Thailand. It has risen to the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia and is attracting foreign businesses, professionals, students, tourists, along with investors. All of these want the best Thai translation services they can find. Here at Pick Writers, we have done research you probably don’t have time for and are providing the most factual as well as current reviews of Thai interpreting services that compete for your business. We provide free access to our reviews for anyone.
Let’s Get Your Journey Started
We have reviews of a huge number of services – those that we consider being at the top of their game, just average, and poorly performing. To give you an idea of how we evaluate online Thai translation agencies or any translation company for that matter, we are providing short summaries of our findings of 10 Thai agencies for which we have full reviews on our website.
Among all services, this continues to be our top pick. When they take on Thai translations, they use only native Thai nationals that have expertise in fields for which they provide work. When an expert has completed their task, another Thai native edits and proofreads the finished product. A project we ordered resulted in perfect localization, and, from other customer reviews, these results are obviously consistently provided.
Pros
- Optional pricing packages, depending upon needed level of expertise
- Only human translations and editing
- On-time delivery
- Average pricing for the industry
Cons
- The request form for a pricing quote is somewhat complicated
Despite the title, it would be difficult for anyone to get a professional service within an hour. That type of deadline would require use of machine translation, something that never results in quality. The company states that it uses Thai human experts, as well as machines, provides rendering and localization for all sectors. We requested that the company translate document from Thai to English, a standard 1200-word piece with a 5-day deadline. What we received was a poor-quality paper, delivered late. These concerns were repeated by other customer reviews. Obviously, we do not consider this one of the best agencies.
Pros
- Upfront pricing
- Well-designed website
- 120+ languages
Cons
- Quality issues requiring revision requests
- Late deliveries
In looking for the best online Thai language translation, we had high hopes for Tomedes. It has locations worldwide and uses human native speakers for over 100 languages. One plus is its offerings of rare language pairings. It claims to provide every type of services for business, professional, as well as individual needs. We wanted a technical Thai translation of a two-page manufacturing protocol. What we received was not the best quality. There were errors in detail that could actually prove dangerous to users. Customer reviews were mixed with similar complaints. Quality seems to depend upon individual expert that is used. Would this be one of our top picks? No. But for simple tasks, Tomedes may be a good fit.
Pros
- Moderate prices
- Good quality for simple projects
- Offers rare pairings and 100+ languages
Cons
- Poor quality in complex projects
- Deadline delays
Gengo has a unique business model. Its projects are crowd-based, that is, they are likely to be worked on by several professionals at once, especially if they are lengthy and complex. Gengo offers comprehensive services and languages, including translation from English to Thai and vice versa. Our full review, however, demonstrated that Gengo is probably not one of the best Thai agencies out there. We ordered a technical lab manual rendering. It was quite flawed. Even with a revision, it was not perfect, as it should be. Other customers had a similar experience. For simple projects, Gengo may be fine.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Variety of services
- Good quality for basic projects
Cons
- Inconsistent quality
- Language pairings limited
- Not for highly complex and technical projects
GTS is an American company with several offices worldwide. As a member of the American Translators Association, we know that it has a strong reputation for professionalism. Customers are happy with products they receive, although services are somewhat limited. GTS offers interpretation and localization in 80 languages for a full range of client types and needs. Thai is an offered language, so we ordered an English rendering of a piece of Thai web content. It was done well, once we asked for a couple of revisions. GTS is not at the top of our list as our product was not the best translation from Thai to English, but it was satisfactory.
Pros
- High quality
- Certified translations
- Helpful customer support
Cons
- Limited scope of services
- No upfront pricing
- Limited pairings
There is a lot of conflicting information about this company on its website. But it does offer diverse services to almost all sectors, It supports about 90 languages and pairings. These include translation from Thai to English and reverse. Online customer reviews are mixed. We ordered a two-page Thai-to-English business document. It reflected complaints that other customers raised – linguistic and syntax errors. A revision improved it somewhat. Overall, our product was not the best Thai to English translation we have seen. This agency is far from the best, but those with simple needs may find it satisfactory.
Pros
- Costs calculator
- Diverse services
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Poor quality control
- Significant number of poor customer reviews
This American agency claims to have 100,000 professional freelancers, offering 100+ languages, including Thai, and rare pairings. Its list of specific services is comprehensive covering all sectors. One unique innovation is real-time interpretation offered via any client device. We were told that Thai certified translation services were available, so we ordered a certified and notarized contract to be translated from English to Thai. Results were mediocre and moved up to good after revision requests. Overall, given other customer reviews, we can say that this is not one of the best Thai services, nor is it the worst. It is not at the top of our list. Anyone considering Stepes should read our full review.
Pros
- Wide range of services
- 100+ languages offered
- Helpful customer support
- Real-time translation app
Cons
- Pairings somewhat limited
- High prices in comparison to other agencies
- Lack of quality control of freelancer work
Transperfect has an easy-to-use website. It offers services for a range of needs in many languages. We were impressed. When we asked about Thai language translators, we were told that if the company would ensure that we got one for our order. Another plus – customers say the agency always meets deadlines. But the best quality is the most important element. Here, Transperfect slipped somewhat. Some customer reviews complained about quality, suggesting a machine had been used. Thai Localization was just not there. Our order, a short business document, came back with errors, some of which were fixed by revision. But like others, we suspected that a machine was used. Overall, Transperfect is not on the top of our list of companies.
