Thai name

Thai names, like Lao ones, use the Western order of a given name followed by a family name. This differs from the patterns of Cambodian, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian cultures, which place the family name first.

Like Iranian and Turkish counterparts, Thai family names are a relatively recent introduction. They are required to be unique to a family; they are usually quite long as a result. Prior to the promulgation of the Surname Act of 1913 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), inhabitants of Siam did not have surnames, identifying themselves instead by their parents' given names or the place they resided.

While given names are used in formal settings and for recordkeeping, most Thais are also given a nickname at birth that is used in daily life. This nickname takes precedence over the given name in most other social situations, including school or the workplace.

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