5 Factors To Consider When Selecting A Thai Localization Partner

Selecting a Thai localization partner is undoubtedly a challenge since you have many options all promising “best-in-class” quality. 

As the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, Thailand is an ideal destination for many global companies seeking global success. To bridge the gap between your brand and your Thai customers, you need to partner with a translation provider that will translate and localize your materials to fit well with Thais’ demands and expectations.

So how to choose the right Thai localization partner without wasting too much time? Here in this article, you will find some criteria that you can rely on to get the answer, based on our years of experience in the localization industry.

#1. Selecting a Thai Localization Partner: Type of Partner

You should first specify the type of partner you are looking for. The type of partner you choose might fall into one of the 4 categories below, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, you should carefully examine to pick the most suitable one:

• Multi-Language Localization Vendor (MLV): This group consists of large and global companies that specialize in a large number of languages. They can manage numerous projects at once, but they are also more expensive.
• Single-Language Localization Vendor (SLV): Here are smaller companies that are located in one target country and focus on one single language. SLVs are normally less costly than MLVs and concentrate on the linguistics of their target language. Therefore, if you desire to target multiple languages other than Thai, you will need to work with multiple SLVs.
• Freelance translators: They are individual translators who are not necessarily associated with a specific company. Translators are often less expensive and are fairly flexible in fulfilling deadlines. If you want to translate into multiple languages besides the Thai language, you will need to build a team. Also, even when translating into Thai only, you should have more than one translator working on it to ensure the accuracy of your translations. 
• Internal employees: This will be a Thai-speaking employee of your company. It would be ideal if they are native speakers who’ve been proficient in the language and also have a thorough understanding of the culture.

For more details, you can check out this post.

#2. Selecting a Thai Localization Partner: Quality Process

The capacity of your translators/Language Service Provider determines the quality of your translation. Through their certification and translation procedure, you may assess their skills and competence to manage translation projects.

In terms of certification, the following are some suggestions:

• For translators: You should choose those who have completed professional education and training in languages and translation (such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Translation or ATA Certification).
• For translation agencies: Working with ISO-certificated translation agencies is highly recommended since it demonstrates their commitment to following globally recognized standards. Consider translation agencies that meet ISO 9001:2015 for the Quality Management system.

You should also take a look at the process that is used before and after the translation. Some questions for your agencies include:

• Will the Thai localization partner provide training to the translators on your product before performing translation? 
• Will your Thai localization partner analyze the source files before beginning the translation to detect any potential issues (for example, does your code create a pluralized word that won’t translate internationally?)
• Is there a comprehensive technical (e.g., editing) and linguistic (spelling, grammar, etc.) evaluation taken after the completion of translation? 
• Is there a QA round to ensure no language issues arose during the translation process?

While having the certification and the workflow of your agencies in hand, you should also have them take a short test for a complete evaluation. To acquire more precise test results, add content and keywords from real-world projects to the test.

The feature of the Thai language is that it is not based on any hard and fast rules. There are no articles, verb conjugations, noun declensions, object pronouns, or past tense in this language. Therefore, the test reviewer should preferably be a native member of your internal team who is capable of evaluating both translation accuracy and style/tone appropriateness.

#3. Selecting a Thai Localization Partner: CAT Tools and Supported Technology 

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools are used by professional translation services to translate different types of content. CAT tools enhance the quality of the translation by ensuring that phrases are translated consistently. They also help you obtain the best possible pricing for your translation project, as previously translated segments and repeats are either paid less or not at all.

Besides, you can gain the benefits from CAT tools with an overall smaller translation cost. The use of automated file transmissions will reduce administrative costs and time. You will also pay for fewer working hours because linguists work faster and with fewer errors.

In addition to the CAT tools, your localization partner should have other necessary tools to meet the following requirements:

• File compatibility: Your partner should have tools to work with the file formats you provide. You shouldn’t have to convert your files manually only to get them translated.
• Process and access: Your translation partner should have software that allows you and them to collaborate and follow the same procedures. You need to have access to check for the progress of your translation as well.
• Security: You need your partner to guarantee the security of your intellectual property and confidential information.
• Information: The tools your partner has should provide you with the information you need (for example, status reports, roll-up reports, quarterly/yearly reports, etc.).

*** Note: If you need to collaborate with other companies in the future, the toolset your localization partner employs should allow you to do so.

#4. Selecting a Thai Localization Partner: Cost 

Every company promises to bring you the best Thai translation services at a competitive price. What you should search for is not the one with the cheapest rate, but the one that offers a reasonable rate with high-quality results within your budget. 

Here are some questions you can ask when selecting a Thai localization partner:

• How are translation rates for a Thai translation project calculated?
• Which types of payment do they accept?

If you are offered a quote that seems too good to be true, the agency may be cutting corners on one or more areas of the translation process, resulting in lower-quality translations. 

#5. Selecting a Thai Localization Partner: Review

The experience of other people who have worked with a Thai localization partner is helpful in making your selection. If they are translation agencies, take into account the feedback from translators who have worked with them, as a reputable translation business must respect both clients and translators who bring them great values. And only by having talented translators, an agency can bring high-quality translation to you – the client. 

And you may find translator reviews on platforms specialized for translators, such as ProZ. An unwritten rule says that every professional translation company in the world should have a Proz profile. If they don’t, it might be a red flag, as the company may be banned from Proz because of fraud or other issues. You can take a look at GTE Localize’s Proz profile for your reference. 

Moreover, to choose the right Thai localization partner, you can see reviews on Goodfirms.

Choose a professional Thai localization partner

As Thailand is one of the best countries for business, the need for Thai translations is increasing. If you are on the way to selecting a Thai localization partner, GTE Localize is always ready to take on any kind of project.

Our top priority is to ensure all Thai translation projects are accurate and that our customers are ultimately satisfied with our work. In reality, this goal is backed up by a more than 99% of customer satisfaction rate. Here are a few examples of how we produce extraordinary results:

• Our translators are native speakers who have earned Master’s or Ph.D. degrees in a range of fields.
• GTE Localize is one of the best translation companies in the world on Goodfirms, having been recognized with ISO 9001:2015 certification.
• We offer cost-effective translations with no hidden costs. Before we begin, the charges will be clearly outlined in our contract. After that, there are no more costs.
• To guarantee that you obtain the best quality Thai translation and localization services, we actively execute a Quality Assurance round or an internal LQA round for 100% of our projects. You will not be charged any further fees since we will cover the costs of these additional processes.
• We provide a one-year warranty on the quality of our Thai translation and localization services.

Are you looking for a leading localization partner? Get in touch with our subject-matter experts today for a helpful consultancy and a free 300-word test!

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