Thread: Thailand : Writing on wall for alien fonts

Writing on wall for alien fonts
27/09/2010

Property rights war spreads to graphic art

The cabinet has instructed all government agencies to use 13 new "national fonts" in a bid to curb intellectual property infringement and encourage the use of Thai fonts instead of foreign ones.



The 13 fonts were chosen from entries in a competition held in 2008 by the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa) under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry and the Intellectual Protection Department.

Sipa deputy director Wuttipong Pongsuwan said the competition was aimed at encouraging designers to develop fonts for free use by Thai users, as most computer fonts presently in use were created and patented by foreigners.

"Thais use Thai-language fonts created by foreigners, such as Angsana, Cordia and Browallia. We have our own language and characters, and it's time we had our own fonts," he said.

The 13 fonts that won the competition were: TH Sarabun PSK, TH Chamornman, TH Krub, TH Srisakdi, TH Niramit AS, TH Charm of AU, TH Kodchasal, TH K2D July8, TH Mali Grade 6, TH Chakra Petch, TH Baijam, TH KoHo and TH Fah Kwang.

All fonts have been copyrighted by Sipa and the Intellectual Protection Department. They are available in normal, italic and bold italic and can be downloaded for free at ซิป้าน้อมถวายความจงรักภักดี.

The cabinet on Sept 7 approved the ICT Ministry's proposal to have the 13 fonts installed in their operating systems and to switch to them starting on Dec 5.

The cabinet selected TH Sarabun PSK as the standard font for official documents.

Mr Wuttipong said using the fonts would protect users from being sued by patent holders of foreign-made fonts and the measure would improve the country's image on intellectual property rights.

Graphic designers questioned the government's attempt to standardise Thai font usage. DB Designs Co design director Prinya Rojarayanont said the decision to designate any font type as an official font should be made following a trial period to ensure it is easy to read and user-friendly.

"A font must be used widely for at least 10 years and be adjusted and improved many times before it can be designated as a standard font," he said.



Pracha Suveeranont, a graphic designer with SC Matchbox Co Ltd, said the government was silly to order all agencies to use the same font in official documents. The National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre came up with such an idea once, but government officials, who preferred to use a variety of fonts, refused to cooperate.
bangkokpost.com

Originally Posted by Mid

Pracha Suveeranont, a graphic designer with SC Matchbox Co Ltd, said the government was silly to order all agencies to use the same font in official documents.

I agree, what a stupid idea. These fonts are boring. Nobody will comply with this.

The 2 font zip files are on this page.

SIPA - Downloads

Just to save anyone else searching who wants them.

Originally Posted by Humbert

These fonts are boring. Nobody will comply with this.

Yeah but they are easy to read for noobs like me.

no, I reckon the same font should be used in official documents

it gives them their own character and makes them easily recognisable for what they are

as long as the font is clear and concise

Originally Posted by Mid

and encourage the use of Thai fonts instead of foreign ones.

Originally Posted by Mid

Sipa deputy director Wuttipong Pongsuwan said the competition was aimed at encouraging designers to develop fonts for free use by Thai users, as most computer fonts presently in use were created and patented by foreigners.

Originally Posted by Mid

We have our own language and characters, and it's time we had our own fonts," he said.

It's ridiculous enough that most words in every language are already "owned" by some greedy corporation, now they want to own the alphabet to? Just finding a name for a new model of anything is nearly impossible anymore, so matter what you call it, some slimy scum claims to own the word.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

no, I reckon the same font should be used in official documents it gives them their own character and makes them easily recognisable for what they are as long as the font is clear and concise

Agree. The less Thai 'designers' have to meddle with, the better.

It's interesting that most of these Thai fonts they are complaining about were designed and copyrighted by foreigners. Thai's regularly rip off Roman fonts and give them a new name for use in Thailand in a clumsy attempt to evade copyright infringement.

hello this is ortan I like the way in which you represent the information.