A business in Thailand can recover money from an Indian debtor through a legal notice, then a commercial suit, a summary suit on a written contract or invoice, arbitration if the contract provides for it, or insolvency proceedings against a company for larger defaults. A bounced cheque gives a separate criminal remedy. Thai judgments cannot be executed directly in India, so it is usually faster to start in India. Commercial suits generally require pre-institution mediation first, unless urgent relief is sought.
- 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)
- Cheque cases
- Section 138, NI Act 1881
- Civil suit
- Order XXXVII CPC
Money Recovery from India from Thailand: how it works
We collect the contract, purchase orders, invoices, shipping documents, emails and the account statement showing what is due. We check limitation, which is generally three years from when payment fell due or from the last written acknowledgment, and verify the debtor's identity, address and assets. A detailed legal notice from an Indian lawyer often prompts payment or negotiation. If it does not, we choose the remedy: arbitration where there is a clause, a summary suit where there is a written contract or acknowledgment, or a regular commercial suit with pre-institution mediation.
Documents signed in Thailand for the case, such as the authority of the person giving evidence for a Thai company, go through the Thai notary, Ministry legalisation and Indian mission attestation. Witnesses abroad can often give evidence by video if the court allows. For a company that owes more than the insolvency threshold, an application under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code puts real pressure on its management. Once we obtain a decree or award, we execute it against the debtor's bank accounts and assets, and help remit the recovered amount to Thailand.
What clients in Thailand should know
- Invoices in Thai baht are recoverable in India, but the court will convert the amount to rupees, so the rate and date should be argued.
- Personal guarantees by the promoters of an Indian buyer allow recovery against them as individuals, not just the company.
- A cheque dishonoured for insufficient funds requires a notice within thirty days of the bank's return memo to keep the criminal remedy alive.
Step by step from Thailand
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Thailand, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Thailand
Thai notarial service attorney, Thai MFA legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Thailand where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Thailand. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Money Recovery from India, or see all services for clients in Thailand and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in Thailand
Can I enforce a Thai court judgment against an Indian buyer?
Not directly. You would file a new suit in India on the Thai judgment, so starting in India is usually quicker.
Do I need to travel to India for the case?
Usually not. An authorised representative or attorney holder can act, and evidence by video is often permitted.
What does recovery cost?
It depends on the amount, the remedy and whether the debtor contests. We give a written estimate after reviewing the documents.