Someone in Thailand can handle most Indian legal work without travelling. As far as we know Thailand is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are usually notarised in Thailand, legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok and then attested by the Embassy of India, or signed and attested directly at the Indian mission. Thailand is not a reciprocating territory, so Thai judgments need a fresh suit in India. India and Thailand have a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Thai notarial service attorney, Thai MFA legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Thailand all year (no daylight saving)
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- Not in force as far as known: consular attestation (check current status)
Indians in Thailand and Thai business with India
The Indian community in Thailand is old and well rooted. Punjabi and Sindhi families in Bangkok's Pahurat and Sukhumvit areas have traded in textiles, tailoring, jewellery and real estate for generations, and many are now Thai citizens with family property in India. Gem and jewellery traders work between Jaipur, Mumbai and Bangkok, and Indian professionals work in hospitality, IT, finance and education across Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Trade runs both ways under the ASEAN and India agreements and the earlier bilateral early harvest scheme, and Thai companies have invested in Indian food processing, construction and hospitality. The matters we handle from Thailand include setting up an Indian company as a foreigner, trade and supply contracts, powers of attorney for property and bank work, registration of marriages between Indian and Thai partners, sale of family property in India, and recovering money owed by Indian buyers.
Signing documents in Thailand for use in India
Thailand is not, as far as we are aware, a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille is not available and documents follow the legalisation route. Please check the current position with us before you sign, as this can change. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notarial services attorney, a Thai lawyer certified for notarial work by the Lawyers Council of Thailand, with your passport.
- Have the notarised document legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, which certifies the notary's signature.
- Have the document attested by the Embassy of India in Bangkok or the Consulate General in Chiang Mai, then courier it to India and stamp it within three months of arrival.
Indian citizens can often skip the Thai steps by signing a power of attorney or affidavit directly before the consular officer at the Indian mission, which is generally accepted by sub-registrars and courts. Thai company documents, such as an affidavit from the Department of Business Development, go through Thai legalisation and Indian attestation, with a certified English translation of any Thai text.
Most requested services from Thailand
These six services cover most of what people and businesses in Thailand need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from Thailand, including Thai notarisation, Ministry legalisation and Indian mission attestation, and what then happens in India.
Company Setup for Foreigners
Thai citizens and Thailand-based Indians set up Indian companies to trade, source or run hospitality and service businesses.
Commercial Contracts
Gem, textile, food and hospitality businesses in Thailand trade with Indian partners and need contracts that can be enforced in India.
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney legalised through the Thai Ministry and the Indian Embassy lets a relative in India act for you.
Marriage Registration
Indian and Thai couples often need their marriage recognised in India for visas, OCI, property and inheritance.
Buying & Selling Property
Long-settled Bangkok families and Indians working in Thailand often sell or buy Indian property through an attorney holder.
Money Recovery from India
Thai exporters and traders are owed money by Indian buyers, and Thai judgments cannot be executed directly in India.
The India and Thailand tax treaty and moving money
India and Thailand have a double taxation avoidance agreement, revised in 2015, which allows Thai residents to claim reduced Indian rates on some dividends, interest and royalties with a Thai tax residence certificate and Form 10F. Rental income and capital gains on Indian property are generally taxed in India. Thailand changed its approach in 2024 so that foreign income of Thai tax residents brought into Thailand can be taxed whatever year it was earned, so take Thai tax advice before remitting Indian sale proceeds to Bangkok.
Indians who remain NRIs can move up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax, with Forms 15CA and 15CB, and NRE balances are freely repatriable. Thai citizens of Indian origin who hold OCI cards are treated much like NRIs for most property and banking purposes. Our page on buying and selling property in India from abroad covers the tax deducted at source and repatriation steps.
Thai judgments, marriages and family matters
Thailand has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure. A Thai money judgment can only be used in India as the basis for a new suit, in which the Thai judgment is conclusive between the parties unless an exception in section 13 applies. For commercial contracts, arbitration is more practical; Thailand is a New York Convention country, and awards from Bangkok seated arbitrations are generally enforced in India under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
Marriages between Indian and Thai partners are common. A marriage registered at a Thai district office is valid where it is performed, and an Indian citizen may also need proof of marital status for the Thai authorities. Where couples need an Indian record, for example for a spouse visa, OCI or property, we advise on registration in India under the Special Marriage Act or on presenting the Thai certificate properly legalised and translated. Our page on marriage registration for NRIs explains the options. India is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention, although Thailand is.
Practical points for clients in Thailand
Thailand is only one and a half hours ahead of India, so a 10 am call in Bangkok is 8.30 am in India and almost the whole working day overlaps. Couriers from Bangkok usually reach North India in two to five working days, and several cities have direct flights to Delhi, Amritsar or Mumbai if a personal visit becomes necessary.
Plan for the legalisation chain: the notary, the Ministry and the Indian mission each take time, and appointment slots at the mission can fill quickly. Bring both your passport and your Thai residence or work documents to each step. Thai documents must be translated into English by a certified translator. If you are a Thai citizen of Indian origin, keep your OCI card details and old Indian passport copies ready, because Indian registries and banks often ask for them.
All services for clients in Thailand
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Thailand
The Embassy in Bangkok and the Consulate General in Chiang Mai provide passport, OCI and attestation services for Indian nationals in Thailand.
- Embassy of India, Bangkok
- Consulate General of India, Chiang Mai
Frequently asked questions
Does Thailand issue apostilles for documents going to India?
As far as we know Thailand is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attested by the Indian mission. Check the current status with us before signing.
Can I sign an Indian power of attorney at the Embassy in Bangkok?
Indian citizens usually can, before the consular officer, which avoids the Thai notary and Ministry steps. Bring your passport and the unsigned document.
Can a Thai court judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. Thailand is not a reciprocating territory, so you must file a new suit in India on the Thai judgment or the original claim.
Is a marriage registered in Thailand valid in India?
A marriage validly registered in Thailand is generally recognised in India if both parties had capacity to marry. For Indian records it should be legalised, translated and, where needed, registered.
I am a Thai citizen of Indian origin. Can I inherit my father's house in India?
Yes. Foreign citizens can inherit immovable property in India. Selling it and taking the money out of India then follows FEMA and tax rules.
How is the sale of my Indian flat taxed if I live in Thailand?
The capital gain is taxed in India and the buyer deducts tax at source. Thai tax may also apply if you bring the proceeds into Thailand, so take local advice.
Do Thai documents need translation?
Yes. Indian courts and authorities need a certified English translation of any document in Thai.
How quickly can you start work?
Usually within a day or two of a video call, once we have scans of the key documents by email or WhatsApp.