Last updated on April 12, 2026
It is very important to have an Ethical Code for Thai lawyers just like for any professional in order to protect the public. In most countries, registered lawyers must follow their “ethical code” and it can apply also outside of their country. An ethical code are some regulations, rules that lawyers must follow and they are in place normally to protect the clients, to protect justice. It a lawyer fail to follow one of these rules, he or she can lose the license to practice law or have other penalties.
There are normally committee and/or places where you can complain about the behavior of a lawyer. Strangely I found almost nothing about this subject in English before translating and founding the texts below, which are pretty shallow.
Table of Contents
Thai lawyers are no exception but the rules here are simple, short and not very detailed. We did a NON-OFFICIAL translation of these “Ethical Code for Thai lawyers”. The translation was very difficult and we hope you will understand most of this text. Our goal is only to inform and please read the disclaimer below this page. These were still valid in 2011 and I am pretty sure nothing has changed in 2023.
ETHICAL CODE FOR THAI LAWYERS
- https://www.thailawonline.com/documents/Ethical%20Code%20Lawyers%20Thailand.pdf (in Thai)
- Ethic rules of Thai Lawyers in English. Regulation of 1986 (same document as previous, with unofficial translation)
Registered foreign attorneys must follow the rules of their own legal association, and normally even if they work abroad, they are subjects to the rules of their own country. But many foreign “lawyers” in Thailand are not lawyers and do not have a license to practice law. Even if a foreign lawyer is registered in his own country,, he can normally not plead in Court in Thailand.
Foreigners are restricted by law to be “attorneys”. That doesn’t mean they are not qualify and can’t work for a law firm. Any international law firm in Thailand do employ foreign attorneys, from Tilleke Gibbins, to Baker Mackenzie or ThaiLawOnline.. Yes, I know, we are way smaller than these 2 others! But we try to maintain high quality legal services.
Two organisations
e Thailand Lawyer’s Council (TLC) and the Thai Bar Association (TBA) are two professional organizations for lawyers in Thailand. The TLC is an independent body that regulates the legal profession, while the TBA is a professional organization that represents the interests of lawyers. That is the problem: Should a Bar Association represent the best interests of the lawyers or the best interest of the public? Well, not everyone follow their Ethical Code for Thai lawyers. But this is crucial.
a) TLC
- The TLC was established in 1979 by the Thai Parliament. It is responsible for regulating the legal profession, including reviewing applications for admission to the bar, maintaining the discipline of lawyers, and managing the lawyers’ compensation fund. The TLC is composed of a president, two vice presidents, and nine members, all of whom are lawyers appointed by the Parliament.
b) TBA
- The TBA was established in 1927 by a group of Thai lawyers. It is a professional organization that represents the interests of lawyers, including defending the rights of lawyers, providing professional training and development services, and promoting legal excellence. The TBA is composed of a president, two vice presidents, and 50 members, all of whom are lawyers elected by the TBA members.
The TLC and the TBA collaborate to promote the legal profession in Thailand. However, they also have distinct roles. The TLC is responsible for regulating the legal profession, while the TBA is responsible for representing the interests of lawyers.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between the TLC and the TBA:
| Feature | Thailand Lawyer’s Council | Thai Bar Association |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | 1979 | 1927 |
| Governing body | Independent body appointed by the Parliament | Professional organization elected by lawyers |
| Responsibilities | Regulating the legal profession | Representing the interests of lawyers |
| Membership | Lawyers who have been admitted to the bar | Lawyers who have been admitted to the bar |
Thai lawyers (in 2024) do not have a mandatory liability insurance. They do not have normally escrow accounts. These practices were established a long time ago abroad to protect the public. There are still a lot to do in Thailand, to follow the Ethical Code for Thai lawyers.
Ethical rules from abroad for foreign lawyers apply even if they work in Thailand
If a foreign lawyer acts unethically in Thailand, you can file a complaint with their bar association. Lawyers’ ethical codes usually apply everywhere they practice, whether they’re acting as an attorney or if they violate any rules through their behavior.
When someone uses titles like “legal advisor,” “legal consultant,” or “director of X,” they often are not an “attorney,” “lawyer,” or “barrister.” It’s important to ask for their qualifications, experience, and references. Remember, only Thai nationals have been allowed to become attorneys in Thailand since around 1970. Genuine attorneys will not hesitate to share their legal status, education, and can easily provide their license number. You can also check their status with their Bar Association in Thailand or abroad if you wish.
Foreign attorneys must follow their Ethical Code.
As for me, I was admitted to the Bar of Quebec but chose to resign a few years ago. Why? I was paying $2,000 in membership fees per year without receiving anything in return. Moreover, they required me to complete 30 hours of continuing education about Quebec laws every two years, despite my having lived and worked in Asia for over 10 years.
Leaving the bar was a better decision for me. However, I continuously learn about Thai law and strive to improve my knowledge and skills, as any lawyer should. I’ve never been investigated for failing to follow an ethical rule. If your Thai lawyer doesn’t do the work properly, do not hesitate to make a complaint to his Bar Association. An Ethical Code for Thai lawyers should apply!