Passing by the Old Bangkok International Airport the other day, I noticed the new airport sign that read “Don Mueang International Airport”. What annoyed me was the fact that they decided to use “Mueang” instead of the usual “Muang”. I know they try to tell foreigners that ‘mueang” should be pronounced differently than “muang”, but will that help?
I’m not the only person who feel uneasy about the flexible approach that people take when writing Thai words in roman alphabets. (See my other post.) Here is a proof.
A post at website www.luchtzak.be is complaining: “The airport exists 93years and its name was always spelled Don Muang. So it was, so it will remain, for us.”
Actually, the spelling of the name of the new internal airport of Bangkok “Suvarnabhumi” is also a little too strangely elaborated. They probably try to reflect the old Indian Pali origin of the name but it may have been “Suwannapoom” if the closest Thai pronunciation were given priority.
The bottom line is Thai writing and pronunciation is a little tricky to have a unified rule for romanization. So, I guess we will have to live with this little annoyance for sometime.
Latest Addition (June 10, 2007)
I can confirm now that there is actually a set of official rules for romanizing Thai language established by the Royal Institute. The latest version dated January 11, 1999 replaces the former version which was announced 60 years earlier. One of the changes was actually the introduction of “uea” sound to differentiate from the “ua” sound. So, the Airport Authority of Thailand just followed the rules by using “Don Mueang” instead of the more common “Don Muang.” You may check out an English summary of the rules in Wikipedia.
Well, few Thais know or care about the official Thai romanizing rules and there is no attempt to enforce them so far.
steerprogress – Nice advice, proper steering ensures movement toward key goals is consistent.
confidencegrowth – Helpful insight, small steps of action lead to noticeable confidence gains.
drivencenterhub – Practical tips provided, keeping your attention sharp and organized.
growthstrategy – Helpful advice, following intentional growth steps keeps progress focused and steady.
Growth Project – The site feels responsive and the content is easy to digest.
progressigniter – Great strategies, small consistent actions make velocity noticeable quickly.
bondbuilders – Practical connections that help establish enduring relationships.
motionplannerhub – Insights are helpful for prioritizing tasks effectively and staying on track.
signalcreatesalignment.bond – Looks great on mobile too, everything feels quick and nicely put together.
forwardengine – Maintaining attention on key tasks ensures progress advances steadily and reliably.
synergyhub – Develop alliances that enhance collaboration and maximize professional impact.
forwardstep – Great tips, small daily actions combine to create meaningful progress over time.
progresspilot – Precision in planning helps projects advance efficiently.
innovationbeacon2 – Practical strategies here transform ideas into steady growth outcomes.
trustgrowthcollective – Great advice, a collective approach to growth rooted in trust ensures sustainable results.
actionforcemomentum – Very motivating, acting consistently ensures projects move forward with smooth momentum.
clarity first growth – Refreshing take, clear strategy makes growth feel manageable.
velocitypath – Nice tips, correct direction ensures tasks move faster and smoother.
actionclarity – Very practical, guidance provided here simplifies making choices quickly.
energypathfinder – Clear layout and tips make directions simple to follow.
Путешествие на лайнере из Китая запомнилось отличной атмосферой, чистотой, сервисом и красивыми морскими пейзажами – https://kruizy-iz-kataya.ru/
forwardmoves – Nice advice, consistent effort really accelerates progress today.
growthmotion – Motivating content, encourages moving growth forward with clarity.
momentumbeacon – Strategic focus maintains steady progress and ensures results.
ideaflow – Helpful tips, ideas gain traction when worked on methodically and thoughtfully.
successcollaboratorsbond – Great guidance, collaboration ensures that achievements feel authentic and benefit everyone.
visionaryalliancehub – Great perspective, the alliance emphasizes foresight, teamwork, and reliability.
partnerconnectionhub – Strong, the hub enables clear, productive, and sustainable partner connections.
powerpath – Forward energy applied wisely makes progress predictable.
flowengine – Proper guidance creates leverage and keeps workflow moving smoothly.
claritypathcenter – Advice is helpful and makes planning and implementation easier.
collaborationhub – Partnerships that drive success and enhance networking possibilities.
flowinsights – Useful guidance, workflow directions feel clear and actionable.
forwardbydesign – Nice insights, structured steps make achieving outcomes simpler and more reliable.
actionpilot – Signals ensure tasks move forward consistently and efficiently.
workflowengine – Forward energy ensures tasks advance smoothly and goals are achieved.
signalforwardstream – Helpful guidance keeps tasks organized and actionable.
motionpath – Informative and engaging, motion is presented in a logical, easy-to-follow way.
directionpilot – Useful advice, taking consistent steps steers outcomes efficiently.
structuredprogress – Excellent advice, makes complicated steps feel straightforward.
Компания «Трубпром» работает на рынке металлопроката с 2005 года и предлагает купить стальные трубы любых диаметров по ценам производителя. В каталоге https://www.trub-prom.com/ представлен широкий ассортимент продукции: бесшовные, электросварные, нержавеющие, котельные трубы различных марок стали и типоразмеров. Компания осуществляет оптовые и розничные продажи из наличия на складе в Москве с доставкой по всей России, гарантируя качество и соблюдение ГОСТов.
sharedgrowthnetwork – Very practical, this network encourages reciprocal growth and lasting collaboration.
workflowcompass – Focused guidance improves daily efficiency.
actionengine – Using signals strategically enhances workflow and maintains steady progress.
goalbeacon – Organized ideas move projects forward and create measurable progress.
growth process clarity – Enjoyable read, growth is broken down in a clean way.
achievewithfocus – Inspiring tips, maintaining focus ensures goals are met on time.
solidfoundationfund – Strong long-term strategies that foster dependable outcomes.
enterprisehub – Discover and link up with trusted businesses and collaborators.
clarityactionhub – Practical advice makes implementing progress strategies simple.