[Donadoni1809]

Why many Thais have a long surname
Kriengsak Niratpattanasai
DBS Thai Danu Bank, Bangkok, Thailand

Lots of foreigners have asked me about the length of Thais' surnames. For example my last name is NI-RAT-PAT-TA-NA-SAI. Perhaps, I should write about this matter.

Usually, the native Thai folks, have quite a short surname.. for example - BOONMEE, SRISAI, etc. However, most of the people who have the long last name are the subsequent generation of Chinese Immigrant. In order to have better understanding, let's look back to the society's history.

Many years ago, when China mainland transformed the countries political system from a Monarchy to Communist, lots of Chinese left the country seeking a new life opportunity. Many of them selected Thailand as their destination. They started a new life in the Kingdom with prosperity. They still kept their identity by using their Chinese name. Thereafter, their kids, the following generation, were born with a Thai Name. However, they still used a Chinese last name like Tang, Lim, Ng, etc. They then came to realise that it was not localized enough to have a Thai name with a Chinese last name. They began to apply for a Thai last name. That is the starting point of this story. When you go to apply for Thai last name, the regulation for registration of the new last name is as follows:

1. The applicants submit 5 alternatives to the government officer. Each one has a maximum of 10 Thai characters.
2. The officer will search in the data base for identical last names. The law does allow identical last names to those existing already So hopefully, one of your 5 alternatives will be unique and can be used.
3. About one month later, you will check with the officer. If there is any duplication, you need to create the new one and resubmit it again. If not the case, you can use the real NEW last name.

Since we have a lot of immigrant Chinese, subsequent applicants have to create a new name that has a low probability of duplication. Thus, the new surnames just get longer and longer.

So next time, if you see Thais who have long surname, you may want to ask them whether they are Chinese.

http://www.apmforum.com/columns/thai.htm

[baskentt]

but the long name are just not long, they have a meaning in them? no?

[ErnestTU]

not necessarily.
many thai people have pali or sansakrit name and long surname, of course..they are chinese family

[kneexyFreedly]

Fabulous article. Thanks!