Frequently asked questions

No. TPN Law is an independent legal-information and referral resource. We do not represent clients or provide legal advice. For representation, we recommend Anglo Siam Legal.

As a general rule, no. Foreigners can own condominium units within the foreign quota, register long-term leases, and hold certain usufruct-type rights — but not land freehold. Property guide →

It is generally worth having one — it can make probate significantly faster and keeps a home-country will out of Thai courts. Inheritance guide →

A contested civil case commonly takes well over a year at first instance, though court mediation and simplified tracks for smaller claims often resolve faster. Legal system guide →

Yes — criminal defamation charges, including for online posts, are a real feature of the Thai legal system, alongside any civil claim. Criminal matters guide →

Generally a daily fine on departure, and potentially a re-entry ban for longer overstays. Always confirm the current rules with Thai Immigration. Visa guide →

Private-loan interest is capped under Thai law; charging more without a lending licence can void the interest clause. Get any loan in writing. Debt guide →

A Thai-law prenup must be registered at the amphur when the marriage itself is registered. A foreign prenup may matter elsewhere but should not be relied on for Thai marital property. Family law guide →

Generally: authenticate it at home, legalise it via the Thai embassy (or your embassy in Bangkok), then get a certified Thai translation, legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if required. Documents guide →

Ask for their Lawyers Council licence number and insist on a written engagement letter; be wary of guaranteed outcomes or claimed influence with officials. Legal fees guide →

A judgment does not collect itself — enforcement can only reach what a debtor actually has. Assessing collectability before litigating is a genuinely important step. Debt guide →

We do not place individual referrals ourselves, but we recommend Anglo Siam Legal as our partner for Thai legal representation across most of the areas covered on this site.

Usually yes, on a sliding scale tied to years of service, unless the termination is for a serious cause defined by the Labour Protection Act. Voluntary resignation generally does not qualify. Employment law guide →

No — they are separate documents from separate authorities, though they are closely linked: losing one can jeopardise the other. Work permits guide →

Generally no — a deposit can usually only be withheld to cover unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or other genuine losses tied to the tenancy. Tenancy guide →

Do not leave the scene if anyone is injured, call the police for any significant accident, and photograph the scene before vehicles are moved. Traffic & injury guide →

No — company registration and trademark registration are separate systems handled by different departments. IP basics guide →

It depends on your tax residency and whether the income is remitted into Thailand — rules here have changed materially in recent years, so get current advice rather than relying on general guidance. Tax basics guide →

Potentially yes — Thai defamation law and the Computer Crime Act can both apply to online posts and reviews, even factual ones in some circumstances. Defamation & CCA guide →

No — an unmarried father generally has no legal status toward the child until he legitimates the child, by marrying the mother, registering legitimation, or a court order. Custody guide →

Courts can, in effect — excessively one-sided standard-form terms can be reduced or refused enforcement under unfair contract terms and consumer-protection principles. Consumer protection guide →