Thai has 44 consonant letters, and although this number may feel intimidating, the system is extremely logical once you understand how it works. In this lesson, we break down the structure, writing direction, pronunciation, and classification of consonants.

Quick Summary and Key Takeaways

• Thai consonants come with a built-in vowel (-aaw sound) in their names, used for identification.
• Some consonants share the same initial sound but differ in writing or class.
• Initial consonant sounds may differ from final consonant sounds.
• Consonant class (mid, high, low) directly affects the tone of a syllable.

Next Lesson Preview: Once consonants are clear, it’s time to explore Thai vowels. Thai vowels are where reading becomes fun—because they appear in many different positions around the consonant. Learning how vowels attach to the initial consonant is essential for building reading fluency.