Like most people, not all translators are experts at everything.

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So, do yourself a favor and choose a translator who is equipped to meet  your specific needs.

 

Things to consider: 

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1. Are you translating from Thai or into Thai? These are two different cases. In general, it is best that the translator's first (or native) language is the language in which they will be required to write. Of course, this isn't always practical, especially when translating from Thai. 

2. What is the subject matter? Even native speakers of a language vary in their ability to write about certain topics or in certain styles. We aren't all able to write great literature and highly technical research articles. Will your translator be able to understand the content as well as write about it at a professional level? .

3. What will you do with the translation? Is it for personal use? Who will be reading it? Will it be published and, if so, where?Will it be submitted to a court or other government agency? Make sure that your translator has the necessary credentials, but remember that quality and credentials do not always go hand in hand.   

4. What is your timeframe? When discussing deadlines with your translator, consider the length of your project as well as the difficulty of the content matter and the level of quality you require. Time, length, difficulty, and expected quality need to be in balance. Even the best translator needs enough time to deliver a high quality translation. 

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It isn't always (or usually) practical (or possible) to find the perfect translator. You will have to decide what it most important to you and perhaps be open to alternate solutions. For example, if you cannot find an English speaker to translate from Thai into English, you can get a Thai speaker to translate for you and send the translation to an editor.  

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In any case, make sure you know what you need (and what you don't need) in your translation.

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