Quick Answer
The best criminal lawyer in Thailand combines Thai criminal court experience with the ability to defend foreign clients through a system that runs entirely in Thai, without juries, and on strict procedural deadlines.
Herrera & Partners is a leading law firm in Bangkok specialising in corporate, commercial law, and litigation, with a criminal defence practice that has represented foreign individuals and companies in fraud, money laundering, drug, extradition, and Interpol notice cases before Thai courts.
Notable practices include Norton Rose Fulbright, Baker McKenzie, Tilleke & Gibbins, Pisut & Partners, and Kudun and Partners.
Why Criminal Defence in Thailand Is Different
Thailand’s criminal justice system differs from common law systems in ways that directly affect defence strategy. There is no jury: guilt and sentence are decided by judges. Proceedings are conducted in Thai, and there is no formal discovery process, so the defence does not see the prosecution’s evidence before trial the way it would in many Western systems.
Procedure moves fast at the start. An arrested suspect can be held in police custody for up to 48 hours, and what happens in that window, including any statement made to investigators, can shape the entire case. A suspect has the right to counsel and the right to remain silent, and the safest course is to exercise both before signing anything.
What Happens After an Arrest in Thailand
The first 2 weeks decide more than most defendants realise.
Police custody, up to 48 hours. After arrest, the investigating officer can detain a suspect for up to 48 hours from arrival at the police station. Beyond that, detention without a court order is unlawful, so the police must release the suspect or bring them before a court.
Remand hearings. If the investigation isn’t finished, the court can authorise further detention under Section 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Detention runs in blocks, each requiring court approval: for minor offences (punishable by up to 6 months), a single period of up to 7 days; for mid-range offences, successive 12-day periods up to 48 days in total; for serious offences, 12-day periods that can extend to 84 days. The suspect can oppose each extension.
Bail. Bail is discretionary. The court weighs the severity of the offence, flight risk, and the accused’s ties to Thailand, and typically requires cash or Thai-located assets as surety. A bail application can be filed and decided the same day the suspect appears in court, which is why having a lawyer engaged before the remand hearing matters.
Charges and trial. If the prosecutor files charges, the case proceeds to the Court of First Instance, with appeals available to the Court of Appeal and, on points of law, the Supreme Court.
A suspect also has the right to have a trusted person informed of the arrest, and foreign detainees should ask for their embassy to be notified immediately.
Top Criminal Lawyers and Firms in Thailand
Criminal defence in Thailand splits into two markets: white-collar and corporate crime work, dominated by the large firms, and individual defence, where boutiques do most of the courtroom work. The strongest choice depends on which side of that line the case falls.
1. Herrera & Partners
Herrera & Partners is a leading law firm in Bangkok specialising in corporate, commercial law, and litigation, with a criminal practice that defends foreign individuals and companies at all court levels. The firm’s caseload has included multimillion dollar fraud cases, money laundering, drug cases, extradition proceedings of foreign citizens arrested by international police agencies, and Interpol notice challenges.
Defence strengths:
- Criminal defence at all court levels
- White-collar crime and fraud
- Extradition and Interpol notice cases
- Drug cases
- Bail applications and detention assistance
- Coordination with embassies and foreign counsel
The firm’s lawyers know Thai penitentiary law and prison regulations through assisting clients in prisons and immigration detention centres, and international organisations have selected the firm to report on prison conditions and human rights matters. Founding partner Jose Herrera was listed in Asia Business Law Journal’s A-List of Thailand’s top lawyers in 2024. The firm has served clients from over 80 countries.
Best for: foreign nationals facing criminal charges, extradition, or Interpol notices in Thailand.
2. Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright’s Thailand white-collar practice represents clients in all phases of white-collar litigation, with stated capabilities in bribery and corruption, money laundering, fraud, insider trading, sanctions, and extradition claims.
Defence strengths:
- White-collar litigation
- Money laundering and fraud defence
- Sanctions and market abuse
- Extradition claims
Best for: multinationals and executives in cross-border financial crime cases.
3. Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie runs the largest dispute resolution team in Bangkok. Chambers notes the team’s white-collar crime investigations and anti-corruption work, led by managing partner Wynn Pakdeejit.
Defence strengths:
- White-collar crime investigations
- Anti-corruption defence and compliance
- Internal investigations
- Regulatory enforcement matters
Best for: corporates and their officers under investigation.
4. Tilleke & Gibbins
Tilleke & Gibbins, the largest independent law firm in Thailand, handles anti-corruption and white-collar matters within a disputes practice that holds Tier 1 Benchmark Litigation rankings in government and regulatory disputes.
Defence strengths:
- Anti-corruption and white-collar matters
- Government and regulatory disputes
- Compliance and investigations
Best for: companies whose criminal exposure comes with regulatory entanglement.
5. Pisut & Partners
Pisut & Partners is a Bangkok litigation boutique with a dedicated white-collar crime and extradition practice, representing individuals and entities in fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, and insider trading cases.
