Our Story
How Sappaya Counsel came to be
Sappaya Counsel was founded by a small group of Thai and internationally trained legal professionals who had spent years working within larger Bangkok law firms. Over that time, they noticed a gap: families navigating inheritance matters rarely needed the full machinery of a large practice. What they needed was someone who would sit with them, explain the relevant steps, and remain available throughout — without a revolving door of fee earners.
The practice opened its doors in 2017 from a set of rooms on Soi Ari chosen partly for their calm — a street where the pace slows and where it is easier to have a considered conversation. That setting has shaped the way we work. Our consultations are not rushed. Our correspondence is plain. Our bills are explained in advance.
The name Sappaya (สัปปายะ) comes from a Pali word referring to conditions that are conducive — that support rather than hinder. It felt like the right description of what we were trying to build: a place where the conditions for a difficult task were made a little easier.
Since then, we have worked with families across Bangkok and beyond — Thai families dealing with cross-border assets, expatriate families managing estates that straddle several jurisdictions, and individuals who simply wanted someone to explain a will in language they could follow. The matters have differed, but the approach has stayed the same: patient, transparent, and focused on the people involved rather than the documents.
What We Hold to
Our Values
Clarity over complexity
Legal language exists for precision, not to obscure. We translate what needs translating and keep explanations at the level that is useful to you.
Pace that respects circumstances
Estate work often follows a death. We do not hurry people. We move at the speed that serves the family, not the clock.
Openness about terms
Every engagement begins with a clear understanding of scope and cost. Nothing proceeds without that understanding being in place on both sides.
Kindness in practice
Handling a loved one's estate is rarely easy. We try to bring something more than technical competence — an awareness that the people across the desk are going through something hard.
The People
Who You Will Work With
Pimchan Laohawong
Principal Counsel
Called to the Thai Bar in 2009 after studies at Chulalongkorn and a year's placement in London. Pimchan has led the practice since its founding and handles matters involving contested succession and cross-border estates.
Nattawut Kanchanawat
Senior Associate
Nattawut focuses on estate administration — the practical side of gathering, organising, and transferring assets. He is known among clients for his patience and for explaining each step before taking it.
Siriporn Ruangdej
Client Relations & Coordination
Siriporn is the first point of contact for most families who reach out to the practice. She coordinates appointments, manages correspondence, and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks during the process.
How We Work
Standards We Hold Ourselves To
Thai Bar Association Membership
All legal professionals at the practice hold current membership of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and comply with its professional conduct rules.
Client Confidentiality
All client information is held in strict confidence and stored securely. We do not discuss or share details of any matter outside the team working on it.
Documented Engagement Terms
Every engagement is set out in writing before work begins, covering scope, fees, and expected timelines. Clients have time to review and ask questions before signing.
Regular File Review
Active matters are reviewed on a set schedule by the principal, ensuring nothing stalls and that clients receive timely updates even when there is nothing new to report.
Continuing Legal Education
The team keeps current with developments in Thai succession law and relevant regulations through formal CPD and regular review of court decisions.
Conflicts of Interest Policy
We check for potential conflicts before accepting any new matter and will decline or refer where we cannot act with full independence on behalf of the client.
Our Expertise
Inheritance Matters in Thailand
Thai succession law is governed by the Civil and Commercial Code, Books V and VI. The code sets out six classes of statutory heirs and prescribes their respective shares in the absence of a will. Where a will exists, its validity depends on the form in which it was made and whether the testator met the capacity requirements at the time. Where a will does not exist, the distribution follows the statutory order — but identifying the correct heirs and obtaining the necessary documentation to satisfy the Land Department or the relevant financial institutions can involve significant procedural steps.
For families that include both Thai and non-Thai members, or where assets are held in multiple jurisdictions, the picture is more involved. Thai courts will generally apply Thai law to assets situated in Thailand, but the interaction with foreign succession regimes, tax obligations, and financial institution requirements calls for careful handling and, where appropriate, coordination with advisers in other countries.
Estate administration in Bangkok often requires engagement with multiple bodies — the district office (amphoe), the courts, the Land Department, the Revenue Department, and financial institutions. Each has its own processes, timelines, and documentation requirements. Families often find it useful to have someone who knows those processes and can manage the liaison on their behalf, freeing them to attend to other matters during a difficult period.
At Sappaya Counsel, our work in this area has been consistent since 2017. We do not cover the full range of legal work; our focus on inheritance and estate matters means we bring a depth of practical knowledge to each case that a generalist practice may not. That focus also means we are realistic about the time and effort involved, and we do not make commitments we cannot keep.
The door is open
If you are wondering whether we might be the right fit for your situation, the simplest way to find out is a short conversation. There is no charge for an initial call, and no expectation that it goes further.
Get in Touch