Thai tones are pitch shapes. Don't try to memorize the name first — listen for where the voice starts, whether it stays level, drops, or rises, and where it ends. The same syllable on a different tone is a different word. Examples below use a mid-class consonant (ก) where each tone mark maps directly to one tone. With high- or low-class consonants the same marks produce different tones — see the Consonant Classes lesson.
Mid tone
สามัญ
· no markกา
= crowStays mostly level in the middle. It may relax slightly at the end.
Low tone
เอก
· ◌่ก่า
= low tone demoStarts low and drops slightly lower.
Falling tone
โท
· ◌้ก้า
= falling tone demoStarts high, rises slightly, then drops sharply. Here ◌้ gives a falling tone (mid-class ก); on a low-class initial the same mark gives a high tone, as in ค้า.
High tone
ตรี
· ◌๊ก๊า
= high tone demoStarts high and rises even higher.
Rising tone
จัตวา
· ◌๋ก๋า
= rising tone demoStarts low, scoops lower, then rises.
Key insight
Thai tones change meaning, not emphasis. “กา” (mid tone) means “crow”. Change the tone mark on the same syllable and you get a completely different sound. Note: “no mark = mid tone” only holds for mid-class live syllables. Train your ear before your mouth.