How Civil Litigation Works in Thailand

Civil disputes in Thailand are heard in the Kwaeng Court or the relevant Provincial Court depending on the location and value of the claim, with a separate, faster small claims procedure for lower-value cases. Thai courts actively encourage mediation before and during a case, and many disputes we handle are resolved through negotiated settlement rather than a full trial, which is usually faster and less costly for our clients.

For foreign clients, a few practical points matter: any evidence or contract in a foreign language must be submitted with a certified Thai translation, court proceedings are conducted in Thai, and judgments from foreign courts are not automatically enforceable in Thailand. They generally need to be re-litigated or recognized through a separate process. We handle each of these steps and keep clients informed in plain language throughout, whether the matter is a breach of contract, an employment dispute, a tort claim, or a disagreement over property.

If a case is not settled, we prepare and file the claim, represent you at hearings, and pursue enforcement of the judgment once it is obtained, including seizure of assets where the losing party does not pay voluntarily.