Thai-Language Domain Names: Unlocking Opportunities While Preserving Local Identity

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2024 / The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), with its mission to ensure a stable, secure, and unified global internet, is actively advocating for internationalized domain names (IDNs) to be supported across all Internet applications, including browsers, search engines, and email systems. This initiative is part of the broader concept of Universal Acceptance (UA), which aims to ensure that all domain names, regardless of their language or script, are equally accepted across all Internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems.

Since its inception, the Internet has connected people of different cultures across geographies. However, when people think of a domain name, URL, or website name, most would picture a string of English characters. Few people have been aware that domain names can be applied in other languages, such as in Thai script. These are known as internationalized domain names (IDNs), which enable people to use local languages and scripts in domain names.

A study in 2023 found that English proficiency in Thailand remains relatively low, ranking 101^st worldwide out of 113 countries surveyed.¹ Many businesses and consumers face this barrier daily, making it essential to explore solutions that bring the Internet closer to the homes and offices of these customers. IDNs are an ideal channel for connecting with local audiences, as Thai domain names could effectively lower the language barrier and make Internet easier to navigate for all 89.5%² of the Thai population that accesses it.

For businesses, a Thai IDN can help differentiate a brand or business in a market where English domains are common, making it stand out. Organizations can opt for their names or abbreviations in Thai as their official website names. For instance, แบ่งปั๋น.ไทย (baengpan.thai) is a platform that gathers products and services from the community, with the owners of these products and services being local villagers. It is advisable to use a Thai IDN to make it easier for one's customers to remember. This approach could also improve local search engine optimization making it easier for users to find the website when searching in Thai.

Besides enhancing a brand's value, Thai domain names can also signal cultural commitment, pride in Thai heritage, and respect for the local language. In markets where cultural authenticity is increasingly valued, a case could be made that customers may find the firm with a Thai website name more relatable and trustworthy. Further, a Thai website name can also strengthen the security of the website, as Thai customers will less likely fall for phishing scams, typically caused by domain names that look similar, which is prevalent in English-language domains.

Some Thai organizations, such as the Thai Samakkhi Temple (วัดไทยสามัคคี.ไทย) are leading this trend. Users accessing the tourism website บ้านหลวงโหล่งขอด.ไทย have commented that the website was easy for them to access and convenient to find and search information by using Thai language directly. This shift towards localized Internet identities presents an opportunity for Thai businesses to enhance their online presence and cultural relevance.

However, there remains some obstacles to the wide adoption of domain names in local script. While the Internet supports non-English domain names, there remains some software and applications that are not yet fully compatible. Browsers and social platforms that people use to access the Internet often don't support domain names and scripts in languages other than English. For example, it cannot display in the correct readable form.

The concept of UA, along with enhanced software support for IDNs and wider adoption of Thai domain names, can lead to a more inclusive Internet environment while unlocking new opportunities for the business community. In recent years, Thailand has been pushing for the digital development of its economy and society. As the digital landscape evolves, Thai domain names align with the government's goal of ensuring inclusiveness for Thai people of all groups and abilities.³ UA could ensure that Thai domain names are fully operational and accessible anywhere in the world, thus empowering businesses to connect more effectively with their local audience, as well as audiences across the globe.