How Do Translation Companies Quote for Thai Translation? – By Elite Translation

With growing economic and cultural ties between China, Southeast Asia, and global markets, the demand for Thai translation services is on the rise. Whether it’s business contracts, product manuals, immigration documents, or website localization, accurate and culturally sensitive Thai translation plays a crucial role.

But how exactly do translation companies determine the cost of Thai translation?

At Elite Translation, we’re here to explain the key pricing factors behind Thai translation services — so you know what to expect and how to make an informed decision.

1. Pricing Is Usually Based on Word Count or Character Count

Most professional translation companies calculate pricing based on the length of the text:

• Chinese to Thai ➜ Priced per 1,000 Chinese characters

• Thai to Chinese ➜ Often priced per 1,000 Thai words or target-language characters

Thai is an agglutinative language with no spaces between words, making it structurally different from English or Chinese. As such, translation teams typically apply a conversion method to fairly estimate the workload.

2. Language Direction Matters: CN–TH vs EN–TH vs Multilingual Projects

The language pair you request also affects the rate:

• Chinese–Thai ➜ Common, but high-quality Thai native translators are in limited supply

• English–Thai ➜ Slightly higher rate due to different translator pools

• Multilingual delivery ➜ Adds complexity in file handling and formatting, requiring coordinated workflows

If possible, direct translation between Chinese and Thai is preferred over pivoting through English, as it reduces error and lowers cost.

3. Content Type & Subject Matter Affects Pricing

Not all content is equal. The complexity of the subject matter greatly influences translation cost:

Elite Translation provides pre-project assessments to recommend the right pricing and service model based on your document type.

4. File Format, Layout & Delivery Format Can Add Value

When translation involves more than plain text — such as:

• Tables, embedded text in images, or editable PDFs

• InDesign, PowerPoint, or multi-language layout formatting

• Dual-language outputs or visual alignment with source design

— pricing will account for layout work and formatting. This is typically quoted per page or based on document complexity, and falls under translation + localization services.

5. Turnaround Time & Project Scope

Translation companies also consider timing and volume:

• Standard turnaround (2–3 business days) ➜ Normal rate

• Rush jobs (within 24 hours) ➜ Typically 20%–50% surcharge

• Ongoing or large-scale projects ➜ May qualify for discounted rates and long-term packages

For content like product listings, social media updates, or frequent marketing material, subscription-based or retainer models are often more cost-effective.

✅ Summary: 5 Key Factors That Influence Thai Translation Pricing

1. Language direction (CN–TH, EN–TH, multilingual?)

2. Word/character count

3. Content type and industry expertise required

4. Formatting, file type, and layout handling

5. Urgency and long-term cooperation potential

Why Choose Elite Translation for Thai Language Services?

• ✅ A dedicated team of Thai native translators + subject-matter experts

• ✅ Support for industries including legal, e-commerce, tourism, healthcare, and tech

• ✅ Multiformat delivery: Word, PDF, InDesign, JSON, etc.

• ✅ Terminology management for consistent tone and branding

• ✅ Custom packages available for companies expanding into Southeast Asia

If you’re planning to enter the Thai market — or simply need trusted Thai translation —
Elite Translation is here to deliver clarity, accuracy, and cultural relevance every time.

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