Thailand

The firm hired Mark D’Lelio from Duane Morris Selvan Myanmar as a general corporate and real estate partner.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Acted for Master Fund, Brookfield Asset Management, and its investment adviser, Brookfield investment Management in the master feeder fund arrangement involving a Thai wrapper fund on the Brookfield global real estate UCITS fund, an alternative investment fund investing in properties around the world.

Corporate and M&A  

Work highlights

Represented Joyvio Group on its acquisition of a large local processed durian plant, Thai Crown Group. 

Intellectual property    

Work highlights

Represented Johnson Controls Technology Company to process trademark prosecution in Thailand.

Key clients

Vatanika Group

Regulatory   

Work highlights

Advised ETC Group on all aspects of investment in the property sector in Thailand, in particular, the mixed-use property development scheme planned by the client in Bangkok and Phuket. 

Client feedback

“Always top notch and up to international standards. The managing partner is entrepreneurial and a flexible thinker, and he has gathered a well-experienced team to handle all matters I have referred to him. The team is sharp, polite, timely in responding and fully communicative in English. The firm also has an extensive network of law firm contacts which they are happy to share. This comes in particular handy when dealing with less-popular jurisdictions.” - Dispute resolution

“Though they are set up to handle larger Thai companies and international SMEs, they may soon have a need to hire more lawyers as their quality is becoming more and more known by GCs at larger international corporates.”-Corporate and M&A

The firm hired energy and natural resources specialist partner Joseph Tisuthiwongse and senior associate Teerin Vanikieti from Clifford Chance, and has expanded its capital markets and REITs practice with the hiring of two senior lawyers from Charin Associates. A litigation lawyer was also added to its dispute resolution team from Price Sanond. The firm is a clear leader in energy and infrastructure projects.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Advised BCPG, one of Thailand’s and Southeast Asia’s largest renewable energy producers, on a $376 million cross-border syndicated financing from leading financial institutions for the acquisition of geothermal assets in Indonesia.

Advised Mizuho Bank and Standard Chartered Bank as the lenders on the $1.95 billion financing to Thai Beverage to support the controlling stake acquisition of Sabeco Brewery.

Key clients

ASEAN Potash Chaiyaphum, Bangkok Bank, Export-Import Bank of Thailand, Krung Thai Bank, Kasikorn Bank, The Siam Commercial Bank, TISCO Bank, TMB Bank, UOB (Thailand)

Construction

Work highlights

Acted for a major Japanese developer on the cross-border investment through a share acquisition in six premier real estate developments in Bangkok valued at $500 million.

Corporate and M&A 

Work highlights

Represented Hitachi Chemical on the acquisition of a majority share in Thai Storage Battery.

Key clients

Tokyo Tatemono Asia

Client feedback

“The firm helped me a lot on the deal such as checking the project documents, security documents and also negotiating terms and conditions to mitigate and protect the risk for my bank. I really appreciated that they were my legal advisers.” - Corporate and M&A

“Generally speaking, I am satisfied with the excellent service.” - Banking and finance

“Real estate lawyers take quick action and are flexible.”–Corporate and M&A

The firm made senior hires for its regional French and China desks, and welcomed two senior lawyers for its tax and general business practices.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Advised on all the licensing requirements of the structured finance products offered by Beehive Asia in Thailand.

Key clients

Bangkok Bank, IFC, Siam Commercial Bank, Phu Bia Mining, Thai EXIM, Tisco Bank, TMB Bank

Corporate and M&A 

Work highlights

Represented leading Thai beverage company Malee Group on its international expansion plans involving joint ventures and partial acquisitions in the ASEAN region.

Advised Royal Dutch Shell in relation to the $750 million sale of its minority stake in the Bongkot field concession in the Gulf of Thailand.

Key clients

Anamaya Samui, Gobi Partners, Kulim (Malaysia), Owens & Minor

Regulatory

Work highlights

Acted as sponsor’s counsel for a 1.16MW multiple dam cascade hydropower project, providing advice on the concession agreement, power purchase agreement and local law issues, and also writing a detailed report on the Laos and Thai power markets. 

Work highlights

Advised Axion Ventures on Thai company structuring, incentive application under BOI for an international headquarters, holding company structure planning and group tax optimisation.

Client feedback

“DFDL provided impressive support on the acquisition of a company with healthcare manufacturing and sales operations in Thailand. Their advice was fulsome and timely, flagging key issues and providing pragmatic solutions. The team at DFDL was available to help at all times and provided key transaction support in Thailand. They also embraced using technological solutions to provide real time reporting to the client.” - Corporate & M&A

“DFDL is good in technical ability and innovation.”- Capital markets

“Generally speaking, DFDL remains one of the top-tier law firms in the Thai jurisdiction. Through cooperation on several transactions, we saw DFDL's timely feedback, rich practical experiences and crystal clear legal opinion. Besides that, its service is quite cost-effective.”- Corporate and M&A

JTJB International Lawyers hired  tax and corporate specialist Kosol Suriyaporn from Price Sanond during the research period.

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acted for Asia Green Energy in a defence against an arbitration claim in London brought by SK Shipping.

