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HomeFamily LawDomestic Violence
How We Help
Domestic Violence
Protection in Thailand
Emergency protection orders, Family Court representation and confidential legal advice — for victims and families in Thailand, regardless of nationality.
If you are in immediate danger, call 191 (Police) or 1669 (Medical Emergency) first. Then contact us — we take it from there.
How We Help
What we do when you contact us
Safety is assessed first. Legal protection follows immediately.
1
Immediate Confidential Call — Safety Assessed First
We take these calls at any hour. Your safety and your children's safety are assessed immediately. If you are in immediate danger, contact police on 191 first — then contact us. We advise on what to do next, what to preserve as evidence and what legal protection is available right now.
2
Emergency Protection Order — Same Day if Needed
An emergency protection order can be issued within hours without the perpetrator being present. We apply immediately, whether through the police or directly to the court. The order can require the perpetrator to leave the home, prohibit contact and impose other immediate conditions.
3
Family Court Representation — Formal Protection Order
Following an emergency order, or where the situation requires formal court proceedings, we prepare and attend the Family Court hearing for you. A court protection order can prohibit contact, restrict child access and carry criminal penalties for breach.
4
Coordination with Divorce, Custody and Immigration
Domestic violence cases rarely exist in isolation. We ensure the legal approach coordinates with any parallel divorce, custody, criminal complaint or immigration consideration — so decisions made in one proceeding do not harm you in another.
Q
I am a foreign national. Does Thai law protect me?
Yes. Thailand's Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act B.E. 2550 applies regardless of the nationality of the victim or the perpetrator. A protection order can be obtained for a foreign national victim against a Thai or foreign perpetrator. Nationality is not a bar to protection.
Q
Do I need to be divorcing or separating to apply?
No. A protection order is available regardless of your marital or relationship status. You do not need to be divorcing, separated or to have filed any criminal complaint first. The protection order is a standalone legal remedy.
What We Do For Our Clients
The full scope of what we handle
Domestic violence cases are rarely straightforward. Here is the actual scope of what our team handles.
Emergency Protection Order Applications
We apply for emergency protection orders immediately — through the police or court — without the perpetrator needing to be present. An order can require the perpetrator to vacate the shared home, prohibit contact with you and your children and impose other urgent conditions. We do this at any hour.
Q
How quickly can you get a protection order?
An emergency protection order can be issued within hours in urgent situations — by the police or the court, without the perpetrator being present. We apply for emergency orders immediately. A formal court protection order from the Family Court follows after a hearing, which we prepare and attend for you.
Family Court Representation
Following an emergency order, or in non-emergency situations requiring formal protection, we represent you at the Family Court hearing. We prepare the application, compile the supporting evidence and attend for you. A formal court protection order is legally binding — breach is a criminal offence.
Q
Can my children be included in the order?
Yes. Children in the household can be protected under the same order as the primary victim. The court can restrict the perpetrator's access to and contact with children as part of the same proceedings. Where children are at risk, we apply for that protection alongside the order covering you.
Criminal Complaint Coordination
Domestic violence is also a criminal matter under the Thai Criminal Code. A criminal complaint can run in parallel with civil protection order proceedings. We advise on whether to pursue criminal charges, a protection order or both — based on your safety priorities and long-term objectives.
Divorce and Custody Coordination
Where you are considering divorce or where child custody is disputed, we coordinate the domestic violence proceedings with those matters from the start. What is recorded, what orders are obtained and what criminal complaints are filed can all affect custody and asset outcomes.
Q
What if I also want a divorce — does the DV case affect that?
It does, and it should be coordinated. How the domestic violence case is handled legally — what is recorded, what orders are obtained, what criminal complaints are filed — can affect divorce, custody and asset proceedings. We ensure the approach across all proceedings is coordinated from the start.
Foreign National and Embassy Support
We advise foreign national victims on their specific legal position in Thailand and coordinate with your embassy's welfare officer where consular assistance is useful — for interpretation, accommodation referrals, and in serious situations, repatriation.
Advice on Leaving Thailand with Children
Leaving Thailand with children has specific legal requirements. We address those in advance, ensure protection orders cover the transition period and advise on what is required at the border — so there are no obstacles when you are ready to go.
Q
I want to leave Thailand and go home. Can you help with that?
We can advise on the legal steps involved in leaving Thailand with children, ensure any protection orders cover the transition period, and liaise with your embassy's welfare officer on consular assistance. Leaving with children has specific legal requirements we address in advance so there are no obstacles at the border.
Our Commitment To You
What you can hold us to
Safety First. Full Stop.
If you contact us in an active domestic violence situation, our first response is always your safety and your children's safety. Legal process comes second. We provide immediate advice, move quickly on emergency protection and maintain full confidentiality throughout.
Emergency Orders at Any Hour
We do not handle these cases on office hours. If an emergency protection order is needed, we apply for it immediately — regardless of the time. You are not told to call back in the morning.
Q
How quickly can you get a protection order?
An emergency protection order can be issued within hours in urgent situations — by the police or the court, without the perpetrator being present. We apply for emergency orders immediately. A formal court protection order from the Family Court follows after a hearing, which we prepare and attend for you.
Full Confidentiality
Everything you tell us is subject to legal professional privilege. We do not contact the perpetrator, any shared contacts or anyone else without your explicit instruction. How and when any contact is made is your decision.
Coordinated Across Every Legal Issue
We do not treat the protection order as a standalone matter if there are also divorce, custody, immigration or criminal proceedings in play. The approach is coordinated from the first call — decisions in one proceeding do not inadvertently create problems in another.
Q
What if I also want a divorce — does the DV case affect that?
It does, and it should be coordinated. How the domestic violence case is handled legally — what is recorded, what orders are obtained, what criminal complaints are filed — can affect divorce, custody and asset proceedings. We ensure the approach across all proceedings is coordinated from the start.
Who You'll Work With
Real people, not a case number
Kanokpich Ukritdutsadee (Lawyer Pook)
Managing Director & Lead Barrister
Personally handles domestic violence protection cases. Responsible for all protection order applications and Family Court representation — and for ensuring any parallel divorce, custody or criminal proceedings are coordinated from the outset.
Brian Ramsden
General Manager of Foreign Affairs
First point of contact. Brian coordinates your initial call, ensures you are connected with the right resources immediately, and stays as your liaison throughout — including any embassy or consular contacts that are needed.
Related Resources
Domestic violence protection, in full detail
For a full explanation of the law, your rights and what protection is available, see our guidance page. Related legal services are also listed below.
Domestic Violence Guide
→The DVPA explained, emergency order process, rights and support contacts
Foreign Divorce Recognition
→Recognising a foreign divorce and divorcing across borders in Thailand
Child Support in Thailand
→Calculation, enforcement and cross-border support issues
Family Law
→All family law services for foreign nationals in Thailand
Lawyers for Expats Thailand, 2026. The content of this page is general legal information and does not constitute legal advice for any specific matter. Please contact us for advice on your individual circumstances.