Thread: I Need A Good Thai Lawyer Who Knows Business/Real Estate Law

I am in search of a good reputable lawyer in Chiang Mai that knows both business and real estate law. If any of you know someone that is reasonable and English speaking, I would really appreciate their contact information.

This is in regards to my quest of opening a resort/spa in the Chiang Mai area. TD has helped me answer many of my questions about building in Thailand and thought members might know someone who can help me again.

Thanks

Anyone have experience with these people?

Thailand Lawyers, Attorneys & Solicitors
Siam Legal International



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Miguel Karin / Practice Manager

Miguel Karin (Mike) serves as the Practice Manager for the Bangkok office.. He is an English barrister having read law at Thames Valley University. Mike also holds a Master of Laws from the University College, London. Mike was called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Honorable Society of Gray's Inn after completing his bar vocational course at the Inns of Court School of Law in London. Both lawyer and journalist, Mike has consistently been at the top of his field with his work being published regularly over the last 10 years by virtually every major magazine title in the world. Specializing in criminal law, litigation, information and technology and media, he now lives permanently in Bangkok, Thailand, where he also lectures regularly in both law and psychology at St. John's University.
Kert Stavorn / Partner

Mr. Kert Stavorn is the firm's Partner and oversees the overall function of the legal practice. He graduated from the University of New South Wales and the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, having read both law and communications. A licensed legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Kert has published a wide range of legal journals and articles for various publications in Thailand and abroad, discussing key legal issues such as arbitration, property law, international law and commercial law. With an impressive background covering over 10 years of private business and legal practice experience, Mr. Stavorn is able to provide direction for the firm's practice and oversee day-to-day operations of the network's team of lawyers and support staff.
Dennis Ramm / Director of Client Services

Mr. Dennis P. Ramm serves as Siam Legal's Director of Client Services.. A graduate of Washington State University with a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice, Mr. Ramm also pursued a degree in Law at the University of Washington. He has over 18 years experience in legal and law enforcement work having served as Police Sergeant, Legal & Policy Advisor and criminal law instructor in coordination with the Seattle Police Department. Mr. Ramm has also contributed articles to numerous publications throughout Southeast Asia discussing matters such as property issues and immigration law spanning several continents. He currently resides in Bangkok, Thailand and is responsible for the firm's key management and operational procedures.
Don Sornumpol / Senior Associate

Don joined the firm as a Senior Associate and oversees the property and commercial sections of the firm. Don obtained his bachelor degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton and later his Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law. Upon completion, Don was duly admitted to the New York State Bar as an Attorney-at-Law. Don is also fluent in Thai having come from Thai parentage and have continued to maintain close ties to Thailand throughout his upbringing in the US. This enables him a unique ability and insight into the comparative challenges not only in law but also in terms of culture and language. Don is a regular contributor and author to a number of legal articles regarding property and cross border transactions in several publications including international legal journals and periodicals.
Yulia Askhadulina / Senior Associate

Yulia is a Senior Associate of the firm having completed a specialist degree in International Law from the prestigious Moscow State Law Academy. Yulia began her legal career with a top-tiered law firm in Manila, Philippines and later moved to Bangkok working in several international law firms before joining Siam Legal. Yulia’s areas of practice include real estate and construction, commercial law and intellectual property. Yulia is active in the Russian and expatriates community in Thailand and is a regular writer in several publications across the region in both English and Russian.
Meet Our Attorneys & Solicitors WARAPHONG LEKSAKULCHAI
Attorney at Law

Education: Chulalongkorn University
University of Washington, Seattle Credentials: Bachelor of Law, 2000
Masters of Law, 2003
Licensed Lawyer Thailand, 2001
Notarization Service Agent, 2003
Registered Patent Agent, 2003
Specialization: Litigation- Civil and Labor Disputes, Property, Corporate and Family Law Languages: English and Thai SIRIPORN DENKESINEELAM
Attorney at Law

Education: Thammasat University
University of California Riverside Credentials: LLB with 2nd Class Honors, 2002
Thai Bar Association (2003)
Lawyers Council of Thailand (2004)
Paralegal Certificate,'2008
Specialization: Family Law Languages: English, Thai and Chinese NONTHACHAI PORSEELA
Attorney at Law

Education: Ramkhamhaeng University Credentials: Bachelor of Law, 2004
Lawyers Council of Thailand, 2010 Specialization: Corporate Law, Immigration Law, Real Estate Law, Labor and Family Law Languages: English and Thai CHONGGORD PHOGUNTA
Attorney at law

Education: Ramkhamhaeng University
Credentials: (1999)LL.B.
Lawyer’s license(2001)
Specialization: Family Law (Thai) Languages: Thai DOLLADEJ KAEWASAI
Attorney at law

Education: Ramkhamhaeng University
(2001) LL.B. Credentials: (2001) LL.B.
(2004) Thai Bar Association


Specialization: Criminal and Civil Law (Thai) Languages: Thai YODSAPON NITIRUCHIROT
Attorney at law

Education: Ramkhamkaeng University Credentials: (2008) LL.B.
(2008) Thai Bar Association
(2008) Lawyer’s License
(2008) Notarial Service Attorney License Specialization: International Trade Law, Consumer Protection Law
Languages: (Thai and Chinese) JIRAPORN SITTABUTH
Attorney at law

Education: Ramkhamkaeng University Credentials: Bachelor of Law, 2000
Lawyers Council of Thailand, 2005
Lawyers License,'2005
Notarization Services Agent, 2009 Specialization: Corporate Law, Visa and Work Permits Languages: English and Thai THAWATCHAI POOLPRASONG
Attorney at Law

