Thailand Judicial Assistance

Party to Hague Service Convention? No
Party to Hague Evidence Convention? No
Party to Hague Apostille Convention? No
Party to Inter-American Convention? No
Service of Process by Mail? N/A

THE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN COUNTRIES IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A PARTICULAR CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN ATTORNEYS. THIS CIRCULAR SEEKS ONLY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION; IT IS NOT AN OPINION ON ANY ASPECT OF U.S., FOREIGN, OR INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DOES NOT INTEND BY THE CONTENTS OF THIS CIRCULAR TO TAKE A POSITION ON ANY ASPECT OF ANY PENDING LITIGATION.

Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy Bangkok
95 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
Telephone: 66-2-205-4049, 02-205-4049 (within Thailand)
Emergency Telephone: 66-2-205-4000, 02-205-4000 (within Thailand)
Fax: 66-2-205-4103, 02-205-4103 (within Thailand)
acsbkk@state.gov

CONSULATES

U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai
387 Witchayanond (Wichanond) Road
Chiang Mai 50300,Thailand
Telephone: 66-53-107-700, 053-107-700 (within Thailand)
Emergency Telephone: 66-81-881-1878, 081-881-1878 (within Thailand)
Fax: 66-53-252-633, 053-252-633 (within Thailand)

The U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai serves American Citizens in the following 15 northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaengphet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Petchabun, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak and Uttaradit.

acschn@state.gov
List of Attorneys
U.S. Embassy Bangkok
Helpful Links
None.
Service of Process

Thailand is not a party to the Hague Service Convention.  In the absence of any prohibition against it, service of process in Thailand may be effected by mail, by agent, such as a local attorney, or through letters rogatory.  Litigants may wish to consult an attorney in Thailand before pursuing a particular method of service of process, particularly if enforcement of a U.S. judgment is contemplated in the future.

Service on a Foreign State:  See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.

Criminal Matters

U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.

Defense Requests in Criminal Matters:  Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.

Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters
None.
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
Authorities in Thailand have advised the U.S. Embassy that voluntary depositions of willing witnesses in civil and commercial matters may be taken before U.S. consular officers in Thailand pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.  Thailand is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention.  Voluntary depositions may be conducted in Thailand regardless of the nationality of the witness, provided no compulsion is used.  Oral depositions or depositions on written questions may be taken by U.S. consular officers or by private attorneys from the United States or Thailand at the U.S. Embassy or at another location such as a hotel or office, either on notice or pursuant to a commission.  If the services of a U.S. consular officer are required to administer an oath to the witness, interpreter and stenographer, such arrangements must be made in advance with the U.S. embassy directly.
Authentication of Documents
For authentication of documents for use in Thailand, see the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office page.  To obtain an authenticated copy of a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America or a Consular Report of Death, contact the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Vital Records Office.  Thailand is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.