Ethics in the Thai Legal Profession: A Discussion

On October 31, 2024, Dr. Waratep Suvatanapim led a seminar addressing ethical issues in the Thai legal profession. The event featured Professor Wanchai Sornsiri, who has over 40 years of experience, discussing the credibility of lawyers. Concerns were raised regarding the conduct of some lawyers that could risk damaging the reputation of the profession. This discussion highlighted unethical behaviors such as fraud or exploitation of clients, prompting public skepticism about the profession's ethics. Questions were also posed regarding whether certain lawyers maintain clandestine relationships with politicians or influential individuals, which undermines public respect and trust. While it is acknowledged that some lawyers uphold strong ethical standards, the misconduct of a few tarnishes the overall image of the legal community. The seminar aimed to facilitate understanding of policies and structural management related to these ethical dilemmas, ultimately striving for future improvements in the profession's image and ethical grounds.