriorated forms
or progressive forms?

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