Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya lawyers this week began offering free legal advice and
assistance to tourists and residents at an expanded legal center at the
Pattaya Court in Jomtien.
Pattaya Court Chief Justice
Apichart Thepnu talks about the newly expanded legal center at the
Pattaya Court in Jomtien.
Pattaya Court Chief Justice Apichart Thepnu, tourist
police, immigrations officers and city officials cut the ribbon on the
new center a few days before its “official” opening Sept. 5.
The center, located in the Jomtien courthouse, has legal professionals
and volunteers providing assistance in matters including opening
businesses, buying properties, reconciling private disputes, domestic
violence and environmental crimes. The center also serves as a precursor
to a planned “tourist court” that will offer expedited prosecution of
civil and criminal cases.
Pattaya has been selected as the location of the first tourist court,
although no start date has been announced.
For now, the center will provide advice to tourists, organize
complaints, clarify cases within 24 hours to complete civil cases as
fast as possible. For criminal cases, tourists must file complaints and
then the court will request the questioning of witnesses before the
tourist leaves the country.
