Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.
Last updated on September 5, 2026
A licensed Thai lawyer (ทนายความ, thanai khwam, sometimes rendered attorney-at-law or Thai barrister) is a person registered by the Lawyers Council of Thailand and holding a lawyer licence under the Lawyers Act B.E. 2528 (1985). Only a licensed lawyer may represent a party in a Thai court, sign pleadings and use the title thanai khwam. The licence is open to Thai nationals only, so a foreign lawyer in Thailand works as a legal consultant and cannot appear in court. For a foreigner choosing a lawyer, the licence is the first thing to check.
Table of Contents
What the Lawyers Act B.E. 2528 requires
The Lawyers Act created the Lawyers Council of Thailand as the self-regulating body that admits, disciplines and removes lawyers. The Act reserves court representation and the drafting of pleadings to lawyers on the Council’s register, and makes practising without a licence a criminal offence. To be admitted an applicant must be a Thai national of at least 20 years, hold a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Thai Bar qualification from an institution the Council recognises, be a member of the Thai Bar Association, and have passed the Council’s legal practice training and examination, or qualified through the supervised apprenticeship route.
Once admitted, the lawyer receives a licence card bearing a number in the form of a serial number followed by the Buddhist year of issue. Licences are issued for two years and renewed, or for life. The lawyer is bound by the Council’s regulations on professional ethics, and complaints go to the Council’s disciplinary committee, which can admonish, suspend or strike the lawyer off the register.
How a foreigner checks and uses the licence
Ask for the licence number and check it. The Lawyers Council keeps a public register and the number can be verified by telephone or through the Council’s online lookup. A business card that says “lawyer” or “legal adviser” proves nothing; the licence card does. Visa agencies and “consultants” who prepare court papers are the usual source of trouble, since work done by an unlicensed person leaves the client without professional recourse.
Court appearances require the lawyer’s own signature. A licensed lawyer files an appointment of attorney form with the court and appears in person; a power of attorney to a friend does not allow that friend to plead. Some licensed lawyers hold the additional registration as a notarial services attorney, which the Council grants after a further course and which is what foreigners usually mean by a “Thai notary”.
Lawyer, Thai barrister, judge and legal consultant
| Title | Qualification | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed lawyer (thanai khwam) | LL.B. plus Lawyers Council licence | Court representation, pleadings, legal advice |
| Thai barrister-at-law (netibandit) | Thai Bar examination after the LL.B. | Prerequisite for judges and public prosecutors; not itself a licence to practise |
| Judge or public prosecutor | Netibandit plus experience and a state examination | Judicial or prosecutorial office; may not practise privately |
| Foreign legal consultant | Foreign qualification, work permit | Advice on foreign law and transactions; no court work |
The word “barrister” causes confusion because Thai lawyers often translate netibandit that way, while the licence that matters in court is the Lawyers Council licence. A person can hold the Thai Bar qualification without being a licensed lawyer, and a licensed lawyer need not have passed the Thai Bar. For a client the relevant question is whether the person holds a current lawyer licence.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner be a licensed lawyer in Thailand?
No. The Lawyers Act limits the lawyer licence to Thai nationals, and the legal profession is also on the list of occupations closed to foreigners under the work permit rules. A foreign lawyer may work in Thailand as a legal consultant with a work permit, advising on foreign law or international transactions, but may not appear in a Thai court or sign pleadings.
How do I verify a Thai lawyer’s licence?
Ask for the licence number, which appears on the Lawyers Council card in the form of a serial number followed by the Buddhist year, and check it with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, which maintains a public register. A lawyer who is reluctant to show the card, or whose name does not appear on the register, should not be engaged for court work.
What is the difference between a licensed lawyer and a Thai barrister?
A licensed lawyer holds the Lawyers Council licence that permits practice and court representation. A Thai barrister-at-law (netibandit) has passed the Thai Bar Association’s examination, which is the academic step required to become a judge or prosecutor. Many lawyers hold both, but only the licence gives the right to practise.
See also: registered Thai lawyer and the licence number, Lawyers Council of Thailand, notary, LL.B., and our guides on how to choose a lawyer in Thailand and the ethical code for Thai lawyers.
Thai Law Updates, free by email
Plain-English updates on Thai law changes that affect foreigners: property, visas, marriage, business and wills. One short email a month from a firm practicing since 2006. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.