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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

Thai Initial consonant final consonant Thai Initial consonant final consonant
ก k k ง ng ng

ข kh k (kh) จ č t (č)

ฃ k ( ) ฉ ch t (ch)
ค k ช t

Examples of the consonants in the special system (B.E. 2482)

Thai Initial consonant final consonant

ก k k

ข ฃ ค ฅ ฆ kh k
Examples of the consonants in the general system (B.E. 2482)

However, the special system and the general system are not convenient to use. The special
system is quite confusing whereas in the general system some letters use unusual symbols that

are not familiar to the general public, such as จ is transcribed as čh.
In 1951, the Department of Aerial Photographic Maps (now the Royal Thai Survey Department,
Royal Thai Armed Forces) collaborated with the United States to create a new map system,

using the technique of mapping from aerial photographs. It was found that the system of
the Royal Society, whether it was the general system or the special system, could not be used.

Therefore, a new system was proposed, which was adapted from the general system of the Royal
Society, by removing special symbols as in the examples below:

Thai Initial consonant Final consonant

ก k k

ข ฃ ค ฅ ฆ kh k
ง ng ng

จ ch t

Examples of the consonants in the general system (B.E. 2510)

This new system was endorsed by the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical
Names (UNGEGN) at the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names
held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1967.

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