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.
Favour the approach here.
AllianceGrowthInsights – Helpful lessons, long-term value strategies explained in a straightforward way.
ReliableShopHub – Safe and user-friendly, purchasing items online is simple.
SecureBuyPro – Smooth and intuitive, online purchases are hassle-free.
Consumer Shopping Lab – Step-by-step suggestions that save time and improve purchase choices.
business professional network – Professional tone and branding suggest a platform for serious corporate partnerships.
partnershiphub – Very practical, strategies for professional teamwork are straightforward to use.
discover entrepreneurial routes – Messaging prompts thinking about fresh business directions for growth.
new enterprise paths – Encourages exploring alternative routes for business development today.
explore business ideas – Encourages creativity and exploration for entrepreneurs online.
securebondguide – Well-organized content for navigating strategic bonds confidently.
business liaison portal – Professional style and tone reflect trustworthy corporate networking.
securebondsolutions – Well-organized explanations make strategic bonds easy to comprehend.
professional connections portal – Branding signals reliability and high-quality networking opportunities.
StrategicBusinessAlliances – Highlights reliable connections that support serious corporate collaboration.
networking for professionals – Credible presentation suggests meaningful and serious business connections.
professionalbondingtips – Detailed and trustworthy advice for strategic bond investments.
trusted business system – Logical organization makes navigating and learning the framework straightforward.
bondinsightcenter – Trusted guidance and practical tips for understanding strategic bonds.
knowledge accelerator – Useful tips, breaks down complex insights for easy application.
EnterpriseNetworkingPro – Emphasis on enduring connections supports meaningful business collaboration.
Idea Implementation Hub – Very practical tips, easy to grasp and apply in daily work.
teamworkinsider – Informative and actionable, collaboration guidance is structured and clear.
CorporateLinkageNetwork – Platform prioritizes enduring partnerships, enhancing strategic business ties.
CorporateBondingNetwork – Long-term relationship focus makes forming corporate alliances more credible.
StrategicConnectionsPortal – Focus on enduring ties supports professional growth and collaboration.
SmartCartHub – Fast and clear, buying products online is safe and convenient.
enterprise knowledge center – Clear, well-organized framework simplifies complex business ideas.
SustainedCorporateLinks – Emphasis on lasting relationships ensures networking efforts feel professional and dependable.
sustainable opportunity hub – Encourages partnerships that deliver consistent long-term returns.
visionary planning site – Offers guidance that aligns with forward-thinking and strategic foresight.
collaborationstrategies – Very actionable, platform explains how to collaborate professionally step by step.
PurchaseFlow – Streamlined interface, browsing and buying feels effortless.
Practical Insight Hub – Content is actionable and well-presented, perfect for everyday use.
marketinsights – Very clear and helpful, offers practical guidance for navigating market relationships.
Digital Shopping Guide – Helps navigate online stores with ease and make faster decisions.