Must the police always provide an interpreter for a foreigner?

The law requires an interpreter where the person cannot speak or understand Thai. In practice availability differs by language and locality, so raise the need early and be prepared to propose your own interpreter for the officer’s consideration.

Can the statement be recorded in English?

The official record is in Thai. An English translation is a supporting document for comprehension; it does not replace the Thai record you sign.

May I bring my own interpreter?

You may generally propose one, but the investigating officer decides on suitability, and an interpreter with an interest in the case is usually not accepted. Ask the station in advance.

Must the police-stage interpreter be the same person as the court interpreter?

No — they are separate stages with different authorising bodies, though using an interpreter already familiar with the file reduces terminology drift.

Professional interpreter working in a legal setting

Interpreting during a police investigation — the legal basis, the rights involved, and what to check before signing

Quick answer

Statements taken by a Thai investigating officer are recorded in Thai. Where the person questioned does not understand Thai, the Criminal Procedure Code requires an interpreter for the questioning. A suspect has the right to meet and consult a lawyer in private. Before signing, have the interpreter read back and interpret the whole statement, because a signed record is later used as evidence in court.

Key facts and the responsible authority

Interpreting during a police investigation — the legal basis, the rights involved, and what to check before signing
Language of the statement	Thai. A translation into another language is a supporting document, not the official record
Legal basis for an interpreter	Section 13 of the Criminal Procedure Code, on providing an interpreter where the person concerned does not understand Thai
Right to a lawyer	A suspect may meet and consult a lawyer in private and have the lawyer present during questioning
Consular notification	Varies with the case and nationality, within the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations framework; ask for any request for consular notification to be recorded in writing

Document checklist and the certification involved

Original passport and a copy of the entry-stamp page
No certification needed; the officer usually keeps a copy on file
Evidence relating to the report — transfer slips, photographs, messages
If in a foreign language, prepare a Thai translation to accompany it
Contact details for your lawyer and your embassy
Prepare in advance; looking them up during questioning is difficult

Step by step

State at the outset that you do not understand Thai and request an interpreter: Say so before the statement begins, not midway, and ask for the request to be noted in the file.
Consult a lawyer before giving a statement: A suspect may consult a lawyer in private. Giving a statement without doing so can affect the case later.
Answer in short segments and check the interpreting as you go: If a question is unclear, have the interpreter ask again rather than guessing. Small discrepancies can become issues at trial.
Have the whole statement interpreted back before signing: Ask the interpreter to read and interpret the entire Thai text. If anything differs from what you said, have it corrected before signing, and ask for a copy.

What to do

Record the investigating officer’s name and rank and the case or report number every time.
If you ask for consular notification, have that request written into the record.
Photograph or obtain a copy of every document you sign, on the day.
For less common languages, give notice early and be ready to propose your own interpreter for the officer’s consideration.

What to avoid

Do not sign a Thai-language document that has not been fully interpreted back to you.
Do not accept as interpreter anyone with an interest in the matter, including the other party.
Do not rely on a translation app for a legally significant statement — case terminology is frequently rendered wrongly.
Do not treat the interpreter as a lawyer: interpreters do not advise and cannot negotiate on your behalf.

Frequently asked questions

Must the police always provide an interpreter for a foreigner?: The law requires an interpreter where the person cannot speak or understand Thai. In practice availability differs by language and locality, so raise the need early and be prepared to propose your own interpreter for the officer’s consideration.
Can the statement be recorded in English?: The official record is in Thai. An English translation is a supporting document for comprehension; it does not replace the Thai record you sign.
May I bring my own interpreter?: You may generally propose one, but the investigating officer decides on suitability, and an interpreter with an interest in the case is usually not accepted. Ask the station in advance.
Must the police-stage interpreter be the same person as the court interpreter?: No — they are separate stages with different authorising bodies, though using an interpreter already familiar with the file reduces terminology drift.

Official sources

Checked on 2026-08-04; requirements change, so confirm with the authority before filing.

Ask our team

The required documents and timing depend on the receiving office in each case. Contact our team to confirm the checklist before you file.