Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize in translating Thai to English, and English to Thai. We can also translate a variety of other languages. We also assist with variations of English, including American English and British English.

Our standard turnaround time is within five (5) business days for translations up to 10,000 words. For documents and translations over 10,000 words, we will inform you of the turnaround time with your quote.

Certified translations are completed within 2 working days, while translations legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs vary in turnaround time depending on the current queue at the MFA.

We work with both companies and private individuals who require translation services. For companies, we can provide a tax receipt upon request. 

Sawadee Translations consists of a team of Thai nationals and native English-speakers who work together to translate all orders. All of our staff are located in Thailand. 

We accept payment by bank transfer both locally and internationally, credit/debit card, cash, and PayPal. All payments are processed through our parent company – Sawadee Solution Digital Service Co., Ltd.

In the majority of cases we require payment upfront before we can begin working. However, for larger orders we can accept milestone or partial payments. 

We guarantee every translation through:

• Experience: Our team has many years of experience in translating, editing, and proofreading documents of all types. 
• Quality: Our staff are qualified translators and every document is double checked by a native speaker of the target language. 
• Timeliness: We deliver translations before or on time in more than 99% of cases. 
• Confidentiality: We offer all clients a confidentiality agreement and take steps to ensure privacy at all stages of the translation process. 

A certified translation is an accurate word-for-word translation of a legal document performed by a qualified human translator. It includes a certified translation stamp and signature for use in legal and other circumstances. 

In Thailand, certified translations must possess the stamp and signature of a professional translator who is qualified in both languages. While you can certify your own translation, it is unlikely to be accepted by most organizations. 

A certified translation shows that the translated document has been professionally translated accurately and word-for-word. However, some Thai institutions and foreign embassies require translations to also be legalized by the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). A legalized translation bears the stamp of the MFA to prove it is accurate and legal. 

At Sawadee Translations, we provide a digital copy of your fully certified translation within 2 working days. Hard copies are delivered by EMS within 2-10 working days depending on your location. 

Due to an extended process for legalized translations, the timeframe is slightly longer than certified translations only. We aim to have your legalized translation completed and delivered back to you within 15 working days. *Please note that times may vary depending on the current queue availability. 

For certified translations we provide tracked postal delivery by EMS. For legalized translations, we provide a courtesy courier service within the Bangkok vicinity. 

Yes, if you have an urgent request, please contact us to let us know about your requirements.

Academic translations specifically refer to papers, manuscripts, reports, documents, and research studies related to higher education. These document types often contain specialist language, grammar, terms, rules, and styles that need proper assessment when being translated. Often, academic papers are written in a language that is not native to the reader. For example, a Thai professor may write an academic document in their native language but require its translation to English so a wider audience can read it. Similarly, many academic papers are written in English and might feature phrases or technical terms that a native Thai person doesn’t fully understand. Academic translations make bodies of work more widely accessible and available.

When it comes to translating academic texts, a good command of the language is not enough. Translators must have the ability to understand the language and terms used in the paper and have familiarity with the subject or topic. Using a standard translation service or a freelance translator to undertake the task of translating an academic document regularly leads to errors. However, specialist translators can understand the entire research paper from the beginning and use that foundation to provide an accurate and stylish translation. As we use a native speaker of the target language to double-check all translations, you can be sure that our translations are of the highest quality.