Prior to 1985, practising lawyers in Thailand were divided into two classes.[34] First-class lawyers were law graduates while second-class lawyers held a diploma in law and passed an examination held by the Bar Association.
The main distinction was that first-class lawyers could practice throughout the country while second-class lawyers could only practice in ten provinces specified in their licenses. Since the Lawyers' Act passed in 1985,[35] this distinction has been removed and those registered under the Act have the right of audience in all courts throughout the country.