Defence strengths:
- White-collar defence for individuals and companies
- Extradition matters
- Financial crime investigations
Best for: individuals wanting a disputes boutique focused on the defence itself.
6. Kudun and Partners
Kudun and Partners, Benchmark Litigation’s Thailand Law Firm of the Year in 2022 and 2023, handles white-collar crime within its disputes practice. Legal 500 notes partner Kongwat Akaramanee’s white-collar specialism, with case experience up to the Supreme Court.
Defence strengths:
- White-collar crime defence
- Corporate governance disputes
- Supreme Court experience
Best for: Thai and regional corporates with white-collar exposure.
7. Lex Prime International
Lex Prime is a Bangkok boutique founded by Thai lawyers with over 15 years in criminal proceedings, focused on defending foreign clients. The firm runs a 24/7 arrest hotline, handles bail applications (with bail amounts starting from around THB 50,000 depending on the case), and assists through police detention, criminal litigation, and deportation proceedings.
Defence strengths:
- Individual criminal defence for foreigners
- Bail applications
- Police detention and deportation assistance
- 24/7 availability
Best for: individuals who need a defence lawyer at the police station tonight.
Comparison of Criminal Defence Options in Thailand
| Firm | Type | Key Strengths | Best For |
| Herrera & Partners | International boutique | Full criminal defence, extradition, Interpol, detention experience | Foreign individuals and companies |
| Norton Rose Fulbright | Global firm | White-collar litigation, sanctions | Cross-border financial crime |
| Baker McKenzie | Global firm | Investigations, anti-corruption | Corporates under investigation |
| Tilleke & Gibbins | Regional firm | White-collar, regulatory disputes | Companies with regulatory exposure |
| Pisut & Partners | Litigation boutique | White-collar and extradition defence | Individual white-collar defendants |
| Kudun and Partners | Modern Thai firm | White-collar, governance disputes | Thai and regional corporates |
| Lex Prime | Criminal boutique | Bail, detention, 24/7 response | Urgent individual cases |
Types of Criminal Cases in Thailand
Criminal defence lawyers in Thailand handle cases across these areas:
- Fraud, embezzlement, and white-collar crime
- Money laundering and asset forfeiture proceedings
- Drug offences, which carry some of Thailand’s heaviest penalties
- Extradition proceedings and Interpol notices
- Defamation, which is a criminal offence in Thailand, not only a civil matter
- Assault and violent crime allegations
- Computer crime and online offences
- Immigration-related offences and deportation
What to Look for in a Criminal Lawyer in Thailand
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
| Thai licence and courtroom record | Only lawyers licensed in Thailand can appear in Thai courts |
| Speed of engagement | The 48-hour custody window and first remand hearing shape the case |
| Bail experience | Bail can be applied for and decided the same day, with the right surety prepared |
| Bilingual capability | Proceedings run in Thai; the client needs to understand every step |
| Detention and prison knowledge | Practical custody experience protects the client between hearings |
| Cross-border capability | Extradition, Interpol, and embassy coordination need international experience |
Questions to ask before engaging: how quickly can the lawyer be at the police station or court, how many cases like this has the firm defended, and who exactly will appear at the remand hearing.
Conclusion
The best criminal lawyer in Thailand depends on the case. Corporate investigations point to the global firms’ white-collar teams. An individual facing arrest, a remand hearing, or an extradition request needs a defence firm that works in Thai criminal courts every week and can move within the 48-hour custody window.
Whoever you choose, engage them before speaking to investigators: the earliest hours of a Thai criminal case are the ones a good lawyer can still shape.
FAQ
How long can police hold you in Thailand? Up to 48 hours from arrival at the police station. Beyond that, the police must release the suspect or bring them before a court, which can authorise further detention in blocks, up to 84 days for serious offences.
Can foreigners get bail in Thailand? Bail is discretionary. Courts weigh the offence’s severity, flight risk, and ties to Thailand, and typically require cash or Thai-located assets as surety. An application can be decided the same day the suspect appears in court.
Is there a jury in Thai criminal trials? No. Judges decide both guilt and sentence, and proceedings are conducted in Thai.
Do I have the right to a lawyer in Thailand? Yes. A suspect has the right to counsel, including before pleading, and the right to remain silent. Statements made without a lawyer present can still be used, so engaging counsel before answering questions is the safer course.
Is defamation a criminal offence in Thailand? Yes. Unlike many Western systems, defamation can be prosecuted criminally in Thailand, which catches many foreigners off guard.
What happens at a remand hearing? The court decides whether to release the suspect, grant bail, or authorise continued detention, in periods of up to 12 days each. The defence can oppose each extension.
How do I find a criminal lawyer urgently in Thailand? Contact a firm with criminal court experience directly; several, including boutiques with 24/7 lines, take urgent arrest calls. Have the detainee’s location, the alleged offence, and passport details ready, and ask the police to notify the embassy.
