Sign languages are full languages, not a set of gestures that everyone shares. A deaf traveller from Britain and a deaf traveller from the United States do not sign the same way, and neither of them signs like a deaf person in Bangkok. This guide explains how sign languages work around the world, what is special about Thai Sign Language, how to communicate respectfully with deaf people, and how deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can arrange their transport in Thailand without phone calls.
What sign languages are
A sign language is a natural language with its own vocabulary and its own grammar. Signers use the hands, the face and the upper body. A raised eyebrow or a shake of the head can change the meaning of a sentence, so facial expression is part of the language, not decoration.
Sign languages develop inside deaf communities, often around schools for deaf children. This is why two countries that share a spoken language can have very different sign languages.
Sign languages are not universal
Most countries have their own national sign language, and some countries have more than one. A few examples:
| Country | Sign language | Short name |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Thai Sign Language | TSL |
| United States | American Sign Language | ASL |
| United Kingdom | British Sign Language | BSL |
Sign languages can also be related to each other, as the next section shows.
For a traveller, this means that signs learned at home may not be understood in Thailand. Writing, pointing and a phone screen often work better.
Thai Sign Language (TSL)
Key facts about Thai Sign Language:
- Official recognition: Thai Sign Language was recognised in August 1999 as the national language of deaf people in Thailand.
- Its roots: it is related to American Sign Language. ASL was introduced in Thailand in the 1950s and mixed with the local sign languages that deaf Thais already used.
- How many deaf people: Ethnologue estimated in 2008 that Thailand had between 90,000 and 300,000 deaf people.
- Village sign languages: besides TSL, Thailand also has local village sign languages, such as Ban Khor Sign Language.
Because TSL and ASL are related, an ASL signer may recognise some Thai signs. They are still separate languages, so expect to mix signs with gestures and writing.
Meeting deaf people: respectful habits
These are common customs in many deaf communities, not rules, and each person may have their own preferences.
Getting someone's attention
- Move into the person's line of sight, or wave gently where they can see it.
- A light tap on the shoulder or upper arm is usually fine.
- In a group or a room, switching the lights off and on briefly is a common way to call everyone's attention.
Communicating
- Face the person directly and keep your mouth visible. Do not cover it with your hand, a cup or a mask if you can avoid it.
- Stand where the light falls on your face, not behind you.
- Speak at a normal speed. Shouting or exaggerated lip movements make lip-reading harder, not easier.
- Keep eye contact. Looking away can suggest that the conversation is over.
- If it is not working, write it down or type it on your phone. There is nothing rude about this.
Words and attitudes
- Many deaf people prefer the simple word "deaf" to "hearing impaired". If you are unsure, ask what the person prefers.
- Talk to the deaf person, not to their interpreter or companion.
Communicating without speech in Thailand
Whether you are deaf, hard of hearing, or simply do not speak Thai, the same tools help you in daily situations:
- Written Thai on your phone. Keep a note with your hotel's name and address in Thai script, plus a few sentences you will need often, such as "I am deaf, please write it down."
- An offline translator. In the Google Translate app you can download Thai for offline use by tapping the download icon next to the language. Do it on Wi-Fi before you fly, so the app works without data. See the Google Translate help page.
- Numbers on a screen. When you ask a price, type the number on your phone or calculator and show it. This avoids any confusion between similar-sounding numbers.
- Pictures. A photo of the place you want to visit, or of the dish you want to order, is easy for anyone to understand.
Getting around without phone calls
With Smile Taxi Service, every step of a transfer can be done in writing:
- Book online or by message. Book on the Smile Taxi Service booking page, or write to the team on WhatsApp or LINE. The team answers 24/7, in 10 languages.
- Driver details in writing. Before the trip, the team sends the driver's name, the car and the plate number, so you can recognise your car without talking to anyone.
- Airport pickups by message. At Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK), send a WhatsApp or LINE message once you have your bags, and the car arrives in about 5–10 minutes. At Suvarnabhumi, the car picks you up on Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4, in the pickup lane. At Don Mueang, the pickup is on Level 3 (Departures), and the exact door comes in writing with the driver's details, because the airport has two terminals. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time, and a person on the team checks your flight.
- A name board. If you prefer to be met at the arrivals gate by a driver holding a board with your name, this costs 100 THB extra, on request.
- Mobile data. With an airport pickup you can ask for a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM when you book, so you can send messages as soon as you land.
- Fixed fares, no bargaining. Fares are fixed per vehicle, not per person, one way, with expressway tolls included.
- Simple payment. Pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team and they will send a PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee added.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
Not every driver speaks English, and you should not expect a driver to know sign language. In your booking message, say that you are deaf or hard of hearing and that you prefer written messages. You can also request an English-speaking driver, subject to availability.
Two popular routes, with fixed fares per vehicle, one way:
| Route | Sedan (up to 3) | SUV (up to 5) | Van (up to 7) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,100 THB |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 1,800 THB |
Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok or book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya. Every other route is on the full fare list. If you are going to Pattaya, the guide How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya compares all the options.
Emergencies
Thailand's main emergency numbers are phone lines:
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 191 | Police and general emergency (911 also works) |
| 1155 | Tourist Police, with English-speaking staff |
| 1669 | Medical emergency |
| 199 | Fire |
| 1554 | Ambulance and rescue |
Save these numbers in your phone. If you cannot make a call, show the number and a short written message to a hotel receptionist, a shop owner or another traveller, and ask them to call.
Learning a few signs before you travel
A few signs will not make you fluent, but they show respect:
- Learn to fingerspell your own name in the sign language of your home country, and learn how deaf people there introduce themselves.
- Learn "hello", "thank you", "yes", "no" and "sorry". If you meet a deaf person in Thailand, you can politely ask them to show you the Thai versions.
- Learn the numbers from one to ten. Number signs differ between sign languages, so for prices, show the number on your phone.
Where you can, learn from deaf teachers. They teach the language as it is really used, including facial expressions.
Checklist for deaf and hard-of-hearing travellers
- Save your hotel address and a few key sentences in Thai, and download Thai in Google Translate.
- Save 191, 1155 and 1669 in your contacts.
- Book airport transfers that you can arrange and follow entirely by message.
- Tell your hotel and your driver in writing that you are deaf or hard of hearing.
FAQ
Is sign language the same all over the world? No. Most countries have their own sign language. Thai Sign Language, American Sign Language and British Sign Language are different languages.
Does Thailand have its own sign language? Yes. Thai Sign Language was recognised in 1999 as the national language of deaf people in Thailand. It is related to American Sign Language, which was introduced in Thailand in the 1950s.
Can I book an airport taxi in Thailand without calling? Yes. With Smile Taxi Service you book online or by WhatsApp or LINE, receive the driver's details in writing, and message the team when you have your bags.
How many deaf people live in Thailand? Ethnologue estimated between 90,000 and 300,000 deaf people in Thailand in 2008.
What should I do in an emergency if I cannot use the phone? Show a written message and the number you need (191 for police, 1669 for medical help) to someone nearby and ask them to call. At your hotel, ask the reception desk to help.
Planning a trip to Thailand? Book your transfer on the Smile Taxi Service booking page or send us a message on WhatsApp or LINE, and we will arrange everything in writing.