Last Updated: Oct 28, 2025
Guidance for Thai
Here you will find the guidance for Thai, but you should also consider the guidance for all languages.
1. Capitalization
For DNTs and untranslated foreign words, please mirror the capitalization from the source.
Capitalize
- Proper names: Proton Mail, Proton VPN, NetShield
2. Abbreviations
Whenever possible, avoid using abbreviations.
Abbreviate the text only when space is limited (mainly buttons, option names or strings with specific character limitations) or to improve readability.
Days abbreviations (in calendars, agendas, timetables—the names of days are written with a period):
| English | Translation | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | จันทร์ | จ. |
| Tuesday | อังคาร | อ. |
| Wednesday | พุธ | พ. |
| Thursday | พฤหัสบดี | พฤ. |
| Friday | ศุกร์ | ศ. |
| Saturday | เสาร์ | ส. |
| Sunday | อาทิตย์ | อา. |
Months abbreviations (in calendars, agendas, timetables—the names of months are written with a period):
| English | Translation | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| January | มกราคม | ม.ค. |
| February | กุมภาพันธ์ | ก.พ. |
| March | มีนาคม | มี.ค. |
| April | เมษายน | เม.ย. |
| May | พฤษภาคม | พ.ค. |
| June | มิถุนายน | มิ.ย. |
| July | กรกฎาคม | ก.ค. |
| August | สิงหาคม | ส.ค. |
| September | กันยายน | ก.ย. |
| October | ตุลาคม | ต.ค. |
| November | พฤศจิกายน | พ.ย. |
| December | ธันวาคม | ธ.ค. |
3. Acronyms
Common examples are VPN (Virtual Personal Network), DNS (Domain Name Server), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), etc.
The most common acronyms and their translations are included in the glossary. Always refer to the glossary when localizing acronyms.
Commonly used acronyms do not need explanations (DVD, LED, TV, etc.).
When an acronym appears multiple times in the same section, include its extended form in parentheses only for the first occurrence.
4. Pronouns
English, especially technical English, is often more redundant than Thai.
When translating, reduce redundancy by using pronouns where appropriate, but do not affect accuracy.
When translating technical or complex strings, make sure users can associate pronouns with the nouns they refer to.
Avoid using possessive pronouns when possible.
Omit subject pronouns such as “we” and “you.”
5. Punctuation
The rules of punctuation in Thai differ from English. It is generally not recommended to use punctuation marks in Thai sentences.
6. Exclamation mark
Exclamation marks are used to give emphasis. Use them sparingly, as they are less common than in English.
7. Parentheses
Parentheses are used to clarify statements or provide additional information. Avoid using them when possible and adapt to the context.
8. Comma
In English, commas separate words or phrases. In Thai, a space is used instead. Do not use commas (,) in Thai sentences as in English.
| English | We prefer |
|---|---|
| You can also add, delete, and edit them by clicking… | คุณสามารถเพิ่ม ลบ และแก้ไขได้โดยคลิก… |
| Assign permissions to users, or groups | กำหนดสิทธิ์ให้กับผู้ใช้หรือกลุ่ม |
9. Colon
Use colons in the same way as in English.
| English | We prefer |
|---|---|
| Date: Old to new | วันที่: เก่าไปใหม่ |
| Download paused: Low battery | หยุดการดาวน์โหลด: แบตเตอรี่ต่ำ |
10. Em dash (—), en dash (–), hyphen (-)
Three different dash characters are used:
-
Hyphen (-) (ยัติภังค์): Used for ranges of numbers or syllabification (syl-lab-i-fi-ca-tion), and as a math minus sign.
Example: Bangkok - Chiangmai -
En dash (–) and Em dash (—) (ยัติภาค): In Thai, people do not strictly distinguish between these types. They can be used interchangeably in contexts where English uses them.
Note: For mathematical symbols, only the hyphen should be used.
Ellipses (Suspension points):
Used in the same way as in English.
11. Quotation marks
In U.S. source strings, you may find English quotation marks used around software references. In Thai, use quotation marks in the same way, though they may be omitted when the sentence is not a direct quotation (for example: “Could you please enter your name?”).
