Meeting the AEPA Board in Singapore: What I Learned from Asia’s Estate Planning Leaders

A knowledge exchange with the Asia Estate Planning Association — and the mentor who shaped my career

March 2026 | Aphiwat Bualoi, Attorney at Law

What is AEPA

AEPA stands for the Asia Estate Planning Association. It is a professional group focused on raising the standard of estate planning across Asia. I have been a member for some years now and it has had a real influence on the direction of my career.

During my Singapore trip I was invited to meet with the Board of Directors of AEPA for a knowledge exchange session. I want to use the word exchange on purpose here. I did not go there to lecture. Everyone in that room already knew this subject well. We were sharing ideas and I honestly feel I was the one who learned more.

The Decision That Changed My Practice

After joining AEPA, I made a decision that I think was one of the most important of my career. I decided to focus only on wills, probate, and estate administration.

In Thailand many law offices handle many different types of cases. That is fine. But I wanted to go deep rather than wide. Since making that decision, every case I take, every document I write, and every court appearance I make is within this area. My clients benefit from that focus.

AEPA was part of the reason I had the confidence to make that choice.

Thank You to Mr. Allen Lim

I want to say a proper thank you to Mr. Allen Lim, who is the current President of AEPA. He has spent many years teaching estate planning to financial advisors in Thailand and Singapore. For me personally, he has been a source of knowledge and guidance over a long time.

Good mentorship is not always formal. Sometimes it is a conversation. Sometimes it is a question that makes you rethink something you thought you already understood. Mr. Allen has given me that many times.

I am also grateful to all the Board members for the warm and open atmosphere of the meeting. It reminded me again that the best professionals never stop learning.

Why This Matters for Expats in Thailand

Many of the things we discussed in Singapore connect directly to the clients I see in Chiang Mai. Expats often have assets in more than one country. A pension in the UK. A condo in Thailand. A bank account in Australia. Each of those is governed by a different legal system.

Understanding how those systems work together, or sometimes against each other, is part of what I do. The conversations in Singapore made me better at that.

If you are an expat in Thailand and you have not yet made a Thai will, I encourage you to think about it seriously. It is one of the most practical things you can do for your family.

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If you live in Thailand and want to make sure your assets are protected properly under Thai law, you are welcome to contact our office. We work with English-speaking clients in Chiang Mai and focus on wills, probate, and estate matters.

Tel: 064-932-1365  |  info@aphiwatlaw.com  |  aphiwatlaw.com