Interview with Foreign Law Intern Thanintita Pasupa

Today’s blog interview is with a foreign law intern in the Global Legal Research Directorate at the Law Library of Congress, Thanintita Pasupa.

Describe your background.

I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. I have one older brother and a twin, making me a middle child. Early on, I gravitated toward collaboration and leadership and was actively involved in a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. One particularly meaningful experience was serving as vice president of the Asian Law Students Association, where I helped connect students from different Asian countries and engaged with diverse perspectives on cross-border and international legal issues.
What is your academic/professional history?

I earned my LL.B. in business law from Thammasat University in Thailand, where I developed a strong foundation in corporate, regulatory, and comparative law. Following graduation, I worked at major consulting company in the legal & tax practice, handling regulatory and compliance matters with a particular focus on privacy, technology, cross-border transactions, and risk management.

I later pursued my LL.M. at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, along with a Wharton Business & Law Certificate. This interdisciplinary training deepened my interest in technology law, regulation, and comparative legal systems.
How do you describe your job to other people?

I work under the supervision of Sayuri Umeda, a foreign law specialist, focusing primarily on legal developments and regulatory compliance in Thailand. I often explain that my role involves tracking changes in laws and regulations and analyzing how they fit within Thailand’s broader legal and institutional framework. For instance, I draft articles for the Law Library’s Global Legal Monitor.

Much of my work consists of reviewing statutes, regulations, and official government publications, then distilling complex legal changes into clear, accessible summaries. In simple terms, I help translate laws from another legal system – Thailand – into information that can be easily understood by readers who may not be familiar with the country’s legal landscape.
Why did you want to work at the Library of Congress?

I was drawn to the Library of Congress not only because it is the largest library in the world, but also for its role in making foreign and comparative law accessible to a global audience. I was particularly inspired by the idea that legal research could directly support policymakers, researchers, and the public. The Library’s emphasis on accuracy, neutrality, and historical context strongly aligned with how I was trained to approach legal research. I also valued the opportunity to contribute to work that serves not only Congress, but also the broader international legal community.
What is the most interesting fact that you’ve learned about the Library?

One of the most interesting things I learned is how essential historical legal materials are to understanding long-standing legal frameworks. Older print sources often provide context that is missing from newer digital materials, particularly in jurisdictions where laws have been amended repeatedly over time. This experience reinforced the importance of preserving legal history and showed me how past legal texts continue to shape contemporary legal interpretation.
What’s something that most of your co-workers don’t know about you?

I am particularly drawn to exploring new experiences and environments. During my time at the library, I especially valued the opportunity to build friendships with people from all over the world, which allowed me to both share my own culture and learn from others. This curiosity has made me a passionate traveler, and I hope to continue exploring new countries and cultures throughout my personal and professional journey.
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Comments

1. Alexander LoBianco says:

March 17, 2026 at 8:53 am

You have a very interesting combination of education and experience and a well founded background that aligns with the Law Library’s legal collections Thanintita!
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