The Connection of Thai Typeface in the Context of Evolution and Letter Formation

Main Article Content

Sansern Rianthong

Abstract

Objectives: This article describes the connection of Thai typeface in the context of evolution and letter formation in order to classify the Thai typeface.


Methods: The Thai typeface from documents and historical evidence was studied. The typeface from the letter formation techniques in each era was categorized. Then the connection of each typeface category was analyzed and synthesized.


Results: It was found that letter structure in the late Ayutthaya period was like that of the current Thai script. It was then developed into a variety of Thai typeface. The characteristics of the Thai typeface can be divided according to the evolution and letter formation into seven typologies: 1) ancient-like Thai 2) Arluck 3) handwriting 4) Thai Ribbon 5) standard Thai 6) Latin-like Thai, and 7) Decoration.


Application of this study: This article is useful for those interested in typeface design, design history, and local wisdom. It can be further developed in creative works, branding, marketing communications and database management.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Rianthong, S. (2023). The Connection of Thai Typeface in the Context of Evolution and Letter Formation. Journal of Arts and Thai Studies, 45(3), E1926. https://doi.org/10.69598/artssu.2023.1926.
Section
Articles

References

Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo. (2010). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://digitarq.arquivos.pt/viewer?id=4185836

CONT-READING. (2021). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://cont-reading.com/context/read-backward/

Bureau of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bangkok. (2014d). Communication with the Thai Alphabet from the years Past to the Present. Bangkok. (In Thai)

Bureau of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bangkok. (2014a). Thai Script: A 730-Year History. Bangkok. (In Thai)

Bureau of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bangkok. (2014b). Thai Script: A 730-Year History. Bangkok. (In Thai)

Bureau of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bangkok. (2014c). Thai Script: A 730-Year History. Bangkok. (In Thai)

Charoensiriphan, P. (n.d.). Khian Akson Sin Boran Lae Anurak Watthanatham Phuen Thin Kap Page ‘Ak Sara Roi Wali Likhit. [Write old style calligraphy and preserve local culture with Aksara Roiwalalikit]. Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://adaymagazine.com/rayong-time-ago-3/ (In Thai)

Charoenwong, S. (2006). Her Royal Highness Prince Krom Phraya Narisaranuwattiwong "Somdej Kru", the master craftsman of Siam. [Prince Naris the master craftsman of Siam]. Bangkok: Matichon. (In Thai)

Damrong Rajanubhab, Prince. (1962). San Somdet Lem 22: Laiphrahat Somdet PhrachaoBorom WongThoe Chaofa Kromphraya Narit Na Nu Wat Ti Wong Lae Somdet PhrachaoBorom WongThoe Kromphraya Damrong Rajanubhab. [San Somdet issue 22: The message of prince Naris and prince Rajanuvhab]. Bangkok: Ong Kan Kha Khong Khuru Sapha. (In Thai)

Kosolkarn, K. (2021). Thu Ti Ya Lae Farang Ses Khwamching Nai Khwam Plianplaeng. [The design of Thutiya and Farang Ses typeface]. Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://www.cadsondemak.com/medias/read/thai-latinized-typeface (In Thai)

Laksanasiri, C. (2011). The Forgotten Compressed Thai Letter. Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, 33(1), 7–42.

Lawrachawee, S. (2015). Thai Naris Handwriting Script. Retrieved 20 August 2022, from www.santivithee.design/portfolio/thai-naris-handwriting-script/

Michell, B. (2014). Loops and Latinisation. Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://thaifaces.com/loops-and-latinisation/

Pakdeekham, S. (2019). Lae Lang Kham Khamen-Thai. [The history of Khmer-Thai words]. Bangkok: Matichon. (In Thai)

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (2007a). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://db.sac.or.th/inscriptions/inscribe/detail/672

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (2007b). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://db.sac.or.th/inscriptions/inscribe/detail/1181

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (2007c). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://db.sac.or.th/inscriptions/inscribe/detail/1204

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (2007d). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://db.sac.or.th/inscriptions/inscribe/detail/677

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (2007e). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://db.sac.or.th/inscriptions/inscribe/detail/2885

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (2007f). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://db.sac.or.th/inscriptions/inscribe/detail/1175

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://www.sac.or.th/databases/siamrarebooks/th/website/oldbook/subbook/264

Punsongserm, R. (2012). Viewpoint of Using a Roman-like Typeface: Disappearance of Singularity and Legibility. Manutsayasat Wichakan Journal kasetsart university, 19(1), 113 (In Thai)

Rattavisit, P. (2009). Manopsaga. [The story of Manop Srisomporn]. Art4D Magazine, August 09 no. 162 (In Thai)

Rianthong, S. (2022). Developing the Thai-naris handwriting to typeface design. Art and Architecture Journal, Naresuan University, 13(1), 196-210. (In Thai)

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 1 The comparison of Ancient Script and Ancient-Like Thai Typeface.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 4 Standard Thai typeface and not Standard Thai typeface.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 5 Evolution from Arluck Script to Thai Ribbon Typeface.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 6 Standard Thai Typeface (Top) and Decorative Typeface (Bottom).

