About Bua Chambers
Family Law Rooted
in Compassion
We are a Phuket-based family law practice that believes legal guidance should feel calming, not overwhelming. Every family is different; we take the time to understand yours.
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Where the Name Comes From
The lotus — bua in Thai — rises through still water to reach the surface undisturbed. It became our symbol when we founded this practice in Phuket, because it reflects what we aim to provide: a way through difficulty that does not require force, only patience and the right direction.
Bua Chambers opened in 2017 with a single principle in mind: families going through hard times deserve straightforward legal support, not complexity layered on top of complexity. Our founding advisors had worked in large commercial firms and noticed that family clients — the most emotionally exposed clients — were often handled transactionally. We wanted to change that.
Today we assist Thai and expatriate families across Phuket and the Andaman coast. We are small by design, because small means each client receives genuine attention from experienced advisors — not from trainees following a script.
Our Mission
What We Are Here To Do
Family law touches people at their most vulnerable. A divorce is not just a legal transaction — it restructures lives. A custody matter is not just a procedural step — it shapes how children experience their childhood. We carry that weight seriously.
Our mission is to give every client a clear, honest picture of their situation and the paths available to them — then help them move forward at a pace that feels manageable. We do not push for court when negotiation would serve better. We do not complicate when simplicity is possible.
We measure success by how settled our clients feel when a matter concludes — not by how many hours we billed.
The People Behind the Practice
Our Team
Somchai Khlongthong
Principal Advisor & Co-Founder
Called to the Thai Bar in 2009, Somchai has spent his career in family proceedings. He is known for his composed manner in difficult hearings and his ability to find workable arrangements where others see impasse.
Nattaya Phetmanee
Senior Legal Advisor
Nattaya focuses on child arrangements and cross-border family matters. She brings ten years of experience working with expatriate families and has a particular sensitivity to the complexities of international custody situations.
James Lawson
Advisory Consultant (International Cases)
An English-qualified solicitor with dual practice experience, James assists on cases involving foreign nationals, offshore assets, and matters where Thai and overseas legal systems intersect. He has lived in Phuket since 2014.
Our Commitments
Professional Standards
Thai Bar Association
All licensed advisors at Bua Chambers hold current Thai Bar Association membership and comply fully with its conduct and continuing education requirements.
Client Confidentiality
All information shared with us is protected by legal professional privilege. We operate strict data handling procedures and do not discuss client matters with external parties under any circumstances.
Written Summaries
After every consultation, we send a written summary of what was discussed and the options available. Nothing relies on memory — you have a clear record you can refer back to.
Child Welfare Priority
In all matters involving minors, our advice is shaped by Thailand's Children and Youth Development guidelines, ensuring the child's long-term wellbeing remains the central consideration.
Bilingual Service
We work in English and Thai. All key documents are available in both languages and we are attentive to nuance when translating legal concepts between contexts.
Ongoing Case Reviews
We review each case regularly rather than waiting for the next scheduled milestone. If circumstances change, we respond and advise — you are never left without a current picture of where your matter stands.
Family Law in Phuket — What That Means in Practice
Phuket's population includes a substantial international community — retirees, business owners, professionals, and their families — many of whom find themselves navigating Thai family law without prior experience of the local system. Thai law governs family matters for all residents, regardless of nationality. The Civil and Commercial Code sets out how marriages are registered and dissolved, how parental rights are assessed, and how maintenance obligations are calculated.
Bua Chambers works at the intersection of that legal framework and the realities facing real families in Phuket. We are familiar with the Phuket Provincial Court's family division, the district offices where administrative separations are registered, and the documentation standards Thai courts apply. This local knowledge shortens the process for our clients and reduces the kind of procedural delays that can extend distressing situations unnecessarily.
For expatriate families, additional layers arise: foreign marriage certificates, assets held in multiple jurisdictions, parental rights across borders. We address these carefully, drawing on our international advisory capacity to provide coordinated, sensible guidance rather than piecemeal advice from multiple directions.
Whether a matter is straightforward or complex, our approach is the same: understand the full situation before advising, communicate clearly throughout, and focus on outcomes that serve the long-term interests of those involved — most importantly, any children in the picture.
We Are Here When You Need to Talk
An initial conversation with our team carries no obligation. We will listen carefully and help you understand what the relevant options look like in your situation.
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