Ms. Suthawan Boonmak/ Candiduck Co., Ltd.

Suthawan Boonmak is a trailblazer in the Thai and international legal landscape, redefining what it means to be a woman leader in law. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Candiduck Co., Ltd., she has built a boutique law firm that stands out for its ability to bridge local Thai laws with the demands of international business. Under her leadership, the firm has guided foreign investors, multinational corporations, and startups through complex areas such as corporate structuring, BOI promotions, Treaty of Amity applications, import–export licensing, compliance frameworks, and cross-border investment strategies. Her work has enabled businesses in industries such as technology, gold trading, manufacturing, real estate, and hospitality to invest and grow sustainably in Thailand.

What sets Suthawan apart is her ability to pair legal precision with entrepreneurial vision. Rather than offering rigid legal advice, she develops solutions that empower clients to achieve both compliance and growth. For example, she has crafted innovative shareholding structures that safeguard Thai and foreign shareholders alike, and designed compliance programs that meet global standards while remaining practical in the Thai market. This approach has earned her the trust of international clients and recognition as a forward-thinking advisor.

Her leadership extends beyond her firm. As a Committee Member of the New Zealand–Thai Chamber of Commerce (NZTCC), she actively contributes to trade policy discussions, chamber collaborations, and cross-border initiatives. She represents NZTCC at high-profile forums, fostering dialogue with partner chambers such as AustCham, GTCC, and STCC. In 2024, she was invited as a speaker at GLA Bangkok, where she addressed an international audience on the evolving role of legal innovation in sustainable development—a significant milestone as one of the few young female voices on stage.

Suthawan is equally committed to building future leaders. She lectures at Thammasat University on international monetary law and mentors interns and junior lawyers from Thailand and abroad. She provides training not only in legal knowledge but also in professional ethics, critical thinking, and client-centered service. Through this, she has cultivated a pipeline of young professionals who will carry forward her vision of a more inclusive and globally minded legal community.

Her academic journey reinforces her leadership. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business and Management (MBM) at the University of Essex Online, where she integrates advanced management, leadership, and strategic thinking into her legal practice. This commitment to lifelong learning enhances her ability to lead, innovate, and inspire both her team and her clients.

Her journey—founding a firm, shaping bilateral trade networks, mentoring the next generation, pursuing advanced education, and speaking on international platforms—embodies excellence, resilience, and innovation. For these reasons, she deserves recognition as the Women Leader of the Year in Law.

Key Accomplishments (Past 12–24 Months)

• Strengthened International Advisory Role – Advised the New Zealand Embassy’s business contact on Thai corporate, investment, and compliance matters, reinforcing her reputation as a trusted legal bridge between Thailand and global markets.

• Regional Collaboration – Initiated collaboration with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), expanding cross-border advisory opportunities and positioning her firm to support Southeast Asian investors entering Thailand.

• Client Reach and Expansion – Successfully served high-value clients in Koh Phangan and Phuket, particularly in hospitality, property, and investment projects. In recognition of the growing demand, she officially expanded her firm, Candiduck Co., Ltd., by opening a branch office in Phuket in July 2025—strengthening her presence in one of Thailand’s most dynamic business hubs.

• Academic Leadership – Continued her academic contribution as a lecturer at Thammasat University, this time at the Rangsit Campus, inspiring and training the next generation of legal professionals through innovative and practice-oriented teaching.

• Chamber Leadership – Appointed as Head of Membership for the New Zealand–Thai Chamber of Commerce (NZTCC) Committee, leading membership engagement, strengthening ties with business communities, and driving chamber growth initiatives.

What sets Suthawan Boonmak apart as a woman leader in law is her ability to combine global vision with innovative practices that challenge traditional ways of delivering legal services.

She has embraced a digital-first, borderless practice model, working seamlessly with clients across continents through Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. This “digital nomad” approach ensures accessibility and responsiveness, allowing her to advise embassies, chambers, and entrepreneurs worldwide while remaining rooted in Thailand.

Her multilingual capabilities—fluent in Thai, English, Spanish, and German—further distinguish her. By bridging language and cultural barriers, she builds trust with a diverse international clientele and makes legal guidance more inclusive and accessible.

Suthawan also pioneers the use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. She has created her own three custom GPTs (AI assistants) to support research, drafting, and client service, ensuring efficiency and consistency while focusing her personal time on strategy and high-value advisory. She also integrates Otter.ai into meetings, using live transcription and note-taking tools to enhance accuracy, speed, and client transparency. This blend of human expertise and AI assistance demonstrates her forward-thinking approach to law.

Strategically, she expanded Candiduck Co., Ltd. by opening a branch office in Phuket in July 2025, recognizing the growing demand from expatriates and international investors in Thailand’s southern hub. This move allows her firm to serve clients in hospitality, real estate, and investment with greater proximity and insight.

Her practice also emphasizes innovation in foreign investment law, with a particular focus on BOI-promoted businesses, software development, and mobile applications. By aligning with Thailand’s digital economy priorities, she ensures her services remain relevant, modern, and impactful.

Together, these differentiators—digital mobility, multilingualism, AI adoption, and strategic expansion—position her as a true innovator and role model for women in law.