Our story
How Saphan Jai came to be
Saphan Jai was established in Bangkok in 2014 by a small group of lawyers who had grown tired of the way family legal matters were typically handled — quickly, transactionally, and without much regard for the emotional weight they carry. They believed there was a better way.
The name was chosen carefully. Saphan (สะพาน) means bridge, and Jai (ใจ) means heart. Together, "Bridge of Hearts" captures what we try to do: help people cross from uncertainty toward clarity, not by pushing them forward, but by walking alongside them.
Over more than a decade, we have supported individuals and families through some of the most difficult chapters of their lives — separations, estate questions, child arrangements, and more. The work has not changed, but our understanding of what people need from it has only deepened.
Our mission
What guides us
Dignity in every interaction
We treat every person who comes to us as a whole human being, not a case number. The manner in which we work matters as much as the outcome we pursue.
Clarity without jargon
Legal processes can obscure rather than illuminate. We translate the process into plain terms so that our clients make their own decisions fully informed.
Long-term thinking
Family matters have lives beyond court dates. We consider how resolutions will feel months and years from now, not just today.
The people
Our Team
Small enough to know you by name. Experienced enough to handle what you are facing.
Patcharin Wongthep
Lead Counsel & Founder
Over eighteen years in Thai family law. Patcharin built Saphan Jai from the conviction that legal help should feel human, not clinical.
Somchai Kaewmanee
Senior Mediator
A trained mediator with a background in psychology. Somchai brings calm to conversations that feel impossibly difficult to start.
Nanthipha Lertchai
Case Coordinator & Client Liaison
Nanthipha is often the first person clients speak with. She ensures every step of the process is clearly communicated and properly supported.
How we work
Professional Standards
The standards we hold ourselves to are not just professional requirements — they reflect the respect we have for the people who trust us.
Thai Bar Association Members
All legal practitioners at Saphan Jai are registered members of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and hold current practising licences.
Client Confidentiality
We operate under strict professional confidentiality. Client information and case details are never shared without explicit consent.
Impartial Mediation Standards
Our mediators follow the guidelines of the Thailand Arbitration Center and international mediation best practices for family disputes.
Data Protection
Client data is stored securely in line with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). You retain control of your information.
Regular Case Updates
Clients receive clear, timely updates at each stage of their matter — no lengthy silences, no unexplained delays.
Ethical Fee Practices
Pricing is disclosed upfront and in writing before any work begins. We do not add charges that have not been agreed in advance.
Family legal support in Bangkok — a considered approach
Family legal matters in Thailand are governed by the Civil and Commercial Code, and navigating that framework whilst also managing personal pressures is rarely straightforward. At Saphan Jai, we provide services that address both the procedural and the personal dimensions of these situations. Whether a client needs to understand their position before making any decisions, or they require representation through a court process, we adapt our level of involvement to what is genuinely needed — not what generates the most work.
Our office in Bang Rak, Bangkok, sits at the heart of a city where many expatriate and mixed-nationality families make their home. We work with clients from a range of backgrounds and are experienced in matters that involve cross-border considerations — including questions of foreign marriage recognition, international child arrangements, and jurisdiction. All consultations are conducted in English, and translation support is available on request. Our clients value the fact that we speak plainly, move at a pace they can follow, and take the time to answer questions properly.
Ready to have a first conversation?
There is no obligation. An initial meeting is simply an opportunity to be heard and to understand your options — nothing more is required.
Arrange a Consultation