Mrs. Travelinterpreters and I have been freelance ASL interpreters for 17 years and also travel to Thailand often. The languages are about 98% different. Some things are totally opposite, like the ASl sign for Deaf is the TSL sign for hearing.

We have been to the Deaf school in Bangkok several times to talk with the kids about the United States, and we always have to use a Thai interpreter to carry on in depth conversations. My wife and I have learned enough TSL that the vendors on Suk all gather around to chat with us every time we go. The language might be different, but the Deaf community in Bangkok is very similar to ours here in the US.

Here is the website for the Deaf school if you are interested.http://translate.google.com/translat...ari%26rls%3Den Most of the kids live in dorms at the school from a very young age until they graduate.