The generation of sound by a moving laser source is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The analysis is restricted to sound waves generated exclusively through the thermal mechanism. The model is based on the impulse response of a thermoacoustic source as described in a previous paper [J. Acoust. Soc. Am.78, 2074–2082 (1985)]. The results presented here include pressure waveforms, directivity patterns, sound level dependence on source velocity, and spreading curves for subsonic, transonic, and supersonic source velocities. In general, experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.