Our Chambers
A Practice Built on Patience and Precision
Garuda Counsel was founded in Bangkok to provide considered, specialist counsel in pension rights — a field that demands both legal knowledge and a quiet, methodical temperament.
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From Sathorn Road, Serving Those Who Deserve a Fair Reckoning
Garuda Counsel opened its doors on Sathorn Road with a particular observation: that individuals with legitimate pension claims often found themselves without the specialist guidance to navigate the formal processes available to them. Contribution records were unclear, calculation methods opaque, and cross-border complications left many long-term workers with less than they were due.
The practice was founded to address that gap directly. We do not offer a wide range of legal services. We work in one area — pension rights — and we work in it thoroughly. Our approach draws on experience with Thai pension administration, international bilateral arrangements, and the appeal structures available to individuals whose calculations have been disputed.
Over the years we have assisted individuals approaching retirement, those who have already received a pension calculation that appeared incorrect, and long-term expatriates whose contribution records span multiple national systems. Each matter is handled with the same careful rhythm: document first, advise in writing, confirm before proceeding.
We are based in Bang Rak, Bangkok, and work with clients across Thailand and internationally by correspondence and video conference. Our working language is English, and we aim to produce advice that can be understood by any intelligent reader regardless of their legal background.
Our Mission
To ensure that every individual who has contributed to a pension scheme receives the benefit of a thorough, calm, and professionally sound review of their position.
Our Focus
Pension entitlement reviews, calculation dispute representation, and cross-border pension rights counsel for individuals in Thailand and internationally.
Our Approach
Written confirmation at every stage. No pressure. No unexplained charges. A deliberate pace that respects the gravity of pension decisions.
Our People
The Counsel Behind the Practice
Kamonwan Phothirat
Senior Pension Counsel
Fourteen years advising on pension entitlement and administrative appeals. Previously with the Social Security Office advisory division, Bangkok.
Richard Sörensen
Cross-Border Pension Specialist
Specialist in bilateral pension treaty coordination across European, Australian, and Southeast Asian systems. Based in Bangkok since 2011.
Nattaya Wongchai
Casework Coordinator
Manages client documentation, correspondence with administering authorities, and appointment scheduling. Fluent in Thai and English.
Our Standards
Professional Protocols We Maintain
The conduct of pension matters demands care with both legal process and personal information. The following standards guide every engagement.
Written Confirmation Protocol
Every instruction, scope of work, and recommendation is confirmed in writing before any further step is taken. Nothing is assumed.
Client Confidentiality
All documentation and personal data is handled under strict confidentiality. We do not share client information without explicit consent.
Documentation Standards
We follow consistent document management practices. Records are retained securely and made available to clients on request throughout the engagement.
Fee Transparency
Our service fees are stated clearly at the outset. Any work beyond the agreed scope is discussed and confirmed in writing before it proceeds.
Independent Review Process
Each written opinion is reviewed internally before being issued. We do not present preliminary notes as final advice.
Continuing Professional Development
Our counsel team maintains current knowledge of Thai pension legislation, bilateral treaty developments, and relevant administrative changes.
Expertise
Pension Rights in the Thai and International Context
Thailand's pension system involves several distinct schemes — the Social Security Fund for private-sector employees, the Government Pension Fund for civil servants, and voluntary private arrangements. Each operates under its own qualifying criteria, contribution structures, and calculation methodology. Individuals who have worked across these schemes may find that their records are distributed across different administering bodies.
Where a calculation appears to understate contributions, or where an individual suspects that periods of employment have not been recorded, the formal appeal process provides a structured route for review. Garuda Counsel assists clients in preparing the documentation required for those reviews and in presenting the matter clearly to the relevant authority.
International Dimension
Cross-Border Contributions and Bilateral Arrangements
For individuals who have worked in more than one country, the coordination of pension entitlements between national systems adds a further layer of complexity. Bilateral social security arrangements — where they exist — may allow contribution periods in one country to be taken into account when assessing entitlement in another. Understanding whether such arrangements apply, and how to present a claim under them, requires familiarity with both domestic and international administrative frameworks.
Our cross-border pension counsel service addresses precisely this situation. We review contribution records from multiple jurisdictions, identify the applicable arrangements, and prepare the submissions required to advance the client's position with each relevant authority.
Next Steps
A First Appointment Carries No Obligation Beyond It
Our Pension Entitlement Review is designed as a first step — a careful, documented assessment of your position. You are under no pressure to proceed further. Contact us to arrange a time that suits.
Contact Garuda Counsel