Draft, review and notarise bilingual Thai–English contracts
A bilingual contract presents Thai and English side by side with a clause stating which language prevails in a conflict. We check that both language versions match, that obligations are unambiguous, and that governing law and dispute resolution are workable. A standard review takes two to five working days depending on length and complexity.
Who this is for: Companies contracting with foreign counterparties, employers of foreign staff, landlords, and freelancers working cross-border.
Key facts
| Common types | Employment, lease, NDA, services, distribution, sale and purchase |
|---|---|
| Standard turnaround | Review 2–5 working days; full drafting 3–7 working days |
| Deliverable | Marked-up draft, risk summary and ready-to-use alternative wording |
| Add-ons | Signature notarisation and certified translations for filing |
Documents to prepare
- Current draft in an editable file (Word or Docs)
- Commercial annexes such as quotations, scope of work and delivery schedules
- Company affidavits for both parties
- Identification of the authorised signatories
- Agreed commercial terms: duration, termination, liability caps
- Internal policies or standard templates, if any
How the work actually runs
- 1. Brief and risk framing
We map the commercial objective, bargaining position and non-negotiables so the review targets what actually matters.
Handled by: Legal adviser · Time: Same day to 1 working day
- 2. Bilingual consistency check
Clause-by-clause comparison of the Thai and English texts, focusing on definitions, penalties and termination.
Handled by: Legal team and legal translators · Time: 2–4 working days
- 3. Risk summary
High, medium and low risk items with alternative wording you can send straight to the counterparty.
Handled by: Legal adviser · Time: 1 working day
- 4. Redraft as agreed
Both language versions are aligned and a prevailing-language clause is added.
Handled by: Legal team · Time: 1–3 working days
- 5. Manage signing
Verify signing authority and, where required, notarise the signatures.
Handled by: Notarial attorney · Time: Same day
- 6. Certified translation for filing
Issue certified translations for government, bank or overseas submission.
Handled by: Certified translation team · Time: 1–3 working days
Why cases get rejected
- No prevailing-language clause when two versions conflict
- Literal translation of legal definitions that changes their meaning
- Signature by a person outside the authority stated in the company affidavit
- Foreign governing law and forum chosen without weighing enforcement cost
- No data-protection clause despite cross-border personal data transfers
Compare your options
| Option | Use when | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review only | The counterparty has issued a draft and you need the risk picture | 2–5 working days | Includes a risk summary and replacement wording |
| Full drafting | No draft exists or the existing one is heavily one-sided | 3–7 working days | You control the structure from the start |
| Review plus notarisation plus certified translation | The contract must be filed or used abroad | 5–10 working days | One provider handles the whole chain |
Frequently asked questions
Is a prevailing-language clause necessary?
Always advisable. Without it, a conflict between the two versions turns into a lengthy interpretation dispute.
Anything special about employing foreign staff?
The contract should align with Thai labour law and with the position stated on the work permit and visa conditions.
Do you review contracts in languages other than English?
Yes. Our legal translators work alongside Thai advisers so the legal meaning survives the language transfer.
Does every contract need notarised signatures?
No, but it is needed for foreign authorities, many banks, and where signatory identity may later have to be proved.
Are electronic signatures acceptable?
Thai law recognises electronic transactions in many cases, but certain documents and authorities still require wet-ink originals, so check the destination requirement first.
How long for a 50-page contract?
Typically 5–10 working days for a detailed bilingual review; key clauses can be prioritised if signing is imminent.
Can you support negotiations?
Yes. We prepare negotiation positions and fallback wording and can join calls with the counterparty or their counsel.
What if I want it handled end to end?
We cover drafting, review, negotiation wording, signing, notarisation, certified translation and filing.
We work as advisers rather than a mark-up service: every comment explains the business impact of the risk and offers alternative wording counterparties usually accept, drawn from more than 15 years of cross-border document and contract work.
Send your documents on LINE for a reviewRather not handle the paperwork? Our advisory team, 15+ years in the field, runs the whole chain for you.
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Official sources
Talk to our advisory team before you start
Our team has over 15 years of experience in translation, certification, and filings with Thai and overseas authorities. We advise on choosing the correct certification route, sequencing your documents, and repairing files that were previously refused.
- A case review before work begins, so you only prepare the documents that are genuinely required
- The correct order of steps from day one, reducing the risk of a refusal and a restart
- A plain explanation of the destination authority's stated requirements as published at the time of advice
- If you would rather not handle it yourself, we run the full process end to end and return the finished file
Final acceptance rests with the receiving authority. Our guidance follows the latest verifiable published practice.