Supatcha Homhual (International Tax Law LLM, 2026)

21 July 2026

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your background/family?

My name is Supatcha Homhual and I am from Thailand. I was born and raised in Bangkok and I completed my undergraduate studies in LL.B. in Business Law at Thammasat University in 2023. The reason why I decided to study law is because both my grandfather and my father studied law. Growing up, I often heard my father share about his work in enterprise groups and how law played an important role in his profession, which inspired my own interest in the field.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I pursued my first master’s degree in LLM in International Commercial Law at the University of Glasgow. Then, I decided to continue my studies at Queen Mary by pursuing a second master’s degree. My long-term goal is to qualify and work as a judge in Thailand. I believe that further academic study will help me develop a stronger legal foundation and broaden my perspectives as I continue to achieve this goal.

In between my undergraduate studies and beginning to study for my first master’s degree, I spent several months working part-time at an Intellectual Property law firm in Thailand. This opportunity allowed me to gain working experience and to explore whether IP law was the right area for me. Although I really enjoyed the work and gained valuable experience, I realised that I was looking for a field that offered more complex challenges and opportunities for deeper analysis, that encouraged me to explore other areas of law.

What do you study and how is your course going?

I am doing the LLM in International Tax Law at CCLS and the course is going very well. The first semester provided me with a strong foundation in International Tax law and the tax system. I am currently preparing for my second semesters final exams and assessments.

For the next semester, I chose to take three additional modules instead of completing a dissertation because I want to make the most of the learning opportunities available at Queen Mary. I am particularly interested in renewable energy law because of my interest in energy and environmental issues. I also really value the opportunity to learn from external speakers and attend many legal events offered alongside my studies.

I find studying quite challenging, especially as tax law can be complex subject.  When I was in my second year of undergraduate studies, I was unsure about taking tax law course, but after stepping outside of my comfort zone, I found that I really enjoy the subject and have developed a strong interest in it even though it is a complex and difficult subject.

Why did you choose Queen Mary, CCLS and London?

I chose Queen Mary because of its strong reputation, particularly CCLS, which is well known among Thai law students. I was impressed that Queen Mary offers so many different interesting courses in various areas of law. The university also allows us to choose electives from different law programmes. In addition, the LLM programme is recognised by the Thai Law Commission, allowing me to meet the academic requirements to take the judicial examination in Thailand.

I also chose London because it offers a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. Compared with where I studied previously, there are many legal events, networking opportunities, which collaborate with other universities, which have allowed me to broaden my knowledge and develop professionally

How were things before you received the funding?

Before receiving the funding, I felt a lot of financial pressure. My parents had already supported my tuition and living expenses during my first master's degree, so I was worried about the cost of studying in London and wanted to reduce the financial burden on them. Receiving the scholarship gave me much greater peace of mind.

Although the scholarship has helped significantly, I have continued looking for part-time work to contribute towards my living expenses. However, the job market is very competitive here, and like many other students, I have found it difficult to receive a part-time job offer.

How did you feel when you heard you got the funding and has it made an impact for you?

I was very happy and grateful when I found out I had received the scholarship. It has made a significant difference by reducing the financial pressure I had been experiencing. Last year, while studying my first master’s degree, I was constantly worried about tuition fees and living costs. I tried to save money where I could, and balancing those financial concerns with the pressure of achieving good grades was quite stressful.

After I received the scholarship funding, I was allowed to focus more on my studies and make the most of my time at the CCLS. I have been able to attend networking and legal events, deepen my knowledge and take advantage of opportunities that support my academic and professional development. The funding has also motivated me to aim higher and think about how I can use my studies to contribute to the legal profession in the future.

Do you think financial worries weigh heavily on students?

Definitely, I believe financial worries weigh heavily on many students, especially international students who often face high tuition fees and living expenses. Last year, I experienced this myself while studying for my first master’s degree. The financial pressure added to the stress of my academic workload and made it more difficult to focus on my studies. Receiving this scholarship has eased that burden, allowing me to concentrate fully on my studies and make the most of this opportunity. 

What are your plans for the future?

After graduating from Queen Mary, I will hold two master’s degrees, which will allow me to continue working towards my long-term goal of becoming a judge in Thailand. The next steps are to complete the Thai lawyer qualification and Bar examinations, followed by the judicial examination.

 

Before taking the judicial examination, I hope to gain practical legal experience, ideally in the UK before returning to Thailand. While my long-term goal is to become a judge, I believe that developing practical legal skills and understanding how the law is applied in real cases are important steps in becoming a well-rounded legal professional. Working abroad would give me valuable insight into a different legal system, broaden my perspective, and help me develop professionally by experiencing legal practice in an international environment.

 

I am particularly interested in gaining experience in tax law and understanding how legal and tax systems differ between the UK and Thailand. I hope this experience will help me with the knowledge to adapt best practices and apply them in my future career and allow me to approach complex cases with broader perspective.

 

Alongside gaining work experience, I plan to prepare for the Bar exam. Once I return to Thailand, I will continue to develop my legal experience before taking the judicial examination. Although there are several important steps ahead, each of them brings me closer to achieving my ambition of becoming a judge and contributing to the legal profession in Thailand.

What would you like to say to those who donated to provide these awards?

I am deeply grateful for the donors for making this opportunity possible. Having experienced financial pressure while studying for my first master’s degree last year, I understand how meaningful this scholarship support is. This funding allows me to fully focus on my studies and continue developing my skills, it also motivates me to use this opportunity responsibly. Thank you very much.  

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