About Phukphan
A practice built for families, not for courts
We believe legal support for families should feel calm, clear, and humane — not adversarial. That conviction shapes everything we do.
← Back to HomeOur Story
How Phukphan came to be
Phukphan was founded in Chiang Mai in 2011 by a small group of legal professionals who had spent years working within larger firms, often frustrated by how impersonal family matters were handled. They saw families going through deeply personal situations being processed quickly, without the time or care those situations deserved.
The name Phukphan reflects a concept central to the practice: connection and commitment. The aim was to build something smaller, more attentive, and more honest — a practice where each family receives the time needed to understand their situation and make decisions they feel settled in.
Over the years, the practice has worked with hundreds of families across northern Thailand, including a significant number of international families who have made Chiang Mai their home. We handle matters in both English and Thai, and we remain committed to keeping the focus where it belongs — on the people involved, not the process.
Our Mission
What guides our work
Everything shared with us remains confidential. We do not discuss our clients with others, and we do not use sensitive information outside of what is strictly necessary.
We aim for arrangements that work for everyone over time, especially for any children involved. Sustainable outcomes matter more to us than tactical victories.
We spend time understanding your situation before offering any direction. Family matters are rarely straightforward, and good advice requires proper context.
The People
Who you will work with
A small, experienced team where every member is personally involved in the work — not just the administration of it.
Somchai Phukphan
Senior Family Law Advisor
Over eighteen years advising families across northern Thailand. Somchai leads consultations and guides clients through care and custody matters with particular patience.
Nattaya Wongsakul
Legal Practitioner & Mediator
Nattaya handles complex proceedings and is qualified as a family mediator. She works across both Thai and international family cases, primarily in English.
Kanchana Pattana
Client Support & Documentation
Kanchana ensures that every administrative detail is handled carefully, and that clients always know the status of their matter without having to chase for updates.
Standards
How we maintain quality and care
Family law requires not just legal knowledge but also professional discipline and personal responsibility. These are the standards we hold ourselves to.
Registered with the Thai Bar
All legal practitioners are registered members of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, maintaining current licences and ongoing professional development.
Strict confidentiality protocols
Client information is stored securely and accessed only by those directly working on a matter. We do not discuss cases externally, ever.
Plain communication standard
We commit to explaining every development in plain terms. If documentation is complex, we summarise it clearly before asking you to sign anything.
Child-centred approach
In all matters involving children, we follow guidance consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Thai family law provisions for minors.
Transparent fee agreements
All fees are agreed in writing before work begins. We do not add charges without discussion, and we explain any third-party costs before they arise.
Continuing legal education
Our team participates in annual professional development in family law, mediation practice, and cross-border legal matters affecting families in Thailand.
Our Values in Practice
What working with Phukphan looks like day to day
Family legal matters rarely fit neatly into categories. A custody arrangement may also involve questions about residence and schooling. A separation may touch on property, financial support, and future communication between parents. At Phukphan, we approach each situation in its entirety rather than treating one part in isolation.
We take on a limited number of matters at any one time so that the people working on your case can give it the attention it needs. This means you will generally be in contact with the same one or two people throughout, rather than being passed between staff members. Continuity matters in sensitive work.
Our office in the Nimmanhaemin area of Chiang Mai is quiet and comfortable, set up to be a straightforward place to talk. For those who prefer not to come in person, we are also able to conduct initial conversations by telephone or secure video call. The important thing is that you feel at ease in the process.
We work with Thai nationals, long-term residents, and expatriate families. We understand the particular questions that arise in mixed-nationality families — questions around jurisdiction, the recognition of agreements across borders, and the rights of parents and children in a legal environment that may differ from what they know from elsewhere.
Talk to Us
A quiet conversation costs nothing to start
We are happy to answer a general question before you decide whether to come in. Reach out at a time that suits you.
Get in Touch