Thailand Bail Secures Acquittal in High-Profile Murder-for-Hire Case

Summary: Mr. Feng Hao Chang Found “Not Guilty” of Planning Murder; Other Defendants Sentenced to 21-27 Years in Thai Prison

On July 25, 2025, Thailand Bail achieved a landmark courtroom victory: the complete acquittal of Mr. Feng Hao Chang in one of Thailand’s most sensational murder-for-hire trials. While two co-defendants received lengthy prison sentences of 27 and 21 years, our client walked free, vindicated after nearly two years in detention.

A Case Straight Out of a Crime Drama

The case captured international attention as early as 2023, when Mr. Feng Hao Chang and two former Thai Navy SEALs were arrested. The alleged plot targeted his own son, his son’s mother, and their lawyer, amid a bitter family struggle for control of a lucrative electronics manufacturing empire valued at nearly $100 million USD.

The story had all the elements of a thriller – family infighting reminiscent of HBO’s Succession, amateur hitmen, and even weapons stockpiles. One Navy SEAL pled guilty on the first day of trial, attempting to pin the conspiracy on our client. Another had a history of violence, including a prior conviction for murder that had once earned him a life sentence.

Thailand Bail WINS !!! Proof that Foreigners Can Win Cases Against Thais in Thailand

Thailand Bail’s lawyers and international legal team won an important case in Rayong today, 24 July 2025. Not only did we win the case for our Australian defendant, we counter-sued the Thai plaintiffs who brought the case against our client. Against what many foreigners believe about Thai law, foreigners can win cases against Thais, when the evidence supports them. Our lawyers vigorously defended our client in the Rayong Court, winning the case against him, as well as successfully counter-suing for over 200,000 Thai baht in compensation. This is a great win for our team, and we also thank our client for working together with us for this win. This is Thailand Bail’s approach – a collaboration with our client. Of course, we are the legal experts in Thailand, but it is the life of our client on the line. We utilized this collaborative approach with our client to come up with the right evidence to show the police and prosecutor. Further than that, we discovered evidence that would help our client counter-sue, which we recommended to him.

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Thailand: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Criminal defense in Thailand can be a daunting process, especially for foreigners unfamiliar with the Thai legal system. Navigating this complex landscape requires a deep understanding of local laws, court procedures, and cultural nuances. At Thailand Bail, we specialize in providing expert legal representation to both Thai nationals and foreigners facing criminal charges. This article aims to shed light on the intricacies of criminal defense in Thailand and how our experienced legal team can assist you in achieving the best possible outcome.

Understanding the Thai Legal System

The Thai legal system is based on civil law, influenced by ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions, as well as Western legal principles. The system is characterized by a formal and hierarchical structure, with the Constitutional Court at the apex, followed by the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeal, and the Courts of First Instance. Criminal cases typically start in the Courts of First Instance, which include the Criminal Court, Provincial Courts, and District Courts.

Inside a Thai Court Room – What to Expect

If it is your first time visiting a Thai court room, you might not be sure what to expect. This article from Thailand Bail will explain some things you will encounter in the court room in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, or elsewhere. The first step is to find the court that you need to be at. This might not be as easy as you might think. For example, in Bangkok there are over 10 courts. The courts in Bangkok are separated by criminal and civil matters, and then criminal matters are further separated into cases that have potential maximum penalties of up to 3 years and those that have higher maximum penalties. These two criminal courts are known as the district court and the provincial court. The provincial court handles the more serious cases. In other locations such as Phuket, there is also a separate building for the district court, not in the same location as the provincial court. In addition to the 2 types of criminal courts in Bangkok, there are many other courts in Bangkok. Below is a summary of some of the courts in Thailand:

1. Central Bankruptcy Court: This court specifically handles bankruptcy cases. It’s located in Bangkok and deals exclusively with financial insolvencies and restructurings.

We Win: Successfully Clearing a Drink Driving Case Over the Limit

Thailand Bail recently successfully cleared a drink driving case where our client was well over the legal limit of alcohol in his blood. In Thailand, there are various limits of blood-alcohol levels, including one limit over which the police are typically obligated to press criminal charges. This potentially lead to prison time as well as being deported and blacklisted from Thailand. However, Thailand Bail’s lawyers and case managers were able to successfully clear this case for our client in Nonthaburi, just north of the capital Bangkok. Read below for more information on our recent success, which is also highlighted in our “Success Story” webpage as Success Story #16.

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Thailand

Many people misunderstand what a criminal defense lawyer in Thailand can do for you if you were arrested in Thailand and are going through the courts. Thailand’s criminal law is based on the Criminal Code of Thailand as well as other laws. These include the Computer Crimes Act, the Narcotics Act, relevant anti-money laundering laws, as well as other laws in Thailand. However, an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Thailand can clearly explain all of this to you in order to help you make the right decision for your