Why Phukphan
What choosing a careful practice actually means
Family legal matters deserve more than efficiency. They deserve attention, patience, and a practice that puts your situation first — not its caseload.
← Back to HomeOur Approach
Six things that shape how we work
These are not marketing claims. They describe practices we follow consistently, and that clients have told us matter most to them.
Deep family law experience
Over fourteen years of work specifically in family law — not general practice with family cases on the side. The team understands the nuances of Thai family law thoroughly.
Confidentiality taken seriously
We keep client information secure and never discuss matters outside the team. This is not just policy — it is how the practice has been run since the beginning.
Fixed, stated fees
Each service has a published fee. No open-ended billing, no surprise additions. You agree the cost before work begins, and that figure does not change without a conversation first.
Plain communication throughout
Legal language is simplified at every step. Documents are explained before signing. We do not expect clients to interpret legal text on their own.
Child wellbeing at the centre
In any matter involving children, we keep their stability and interests as a primary consideration — not an afterthought. This shapes the advice we give and the arrangements we recommend.
Bilingual English and Thai
All correspondence, meetings, and documentation can be handled in English or Thai, without translation delays. This matters especially for international families based in Chiang Mai.
Expertise
A practice that knows family law specifically
General legal practices handle many types of work. Ours handles one. That focus means the team is current on Thai family law, its interpretation, and how courts in Chiang Mai approach particular matters. There is no guesswork involved in the core of our work.
We have advised on hundreds of custody, care, and separation matters over fourteen years. That experience allows us to give you a realistic picture of what to expect — not an optimistic one, and not an unnecessarily worrying one.
Fourteen years of focused family law practice in northern Thailand
Practitioners registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand
Regular participation in professional development in family law and mediation
Experience with cross-border family matters involving Thai and international law
A single point of contact throughout your matter — no handoffs between staff
Clear next steps explained at the end of every meeting or conversation
Documentation prepared and reviewed before any submission
Updates provided regularly — you are never left wondering what is happening
Process
A process that keeps you informed
Legal processes can feel opaque. Clients often describe feeling that things are happening around them rather than with them. We work to change that by keeping communication consistent and easy to follow.
From the first conversation through to the conclusion of a matter, you will know the current state of things, what is happening next, and what, if anything, we need from you.
Service
A small team that gives you time
We keep the number of active matters manageable so that no client is rushed. You will not be given a ten-minute slot and expected to explain a complex family situation in that time.
First meetings are unhurried. We ask questions, we listen, and we make sure we understand your situation properly before we say anything about it. That takes time, and we protect that time deliberately.
Appointments booked with adequate time built in — not back-to-back sessions
In-person, telephone, or video meetings available to suit your circumstances
Responses to queries within one working day as standard
Confidential First Meeting
฿3,500
Fixed, agreed in advance, no add-ons
Care and Custody Guidance
฿5,700
Includes drafting of custody arrangement documentation
Full Matter Support
฿7,800
Full representation; additional court fees discussed separately
Value
Fees that are clear from the start
We publish our fees so you can consider them before making any contact. There is no obligation to proceed, and you will never be charged for an initial enquiry.
Where a matter involves third-party costs — such as court filing fees or interpreter services — we explain these before they are incurred. Nothing is added to your bill without prior discussion.
How We Compare
What a family-focused practice does differently
This is not a criticism of others. It is a description of the choices we have made about how to practise.
| What we do | What many practices do |
|---|---|
| Fixed fees stated before any work begins | Hourly billing that can be difficult to predict |
| One or two consistent contacts throughout your matter | Different team members at different stages |
| Meetings at a pace that suits you, with no pressure | Time-limited appointments, often hurried |
| All documents explained before you sign | Legal text left for the client to interpret |
| English and Thai without translation delays | Translation arranged separately, adding time |
| Child wellbeing considered in every recommendation | Outcomes focused primarily on the adult clients' positions |
Distinctive Features
What you will not find everywhere
A first meeting with no strings attached
The initial confidential meeting is a conversation, not a sales process. After it, you can take time to consider whether to proceed. There is no follow-up pressure, and no obligation of any kind.
A Chiang Mai practice that knows Chiang Mai
We are locally based and have worked with northern Thailand's courts and family services over many years. That local knowledge informs how we handle each matter.
Experience with mixed-nationality families
Cross-border family matters involve considerations that purely domestic practices may not be familiar with. We have handled many such cases and understand the relevant international elements.
A preference for mediated outcomes
Where possible, we encourage resolved arrangements rather than contested proceedings. Mediated agreements tend to be more durable and involve less strain on everyone — particularly children.
Track Record
Some markers from fourteen years of practice
14+
Years in family law
480+
Families assisted
3
Qualified practitioners
2
Languages of practice
Lawyers Council of Thailand
Licensed members in good standing
Chiang Mai Legal Community
Active member since 2013
Family Mediation Qualification
Qualified mediator on staff
Next Step
A private conversation to start with
Reach out when you feel ready. There is no rush, no obligation, and no pressure. A first conversation is simply a first conversation.
Arrange a Confidential Meeting