Learn the Thai High Class Consonants

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getting sound files . . .

kǎw kài

kǎw kùat

chǎw chìng

tǎw tǎan

tǎw tǒong

pǎw pûng

fǎw fǎa

sǎw sǎa-laa

sǎw ruu-sěe

sǎw sǔua

hǎw hèep

11 High Class Consonants

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Before You Continue . . .

. . . you should be able list all the Middle Class Consonants on paper, know their names, and the sound they make.

The application on this page will help you to learn the High Class Consonants.

About High Class Consonants

The first consonant in the high class group is named kǎw kài. Kǎw is it's sound, said with rising tone, and kài is the Thai word for egg. Kài is said with low tone, because there is a different rule that applies to it. Don't worry. You'll learn all of the rules as you progress through the next few lessons. For now just focus on the name and class, and remember that the first part of all high class consonant names is said with rising tone.

Getting Past Difficult Sounds

The name for the letter ผ (pǎw pûng) is transliterated using ʉ, a vowel sound that may give you some trouble. It sounds a little like oo in the English word too, but more like u in the French word du. You'll be learning the vowels in the next chapter, so don't worry too much if you can't say it yet.

Hint: Try saying the word too without touching your lips together.

The letter ฃ (kǎw kùat) is now obsolete, but you will still need to know its name, and that it is used to make the k sound. Obsolete just means that it is not used to spell any new Thai words.