Thai interpreters and translation services.
Thai is the national language of Thailand and is written in its own Thai script. California has more Thailand-born residents than any other state, and Los Angeles County has more than any other U.S. county, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. AMS supplies Thai interpreters for depositions and QMEs, in person in Los Angeles and remotely by Zoom or phone. Thai is not one of California's certified court languages, so tell us about the proceeding and we will match a qualified interpreter.
Most quote requests are answered within 10 minutes.
Thai varieties and dialects we handle
Central (Standard) Thai
The language of government, schools, and media, based on the speech of Bangkok and central Thailand.
Isan and Lao
Isan, the language of northeastern Thailand, is closely related to Lao. Many Isan speakers also speak Standard Thai; tell us if the client's first language is Isan or Lao.
Northern and Southern Thai
Regional varieties, often classed as separate languages, with their own vocabulary and tones. Most speakers also learn Standard Thai at school.
Script and names
Thai script usually runs words together, with spaces mainly between phrases and sentences, and Thai names can be romanized several ways. Send names as they appear on the witness's documents.
What we do in Thai
Legal interpreting
Depositions, EUOs, IMEs, arbitrations, mediations, and trials in state and federal court.
Medical interpreting
IMEs, AME and QME panels, psychological evaluations, hospital interpreting, and workers-compensation medical appointments.
Document translation
Certified translation of legal documents, medical records, USCIS submissions, academic transcripts, and corporate materials.
Audio transcription
Verbatim transcription of depositions, recorded statements, surveillance audio, and recorded interviews.
Video remote interpreting (VRI)
Same-day VRI for telehealth, remote depositions, and any matter where on-site is not practical.
Conference and corporate interpreting
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for trade shows, internal meetings, and major events.
Cities and metros where AMS supplies Thai
Why AMS for Thai
Built around legal work
Most of AMS's Thai assignments are depositions, with medical-legal evaluations such as QMEs, for law firms and court reporting firms, in person or remote.
Matched to the client's speech
We ask whether the client's first language is Standard Thai, Isan, or Lao before we assign an interpreter.
One point of contact, anytime online scheduling
Request a quote online anytime and keep one scheduling contact from quote through invoice. For short-notice requests, call our office at (800) 919-2029.
Thai interpreting questions, answered
Does California certify Thai court interpreters?
No. Thai is not on the Judicial Council of California's list of certified spoken languages. The Judicial Council lists Thai among its registered languages, which have an oral proficiency exam in the language. AMS supplies qualified Thai interpreters; ask about a specific interpreter's credentials when you request a quote.
Can a Thai interpreter cover an Isan or Lao speaker?
Sometimes, but do not assume so. Isan and Lao are closely related to each other and differ from Standard Thai. Many Isan speakers testify comfortably in Standard Thai; others do better in their first language. Tell us what the client speaks at home.
Does AMS provide Thai interpreters for depositions and QMEs?
Yes. Depositions are most of AMS's Thai work, along with QMEs, in person in Los Angeles and remotely by Zoom or phone.
Is there a federal court certification for Thai?
No. The federal courts' interpreter certification program covers Spanish; the programs for Navajo and Haitian Creole are no longer offered. Federal courts use professionally qualified or language-skilled interpreters for Thai.
Does AMS translate Thai documents?
Yes. AMS translates Thai documents for litigation, USCIS filings, and the courts, with the translator's certification statement those filings require.
Further reading
Which California languages need a certified interpreter
How the designated language list works, how to verify the current position yourself, and what to do when a language is not on it.
Certified or registered: which you may use at a deposition
The tier is set by statute and turns on whether the Judicial Council has designated the language.
What is a certified court interpreter, and why does it matter?
The three working tiers of court interpreter, and the consequences of hiring the wrong one.
California Court Interpreter Program: what counts as certified
How California certifies court interpreters, what languages are covered.
Court interpreter ethics: the four canons
The ethical standards that govern interpreter conduct in legal proceedings.
How to hire a medical interpreter for an IME
A practical checklist for scheduling medical interpretation.
Video remote interpreting (VRI): when it works and when it does not
A practical guide to choosing between on-site, telephonic, and video remote interpreting.
Certified vs. notarized translation: what each one means
The most common translation document statuses, explained for non-specialists.
Schedule a Thai interpreter
Same-day Thai interpreting is available. Request a quote or call our scheduling team.
Most quote requests are answered within 10 minutes.