Written by Field Marshal P. Phibulsongkhram
Unwritten by Khuang Aphaiwong
Translated by Peera Songkünnatham
Illustrated by Summer Panadd

[คลิกที่นี่เพื่ออ่าน “สัพนามไทยในบังคับสากล: คัดจากราชกิจจานุเบกสา” เป็นภาสาไทย]

In the early 1940s, the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkhram, obsessed with civilizing Thainess, attempted to reform the Thai language. Most notorious is the elimination of “redundant” characters, leading to a simplified orthography, but equally memorable is the standardization of “unruly” pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives into universal terms that can be used by virtually anyone regardless of gender, seniority, or ethnic background. (It is a well-known fact that Thai has no convenient first-person singular pronoun for non-men to use in spoken language.)

The experiment officially ended after two years. It left no mark, except in high school history class as a blip of linguistic imposition and degeneration, a funny lesson in what not to do to language. But a queer reader from the 21st century couldn’t help being attracted to such an “unnatural” in(ter)vention. In 2018, Peera Songkünnatham made a case for inheriting some of the pronouns as a fond memento from fascism.

We present three official announcements regarding the pronoun policy from the Royal Gazette, from its promulgation in 1942, revision in 1943, and revocation in 1944. The English translation pays special attention to two oft-invoked words: rabiap (order, standard, custom) and tām (follow, go along with, yield to). The varied yet constant emphasis on uniformity and conformity is worlds apart from today’s prevalent embrace of ethnic and gender diversity. But like us, they believed that modifications of language can help usher in a social order that reflects a better reality. Or better yet, a social order that better reflects reality.

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Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office
Re: Standardization of Pronouns, Affirmatives, and Negatives

The Thai Language and Culture Promotion Commission held a meeting on 30 May 1942, deliberated over the use of pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives in the Thai language, and came to the view that there was a large number of words used as well as frequent confusion in their usage: a lack of order (mai pen rabiap). These kinds of words in the Thai language ought to be used in an orderly manner (pen rabiap-riap-rōy) both in writing and in speech. Other pronouns did not present as many vexing problems as the first-person singular, which merited special consideration. After a round of discussion, two options remained: chan and khajao. [The Commission] resolved to open the floor to ideas and comments from the general public, and requested that the Department of Propaganda help publicize a call for ideas and comments both from the newspapers and from the people. Subsequently, arguments on the matter appeared both on the newspapers and in submissions from the people; the majority leaned towards the term “chan.” As a result, the Commission held another meeting on 16 June 1942, and came to the view that the use of pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives ought to be standardized while also yielding to (anulōm tām) the majority opinion of the people. The standardization proposed to the Cabinet is as follows:

1. Pronouns

	Singular	Plural
For the first person, use	chan	rao
For the second person, use	than	than thang lāi
For the third person, use	khao man	khao thang lāi phuak man

The term “man” (มัน) shall be used only to refer to that which is not a person and not a sacred thing in a position of reverence.

2. Affirmatives and Negatives

To say yes	use	ja
To say no	use	mai
As for rajasap [‘royal-speak’]	use as before

Having considered the above proposal to standardize pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives by the Thai Language and Culture Promotion Commission, the Cabinet approves of the proposal and comes to the unanimous decision to put this standard to use in official circles generally. And if the people outside [such circles] wish to adopt it too (anulōm chai tām), they are free to do so.

Announced on 22 June 1942
Field Marshal P. Phibulsongkhram
Prime Minister

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Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office
Re: Changes to Affirmatives and Negatives, and Strict Enforcement of the Standard Pronouns, Affirmatives, and Negatives

Following the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office, dated 22 June 1942, instituting the standardization of pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives in official use, a considerable amount of time has elapsed. It now appears that the affirmative and negative terms have not been adopted by the majority of the people. It is advisable to make changes once again in order to yield to the people’s preference. The pronouns, on the other hand, have been adopted into popular use among the majority; they should hereafter be strictly observed as the standard. The Cabinet has deliberated and come to the unanimous decision to revoke the affirmative and negative terms in the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office, dated 22 June 1942, and designate the following terms instead:

Affirmatives and Negatives

Affirmative	for men for women	use use	khrap kha
Negative		use	plao

Effective immediately, government officials and the general public shall strictly abide by the standard pronouns designated in the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office, dated 22 June 1942, and the affirmative and negative terms designated in this Announcement.

Announced on 24 June 1943
Field Marshal P. Phibulsongkhram
Prime Minister

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Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office
Re: Revocation of the Standardization of Pronouns, Affirmatives, and Negatives

Following the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office, dated 24 [sic] June 1942, on the standardization of pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives for use in official circles generally, and the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office, dated 24 June 1943, on changes to affirmatives and negatives, and strict enforcement of the standardization of pronouns, affirmatives, and negatives,

The Cabinet has now come to the view that it is advisable to go along with (hai pen pai tām) the preference of the people and convenience in official affairs; therefore, [the Cabinet] has made the unanimous decision to revoke the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office on the Standardization of Pronouns, Affirmatives, and Negatives, dated 24 [sic] June 1942, and the Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office on Changes to Affirmatives and Negatives, and Strict Enforcement of the Standardization of Pronouns, Affirmatives, and Negatives, dated 24 June 1943. Usage shall revert to the conventions of customary practice (rabiap patibat) which remain popular.

Effective immediately.

Announced on 5 September 1944
Khuang Aphaiwong
Prime Minister