Why Translation Costs Vary
If you have ever asked “how much does translation cost in Thailand?” and received the answer “it depends,” this article gives you the actual numbers. Translation pricing is not arbitrary — it is determined by four concrete factors that we will break down with real rates.
Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. It also helps you recognize when a quote is fair and when you might be overpaying.
Factor 1: Language Pair
The languages involved are the single biggest factor in translation cost. This comes down to translator availability — more translators means more competition and lower rates. Fewer translators means higher rates.
Thai-English is the most affordable pair because Thailand has the largest pool of Thai-English translators. As you move to less common language combinations, prices increase significantly:
- Thai-English: From 1.8 THB/word (most affordable — largest translator pool)
- Chinese-Thai: From 2.2 THB/word
- German-Thai: From 2.8 THB/word
- Japanese-Thai: From 3.4 THB/word
- Korean-Thai: From 5.5 THB/word (most expensive — smallest translator pool)
The difference is substantial: a 5,000-word document costs 9,000 THB in Thai-English but 27,500 THB in Korean-Thai — more than three times the price for the same word count.
Factor 2: Content Type
Not all content is equally difficult to translate. We use a three-tier system based on content complexity:
Tier 1: Localization
Standard business content, product descriptions, website text, user manuals. This is the base rate and covers most general content.
Tier 2: Marketing/Advertising
Content that requires creative adaptation — brand messaging, advertising copy, promotional materials. This requires translators who can maintain tone, persuasion, and cultural relevance, not just accuracy. Rates are slightly higher than localization.
Tier 3: Specialized
Legal contracts, medical documents, technical specifications, financial reports. These require subject-matter expertise in addition to language skills. This is the highest per-word tier.
Here is how the tiers compare for Thai-English translation:
- Localization: 1.8 THB/word (under 10,000 words)
- Marketing: 1.9 THB/word (under 10,000 words)
- Specialized: 2.0 THB/word (under 10,000 words)
A marketing brochure and a legal contract both require accuracy, but the legal contract also requires precise terminology that could have legal consequences if mistranslated. A medical document requires knowledge of medical terminology that general translators may not possess. The tier system ensures you get a translator with the right expertise.
Factor 3: Volume
Larger projects benefit from volume discounts. We use three volume tiers:
- Under 10,000 words: Standard rate (no discount)
- 10,000 – 30,000 words: Mid-volume discount
- Over 30,000 words: High-volume discount
For Thai-English localization, the volume discount works like this:
- Under 10K words: 1.8 THB/word
- 10K-30K words: 1.7 THB/word
- Over 30K words: 1.6 THB/word
On a 50,000-word project, the high-volume rate saves 10,000 THB compared to the standard rate (80,000 THB vs. 90,000 THB). For large ongoing projects, these savings add up significantly.
Factor 4: Document vs. Per-Word Pricing
Certified document translations (birth certificates, driver licenses, criminal records, etc.) are priced per document, not per word. This is because these documents follow standard formats and require certification, company seal, and a specific output format regardless of word count.
Content projects (websites, manuals, marketing materials) are priced per word because the scope varies widely.
Document Pricing Examples (Thai to English)
- Driver license: 450 THB
- Divorce certificate: 400 THB
- Education certificate / Diploma: 450 THB
- Birth certificate: 550 THB
- Criminal record certificate: 550 THB per page
- Transcript: 650-950 THB per page
All document prices include: certified translation by a native speaker, mandatory second-person review, company certification with seal, and digital delivery (PDF). There are no hidden fees — the quoted price is the final price.
Per-Word Pricing Examples
Here are per-word rates for localization-tier content at the standard volume (under 10,000 words):
- Thai-English: 1.8 THB/word
- Chinese-Thai: 2.2 THB/word
- German-Thai: 2.8 THB/word
- Japanese-Thai: 3.4 THB/word
- Korean-Thai: 5.5 THB/word
Proofreading (reviewing an existing translation for accuracy) is available at reduced rates. For Thai-English, proofreading is 1.2 THB/word. Repeated words (identical content appearing multiple times) are charged at 0.5 THB/word for Thai-English projects.
What Costs Extra
Beyond the base translation cost, these additional services are common for documents going through the official authentication chain:
- Notary: From 1,500 THB. This is the Notarial Services Attorney fee. Notarization is an alternative to MFA legalization rather than a step before it — a notarized document goes to the receiving embassy or organization directly.
- MFA legalization: 1,800 THB service fee per submission, plus 200 THB per document for the current postal legalization government fee.
- Rush service: Same-day express within 6 hours for standard certificates (+30% surcharge). Availability depends on document length and current workload.
Example: Full Cost for a Birth Certificate Going Abroad
Here is what a typical complete legalization chain looks like for a Thai birth certificate being translated to English for use overseas:
- Certified translation (Thai to English): 550 THB
- MFA legalization service: 1,800 THB
- MFA government fee: 200 THB
- Total: 2,550 THB
Embassy certification fees vary by embassy and are additional. Notarization is not part of this chain: a birth certificate is issued by a Thai authority, so it follows the MFA path. Not all documents require every step — some destinations only need a certified translation.
The fastest way to get an exact price is to send a photo of your document via WhatsApp or LINE (+66 97 957 3343) or email (info@bangkok-translation.com). We will confirm the document type, page count, required services, and provide a final quote — usually within 2-4 hours during business hours.
What You Always Get Included
Every translation from Bangkok Translation and Interpretation Service includes:
- Native speaker translation: Your document is translated by a native speaker of the target language.
- Two-person review: Every translation is reviewed by a second translator. No exceptions.
- Certification: Company certification with translator statement and company seal.
- Digital delivery: PDF delivered by email.
These are not add-ons — they are standard on every project. The price you are quoted is the price you pay.
Get Your Quote
Whether you need a single diploma translated or a 100,000-word website localized, request a free quote with the exact cost for your specific project. No obligation, no surprises.
These are indicative Thai–English prices, not universal fixed fees. Page count, handwriting, language pair, urgency, notarization, legalization and embassy requirements can change the final quote. Government fees should be checked against the current Thai Department of Consular Affairs guidance. Last checked 16 August 2026.