12. Spacing and non-breaking spaces
All double punctuation marks (quotation marks, colons and semicolons, exclamation and question marks) are preceded by a non-breaking space.
Use non-breaking spaces to prevent improper separation of elements such as product names, part numbers, numbers, and dates.
When using currency symbols or units of measurement, include a non-breaking space between the number and the sign.
To insert a non-breaking space:
- Windows: Hold Alt and type 255
- Mac: Ctrl + Option⌥ + Space bar
| English | Thai | [non-breaking space] |
|---|---|---|
| First step: click | ขั้นตอนที่หนึ่ง: คลิก | ขั้นตอนที่หนึ่ง[non-breaking space]: คลิก |
| Thank you! | ขอบคุณ ! | ขอบคุณ[non-breaking space]! |
13. Numbers
In Thai, numbers should mirror the source form.
- If the source uses numerals (“10”), the target should also use numerals (“10”).
- If the source spells out numbers (“ten”), translate them into Thai words.
Examples:
- There are 3 oranges, 4 apples and a bunch of grapes on the table. → มีส้ม 3 ผล แอปเปิ้ล 4 ผล และองุ่นหนึ่งพวงอยู่บนโต๊ะ
- All fifty students did not come to class. → นักเรียนทั้งห้าสิบคนไม่เข้าห้องเรียน
14. Currencies
Do not convert USD ($) or EUR (€) into Thai baht.
Place the USD or EUR code or the symbol (€ / $) after the number, separated by a non-breaking space.
15. Units of measurement
Use the metric system.
Insert a non-breaking space between the number and the relevant unit.
| Category | Measurement unit | Translation | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINEAR | Kilometer | กิโลเมตร | กม. |
| Meter | เมตร | ม. | |
| Centimeter | เซนติเมตร | ซม. | |
| Millimeter | มิลลิเมตร | มม. | |
| MASS | Kilogram | กิโลกรัม | กก. |
| Pound | ปอนด์ | ปอนด์ | |
| IMPERIAL | Inch | นิ้ว | นิ้ว |
| Feet | ฟุต | ฟุต | |
| Mile | ไมล์ | ไมล์ | |
| Gallon | แกลลอน | แกลลอน | |
| COMPUTING | Byte | ไบต์ | B |
| Megabyte | เมกาไบต์ | MB | |
| Gigabyte | กิกาไบต์ | GB | |
| Terabyte | เทราไบต์ | TB |
16. Foreign words
The decision to keep a word in English or translate it depends on how widely used it is.
To evaluate usage, search for both the English word and the Thai translation online and compare frequency. The more commonly used term should guide your choice.
If in doubt about an important term, contact the Proton Localization team for an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) check.
Foreign words may appear in quotation marks or italics if uncommon. Widely accepted English words remain untranslated and do not take an s in plural.
When foreign words are common and well understood, they can remain in English. Add an explanation in Thai when necessary.
Avoid overusing anglicisms.
17. Localizing person names
Do not localize person names.
| English | Thai |
|---|---|
| Bart Butler is a senior engineer at Proton Mail | Bart Butler เป็นวิศวกรระดับอาวุโสที่ Proton Mail |
18. Localizing domains and email addresses
Keep all domains and email addresses in English.
| English | Translation |
|---|---|
| Proton Mail allows you to keep your business email address (you@yourcompany.com). | Proton Mail ช่วยให้คุณสามารถเก็บที่อยู่อีเมลธุรกิจของคุณได้ (you@yourcompany.com) |
| Receive all email sent to addresses in your domain that do not exist (e.g., “mistake@yourdomain.com”). | รับอีเมลทั้งหมดที่ส่งไปยังที่อยู่อีเมลในโดเมนของคุณที่ไม่มีอยู่จริง (เช่น “mistake@yourdomain.com”) |
19. Localizing CTA (Call To Action) buttons
Depending on the context (support, landing page, etc.), use either the infinitive or 2nd person plural form. Confirm with the language lead when needed.
For neutral instructions or additional information, use infinitive:
- คัดลอกลิงก์
- ดาวน์โหลด
- ค้นพบฟีเจอร์ทั้งหมด
For engaging buttons, use 2nd person plural:
- ติดต่อเรา