Thai Graphic Design FAQ
Common questions about Thai design resources, font usage, licensing, the Thaitone system, pattern usage rights, and how to work with Thai typography. For detailed answers, follow the “full detail” link on each item.
Information verified as of April 2026
What is ThaiGraph?
ThaiGraph is the definitive English-language resource for Thai graphic design. It documents Thai fonts, the Thaitone color system, traditional ornamental patterns, designers, studios, tutorials, and the Thai creative-economy. The site has existed since 1 March 2000.
Is ThaiGraph free to use?
Yes. All editorial content, directory entries, tools, and downloadable resources on ThaiGraph are free. Content is licensed CC BY 4.0 unless noted otherwise. Downloadable font files carry the license of their respective foundries — always check the license note on each font page before commercial use.
Who can submit a designer or studio profile?
Any working Thai graphic designer or Thai-based design studio. Submissions are editorial — we review portfolios against published criteria and accept or respond with feedback. There is no paid placement. Email [email protected] with a short portfolio link.
What is the Thaitone color system?
The Thaitone system is a 168-color palette documented by Dr. Pairoj Pittayamatee in his 1988 book Thai Colour (Amarin Printing, Bangkok). The colors are sampled from Thai textiles, temple murals, royal regalia, and natural dyes, with original CMYK specifications now available in HEX, RGB, and HSL.
Can I use Thai fonts from this directory for commercial work?
It depends on the font’s license. SIL Open Font License (OFL) fonts are free for commercial use. Free-for-personal-use fonts require a paid license for commercial work — each font page lists the verified license. When in doubt, check with the foundry.
What is Lai Kanok?
Lai Kanok (also Kranok) is the flame-shaped ornamental motif that is the single most iconic element in Thai visual culture. It appears on over ninety percent of Thai Buddhist temples and forms the foundational unit of most compound Thai decorative compositions.
Are Thai patterns copyrighted?
Traditional Thai ornamental patterns (Lai Kanok, Lai Thai, Mek Lai, and so on) are part of the public domain as cultural heritage. Contemporary illustrations of them by individual artists are copyrighted to the artist. ThaiGraph’s pattern downloads are reconstructions from public-domain sources and released under CC BY 4.0.
Can I use the Garuda symbol in my design?
No, generally not. The Garuda is the national emblem of Thailand and its commercial use requires approval from the Royal Household Bureau. Unauthorized commercial use is legally restricted. Reference and educational use is fine.
What font do Thai government documents use?
Most Thai government documents use TH Sarabun New, one of the thirteen state-funded National Font set families released under SIL OFL. It is the default font for Thai official correspondence and forms.
Looped or loopless — which should I use?
For body text on modern websites and apps, loopless (modern) Thai such as IBM Plex Thai or Prompt is the safer default. For traditional, governmental, or heritage contexts, looped Thai such as Sarabun or Cordia fits the register. For branding, the answer depends on the brand voice.
How do I set Thai line-height in CSS?
Thai body text needs a line-height of at least 1.55 — about 10–15% more than Latin — to accommodate Thai’s stacked vowels and tone marks. For display sizes use 1.1–1.25. Always test with text that includes consonants, above-vowels, and tone marks stacked.
Where can I learn Thai typography?
Our pillar guide The Complete Guide to Thai Typography covers the writing system, the loopless revolution, bilingual layout, foundries, licensing, and web CSS. For deeper study, Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Decorative Arts is the country’s premier traditional program; KMUTT and Chulalongkorn lead contemporary type education.
What is Bangkok Design Week?
Bangkok Design Week is the largest annual design event in Southeast Asia, organized by the Creative Economy Agency every January–February. The 2026 edition drew an estimated 465,000 visitors across 14 days and 500+ programmed events. Attendance is free.
How much do Thai graphic designers earn?
Entry-level graphic designers in Bangkok earn THB 22,000–32,000 per month in 2026. Mid-career designers earn THB 38,000–65,000, senior designers THB 70,000–120,000, and creative directors THB 160,000–350,000. Chiang Mai rates run 15–20% lower across all levels.
Can I work as a foreign designer in Thailand?
Yes, with the appropriate visa and work permit. Most foreign designers enter via a Non-Immigrant B visa with employer-sponsored work permit, or the Smart Visa (Smart T for talent) for income above THB 200,000 per month. Freelancing without an appropriate visa is legally restricted.
Can I cite ThaiGraph in academic work?
Yes. Preferred citation format: "ThaiGraph Editorial. (year). [Article title]. ThaiGraph. https://thaigraph.com/[url]." Pillar pages have author bylines; use the byline author and publication year. For structured data, JSON-LD is available on every page.
Can I suggest a correction?
Yes — email [email protected] with the URL, the claim to correct, and the correct source. We update the page and note the correction in the frontmatter.
Information verified as of April 2026