Thai phonology is known for its tonal nature, rich array of vowel and consonant sounds, and unique syllable structure. Below is a detailed introduction to the phonological aspects of the Thai language.

1. Tones

Thai is a tonal language with five tones, where the tone of a syllable can change the meaning of a word:

Mid Tone (เสียงสามัญ): Normal, level pitch. E.g., มา (maa) - "come".

Low Tone (เสียงเอก): Low, steady pitch. E.g., หม่า (màa) - "dog".

Falling Tone (เสียงโท): High to low pitch. E.g., หมาก (mâak) - "betel nut".

High Tone (เสียงตรี): Rising to high pitch. E.g., ม้า (máa) - "horse".

Rising Tone (เสียงจัตวา): Low to high pitch. E.g., หมา (mǎa) - "dog".

2. Consonants

Thai has 21 initial consonants and 6 final consonants. The consonants can be classified by their place and manner of articulation:

Initial Consonants

Plosives: p, ph, b, t, th, d, k, kh, g

Fricatives: f, s, h

Nasals: m, n, ng

Liquids: l, r

Semivowels: w, y

Affricates: ch, j

Final Consonants

Stops: -p, -t, -k

Nasals: -m, -n, -ng

3. Vowels

Thai vowels can be short or long, and they can be simple vowels (monophthongs) or complex vowels (diphthongs and triphthongs). The distinction between short and long vowels can change the meaning of a word.

Simple Vowels

Short Vowels: a, e, i, o, u, ae, oe

Long Vowels: aa, ee, ii, oo, uu, aae, oee

Diphthongs

ai, ao, ia, ie, ua, ue

Triphthongs

uai, iai

4. Syllable Structure

Thai syllables typically follow the structure (C)(C)V(C), where:

C: Consonant

V: Vowel

The most common syllable structures are:

CV: มา (maa) - "come"

CVC: มัก (mak) - "to like"

CCV: ปลา (plaa) - "fish"

CCVC: ปรับ (prap) - "to adjust"