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 9 Latin-Like Thai loop based on Serif.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 10 Thai Loop, Thai Loopless (Obscure or Conceal Loop) and Modern Thai.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 11 The connection between each style of Thai Typefaces: Ancient to Ancient-Like Thai and Arluck.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 12 The connection between each style of Thai Typefaces: Arluck to Handwriting,

Thai Ribbon, Standard Thai and Latin-Like Thai.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 13 The connection between each style of Thai Typefaces: Ancient-Like Thai, Arluck, Handwriting, Thai Ribbon, Standard Thai and Latin-Like Thai to Decorative.

Rianthong, S. (2023). Figure 14 Seven Typologies of Thai Typeface.

Rojarayanond, P. (2008). DB PorPiang Kan Raboet Khong Chong Wang. [The design of DB PorPieang font]. iDesign Magazine, February 2008 (In Thai)

Rojarayanond, P. (2012). DB Pong Rong Sek Thong Chak Takua. [The design of DB Pong Rong font]. iDesign Magazine, June 2012 (In Thai)

Royal Academy. (1997). Mattrathan Khrong Sang Tua AksonThai: Royal Academy Edition. [The standard anatomy of Thai typeface]. Bangkok: Royal Academy. (In Thai)

Sapruengnam, T. (2016). Chanit Nata Phachoenna Aksorn. [Type Face Face type: a closer look at type and a behind the scene view of how to design fonts]. Bangkok: Cadson Demak. (In Thai)

Sathirakul, K. (1972). Tuanangsue Lae Tuaphim. [Character and Type Face]. Bangkok: Khurusapha ladprao. (In Thai)

Seides, G. (1961). Tamnan AksonThai. [Legend of Thai characters]. Bangkok: Ministry of Education. (In Thai)

Sukphanit, K. (1965). Kamnoet Thaenphim Lae Tuaphim Phasa Thai: Kao Raek Khong Nangsuephim Nai Prathet Thai. [The birth of Thai printing press and types: The first step of newspaper in Thailand]. Bangkok: Thai Phanitchayakan. (In Thai)

Suksumek, P. (2019, December 13). BITS 9 - The Evolution of Thai Loopless (Extended Version) [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oco2a4gyyO4

Suweeranon, P. (2002). 10 faces of Thai Type and Thai Nation. Sarakadee Magazine, 17(211). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://www.sarakadee.com/feature/2002/09/thaifont_en.htm

Suweeranon, P. (2005). Open types: Samphat Muan Khwamkhit Lae Thitthang Khong Wongkan Okbaep Font Thai. [Open types: Experience the ideas and Trends of Thai font design]. Nonthaburi: Core function. (In Thai)

Thammasat University Library. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://digital.library.tu.ac.th/tu_dc/frontend/Info/item/dc:178245

Thammasat University Library. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://digital.library.tu.ac.th/tu_dc/frontend/Info/item/dc:178613

Thammasat University Library. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://digital.library.tu.ac.th/tu_dc/frontend/Info/item/dc:181053

Thongpan, S. (2000). Hem Wetchakon Chittrakon Rai Sam Nakrian Chang Khian Nok Sathaban. [Hem Wetchakon the master of painter who learn himself]. Sarakadee Magazine, 16(188). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://www.sarakadee.com/feature/2000/10/hem.htm (In Thai)

Usakulwatana, P. (2015). Baep Tua akson Ma Chak Nai. 101010: from basic typography to digital font - brief learning on how type works. Cadson Demak (In Thai)

Weeraprajak, K. (1983). 700 years Lai Sue Thai. [700 years Sukhothai script]. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department. (In Thai)

Weygandt, A. (n.d.). Thai look-alike font AW_Siam with English (Latin). Retrieved 20 August 2022, from https://www.weygandt.de/aw_siam/

Wongwairot, P. (1996). Kan Sang Baepfuekhat Khat Laimue Phuea Phatthana Khunnaphap Laimue Khong Nakrian Chan Prathomsueksa Pi Thi 2 Rongrian KhlongSan Ton Nun KrungThep Maha Nakhon [Witthayaniphon Radap Parinyatho]. [Creating handwriting exercises to improve the quality of students' handwriting. Grade 2, Khlong San Ton Nun School, Bangkok]. Bangkok: Srinakharinwirot University. (In Thai)

Working group for the history of printing in Thailand. (2022). Siam Pimpakarn: Prawattisat Kan Phim Nai Prathet Thai. [Siam Pimpakarn: History of Printing in Thailand]. Bangkok: Matichon. (In Thai)