Pros
- Deadlines are met
- Nicely-appointed website
- Revision requests honored
Cons
- Prices are high
- Inconsistent quality
- Suspected machine translations
This company tries to live up to its name, promising to handle urgent orders without sacrificing quality. But because there is no live chat, revision requests could hold up a deadline. A huge plus for Rush Translate is that it has certified Thai translators, and customers seem very pleased with those documents. Reviews are not the best for other types of orders that are much simpler. We asked for a certified Thai translation from English, a legal piece. It was well done. We then asked for subtitles for a short video. Our result was mediocre - poor phrasings that were not localized well. This is a good resource for certified interpreting. It is not at the top of our list, because of poorer quality of other types of work.
Pros
- Immediate costs calculator – no wait for estimates
- Certified language experts
- High quality for complex needs
Cons
- Poor localization
- Deadlines sometimes held up
This is one of the larger American companies. It is transparent about its operations, clearly stating that it uses freelancers to fulfill customer orders. While many top agencies use freelancers, the best ones have a quality control system in place. This does not seem to be the case with Day Translations, as customer reviews are so mixed – some very satisfied, others not so much. We wanted an accurate Thai translation of a business letter, non-technical with no certification. Our outcome was pretty average - phrasing errors, as if only a word-for-word rendering had been done, not a professional Thai localization. For this quality, pricing was high.
Pros
- Transparency
- Wide range of services and languages
- Certified translations
Cons
- Inconsistent quality
- High prices
How We Determine the Best Thai Translator Services
As stated, our standards are high, and we use same criteria for all agencies we review. To be on our list of the top companies that provide the best Thai translation services online, we look for following:
- Only human Thai language experts
- The number of pairings that Thai translation services offer.
- Offered sectors – business, legal, medical, technical, e-commerce and social media content, professional, apps, games, media and entertainment, etc. While we do not expect even the best services to offer all, they should offer a majority
- Translators that are native Thai-speaking with expertise in fields for which they translate
- At least some Thai language translators that can produce certified documents
- Average and upfront pricing.
- Strong localization skills
- Responsive customer support and rapid turnaround of revisions
- A majority of customers express satisfaction with their Thai translator services
- Orders we place reflect high quality
Most Popular Industries for Regular and Certified Thai Translation Services
Given Thailand’s ascent as a major player in Asian and global markets, here are the most commonly requested categories of services.
Medical: This area of Thai language translation demands accuracy. Mistakes in such sphere can be disastrous, so translators must have expertise in medical fields and terminology. From surgical and treatment protocols to dosage instructions on pharma packaging, medical document translation services must be perfect.
Automotive: Thailand is now a leading manufacturer of automobile parts. And as these are exported, Thai to English translation services are a must for such things as instruction manuals.
Software and Technology: This becomes an important service for such things as apps and games, as well as technical manuals of all sorts. Thai translators must have backgrounds and experience in software modifications and technical terminology.
Legal: Thai certified translation services are a must. From contracts to government documents, to court filings, and to personal needs, such as immigration documents, Thai clients would like their pieces and documents certified in order for them to have legal weight.
Finance and Banking: This is a wide area for professional Thai translation service. Foreign investors and foreign companies doing business in Thailand must keep all sorts of financial, accounting, and tax records, many of which are required by the Thai government. These cannot be left to chance, and Thai translators must have finance backgrounds. The best agencies have such experts.
Business: This is admittedly the largest sector for which Thai language translations are required. It includes such things as contracts and employee manuals for foreign companies setting up in country; it includes e-commerce needs such as website design and a host of other content interpretations; it includes legal and government requirements for establishing legal operations in Thailand. Businesses want the very best professional translators.
Most Popular Requests a Thai Translation Company May Receive
Certification. Any document that has real or potential legal ramifications must be certified; Thai students look for the best transcript translation services, for their academic records; individuals want to order birth, marriage, and divorce certificates, as well as passports and other travel documents certified. The best Thai document translation services offer certification and meet international standards.
- Localization is critical for many types of Thai language translations. E-commerce businesses would like to have website and other content renderings, and these must be localized for a Thai audience. This means that nuances of languages and cultural mores must be honored so that locals feel comfortable. Consider just the example of the need for game localization companies - dialogue and visuals must be culturally appropriate.
- Transcriptions must be accurate and yet mindful of the syntax and phrasing of target languages. The very best English to Thai translator will be an experienced native. Agencies engaged in transcription services cannot “fudge” on accuracy.
- Voice-overs and sub-titles: the entertainment industry is huge. And businesses often produce videos that must be viewed by locals of the target language. There is just a myriad of needs for Thai translator services. And again, localization will be a key to the best products.
Key Considerations When Choosing an Agency for Your Needs
Here are questions to ask yourself, as you review the best translation websites for your needs.
- Do your research and read the reviews. Does the agency offer a specific type of service you’re looking for?
- What do customers have to say through feedback and reviews of an agency?
- Does the agency have a reputation for on-time delivery?
- Is the pricing up front, so that you know if it fits your budget?
- Is the agency within the top range of Thai language translation agencies from reputable review services?
- Does the agency guarantee Thai native speakers and experienced human interpreters?
You want the very best for your money – don’t settle for anything less.
Get the Straight Scoop at Pick Writers
We have been in the business of reviewing translation agencies for years. We have refined our processes and criteria and can do deep research that businesses, professionals, and individuals don’t have time for. You can rely on us to provide the best, most factual reviews and to recommend the top agencies for everyone’s needs.
