Spacing Guidelines

In writing and in publishing Thai books, spacing between words, phrases and sentences is very important. It makes the writing, clear, accurate and straightforward according to the intention of the author. First some terms:

 lexical unit a word, phrase or sentence

 space the gap between lexical units

Spaces are divided into:

 small spaces These are approximately the same width as the letter ก.

 large spaces These are approximately double the width of small spaces.

The rules for spacing for writing and for publishing Thai books are as follows:

1. Cases where a space is required

1.1 Large spaces

Leave a large space at the end of each sentence.

1.2 Small spaces

Use small spaces in the following circumstances:

1.2.1 In compound sentences, leave a small space between the subordinate clauses that have complete meanings and are connected to other clauses starting with conjunctions such as และ, หรือ, แต่ &c..

However, if it's a short sentence, don't use a space.

1.2.2 Leave a small space between first and last names.

1.2.3 Leave a small space between the title and name of members of the royal family.

1.2.4 Leave a small space after the name of the company, bank, &c. and before the word จำกัด (Ltd.).

1.2.5 Similarly, leave a small space after the name and before the words ห้างหุ้นส่วนจำกัด (Limited Partnership) and ห้างหุ้นส่วนสามัญนิติบุคคล (Juristic General Partnership).

1.2.6 Leave a small space between elements of addresses such as road, subdistrict, district, town, city, province, &c..

1.2.7 Where an individual has multiple titles, leave a small space between each title.

1.2.8 Leave a small space between rank and name.

1.2.9 Leave a small space between groups of abbreviations.

1.2.10 Leave a small space between letters and numbers (and vice versa).

1.2.11 Leave a small space between day and time.

1.2.12 Leave a small space between units of measurement and following text.

1.2.13 Leave a small spaces between Thai characters and those of other languages.

1.2.14 In lists, leave a small space between items to distinguish then. This applies to both text and numerical lists.

1.2.15 Spaces around various symbols

1.2.15.1 Leave small spaces before and after the following symbols, ฯลฯ, ๆ, =, :, :-, and + in text. However, don't leave spaces either side of + in mathematical expressions.

1.2.15.2 Leave a small space before opening quotation marks and opening parentheses.

1.2.15.3 Leave a small space after comma, semicolons, ฯ, closing quotation marks, and closing parentheses.

1.2.16 Leave a small space after text introducing a topic.

1.2.17 Leave spaces before and after the preposition ณ and pronoun ธ.

1.2.18 Leave small spaces before and after the word ได้แก่ when it is followed by two or more items.

1.2.19 Leave small spaces before and after the word เช่น when giving examples.

However, there is no need to leave a space before or after เช่น when it means อย่าง or เหมือน.

1.2.20 In lists, leave a small space before the conjunctions และ and หรือ.

However, if the list only has two items, no space is required.

1.2.21 After a list of items, leave a small space before the word เป็นต้น.

1.2.22 Leave a small space after the word ว่า when it is followed by a sentence.

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2. Cases where a space is not required

2.1 Don't leave a space between title and first name when using first and last names.

2.2 Don't leave a space between ranks of nobility and monkhood and names or titles bestowed by the King.

2.3 Don't leave a space between the title of the position or occupation and the person's name.

2.4 Don't leave a space between word(s) that indicates the status of the juristic person, agency, or group of people and its name.

2.5 Do not leave a space after the ฯ if it's followed by another symbol.

2.6 Do not include a space before or after a hyphen.

This principle is purely a guideline. At the author's discretion, there may or may not be a space.