Thailand Lawyers

The US–Thailand Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations (“Treaty of Amity”) is a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations between the United States and Thailand. Signed in 1966, the treaty grants qualifying American individuals and companies preferential treatment when conducting business in Thailand. In practice, it allows majority or wholly American-owned companies to operate in Thailand on a national treatment basis—meaning they are treated as Thai companies for most business purposes—despite Thailand’s otherwise restrictive foreign business regime. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the Treaty of Amity , including its legal foundation, benefits, limitations, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and practical implications for US investors. 1. Legal background and purpose The Treaty of Amity was established to promote: Mutual economic cooperation Cross-border investment Commercial confidence between the US and Thailand Thailand’s general f...

Thailand is a mature—but idiosyncratic—market for M&A. The corporate law and deal mechanics are familiar to global lawyers and banks, but several Thailand-specific gates and practical realities (competition/merger control, takeover/tender rules, foreign-ownership limits and sector licenses) materially shape how deals are structured, reviewed and closed. This guide covers deal types and structures, the main regulatory checkpoints, transactional mechanics (due diligence, SPA drafting, tax and financing), integration points and a practical checklist for buyers and sellers. 1. Typical deal types and how they’re structured Share purchases (takeovers) — buyer acquires shares in a Thai company (private or listed). Share deals transfer the target’s whole legal entity (contracts, staff, liabilities) and are the usual route for going-concern acquisitions, but they also transfer hidden liabilities. Asset purchases — buyer buys specified assets and (usually) takes limited liabilities....

Divorce in Thailand combines strict statutory formalities with flexible court discretion. Whether you’re a Thai national, an expatriate living here, or a foreign spouse with assets or children in Thailand, the practical outcome depends on choosing the right procedure (administrative vs. judicial), proving the required facts, and planning for how property, support, custody and cross-border enforcement will be handled. This guide explains the law, the step-by-step processes, likely timelines, typical evidentiary issues, and pragmatic tips to reduce risk. Two routes: administrative (uncontested) vs. judicial (contested) If both spouses mutually agree to divorce and their marriage is registered in Thailand’s civil registry, they can make a joint declaration at the local district office (amphoe or khet) and obtain an immediate administrative divorce. That route is fast, inexpensive and final for Thai-registered marriages, but it requires both parties’ in-person attendance or properly aut...

Escrow is a powerful risk-management tool in Thailand for real-estate pre-sales, construction milestones, M&A holdbacks, project finance and cross-border trade. Thailand’s Escrow Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and subsequent regulations created a formal, licensed framework: escrow is not just a private bank arrangement — it’s a supervised activity with defined agent duties, licensing, segregation and insolvency protections. Below is a practical, legally-rooted guide explaining how escrow works in Thailand, who may act as an escrow agent, the agent’s duties and liabilities, practical contract drafting points, AML/FX and tax implications, dispute handling and a checklist you can use when negotiating an escrow. 1. Legal foundation and who may act as escrow agent The central statute is the Escrow Act B.E. 2551 (2008) , supplemented by ministerial regulations and later amendments that expanded supervisory powers. The Act confines who may perform escrow services (commercial banks and other auth...