Thai has its own beautiful numeral system that's been used for centuries. While Arabic numerals (0-9) are common in modern Thailand, Thai numerals still appear on official documents, currency, temple inscriptions, and formal contexts. Learning them connects you to Thai culture and history.
Thai numerals have distinctive shapes. Here are some memory tips:
| Numeral | Memory Tip |
|---|---|
| ๐ | Looks like a curly zero |
| ๑ | A simple hook — the first, simplest number |
| ๒ | Has two bumps on top |
| ๓ | Looks like a sideways 3 with curves |
| ๔ | Four strokes to write |
| ๕ | Looks like a squiggly 5 |
| ๖ | Has a loop like a 6 |
| ๗ | Looks like a 7 with a hat |
| ๘ | Has curves like an 8 |
| ๙ | A curly 9 shape |
| Number | Thai | Romanization | Similar English Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ศูนย์ | sǒon | "soon" with rising tone |
| 1 | หนึ่ง | nʉ̀ng | "nung" (low tone) |
| 2 | สอง | sǒng | "song" with rising tone |
| 3 | สาม | sǎam | "saam" with rising tone |
| 4 | สี่ | sìi | "see" with low tone |
| 5 | ห้า | hâa | "haa" with falling tone |
| 6 | หก | hòk | "hok" with low tone |
| 7 | เจ็ด | jèt | "jet" with low tone |
| 8 | แปด | bpàet | "bpaet" with low tone |
| 9 | เก้า | gâo | "gow" with falling tone |
Convert these Thai numbers to Arabic:
(Answers: 57, 24, 100)
In Lesson 2, you'll learn how to count from 1 to 100, including the special rules for teens and the unique word for 20.