For many deaf people, access to sign language interpreters is essential – whether for medical appointments, work, or daily life. However, the sudden suspension of an important online interpretation service in Thailand reveals the huge barriers and problems that arise when this support is missing. Thousands of deaf individuals are affected and can no longer communicate easily or understand vital information. Why is the situation so difficult, and how can it be improved?
Communication Issues and the Suspension of the Interpreter Service
Athipat Boonleang, a deaf bicycle courier, found herself in a difficult situation when she had to deliver a parcel to an unknown location. She tried to contact the customer by text message – but to no avail. Her last hope was an online sign language interpretation service to help her communicate. But this service had been suspended.
“Fortunately, a stranger helped me over the phone,” Athipat said. “But I am not always that lucky.”
Similarly, Siriyada Prachayakanjana, a deaf transgender woman, had a medical appointment for hormone treatment. Without an interpreter, she struggled to understand the medical terms on paper. “Without assistance, I find it hard to read medical documents. A mistake could endanger my life,” she said.
The Thai Telecommunication Relay Service (TTRS), an online interpreter project, was temporarily stopped on June 13 due to a lack of funding from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Normally, the service handles about 1,200 to 1,600 calls per day — around 450,000 per year.
This disruption has severely affected thousands of deaf people. In early July, around 50 of them gathered outside the NBTC to demand the project be renewed. The TTRS director said the funding has been delayed for two years. Although the NBTC subcommittee approved continuation, the executive board’s final decision is expected in August.
How Deaf People Communicate and the Obstacles They Face
Chanakan Pittayapoovanai, manager of the Disability Service Centre (DSC), explains that communication difficulties for deaf people run deep. Deaf children of deaf parents usually learn sign language early. The situation is more complicated for deaf children with hearing parents, who often discover hearing loss late and lack communication support.
“Many parents try cochlear implants and speech training to improve hearing,” Chanakan said. “But this doesn’t replace sign language, and many children remain limited in communication.”
Sign language is the most practical way to bridge the gap between hearing and deaf people. In Thailand, it is complex because there are many variations and words for similar things. Lip reading is very difficult and unreliable.
As a result, parents often send deaf children to special schools where they learn sign language and life skills. After graduation, their options for higher education are limited, as few universities offer sign language support.
Chanakan recalls her time studying sign language at Mahidol University: “I always made sure interpreters were available for all activities, but I was often seen as demanding.”
Before the TTRS was established in 2011, deaf people had to book interpreters in advance. Now, immediate assistance is possible — faster and more convenient.
The Shortage of Sign Language Interpreters
Despite the importance of the profession, interpreting is often unstable and poorly paid. Only some organizations hire full-time interpreters; many work freelance with little security.
“The number of interpreters has dropped from 500 to about 200,” Chanakan said. Meanwhile, the demand is increasing, with about 430,000 hearing-impaired people in Thailand.
The government plans to hire more interpreters, but only two universities offer interpretation training: Mahidol University’s bachelor’s degree and Suan Dusit University’s one-year certificate.
Specialized terminology is another challenge. New concepts need to be translated or created in sign language. For example, “transgender woman” was explained by combining several signs.
Calls for More Inclusion and Better Support
Chanakan urges recognition of sign language as an official language — especially in hearing families to prevent isolation. Schools and universities must ensure access to education for deaf students. Interpreter jobs need better security and working conditions.
An example shows the impact of education: A deaf foreigner answered an abstract question like “What is your dream?” with ease, while many deaf Thais give simple answers, showing the need for better learning opportunities.
Conclusion
The suspension of Thailand’s interpreter service clearly shows how vital communication access is for deaf people — and how large the gaps in support remain. Sign language interpreters are indispensable to break down barriers and enable full participation. To guarantee this basic right, stable funding, improved training, and official recognition of sign language in all areas of life are necessary. Only then can people like Athipat and Siriyada live independently and safely.
Bild: martzger.com
