Find attorneys in Thailand.

Civil and commercial. Civil law covers private disputes between people or companies. Commercial law covers contracts, shareholder agreements, and the day-to-day running of a Thai company. If you are starting a business, see company registration in Thailand. Foreign-owned ventures often go through the Board of Investment (BOI). See BOI applications for the route a lawyer can manage end to end.

Real estate and property. Property transactions have specific rules for foreign buyers. Condominium ownership is permitted up to the 49% foreign quota in each building under the Condominium Act B.E. 2522 (1979); the quota is calculated on saleable floor area, not unit count. Direct land ownership by foreigners is generally prohibited. A property lawyer in Thailand can run the title check, review the sale and purchase agreement, verify the FET certificate for the inward currency transfer, and handle the transfer at the Department of Lands.

Family law. Family work includes marriage, prenuptial agreements, divorce, child custody, and inheritance. Both contested and uncontested divorces are recognised. Uncontested cases, known as administrative divorces, can be filed at the local district office (Amphoe) when both parties agree on the terms. Anything contested goes to family court. Cross-border family matters often need certified translations and consular legalisation.

Litigation and disputes. Civil litigation in Thailand starts at the Court of First Instance. Most disputes settle before judgment. Court-annexed mediation is built into the process and is often required before trial. For commercial disputes, arbitration is common when the contract includes an arbitration clause. Thailand has two main arbitration bodies: the Thai Arbitration Institute (TAI), which sits under the Office of the Judiciary, and the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC). Both run e-arbitration systems.

Criminal defence. Criminal cases can move quickly. If you face anything more serious than a minor offence, you want a defence lawyer involved before your first police statement. Bail can be granted at the police station or in court, depending on the charge. Foreign defendants are entitled to a court-appointed interpreter, but most English-speaking defendants prefer private representation that can brief in their own language.

Immigration and work permits. Immigration lawyers in Thailand handle visas, work permits, permanent residency, and citizenship. As of 2026, common categories include the Non-O for retirement and family, the Non-B for business, the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa managed through the BOI LTR portal, the SMART visa for skilled professionals in targeted industries, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) introduced in July 2024 for remote workers and people enrolled in qualifying cultural or wellness programmes. Each route has its own document checklist and processing window. The Immigration Bureau handles in-country extensions and reporting.

Verify the bar card. Ask for the lawyer's bar number and year of admission to the Lawyers Council of Thailand. A licensed attorney will share both without hesitation. If a firm cannot or will not confirm the admission of the person who will sign your filings, walk away. This single check filters out a surprising number of unlicensed operators marketing themselves as lawyers in Thailand.

Practice area. A law firm in Thailand that handles construction disputes is not always the best fit for a family matter. Practice area focus is usually listed on the firm's profile. Ask directly if it is not clear, and ask how many similar matters the firm has handled in the last 12 months.

Language. If English is not your first language, confirm who will draft and review your documents day to day, not just who you meet first. The partner you meet may speak fluent English while the associate drafting your contract may not. Many firms in Bangkok also handle Chinese, Japanese, and German clients in their own language.

Fees in writing. Reputable law firms in Thailand send a written engagement letter that sets out the scope, the fee structure, and disbursements. Disbursements include court filing fees, official translations, and courier costs. If a firm avoids putting fees in writing, treat that as a signal. The Lawyers Council's code of conduct expects fee clarity.

Firm size. A small firm or solo practitioner is often ideal for a focused job: a property purchase, a will, a single contract review, an uncontested divorce. Larger firms are better suited to multi-jurisdictional cases, M&A work, or matters that need several specialists working in parallel. Justenda focuses on small and mid-size Thai firms, including solo attorneys, who often give a single matter more direct partner attention than the largest practices.