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Thai keyboard: how to type in Thai on any device

By lukkrueng.com editorsLast checked

Typing Thai is the easiest way to practise reading: you have to find each letter, vowel sign and tone mark yourself. It is also how you reply to the family group chat in Thai script. The steps below are from each maker’s own help pages; menu names change between versions, so check the linked page if yours looks different.

The Kedmanee layout

  • Kedmanee is the default Thai layout on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
  • It grew out of the Thai typewriter keyboards of the 1920s and was standardised as TIS 820-2531 in 1988 and TIS 820-2538 in 1995.
  • Pattachote is a later alternative layout; Kedmanee remains the standard and the default.
  • Thai needs more characters than there are keys, so Shift gives a second set of letters and signs.

Typing tips

  • Type in the order Thai is written: a vowel that goes in front (เ แ โ ใ ไ) comes first.
  • Type the tone mark after the consonant (and after an upper vowel sign).
  • Not sure how a word you typed is read? Paste it into our romanizer.

How to add a Thai keyboard to your phone or computer

  1. iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → Thai. While typing, touch and hold the globe key to switch.
  2. Android (Gboard): In any app, tap a text field, open the features menu at the top left of the keyboard, then More → Settings → Languages, choose Thai and a layout, and tap Done.
  3. Mac: Apple menu → System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → Add, search for Thai, choose the Thai input source and click Add. Switch with Control-Space or the Input menu.
  4. Windows 11: Start → Settings → Time & language → Language & region. Add Thai as a language (or open Language options on an installed one) and add the Thai Kedmanee keyboard. Switch with Windows key + Space.

Questions people ask

What is the standard Thai keyboard layout?

Kedmanee. It comes from Thai typewriters of the early twentieth century, was named Kedmanee in the 1970s to tell it apart from the newer Pattachote layout, and was made a Thai Industrial Standard (TIS 820-2531, updated as 820-2538 in 1995). It is the default Thai layout on phones and computers.

Why are the Thai letters scattered over so many keys?

Thai has more letters, vowel signs and tone marks than a keyboard has keys, so Kedmanee uses Shift for the second set of characters.

Can I type Thai without learning the layout?

Yes. Phone keyboards show the Thai letters on the keys, and on a computer you can use a Thai sticker set or the on-screen keyboard. Many people also use voice typing in Thai.

Sources

All links read on .

  1. Wikipedia: Thai Kedmanee keyboard layout (TIS 820-2538, history)
  2. NECTEC: Thai Industrial Standard 820-2538, layout of Thai character keys
  3. Apple: Add or change keyboards on iPhone
  4. Apple: Write in another language on your Mac
  5. Google: Set up Gboard (add languages)
  6. Microsoft: Manage the input and display language settings in Windows

Letter names, sounds, classes and tone rules follow the standard references above. The Thai on these pages is a draft until a native speaker has reviewed it. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.