มหาดไทย

Thai

Alternative forms

Alternative forms

• ^†มหาดไท

 

Etymology

Uncertain. Compare Khmer មហាផ្ទៃ (mɔɔhaaphtɨy), from មហា (mĕəʼhaa, “great”) + ផ្ទៃ (phtɨy, “land; territory”), equivalent to Thai มหา (má-hǎa) +‎ ไผท (pà-tai); and compare Khmer មហាតថៃ (mɔɔhaatthay), of uncertain origin. Perhaps first used officially around 2006 Buddhist Era (1463/64 Common Era).

Pronunciation

Orthographic		มหาดไทย m h ā ɗ ai d y
Phonemic		มะ-หาด-ไท m a – h ā ɗ – ai d
Romanization	Paiboon	má-hàat-tai
	Royal Institute	ma-hat-thai
(standard) IPA(key)		/ma˦˥.haːt̚˨˩.tʰaj˧/(R)

Proper noun

มหาดไทย • (má-hàat-tai)

1. (historical, Thailand government) (กรม~) the cabinet ministry in charge of civic welfare and civil administration as well as of the northern provinces, headed by the chancellor for civil affairs called สมุหนายก (sà-mú-hà-naa-yók).
2. (Thailand government) (กระทรวง~) Ministry of Interior of Thailand.

Siamese nobleman wearing the haircut

Noun

มหาดไทย • (má-hàat-tai)

1. (historical) (ทรง~) a crew cut like style of hair worn by men, originally worn by male commoners.
2. (กระทรวง~) interior ministry or similar agency.