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Q1015. Which language should govern a bilingual Thai-English contract?
Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation legal team
If disputes will be heard in a Thai court, documents must be filed with a Thai translation, and naming the Thai text as governing removes an entire layer of argument about meaning. If the deal is negotiated in English and disputes go to arbitration abroad, an English governing text is reasonable. What you should never do is give both versions equal force with no tie-breaker — that turns every ambiguity into a second dispute. We prepare matched Thai and English counterparts with an agreed terminology table. Talk it through with our Thai-licensed lawyers by phone, LINE or email before you act.
General information on Thai law, not legal advice for a specific matter. Statutes and court practice change.
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Official sources — legal services
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- Office of the Judiciary— Office of the Judiciary
- Ministry of Justice— Ministry of Justice
- Lawyers Council of Thailand — Notarial Services Attorneys— Lawyers Council of Thailand
- Office of the Council of State — Thai law database— Office of the Council of State
- Royal Thai Government Gazette— Royal Thai Government Gazette
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