Our firm

Founded on the Belief That Families Deserve Better Counsel

Our story

The Garuda Advocates Story

Garuda Advocates was established in Bangkok by a small group of practitioners who had each spent years working within larger commercial law firms — and who shared a concern that family matters were too often treated as routine files rather than the deeply personal situations they are.

The firm's name draws on the Garuda, long held in Thai culture as a symbol of protection and rightful order. We understood it not as a symbol of power, but of sheltering — a guardian figure that stands between the vulnerable and the chaotic. That image has guided how we approach every matter that comes to us.

We opened our Ekamai offices in 2016, initially focused on mediation and spousal support work. Over time, the scope of our practice has grown to include full representation through Family Court proceedings and beyond. What has not changed is the way we work: one senior advocate assigned to each matter, direct communication with clients, and a refusal to rush people through decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.

Our practitioners hold qualifications in Thai law and have extensive experience before the Bangkok Family Court. Several members of the team have additional backgrounds in psychology and dispute resolution, which informs how we engage with clients and opposing parties alike.

We are a modest-sized firm by design. We take on a considered number of matters at any one time so that each client receives the attention their situation calls for. If we are not the right fit for a particular need, we say so honestly.

The people behind the work

Our Team

Somchai Pratheep

Senior Advocate

Called to the Thai Bar in 2003, Somchai leads the firm's complex representation practice. He has conducted proceedings across all levels of the Bangkok Family Court and sits on the mediation panel of the Thai Bar Association.

Nattaya Wongsakul

Family Mediator

Nattaya trained in mediation through the Thailand Arbitration Center and holds a postgraduate diploma in family psychology. She leads all mediation sessions at the firm and is known for her calm, methodical approach.

Arjun Krishnan

Associate Counsel

Arjun supports the firm's spousal support and property matters. He is bilingual in Thai and English and has particular experience advising expatriate clients on the intersection of Thai family law and cross-border financial considerations.

How we work

Our Standards

Thai Bar Association Membership

All advocates at Garuda Advocates hold current membership of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and maintain their continuing professional development obligations.

Client Confidentiality Protocol

Client information is stored securely and never shared beyond the engagement team without written consent. All staff sign confidentiality agreements and receive annual data protection training.

Written Engagement Terms

Every matter begins with a clear written engagement letter setting out the scope, fees, and expected timeline. There are no verbal-only agreements, and scope changes are documented in writing.

Scheduled Client Updates

Clients receive status updates at agreed intervals. We do not wait for clients to chase us. If there is nothing material to report, we say so — and explain why.

Mediation Certification

Our mediation practice is conducted by practitioners certified through the Thailand Arbitration Center. Sessions follow a structured, internationally-aligned format.

Continuing Professional Development

Each member of the legal team undertakes a minimum of 15 hours of CPD annually, with a focus on family law developments, court procedure changes, and cross-border family matters.

Family Law Expertise in Bangkok

Family proceedings in Thailand are conducted before dedicated Family Courts that operate under the Civil and Commercial Code as amended by the Child and Family Welfare Act. The Bangkok Family Court, located in the Chatuchak district, handles the majority of matters for families resident in the greater Bangkok area.

Mediation has become an increasingly valued part of the Thai family law landscape. Courts may encourage or require mediation at various stages of a proceeding, and a mediated agreement — when properly documented — carries significant weight before the court. Families who arrive at mediated terms typically find the overall process shorter and less adversarial than those who proceed to full litigation.

Spousal support and maintenance matters in Thailand are governed by provisions of the Civil and Commercial Code. The court weighs a range of factors including the financial circumstances of each party, the duration of the marriage, and the standard of living maintained during the union. Proper financial documentation is central to a well-presented petition, and early preparation of that material is always advisable.

For expatriate and international families resident in Thailand, questions of jurisdiction and applicable law can add further complexity. Our practice has experience navigating these intersections and can advise on when Thai law applies and when advice from practitioners in another jurisdiction may also be warranted.

We are here when you need us

A conversation is always the right starting point

Whether you have a specific matter in mind or simply want to understand your position, speaking with one of our counsellors costs nothing and carries no obligation.

Arrange a Consultation