A practice built on listening, not just advising
Sukjai Law was founded with one clear purpose — to offer families in Thailand a calmer, more considered path through legal difficulty.
Back to HomeHow Sukjai Law came to be
Sukjai Law opened its doors in Pattaya over a decade ago, at a time when the city's growing international community had few places to turn for family legal matters that respected both Thai law and the sensitivities of cross-cultural situations.
The founding partners had each spent years inside larger firms where clients felt processed rather than heard. They wanted to do something different — a small practice where the quality of the conversation mattered as much as the quality of the legal work.
The name Sukjai — meaning contentment or peace of mind in Thai — was chosen deliberately. It reflects what we hope every client finds at the end of the road: not just a resolution, but a genuine sense that things were handled with care.
Our mission
We exist to give families access to steady, well-considered legal guidance during times that are already difficult. We do not push for conflict where none is needed. We do not complicate what can be kept simple. And we never lose sight of the people behind the paperwork.
Your situation remains private. Always.
We explain the law in plain language, without unnecessary complexity.
We move at the pace that serves your family, not ours.
We aim for outcomes that are sustainable, not merely expedient.
The people you will work with
A small, experienced team — each member chosen for both their legal knowledge and their ability to listen well.
Kanya Phanichkul
Senior Partner, Family Law
Kanya has practised family law in Thailand for fourteen years and leads the firm's mediation and full representation work. She is particularly experienced in cross-border custody and asset matters.
Somchai Maliwan
Associate, Dispute Resolution
Somchai joined the practice eight years ago after working as a court interpreter. His background gives him a rare understanding of how language and culture shape family disputes — and their resolution.
Nattaporn Wongchai
Client Relations & Consultation
Nattaporn manages first consultations and ongoing client communication, ensuring that every person who contacts us receives a thoughtful, unhurried response at every stage of their matter.
Our standards of practice
Professional conduct, privacy, and clear process — applied consistently to every matter we handle.
Thai Bar Association
All lawyers at Sukjai Law are licensed members of the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Our work is conducted in accordance with the professional standards and ethics established by the council.
Client Confidentiality
Strict legal privilege applies to all communications. Client information is never shared without explicit consent. Our data handling follows the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) of Thailand.
Written Documentation
Every consultation produces a written summary. Every agreement is prepared in clear, reviewed language. We do not rely on verbal understandings for anything that matters.
Impartial Mediation
When we support mediation, we facilitate fairly — without favouring either party. Our role is to help families reach arrangements they can both accept and sustain over time.
Transparent Fees
Fees are disclosed in full before any work begins. For ongoing matters, a written cost outline is provided at each stage. There are no charges added after the fact without your prior agreement.
Child-Centred Approach
In matters involving children, the wellbeing of those children guides our recommendations. We align our approach with Thai family court standards and international best-practice frameworks.
Family legal support in Pattaya — what that means in practice
Pattaya is home to a large and varied community — Thai families, long-term foreign residents, couples of mixed nationality, and many people navigating personal circumstances that cross cultural and legal lines. Family legal matters here carry a particular complexity that not every firm is well-placed to handle.
At Sukjai Law, we have spent more than a decade working through the specific challenges that arise in this context. Thai family law has its own framework — its own rules around marriage registration, asset division, parental rights, and formal agreements — and applying it well requires both legal knowledge and cultural sensitivity.
Our team holds qualifications under Thai law and brings genuine experience to matters involving divorce, child custody arrangements, financial settlements, and family mediation. We approach each situation on its own terms, taking time to understand the people involved before recommending a course of action.
We are not a high-volume firm. We take on a measured number of matters so that each client receives proper attention. That means your question will be answered by someone who knows your file — not a junior assistant reading notes for the first time.
If you are uncertain whether your situation warrants legal attention, or simply want to understand your options before deciding anything, a first consultation is a straightforward starting point. There is no obligation, and you will leave with a clearer picture of where things stand.
Ready to take the first step?
A consultation begins with a conversation — nothing more. We are here when you are ready to talk.
Arrange a Consultation