Lawyers Council Under the Royal Patronage
249 Phahonyothin Rd, Anusawari, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220
Thailand's single statutory bar authority, established under the Lawyers Act B.E. 2528, sets the national standard for legal licensing, professional ethics, and continuing education. Its legal aid hotline (1167) gives individual members of the public a direct channel to accredited counsel. International practitioners seeking verified Thai attorneys start here, where active membership in good standing is the only credential that permits court representation.
The Lawyers Council Under the Royal Patronage is the sole statutory body that admits, licenses, and disciplines all lawyers practising in Thailand. It was established in 1985 under the Lawyers Act B.E. 2528 with a mandate to promote the practice of law, uphold standards of professional conduct, protect member welfare, and advance the administration of justice across the Kingdom.
Every attorney who appears in a Thai court must hold an active Council membership. Candidates reach that standing through a defined pathway: a four-year law degree, one year of study and a six-month law-office practicum at the Council itself, and successful completion of three staged examinations covering theory, practical procedure, and a formal interview. Only on passing all three stages does an applicant receive the Attorney-at-Law license and the right to represent clients.
The Council's headquarters at 249 Phahonyothin Road in Bang Khen houses its central administration, training facilities, and the offices that coordinate continuing legal education for members nationwide. The public legal-aid hotline, 1167, connects Thai speakers to consultation services at no charge, making the institution the front door for citizens who cannot otherwise access counsel.
Beyond licensing, the Council maintains collaborative relationships with international bar associations. A Memorandum of Understanding signed with the New York State Bar Association in May 2026 is the most recent example, aimed at joint legal education seminars and international legal research exchange. Earlier partnerships with bodies including Japan's Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association underscore the Council's role as Thailand's representative legal-profession body on the world stage.
For expatriates, foreign investors, and multinational firms operating in Thailand, the Council's public directory of licensed attorneys is the authoritative tool for verifying that a prospective legal representative holds a current, valid license. The Council regulates member conduct and retains authority to discipline or delist attorneys who breach its professional ethics code. Practice areas covered by Council-licensed attorneys span civil litigation, commercial law, property, immigration, family, and criminal defence, reflecting the full breadth of Thailand's civil-law system.