Built on Careful Practice
Garuda Helm was established in Bangkok to serve individuals and families who need attentive, technically sound succession law guidance — without the anonymity of large corporate firms.
← Back to HomeThe Practice Behind the Name
Garuda Helm was founded with a specific purpose: to provide succession planning services in Bangkok that combine sound knowledge of Thai law with a genuine understanding of the international dimension that many residents here face.
The firm works primarily with individuals and families who have assets or beneficiaries across more than one country, and with long-term Thailand residents — both Thai nationals and expatriates — who want to put their affairs in order in a considered way.
We are not a generalist firm. Our focus on wills and estate matters means that the practitioners who handle your documents have thought carefully about succession law and its practical consequences, not just the legal technicalities in isolation.
Our office is located in Bangrak, one of Bangkok's historic riverside districts, at 55/2 Charoenkrung Road. This is by design — the area has long been home to longstanding professional practices, and we feel at home here.
What Guides Our Work
Precision over volume
We take on the number of clients we can serve well. Your matter receives deliberate attention, not a template.
Clarity in communication
Legal documents can be complex; our explanations of them should not be. We work to ensure clients understand what they are signing and why.
Confidentiality as standard
Succession matters involve family, finances, and relationships. We treat all client information with the discretion these subjects deserve.
Long-term perspective
Wills and estate plans may need adjustment as lives change. We build relationships that can accommodate that continuity.
Who Works on Your Matter
Pattaraporn Maneekul
Admitted to the Thai Bar and specialising in succession law under the Civil and Commercial Code. Pattaraporn has handled estate matters for Thai and international clients for over twelve years, with particular depth in probate proceedings and contested heir situations.
Jonathan Fairweather
Jonathan brings a background in English law and international estate coordination to the practice. He leads the firm's cross-border planning engagements and manages relationships with foreign counsel in Europe, Australia, and North America.
Siriporn Kasemsan
Siriporn coordinates the administrative and procedural side of estate matters — tracking court filings, maintaining document registers, and acting as the point of contact for clients throughout longer probate proceedings.
Professional Standards
Thai Bar Association Compliance
Our practitioners hold current Thai Bar Association memberships and comply with all applicable professional conduct obligations.
Client Data Protection
Client files and personal information are maintained under strict access controls, in line with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Document Review Protocol
Every instrument is reviewed independently by a second practitioner before it is presented to the client for signature.
Clear Fee Arrangements
Engagement fees are agreed in writing before work begins. There are no surprises in what you will be asked to pay.
Bilingual Documentation
Where a certified translation is required, we coordinate with approved legal translators to ensure documents are accurate in both Thai and English.
Ongoing Review Commitment
Succession plans should reflect current circumstances. Will preparation includes a complimentary review consultation at the two-year mark.
Succession Planning in Bangkok: What to Consider
Thailand's Civil and Commercial Code sets out a structured framework for inheritance that determines who may inherit when no will exists, and what constraints apply when one does. For Thai nationals and foreign residents with assets here, understanding this framework — and how it may interact with other jurisdictions — forms the foundation of sound estate planning.
A properly prepared will provides direction to those responsible for administering your estate. It can designate executors, specify asset distribution, and reduce the scope for ambiguity in situations that are already difficult for families. Without one, the statutory hierarchy of heirs under Thai law applies — an outcome that may not align with your intentions.
For individuals with connections to multiple countries, succession can be more complex. Different legal systems have different rules about which law applies to which assets, and what portions beneficiaries are entitled to claim. Coordinating these elements carefully — before they become relevant — is the work that cross-border estate planning addresses.
Garuda Helm operates at the intersection of Thai succession law and international estate planning, with specific experience in the Bangkok context. Whether you are preparing a straightforward will or working through a more intricate multi-jurisdiction arrangement, our approach is the same: careful, clear, and grounded in the specifics of your situation.
Speak with the Garuda Helm Team
An initial conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. We are glad to answer questions and help you understand whether and how we can assist.
Get in Touch