Essential Guide for Foreigners: Your Right to a Thai Court Interpreter in Thailand.

Introduction

Are you an expatriate or a non-Thai resident navigating court proceedings in Thailand? Regardless of your position in the case and the type of cases, going to court in Thailand can be overwhelming, requiring many preparations with your solicitor. If you don’t speak Thai, the critical aspect is ensuring you have a qualified and experienced Thai court interpreter to assist in translating your testimony during the court hearing. In this article, you will find a comprehensive guide on interpretation services in court/legal settings and how Aksorntranslate can support you throughout your legal journey.

Understanding Thailand’s Judicial System

Thailand’s judicial system is built upon the universal principle of equal rights for people regardless of age, sex, race, religion and language. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) treaty (Source) and Thai laws, Thailand has fully implemented protocols to ensure a fair trial for any individual. Specifically, for non-Thai citizens or non-Thai speakers, these are your rights for Thai court interpretation services that you must know:

1. Your Rights for Interpretation Services in Criminal Cases in Thailand

You have the right to be provided with a Thai legal interpreter or Thai court interpreter free of charge for a criminal case from the inquiry, preliminary examination and hearing stages if you can’t communicate in Thai and don’t have your own Thai legal interpreter. This is in accordance with Thailand’s Criminal Procedure Code Section 13. (Source)

The Thai interpreter or translator that will be provided to you are usually individuals who registered with the court and reside in the vicinity of that court area. While they are generally qualified interpreters, you might want to be strategic in your decision and consider hiring Thai court interpreter yourself because of these benefits.

Benefits of Hiring Your Own Thai Court Interpreter:

  • Preparation: Hiring your own Thai translator/Thai interpreter will give you the opportunity to prepare and rehearse your case before the session. This ensures that your legal interpreter is familiar with the factual details of your case, which will significantly contribute to the accuracy of the translation compared to an interpreter you only meet on the day of the session.
  • Continuity: Hiring Thai interpreter yourself ensures the continuity as the same interpreter can assist throughout the case from initial interrogation to the court hearing. This continuity can be crucial for a complete understanding of your case.
  • Quality: Hiring Thai legal interpreter yourself will allow you to select the best Thai interpreter with the expertise necessary for your case. This will maximise your chance of winning the case.

2. Your Rights in Interpretation Services in Civil Cases in Thailand

For civil cases, since they involve disputes between private parties, the court is not responsible for providing a Thai court interpreter and you will need to hire one yourself. Typically, your solicitor will help source a Thai interpreter for you. The most important aspects that you should consider before hiring a Thai court interpreter are their English skill and their experiences in providing court interpretation services.

Whether you are looking for a legal interpreter for a criminal case or civil case, it is essential to carefully screen for a skilled and professional Thai interpreter who can interpret correctly without addition or omission and know the legal procedures.

Hiring Thai Expert Court Interpreter from Aksorntranslate

At Aksorntranslate, our interpreters are not only highly skilled in both Thai and English but also bring extensive experience in court settings for both criminal cases and civil cases as registered court interpreters. We understand the complexities of legal terminology, the importance of precise communication in legal proceedings and its procedures.

By choosing Aksorntranslate, you ensure that you receive a professional Thai interpreter who is dedicated to providing accurate and reliable legal translation services throughout your case. We stand by the quality and our customers are always satisfied with our services. With a seamless service to support you from the initial stages of the police interrogation through to the final hearing, you can rely on us to translate and interpret your case accurately, clearly and effectively.

Need help getting court interpreter in Thailand? Contact Aksorntranslate now. You can check our service page for more details about our services or check our social media for client testimonials and updates.

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