A study of the Demand for Thai Translators & Interpreters in the Chinese Labor Market

Abstract

This research aims to study the demand for Thai translators and interpreters in the Chinese labor market. By collecting data from 269 job advertisements for Thai translators and interpreters from 3 Chinese job websites, the research results found that 1) Types of business and regions where establishments need Thai translators and interpreters 1.1) Type of business is the service industry, information, software and information technology the most at 37 percent 1.2) Region of job advertisement is southern China at 33 percent 2) Qualification requirements for Thai translators and interpreters 2.1) Educational qualifications are the highest at bachelor's degree at 62 percent 2.2) Work experience qualifications, the proportion of those with no restrictions on work experience is the highest, reaching 42 percent 2.3) Language and specialized skills qualifications are the highest at English, Chinese and Thai including study experience abroad at 47 percent 3) Work characteristics and compensation for Thai interpreters and translators  3.1) Work characteristics are full-time work the most at 74 percent 3.2) Salary rate according to the nature of the work, full-time work is the highest at 30,001-50,000 baht at 51 percent 3.3) Welfare for working in Thai-Chinese and Chinese-Thai translation is Five Insurance and Housing Fund, and additional welfare from the workplace, with the group providing the most additional compensation at 34 percent. The results of this research will be beneficial to those interested in working in Thai-Chinese and Chinese-Thai translation and interpretation. It will also serve as a guideline for developing teaching and learning in translation and interpreting in various subjects.