Thai Kedmanee vs Pattachote: Which Layout Is Better?

Thailand has two official keyboard layouts for typing Thai script: Kedmanee and Pattachote. While Kedmanee dominates the market with over 95% usage, Pattachote was specifically designed for faster and more ergonomic typing. In this article, we explore the history, differences, and practical considerations of both layouts to help you understand which might be better for you.

A Brief History of Thai Keyboards

Before diving into the comparison, it's important to understand how Thai keyboards evolved. The Thai script consists of 44 consonants, 15 vowel symbols, 4 tone marks, and various other characters. Fitting all these onto a standard keyboard presented unique challenges for early typewriter designers.

The first Thai typewriters appeared in the early 20th century, and the need for a standardized keyboard layout became apparent as typewriters and later computers became widespread in Thailand.

🇹🇭 Kedmanee Layout: The Popular Standard

The Kedmanee layout (เกษมณี) was created in 1932 by Suwanprasert Kedmanee (สุวรรณประเสริฐ เกษมณี), a Thai typist and teacher. It was designed for the typewriters of that era and became the de facto standard in Thailand.

Design Philosophy

Kedmanee arranged the Thai characters based on what made sense for manual typewriters and what was considered intuitive at the time. The layout places common characters in accessible positions, though it wasn't optimized using scientific frequency analysis.

Character Placement

• Most frequently used consonants are placed on the home row and top row
• Vowels and tone marks are distributed across multiple rows
• Less common characters require the Shift key
• Some characters are placed based on visual similarity to English QWERTY positions

Advantages of Kedmanee

• Universal availability: Found on virtually all Thai keyboards and devices
• Widespread knowledge: Taught in schools throughout Thailand
• Easy to learn: Abundant learning resources and tutorials
• Compatibility: Works seamlessly with all Thai software and systems
• Community support: Most Thai typists can help you if you have questions

⚡ Pattachote Layout: The Efficient Alternative

The Pattachote layout (ปัตตะโชติ) was invented in 1988 by Dr. Sarit Pattachote (สฤษดิ์ ปัตตะโชติ). Unlike Kedmanee, Pattachote was designed using scientific methods to optimize typing speed and reduce finger strain.

Design Philosophy

Dr. Pattachote analyzed Thai text to determine letter frequency and common letter combinations. Based on this research, he arranged the keyboard to:

• Place the most frequently used characters on the home row
• Minimize finger travel distance
• Alternate between left and right hands more often
• Reduce the use of the weaker pinky fingers

Key Differences from Kedmanee

The Pattachote layout differs significantly from Kedmanee in several ways:

• High-frequency consonants like ก, า, น, เ are on the home row
• Vowels are grouped more logically
• Tone marks are easier to reach
• Better hand alternation for common syllable patterns

Advantages of Pattachote

• Faster typing: Studies show 10-20% speed improvement for trained typists
• Reduced fatigue: Less finger movement means less strain
• Ergonomic design: Scientific basis for character placement
• Better accuracy: More logical grouping reduces errors

📊 Head-to-Head Comparison

🎯 Which Layout Should You Learn?

Choose Kedmanee If:

• You're learning Thai typing for the first time
• You need to share keyboards with others
• You use public computers or devices
• You want abundant learning resources
• You prioritize convenience over maximum efficiency

Choose Pattachote If:

• You type professionally in Thai for long hours
• You're willing to invest time in learning a new layout
• You have repetitive strain issues with Kedmanee
• You always use your own devices
• Maximum typing efficiency is important to you

💻 Practical Considerations

Keyboard Availability

In Thailand, finding a physical keyboard with Pattachote layout printed on the keys is extremely difficult. Most users who want to use Pattachote either use blank keyboards or memorize the layout with standard Kedmanee keyboards.

Both layouts are available on all major operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile devices, so software support isn't an issue—only physical key labeling.

Switching Between Layouts

Some advanced users learn both layouts and switch between them as needed. However, this requires significant practice to avoid confusion. Most people are better served by mastering one layout.

The Network Effect

Perhaps the biggest practical barrier to Pattachote adoption is the network effect. When almost everyone uses Kedmanee, schools teach Kedmanee, and keyboards are labeled with Kedmanee, switching to Pattachote creates friction in daily life.

🔄 The Wrong Layout Problem

Regardless of which Thai layout you use, you'll likely encounter the frustrating experience of typing with the wrong keyboard layout active. This is especially common when:

• Switching between Thai and English frequently
• Using computers that default to English
• Forgetting to check the language indicator
• Muscle memory kicks in before you realize the wrong layout is active

When this happens, instead of deleting and retyping everything, you can use KeySwap to instantly convert your mistyped text between Thai and English layouts.

Conclusion

Both Kedmanee and Pattachote are valid choices for Thai typing. Kedmanee's dominance makes it the practical choice for most users, while Pattachote offers efficiency benefits for dedicated professionals.

The "better" layout depends on your specific needs, usage patterns, and willingness to invest in learning. For casual users and beginners, Kedmanee is the clear choice. For professional typists seeking maximum efficiency, Pattachote deserves serious consideration.

Whichever layout you choose, mistakes happen. That's why tools like KeySwap exist—to save you time when you accidentally type in the wrong keyboard layout.