Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Dharma Counsel ("the Firm", "we", "us", "our") is committed to handling personal information with care and transparency. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect personal data provided to us through our website and in the course of client engagements.

This policy applies to individuals who visit our website, submit enquiries, or engage Dharma Counsel for legal services. It should be read alongside our Cookie Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Our registered office is at: 323/15 Sathorn Nua Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. For privacy enquiries, contact: [email protected]

2. Data We Collect

We collect personal data through the following means:

• Contact forms: Name, email address, telephone number, and the content of your message.
• Client engagements: Identity documents, business registration details, contract documents, and other information necessary to provide legal services.
• Website usage: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and visit duration — collected via cookies and analytics tools.

3. How We Use Your Data

We use personal data for the following purposes:

• Responding to enquiries submitted through our website
• Providing and managing legal services under engagement agreements
• Communicating with clients and prospective clients about their matters
• Complying with Thai legal and regulatory obligations
• Analysing website usage to improve our online presence (analytics data only)

We do not use personal data for automated decision-making or profiling. We do not sell personal data to third parties.

Legal Basis for Processing

Under the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (PDPA) and applicable Thai law, we process personal data on the following bases: performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps (for client engagements), legitimate interest (for responding to website enquiries), legal obligation (where required by Thai law), and consent (for optional analytics cookies).

4. Data Sharing

We share personal data only in the following circumstances:

• With professional advisors: Barristers, notaries, or specialists engaged in connection with your matter, where necessary.
• With regulatory authorities: Where required under Thai law, including the Department of Business Development or other government bodies.
• With technology service providers: Website hosting, email, and analytics services — subject to appropriate data processing agreements.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal data for the following periods:

• Client matter files: 7 years from the close of the engagement, in accordance with Thai legal professional standards
• Website enquiries not converted to engagements: 12 months from receipt
• Analytics data: 26 months (standard Google Analytics retention)

After these periods, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

6. Data Protection Measures

We maintain appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including: access controls limiting data to authorised personnel, secure encrypted storage, regular review of data handling practices, and confidentiality obligations on all staff and contractors who access client data.

In the event of a personal data breach affecting your rights, we will notify you and the relevant supervisory authority as required under the PDPA.

7. Cookies

Our website uses cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You may manage cookie preferences through that page or your browser settings.

8. Your Rights

Under Thai PDPA and applicable law, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

• Right of access: To request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right of rectification: To request correction of inaccurate data
• Right of erasure: To request deletion of data, subject to our legal retention obligations
• Right to object: To object to processing based on legitimate interest
• Right to data portability: To receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are directed at businesses and individuals aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from persons under 18. If you believe we have received data from a minor, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

11. Supervisory Authority

If you have concerns about our handling of your personal data that we have not resolved to your satisfaction, you may lodge a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) of Thailand, which serves as the supervisory authority for data protection matters under the PDPA.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our website after the effective date of any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact

For any privacy-related enquiries or to exercise your rights:

• Email: [email protected]
• Post: Dharma Counsel, 323/15 Sathorn Nua Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand