Thai keyboard

[danissa]

Guys,

I'm a passionate novice learner of Thai language - I am taking courses of Thai, and just about to start doing written online excersises on grammar, when I got stuck with the input method, so really wanted to maybe ask you guys-experts, if you could help me a bit with getting Thai writing up...
What exactly is required to correctly enter Thai characters? How does the Thai character entry works,
i.e. do I need a driver or enter on-screen?

My teacher suggested I buy Thai keyboard stickers from Latkey or get some sort of Thai keyboard, but certainly this won't be enough to start typing without proper phonetic driver or something? I'm completely puzzled at this moment

Are there any special IME or entry methods I need to look at?

Please help!

Thanks,
DIss

[synthia]

I googled 'thai keyboard' and got a lot of respnses. I didn't prowl through them, but you can try the same thing. There was information about layout and conversion. In the suggested searches there was something about stickers, too.

[danissa]

Yes I know there are keyboards and stickers, but what I'm wondering about is what else needs to be installed? How Thai input works? This info I did not find googling......

[synthia]

Try this site, and look at the three items in the dropdown box to the upper right.

[KhwaamLap]

Hi,

that site seems to be trying to sell ThaiMaster. If you have Xl or better, simply download the type fonts (either from the site Synthia mentions or google it - there's quite a few out there). Secondly, add Thai Keyboard to your language bar as follows (sorry if I'm preaching to the converted)...
Click Start Button, open control panel and open Regional and Language Options. Go to the second tab 'Languages' and checl the middle box at the bottom (it mentions Thai). Then click Details button at the top. Click Add. From the dropdown at te top, select Thai Kadmanee... and OK it.
Then click Language Bar Check the first box at least (I have all checked but the second one - transparancy) to show the language bar on the desktop. Click OK.
Then Click Key Settings and set up a fast key swap for English and Thai so you can switch quickly.

You may have to reboot if Windows hasn't got the complex script option installed (you also need the XP Disk).

Now when you are in an app that allows complex text (most of them) - such as Notepad for example, click the language bar and change to thai (or use swap keys) and start typing. To change back to Englsh - mid sentance - just switch back using the keys or language bar.

On keyboards, I find it easiest to simply have two keyboards and swap them as I want. If I'm on my laptop, I wwwuse onscreen keyboard (Start-Accessories-Accesabilities).

All this will cost you zip (with the exception of the physical keyboard or forever-falling off-stickers)

[synthia]

Wow, Khwaamlap, thank you for the great response!

[KhwaamLap]

no problem

[owenjones]

Hi,

It is quite easy really, as with everything, when you know how.

I wouldn't buy stickers - it's messy and looks cheap. just get a new keyboard with the typical Us 120+ keys but with Thai characters on them too. They cost 200-500 Baht and can be used as replacement keyboards for a desktop or a supplemental keyboard for a laptop.
Then, assuming you're using XP, go to 'Control Panel' and 'Regional and Language Options'. Click on 'Languages' and the first checkcox (it mentions Thai).
Then click on 'Details'; and 'Add'; choose your language(s); make sure you enable 'keyboard' as an input device. click 'OK'
Click on 'Language Bar' and enable it; Click on 'Key Settings' and adjust them, so ou can switch between English and Thai at the press of a button or click of the mouse.
Click 'OK' and 'OK' and you're done.

It sounds complicated, but when you go to see what I'm saying. you shouldn't have any trouble.

All the best,
Owen.

Damissa

You may already know. If not this may help. You can get stickers for your keyboard. But you do need the software to type etc in Thai. I bought a new laptop here that came with a Thai/English keyboard, but had to get separate software for the Thai lanquage. This came with the Microsoft Microsoft Office Profisional 2007. Not sure of the technicalities of how you interface between English and Thai yet, still working on that. I suggest you go to one of the numerous IT stores in the city for help on this. As far as running lanquage packs on the laptop, they are relatively straight forward, you know by the CD insert and follow the wizards lead. On the subject of learning the Thai language.....can you recommend a place, hopefully when back from my next contract I will have at least three months to apply myself to learning.

Martin

[jsflynn603]

A few iconoclastic comments....

Since you are completely new to typing consider (but only if you will be using your own computer all the time, not rented ones in cafes) on the Pattachote Keyboard layout.

There are two keyboards and each have the letters in different places. Thai Kedmandee is the "old" keyboard, much like the "qwerty" keyboard you are likely using (look under 1,2,3, and you will see qwerty."

Qwerty was developed specifically to SLOW down typists because of mechanical limitations. In the thirties a guy name Augustine Dvorak made an efficient and fast keyboard. To give you an idea: Two secretaries type all day tying the same thing. By the end of the day the Qwerty typist's fingers moved 5.5 miles, but the Dvorak typist's fingers moved only 3.5 miles. So in fact, typing with the Dvorak keyboard is faster and certainly easier on the hands. (This being typed with the Dvorka keyboard)

Well, the same thing happened in Thailand and the Pattachote (name of guy, I think) came out. But as in America, it never "took."

The Pattachote keyboard is definately superior and you will become a better and faster typist for the same number of hours invested. But if you need to use public computers do not use Pattachote. I too am learning to type Thai and am learning on Pattachote.

As for labels--If you do not use them you will learn faster.

I'd like to know more about how you are learning Thai... I'm finding it devilishly difficult.

Addendum: When you follow the advice for installing Thai you will see both choices offered.