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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

which are important resources of the nation. Another main point is to promote language learning

for the disabled, such as sign language for the hearing impaired. The national language policy
will help formulate a foundation for education and economy, allow access to information,

as well as enhance a strong culture, leading to the development of a stable quality of life and
the creation of peace for the people of the nation.

In addition, the National Language Policy also promotes and supports the teaching of
foreign languages, both economic languages and languages of neighboring countries, to Thai
students in order to develop cooperation and competitiveness with other countries. It also

promotes bilingual or multilingual education for ethnic youth whose mother tongue is different
from the official language (Thai) and groups seeking employment in Thailand, using their mother

tongue as a base (Mother Tongue Based) to strengthen Thai language teaching and learning and
to develop children’s brains and learning, as well as promoting and supporting translation,
interpreting, and sign language interpreting to meet standards.

Later, on March 28, 2012, the Prime Minister issued an order to appoint the National
Language Policy Steering Committee to formulate Strategic Plan (Prime Minister’s Order

No. 82/2012 dated March 28, 2012).
The preparation of the National Language Policy Strategic Plan, which began with the

Prime Minister’s Order on March 28, 2012, was completed on March 11, 2020. On June 29, 2021,
the Cabinet approved the draft National Language Policy Action Plan for 2021-2022 as proposed

by the Royal Society.

Summary

Since April 19, 1926, when King Prajadhipok established the Royal Society, up until
the present reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, this institution will be

100 years old in 2026. Over the past 100 years, the Royal Society has changed its name twice,
from the Royal Society to the Royal Institute on March 31, 1933, and back to the Royal Society

again on February 13, 2015. Its work on languages related to foreign countries has been
continuously developed, ranging from term coinage, transliteration of Thai script into Roman script,

to setting the national language policy. Each of these types of work has received full support
from the monarchy, as vividly described above.

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