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.
