DOI: 10.14457/tu.the.2016.724
title: Building pro bono culture in Thailand's legal business as a contribution to sustainable development

description: Law-related matters and the justice system are complicated. It consists of complex details, rules, and procedures. Not to mention the costs that the users have to pay. To understand and implement the rights in law-related matters and through the justice system, one needs to have the knowledge and a good understanding of the laws, rules, and procedures required. If they do not, they would need to have the resources up to the certain level to afford a legal representative of their own. For many people in the societies that do not have either the knowledge or the resources required, their chances to access to justice are almost as good as none. The problem of unequal access to justice is still in evidence in many countries around the world, including Thailand. While there are many attempts and efforts in tackling such problem; either by the public or the civil society sectors in Thailand, the problem still exists in Thailand. Some might even say that the problem has gotten worse that the saying “Justice is just for the rich” or “A prison is a place only for the poor” has turned into a set of belief that most people would take as their perception toward the justice system. However, the problem of unequal access to justice affects not only the poor people but a wide range of individuals and organizations that cannot afford a legal representative or unable to obtain the help they need due to various factors.The term ‘pro bono,' which is short for pro bono publico, is a Latin term meaning ‘for the public good.' Pro bono is a service that requires specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them. Although the term ‘pro bono’ may be used by different professionals that involve the offering of free services, it is usually referred to those in the legal profession. Pro bono has been recognized on an international stage as an effective mean to provide legal services and develop equal access to justice for all. While there is no distinctive explanation of the low number of pro bono activities in Thailand, the author strongly believes that in taking a greater role in supporting and encouraging pro bono culture by the Thai government, the pro bono culture in Thailand’s legal business would grow stronger than ever. Different pro bono practices and approaches adopted by the United States and Singapore, two countries that are identified as having innovative pro bono practices and approaches, were studied and recommended as a model for the development of pro bono culture in Thailand’s legal business.Having strong pro bono culture in Thailand would provide the public with more options and channels to implement and protect their right of access to justice. At the same time, lawyers would have their opportunities to fulfill the professional and ethical obligations that they owed to the society while gaining various benefits in business aspects. The State would have the support from the lawyers in providing and enhancing access to justice in Thailand, which further result as the contribution to sustainable development under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals; in particular Goal 16, Goal 17.6, and Goal 17.7.