Periodic Table of Thai Roots
Native Tai Roots
The Life Elements. Monosyllabic and concrete. These are the roots for survival, family, and the natural world.
Sanskrit/Pali Roots
The Intellectual Elements. Multisyllabic and abstract. These are the "heavy" elements that provide the logic for spirituality, law, and high-level thought.
Khmer Roots
The Administrative Elements. Structural and formal. These roots often define physical movement, social hierarchy, and the elegance of the court.
Chinese Roots
The Market Elements. Practical and reactive. These roots define the urban landscape, trade, and the evolution of the Thai economy.
