Biography

Pongpat Riangkruar is a highly respected Thai legal professional with a career spanning over four decades. He brings a unique and powerful combination of experience as a former Thai prosecutor, a senior public law specialist, a corporate board chairman, and a leading international arbitrator to his role at Opus Law International.

Extensive Public Service & Judicial Background

Pongpat began his distinguished career in public service, serving as a Prosecutor with the Government of Thailand from 1982 to 2007 . In this role, he gained deep, firsthand experience in the Thai criminal justice system. He later transitioned to a high-level policy role, serving as a Ministerial Public Law Specialist at the Ministry of Justice of Thailand from 2004 to 2014 . In this capacity, he provided expert legal opinions to all departments within the Ministry and, as Chief Knowledge Officer, was instrumental in developing ministerial human resource strategies and fostering international collaborations on legal development .

Leadership in Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Pongpat is a prominent figure in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Thailand. He has been a key member of the THAC (Thailand Arbitration Center) since June 2020, serving as both an Arbitrator and a member of its International Advisory Board . THAC is the government-established arbitration center under the Act of Arbitration Center 2007, dedicated to providing international standard arbitration and mediation services .

His expertise is recognized internationally. In June 2025, he represented Opus Law at a significant cross-border legal event in Kunming, China, co-hosted by Yunnan Qianhe Law Firm and Yunnan Overseas Returnee Entrepreneurship Park. At this event, focused on "Sino-Thai Commercial Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration Practice," Pongpat delivered a keynote presentation on the comparison of commercial arbitration systems between China and Thailand . He highlighted the evolution of Thai arbitration law, noting the removal of nationality restrictions for arbitrators, which has created a more open environment for international arbitration. Following his presentation, he formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yunnan Qianhe Law Firm and was appointed as their Foreign Legal Expert, further solidifying his role as a key bridge between Thai and Chinese legal systems .

Corporate Governance & Public Service

Beyond dispute resolution, Pongpat has held significant leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. He served as a Member of the Board of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) of Thailand from 2008 to 2022 . In the corporate world, he was the Independent Chairman of the Board at K.C. Property Public Company Limited, a real estate firm listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand .

Academic Qualifications

Pongpat holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Law from the prestigious Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology . He is also a qualified Barrister-at-Law in Thailand .

At Opus Law International, Pongpat's unparalleled experience in litigation, public policy, international arbitration, and corporate governance makes him an invaluable asset to clients navigating complex legal challenges in Thailand and across borders.