About the Practice
A Practice Built Around
the Needs of the Client
mongkolz was established to offer pension claimants in Thailand a measured, well-documented path through entitlement disputes and appeal proceedings.
Return to HomeOur Story
How mongkolz Came to Be
mongkolz opened at 145/8 Silom Road in 2011, founded by practitioners who had observed, across years of general legal work, that pension claimants in Thailand frequently faced administrative decisions they did not fully understand and had little support to question. The office was set up specifically to address that gap.
The name draws on the Thai word mongkol, meaning auspicious — a word associated with careful preparation and favourable outcomes achieved through patient effort rather than haste. It reflects the way the practice approaches each file: methodically, respectfully, and without pressure on the client to move faster than the situation requires.
Over the years the practice has worked through a range of pension matters, from straightforward entitlement reviews to multi-stage tribunal proceedings. The caseload has remained modest by design. The partners believe that quality of attention to each file matters more than volume, and the staffing of the chambers reflects that view.
The office is located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, a short walk from the BTS Sala Daeng station. Remote consultations are available for clients across Thailand and for Thai nationals residing abroad who need assistance with matters connected to their domestic pension records.
Mission and Values
What We Stand For
Clarity Before Action
No step is taken in a client's case without first explaining to them, in plain terms, what is being done and why. Written confirmation follows verbal discussion.
Respect for the Client's Pace
Clients are not hurried into decisions. The practice exists to serve people who are, in many cases, navigating a stressful administrative situation at a stage of life when calmness matters.
Transparency on Fees
Each service has a fixed published fee. Clients know the cost before the work begins. If the scope is likely to change, that conversation happens first.
Confidentiality as Standard
All case materials and personal information are held in accordance with professional obligations and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) B.E. 2562.
The Team
The People Who Handle Your File
Somsak Phongpanit
Senior Counsel
Called to the Thai Bar in 1999, Somsak has focused on administrative and pension law since 2008. He leads the more complex appeal matters and supervises all written submissions.
Nattawan Wiriyaporn
Case Adviser
Nattawan handles initial consultations and calculation review files. Her background in social security administration means she is familiar with the forms and processes clients encounter.
Priya Leelapirom
Client Liaison
Priya coordinates correspondence, manages appointments, and ensures that clients receive timely updates at each stage of their matter. She also assists clients who prefer to communicate in Thai.
Professional Standards
How We Conduct Our Work
Thai Bar Association Membership
All practising members of the team hold current registration with the Lawyers Council of Thailand and comply with the professional conduct rules applicable to that membership.
PDPA Compliance
Client data is managed in accordance with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562. Data is not retained beyond the period necessary for the matter and is not shared without instruction.
Written File Records
Every instruction, discussion outcome, and decision is reduced to writing and placed on the client file. Clients may request copies of their file records at any time.
Conflict Checks
Before accepting a new matter, the team checks for any conflict of interest with existing or former clients. If a conflict exists, we will explain it and refer the client elsewhere.
Accessible Communication
All written communication is prepared in English and Thai as required. Documents from pension authorities are translated and explained before any response is drafted.
Ongoing Professional Development
The practice monitors legislative and regulatory changes affecting pension administration in Thailand and adjusts its approach as the relevant rules develop.
Our Scope of Work
Pension Matters in Thailand — What the Work Involves
Pension administration in Thailand involves a number of different schemes depending on an individual's employment history — the Social Security Fund, the Government Pension Fund, and certain provident fund arrangements, among others. Each scheme has its own calculation methodology, revision process, and appeals structure.
The work of mongkolz sits at the point where a claimant believes that an administrative decision has not correctly reflected their entitlement. This may arise because contribution records were incomplete, because an employer failed to report earnings accurately, or because a revision notice was issued without adequate explanation. In each case, the practical task is to obtain the relevant documentation, assess what can be verified, and present a clear written case to the appropriate authority.
The practice does not conduct general litigation or handle employment disputes. It focuses on the administrative stage of pension matters, which is where most claimants most need clear, patient assistance. For matters that require court proceedings beyond the administrative level, we are able to refer clients to appropriate colleagues.
Speak with Us
Would a First Conversation Be Useful?
We are happy to speak briefly on the telephone before any formal appointment. There is no charge for an initial five-minute call to discuss whether our services may be relevant to your situation.
Get in Touch