Thailand Launches Free Legal Advice Service

BANGKOK, Nov 23 (TNA) - The Office of the Attorney General has launched a new free legal advice service to the general public nationwide, with more than 3,000 Thais having sought for the service initially.

The initiative, named the “State Attorney’s Caravan to Relieve Legal Problems for Thais I” was aimed at encouraging Thai people to consult experts on their legal problems, the Attorney General, Kampee Kaocharoen, told TNA.

The scheme is also intended to make Thais more aware of the laws and legal processes.

The government now encourages Thais to register for the free legal advice at the Attorney General Offices throughout the country.

In Bangkok alone, more than 3,000 residents have registered for the free legal advice.

People could also access to the service at the hotline number 1157 in cases of emergency, Mr. Kampi said.

The project is part of the government’s efforts to reduce the overwhelming number of lawsuits in the country’s courtrooms.

The authorities hope that this may help complainants reolve their problems outside the courtroom.

However, where compromise remains impossible, the government also plans to provide lawyers to fight the cases in courtroom.

The key issues that concerned Thais who registered for free legal consultations included land problems and inheritance, problems related to the government's villager fund scheme--how to seek for the fund and how to repay the fund--,and debts in the non-formal sector, said Mr. Kampee. (TNA)--E112, E002

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