Education: Ratchathani University Credentials: LL.B. First Class Honor 2002
Thai Bar Association 2006
Institute of Advocacy Lawyers Council of Thailand
Lawyer Licensed 2004
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Specialization: Property, Corporate and Family Law Languages: English and Thai BOWORNSITH NITIYAVANICH
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Education: Thammasat University Credentials: Bachelor of Law Specialization: Dispute Resolution, Private Investigation, Family Law Languages: English and Thai SIRICHOT CHAIYACHOT
Attorney at Law

Education: Nalesuan University International College Credentials: Bachelor of Law, 2008
Lawyers Council of Thailand, 2011
Lawyers License, 679/2555
Notarization Services Agent, 2012 Specialization: Property, Succession, Family Law and Litigation Languages: English and Thai MARINA ATAWATE
Paralegal

Education: Payap University Credentials: Bachelor of Law, 2002
Specialization: Property, Corporate and Family Law Languages: English and Thai ATTHAKARN ASAWAWATTANASUK
Legal Advisor

Education: Chiang Mai University Credentials: Bachelor degree of Law, 2006 Specialization: Company and partnership limited, work permit, 1 year visa Languages: English and Thai

I just had a quick chat on the computer with one of the representatives of this company and she stated they can handle the paperwork for the property and the business. I will wait until the negotiations are completed and then contact the company if nothing better comes along.

I am not in Thailand right now, which makes the logistics a little harder, but with today's technology, it should still be possible.

As I have posted to you Rick, for most things a lawyer is not necessary

Just ask at the relevant gov office, they are usually very helpful

Thanks Andy, and we can talk offline. I have posted you back.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

You may be right, but I want to make sure there are no hiccups when it comes to leasing/buying the property and setting up the business.

Involving a lawyer is absolutely no guarantee that there won't be hiccups, it may make things worse.

Even drawing up a sales/purchase contract does not require a lawyer provided that certain phrases and clauses are followed, the contract is registered at the land office and both parties sign and agree to the terms with witnesses and the Thai translation of any documents is accurate; many contracts have a phrase like "This agreement is made in English and shall supercede blah blah blah" which is bullshit. A Thai court will only accept Thai language documents.

The only time to involve a lawyer is if things go sour later on.

Bear in mind also that foreigners cannot practice law in Thailand so for every Baht that you pay to a law office that employs foreign lawyers a certain percentage is completely wasted. They can advise and suggest, but if push ever comes to shove and you have to go to court only a Thai lawyer can really be of assistance.

^
Thanks for that. It is sounding more like a Thai lawyer in not a necessity in my case. Drawing up a lease/purchase agreement and then registering it ar the land office is the main theme I am hearing/reading about.

I do not like to involve lawyers unless it is absolutely necessary, but I just wanted to make sure things were done correctly.

How about our very own...

AntRobertson
Last Online: Today 07:33 PM
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 17,610



Obviously modesty (and currently being in jail) forbids him from proffering himself directly.

Ant should be a barrister as the opposition and the judge would both retire in defeat after a day of his heckling.



However since, as already mentioned, he is actually in jail himself currently this presents us with something of a legal conundrum.

We have a business, everything was done by a business accountancy firm [Ubon ] 6 years now and I have seen the accountant twice. They take care of everything, we pay 6,000 Baht a year retainer, only other charges are for extras we may need. Jim

Sunbelt asia in bangkok handles everything from legal to accounting. only problem is you have to go see them. but are first rate and will answer a lot of questions through email. And once set up just handle over net

All this aside...
Isn't the term good lawyer a bit of a contradictory?

What you've said guys seems promising to me. However, I wouldn't buy that idea of not involving reliable lawyers into something as important as this. I have used the help of lawyer when I established my business here in Thailand. And it went well, hassle free.

The idea of not involving until you got into some difficulties are seems good but not wise. Because you will only resort to them once you've caught into some troubles in which most likely will happen. But prevention is always good and one way to prevent it is to seek for the experts. Ideas from this forum are good but try to analyze they are not the experts. To be qualified as an expert is to study Thai Law and earn as many experiences as you could. I am saying this not to discredit people here who wants to help, instead to give you a better option.

The firm that you've posted here, they are quite good. I heard about their good reputation, they have their foreign and Thai lawyers. So probably, it is worth checking.

Good luck!

I appreciate all the thoughts, but I have decided not to go forward with any business plans. There just seems to be too many uncertainties and I am not Thai, which is a big disadvantage when thinking about starting any kind of business in Thailand.

I am now back in the US and working another contract and am now sure how long I will be staying. It should be enough time to finish my house, but I am now faced with how to make sure my son has an income after I am gone. I will be heading back in November to do the paperwork for a US passport for him. At that time, he will be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits until he is 18.

This is an entirely different topic, so I will start a new thread. Thanks again everyone.

Using their service is a complete wast of your money.I used them for a visa and sponsorship all they did was send me the forms to fill out and than most of the time i had to take them in myself.On top of that they were vary slow and vary unorganized they filled for my visa witch i was denied for . after this they told me they will filled for my sponsorship and the sponsorship will have better chance getting my temporary visa . well they could have started my sponsorship application way before at the same time.8 month later i am no closer, all in all lost a wast of time with them.



ps when i talked to them on the phone they gave me the response they are slow because they have so many application they have to do.