The Inspiration behind our third collection: Thai ⌚️
At The Pluralist when we were deciding to launch our next watch collection, we wanted to represent a language and culture from South-East Asia. After a lot of research and careful consideration, we decided to launch our third collection in Thai. This is because the Thai numerals are distinctively different to the Kanji as well as the Eastern Arabic Numerals. Also, we personally found the Thai script to be beautiful and unique in the sense that it had influences from both South and East Asia.
The Thai language (historically Siamese; Thai: ภาษาไทย) is classified as a Tai language, closely related to other Southwestern Tai languages including Lao, Shan in Myanmar, and numerous indigenous languages spoken in an arc from Hainan and Yunnan South through Laos and Northern Vietnam to the Cambodian border. It is the principal language of education and government and spoken throughout the country.
Thai has undergone various historical sound changes. Some of the most significant changes occurred during the evolution from Old Thai to modern Thai.
The Thai script is derived from the Old Brahmi writing script from South India. Over half of Thai vocabulary is derived from or borrowed from Pali, Sanskrit, Mon and Old Khmer. It is a tonal and analytic language, similar to Chinese and Vietnamese.
The written Thai Language was introduced by the third Sukhothai period king, Ramkhamhaeng, in 1283. This writing system has undergone little change since its introduction, so inscriptions from the Sukothai era can be read by modern Thai scholars.
Thai numerals follow the Hindu-Arabic numeral system commonly used in the rest of the world. In Thai language, numerals often follow the modified noun and precede a measure word, although variations to this pattern occur.
Although Thai has its own numerals, the Hindu-Arabic digits are more commonly used throughout Thailand. However, being able to speak and understand numbers in Thai is an essential skill for any traveller in Thailand.
This amazing history of the Thai numerals inspired us to launch our third collection, ‘Thai’.
