Thailand has a great number of law firms, each of them offering a host of services in almost all areas such as legal, tax, real estate, corporate, and back office works. However, it is important that clients must know the different types that practice in Thailand, and which one is most suitable to accomplish their goals or to minimize prospective risks from trailing a Thai legal action. Discussed further in this article are some of the different categories, as well as how to select the most appropriate one according to your needs.



Perhaps most prominent are local Thai firms, since they are adept in handling litigation cases as well as other cases occurring within the judicial system of Thailand. In contrast to international concerns, these deal with cases pertaining to small and medium Thai business units. Although they are proficient in Thai laws and regulations, they mostly do not handle cases related to foreigners working or living in Thailand. In addition, local Thai firms'staff usually consists of only Thai speaking personnel, and hence people fluent in English cannot be found here. But, some local firms offer the service of trial lawyers in order to help foreigners with their legal matters. Usually, local firms charge fees according to the nature of services, which mostly range between 120 to 300 US dollars / hour.

Among the services offered by Thai firms are transactions with regard to commercial and real estate companies, patents and trademark registration, trademark renewal, procedures regarding license agreements, and enforcement of intellectual property.

Alternatively known as foreign law advisors, international law firms are one of the most important categories, and they mostly work in association with large overseas international law concerns. In other words, they are usually a branch of an overseas parent law concern. These firms primarily engage in providing advice to their clients on such matters as foreign laws and regulations and transactional procedures. Further, they usually cater to the needs of giant private and corporate international clients rather than small or medium businesses. Their rates are exceptionally high when compared to other categories.

Thai international law firms render legal services in such arenas as property investment, contract law and corporate law, real estate, customs and immigrations, will and estate, and trust and property management.

Other types include those whose staff consists of either foreign managers or partners, who in turn act as an intermediary between foreign clients and local Thai attorneys. In some instance, these firms may be solely managed by the foreigner with local Thai attorneys. Some may possess a law degree from their countries and others may not have a degree and they only serve as a link between clients and attorneys. Further, they mostly have sound knowledge on western law as well as the laws pertaining to their home countries, apart from being fluent in Thai language.

This category of law firms provide services in almost every field like banking sectors, taxation, negotiation of contracts, hotel industries, and information technology and insurance sectors.

Another popular category is law providers, including pseudo law firms. They are mostly managed and operated by non lawyers, who may be local Thais or foreigners. In addition, their business may or may not have licensed attorneys. However, although the staff may contain authorized attorneys, these firms are typically managed and owned by non lawyers. Sometimes, customers willingly approach these kinds of firms, since they are ready to undertake any kind of risks that are not taken by other firms.

Whether it be any type of Thai law firm, it usually renders services with regard to national contract law, setting up of companies, shareholder agreement, tax advice and tax optimization, accounting as well as tax computation, preparation of balance sheets, and project management.

With umpteen to choose from, you can easily find a law firm in Thailand. But, before approaching one, it is important to make a thorough investigation regarding its professionalism and services rendered.