Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (5,416)	$ 5,259	$ (2,882)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(20,172)	(4,962)	69,803
Consolidated net income attributable to Nam Tai shareholders	(25,588)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	297us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	66,921us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(5,416)	5,259	(2,882)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(20,172)	(4,962)	69,803
Consolidated net income attributable to Nam Tai shareholders	$ (25,588)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 297us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 66,921us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Weighted average number of shares, basic	44,409,526	45,222,532	44,803,735
Effect of dilutive securities - Stock options		470,318	541,518
Weighted average number of shares, diluted	44,409,526	45,692,850	45,345,253
Basic income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ (0.12)	$ 0.12	$ (0.06)
Basic income (loss) per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.46)	$ (0.11)	$ 1.55
Basic earnings per share	$ (0.58)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.01us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.49us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ (0.12)	$ 0.12	$ (0.06)
Diluted income (loss) per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.46)	$ (0.11)	$ 1.54
Diluted earnings per share	$ (0.58)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.01us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.48us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Continuing Operations
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted average number of shares, basic	44,409,526	45,222,532	44,803,735
Weighted average number of shares, diluted	44,409,526	45,692,850	45,345,253
Discontinued Operations
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted average number of shares, basic	44,409,526	45,222,532	44,803,735
Weighted average number of shares, diluted	44,409,526	45,692,850	45,345,253

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Per basic share amount, after tax, of income (loss) from the day-to-day business activities of the discontinued operation and gain (loss) from the disposal of the discontinued operation.

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