Legal services in Thailand.
Seven legal services for individuals and companies in Thailand: buying property, doing deals, checking who you're dealing with, getting contracts right, resolving disputes, protecting your brand, and notarising documents for use abroad. Bilingual, enforceable, and handled by the people who'll see it through.
The legal questions clients actually face here.
Can I own this condo? Should this be a share deal or an asset deal? Is this contract enforceable in a Thai court? Can I get my deposit back? Is my brand protected? These are the questions our legal team answers — in plain English, with a clear view of what Thai law allows.
Most of our work is transactional — property, M&A, due diligence, contracts, and trademarks — but when a dispute can't be avoided, we mediate first and litigate when we have to. Court proceedings run in Thai; we act bilingually so you always know exactly what's happening in your own matter.
Enforceable in Thailand
Bilingual Thai-English documents reconciled so the two versions agree — and dispute-resolution clauses drafted for where you'd actually enforce.
Diligence before commitment
We check title, ownership, encumbrances, and counterparties before money moves — and turn findings into price, warranties, or walk-away.
Mediation first
Many disputes settle at mediation in 3–6 months. We pursue the cheaper, faster resolution before court — but we're ready for court.
Seven practice areas.
Each links through to the full detail, scope, and FAQ.
Real Estate Transactions
Condo freehold purchases, long-term leases, commercial property, and real-estate due diligence — with foreign-quota and title checks before you sign.
Learn moreMergers & Acquisitions
Deal structuring, share and asset purchase agreements, due-diligence coordination, regulatory approvals, and closing — for foreign buyers and sellers.
Learn moreDue Diligence
Corporate due diligence on M&A targets, JV partners, and suppliers — a structured red-flag report you can act on.
Learn moreContract Drafting & Review
Commercial, service, supply, NDA, shareholder, and JV agreements — drafted and reviewed in bilingual Thai-English, enforceable under Thai law.
Learn moreDisputes & Litigation
Developer disputes, lease conflicts, co-ownership, construction defects, and contract breaches — mediation first, court representation when required.
Learn moreTrademark Registration & IP
Mark search, Class designation, Department of Intellectual Property filing, opposition handling, enforcement, and renewals.
Learn moreNotary
Notary Services Attorney work — signature and copy notarisation, witness attestations, and MFA/embassy legalisation coordination for documents used abroad.
Learn moreWhat foreigners can and can't do.
Buying a condo
Foreigners can own a condo in freehold, up to the 49% foreign-quota per building. We verify quota availability before you sign and coordinate the foreign-currency remittance paperwork the Land Office requires.
Land & houses
Foreigners generally cannot own land directly. The practical route is a registered 30-year lease (renewable), or ownership through a properly structured company where appropriate. A chanote (Nor Sor 4 Jor) is the strongest title.
Protecting a brand
Thailand is first-to-file — register before you launch. A trademark takes roughly 10–18 months from filing and lasts 10 years, renewable indefinitely. Madrid Protocol filing is available.
Timelines and rules worth knowing.
- Condo transaction. Roughly 30–60 days from deposit to Land Office transfer for a straightforward condo; off-plan and commercial take longer.
- Share vs asset deal. A share purchase takes the company with its history and liabilities; an asset purchase cherry-picks assets but can trigger new licenses. A typical SME share deal runs 6–12 weeks.
- Due diligence. 2–4 weeks for a standard SME target; 4–8 weeks for larger or multi-jurisdictional ones. Scope drives the timeline more than size.
- Litigation. First instance typically 12–24 months; mediation can compress that to 3–6. Small claims run up to THB 300,000. Proceedings are in Thai — we act bilingually.
- Trademarks. First-to-file, 10–18 months to registration, 10-year terms renewable indefinitely; Madrid Protocol available.
- Notarisation & apostille. Thailand uses Notary Services Attorneys, not civil-law notaries. Thailand approved Apostille Convention accession in late 2025 but it is not yet in force — MFA plus embassy legalisation still applies for now.
Tell us the situation
Buying, selling, signing, or in a dispute — send the short version and we'll tell you the options and rough timeline.
WhatsApp +66 95 332 2447 Send an Enquiry Call +66 2 026 0600Legal questions.
Can a foreigner own a condo in Thailand?
Yes — in freehold, up to the 49% foreign-quota limit per condominium building. We verify quota availability before you sign and coordinate the foreign-currency remittance documentation.
Can a foreigner own land?
Not directly, with very limited exceptions. The practical alternatives are a registered long-term lease (typically 30 years, renewable) or, where appropriate, a properly structured Thai company.
Should my deal be a share purchase or an asset purchase?
A share purchase transfers the company with its contracts, licenses, and liabilities; an asset purchase cherry-picks specific assets and usually leaves liabilities behind but may trigger new licenses. We model both against the tax position and your risk appetite.
How long does a Thai court case take?
First instance is typically 12–24 months; settlement at mediation can compress that to 3–6 months. Appeals can add a further 12–24 months. We pursue mediation first where it's realistic.
How long does trademark registration take, and how long does it last?
Roughly 10–18 months from filing to certificate — longer if there's an office action or opposition. Protection lasts 10 years from filing and is renewable indefinitely in 10-year terms.
Does Thailand issue apostilles yet?
Not yet. Thailand approved accession to the Apostille Convention in late 2025, but it is not yet in force and no apostilles are being issued. Until it takes effect, documents still need MFA legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs followed by embassy legalisation.
Reviewed by the Khonsu Legal team · 1 July 2026
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