Legal know-how

Legal articles

Plain-language legal know-how so you decide better before talking to a lawyer

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Criminal & Fraud

Self-Defence in Thailand: When Is It Legal? The 4 Conditions, Excessive Force, Mutual Fights and Catching a Thief

Pushed someone in an argument, or caught a thief and were then reported yourself? The four conditions of lawful self-defence under Section 68, when it becomes excessive, why a voluntary fight rules it out, how far a citizen's arrest goes, and what to do if you are charged.

10 Nov 2026 8 min read

Latest articles

Using Lawmanee

Hurt by an Unsafe Product in Thailand? Who Is Liable, What You Can Claim and the 3-Year Deadline

A portable charger catches fire, an appliance gives an electric shock, or food is contaminated. Under Thailand's Unsafe Product Liability Act, manufacturers, importers and other operators are jointly liable even without fault. What you must prove, what you can claim and the deadline to sue.

9 Nov 2026 7 min read

Property

Thai Housing Estates: Who Maintains the Roads and Parks, Common Fees and the Housing Estate Juristic Person

Roads, parks and playgrounds in a Thai housing estate carry a servitude for every plot. When the developer's maintenance duty ends, how residents set up a housing estate juristic person, how common fees work after the 2025 amendment, and what happens when fees go unpaid.

8 Nov 2026 8 min read

Using Lawmanee

Found Something Lost in Thailand? The 3-Day Rule, the Finder's Reward and the Risk of Keeping It

Picked up a wallet, a phone or something valuable? Thai law says return it, tell the owner, or hand it to the police within 3 days. The finder's reward, when an unclaimed item becomes yours, and why keeping it is a crime.

7 Nov 2026 7 min read

Criminal & Fraud

Trespass on Your Land or Home in Thailand: Penalties, the 3-Month Complaint Rule and Eviction

Someone has built a shed on your land, fenced off part of it or walked into your home without permission. The trespass offences in Sections 362–365 of the Thai Criminal Code, their penalties, the 3-month complaint deadline and the civil eviction route.

6 Nov 2026 8 min read

Family & Inheritance

Appointing a Guardian for a Child in Thailand: When Both Parents Have Died, Who Can Apply and What Guardians Must Do

When both parents have died or lost parental power, a child needs a court-appointed guardian. Who may apply, guardians named in a will, who cannot be a guardian, the documents and court steps, and the guardian's duty to account for the child's property.

5 Nov 2026 8 min read

Criminal & Fraud

Assaulted in Thailand? Penalties, Reporting to the Police, Claiming Damages and State Compensation for Victims

Punched or injured by someone? How Thai law grades assault and its penalties, whether a private settlement ends the case, what evidence to keep, how to claim damages inside the criminal case, and how to apply for state compensation within one year.

4 Nov 2026 8 min read

Business & Investment

Limited or Ordinary Partnership in Thailand? Partners' Liability, Managing Partners and Online Registration

Going into business with friends or family without forming a company? A partnership is the other option. How ordinary, registered ordinary and limited partnerships differ, how far each partner is liable, who can be the managing partner, and how to register online through DBD Biz Regist.

3 Nov 2026 7 min read

Property

Co-Owned Land in Thailand: Co-Owners' Rights, Selling Your Share and Suing for Partition

When several people are named on one land title, for example siblings who inherited together or people who bought together, they are co-owners. Each may sell their own share alone, but the whole plot only with everyone's consent. Rights, duties, dividing at the Land Office and suing for partition.

2 Nov 2026 7 min read

Criminal & Fraud

Animal Cruelty and Pet Abandonment in Thailand: Penalties, Exceptions and How to Report

Thailand's 2014 animal welfare law protects owned and stray animals alike. Cruelty carries up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 40,000 baht, and abandoning an animal an administrative fine of up to 40,000 baht. What the law forbids, the exceptions and how to report.

1 Nov 2026 6 min read

Property

Chanote, Nor Sor 3 or Sor Kor 1? Thai Land Documents and What to Check Before Buying

Before buying land in Thailand, check which document it has. A chanote shows ownership, a Nor Sor 3 Gor or Nor Sor 3 only possession, and a Sor Kor 1, Sor Por Kor 4-01 or Phor Bor Thor 5 cannot be registered for sale. The differences, the 30-day notice, transfer bans and checks before paying.

31 Oct 2026 8 min read

Using Lawmanee

Mediation Before Going to Court in Thailand: Where to Apply, What Can Be Mediated and Enforcing the Agreement

A dispute with a neighbour, a contractor or a co-heir can start with mediation instead of a lawsuit. Pre-suit mediation at court with no court fee, mediation under the Dispute Mediation Act 2019, what each covers, the time limit for suing, and what to do if the other side breaks the agreement.

30 Oct 2026 7 min read

Family & Inheritance

Can You Disinherit an Heir in Thailand? Excluded Heirs, Renouncing an Inheritance and Who Takes the Share

The deceased can cut a statutory heir out by will or by a document lodged at the district office, the law excludes heirs who hide estate assets or are unworthy, and an heir can renounce, but only in full and only after the death. What each means and who takes the share.

29 Oct 2026 7 min read