Key clients

Astronergy Solar, Baan Mai Khao Condominium, Bangkok Insurance, Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park Hotel

Regulatory  

Work highlights

Represented car insurers Insbee and FairDee on insurance regulations, while also coordinating with the insurers and government authority to finalise the new car insurance policy.

Key clients

Concentrix Services, Glory Technology

Client feedback

“They have an ability to explain the implications of the work clearly. They are patient and responsive.” - Insurance

“They have very good experience and were professional on the case that we are working on.” - Labour and employment

Tax

Work highlights

Advised an electricity generating company in a tax dispute that has no precedent court case. The dispute involved questions regarding fair treatment in tax audits.

Key clients

Bangkok Airways

Client feedback

“I highly value the law firm's work especially for the critical analysis, sourced from a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of tax.” - Tax

“The key partner in this firm is very knowledgeable in tax areas, especially in the oil and gas industry. I think he is the best tax adviser in Thailand who can provide accurate advice and recommendations on how to resolve the issue and he has strong technical support. He and his staff are very responsive and understand the client's expectation.” - Tax

The firm hired  labour specialist Rapeesak Kesasuwan from General Motors as a senior consultant during the research period.

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Assisted Lenzing in the set-up of its fibre manufacturing plant by providing legal and tax advice on all related matters of its investment in Thailand. This was the biggest European investment project in Thailand the past year with a value of €258 million.

Key clients

Andritz Hydro, BMW, Voith Hydro Shanghai

Dispute resolution 

Work highlights

Represented Lucky Spinning in its debt restructuring with many financial institution creditors in and outside of the central bankruptcy court.

Key clients

Bali Hai Company

Client feedback

“I believe their strength is about their eye for details and prompt responses.” - Construction

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Represented the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education in filing a case against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to remove the arbitrary concellation of his passports after the 2014 coup d'etat. The team was sucessful in having the cancellation order entirely removed by the Central Administrative Court. 

Key clients

Kasikorn Thai Bank, Kone

Restructuring and insolvency 

Work highlights

Advised Lufthansa on the closure of all its local operations and relocation to the Philippines.

Key clients

Falck, Koelnmesse, Qiagen, Symrise, Weiss

Client feedback

“Respondek & Fan supported us very professionally and achieved a preliminary acceptable situation for us.” – Dispute resolution

Banking and finance

Advised one of the largest banks in China on providing mid-to-long term financing for the $1 billion First Dhaka Elevated Expressway project in Bangladesh.

Key clients

Air Lease Corporation, Plane Business

Construction

Work highlights

Acted for Kamala Beach Resort and Hotel Management in the complex sale of a plot of development land in Phuket.

Key clients

Scani

Corporate and M&A  

Work highlights

Represented the Thailand group of a multinational American insurance corporation on its restructuring, and a merger and acquisition transaction, where the client will acquire a sister entity’s business.

Acted for Bain Capital Private Equity in the acquisition of a subsidiary of Diversey Hygiene in Thailand, as part of a $3.2 billion global acquisition of the Diversey Hygiene business division from Sealed Air Corporation.

Key clients

FMC Corporation, Grab, New Hampshire Insurance Company, Nisshin Flour Milling

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Represented a leading Danish reinsurance company and its Thai cedant, Safety Insurance on a business interruption claim arising out of a fire at a wind farm in Central Thailand.

Advised a specialist Scandinavian wind farm insurance company and its insured global logistics company in a matter involving the sinking of a barge hired by the logistics company and the loss of the barge’s valuable cargo on a major river in Thailand.

Key clients

East Japan Railway Company, Nok Air

Insurance  

Work highlights

Represented a panel of international reinsurers in one of Thailand’s most significant insurance cases in recent years. The dispute arose out of losses suffered by the owner of a prominent Bangkok shopping mall and department store, CentralWorld, which was set on fire during the ‘red shirt’ riots of 2010.

Assisted a multinational American insurance corporation on the launch of new insurance products and distribution models in conjunction with other multinational client-facing companies.

Key clients

Marsh and Guy Carpenter

Intellectual property

Work highlights

Represented clients in the first ever sound marks registration after a ministerial regulation allowed these registrations in late 2017.

Key clients

PTT

Regulatory

Work highlights

Represented Oculus VR, providing regulatory advice and assisting with product labeling in Thailand.

Acted as the preferred main external counsel for one of the world’s largest social media and social networking companies across Southeast Asia.

Key clients

China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau, GoPro, InComm

Client feedback

“Very strong localised advisory capabilities. Partner-in-charge provides solutions and not only states what the law is, which is what legal firms should be all about.” - Corporate and M&A

“This is one of the best local offices I've ever dealt with in Asia, as well as globally. Very knowledgeable and very efficient. Outstanding response times as well as accuracy of advice.”-Construction

“They are attentive, responsive and provide sound and practical advice in a timely manner with strong communication skills.” - Corporate and M&A

“Tilleke & Gibbins is a highly professional law firm with very good industry knowledge and great client relationship management.” - Intellectual property

“The team at the firm has industry experience and provides practical advice in navigating sometimes vague regulations.” - Regulatory

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Represented Northern Bangkok Monorail Company in respect of the new mass transit pink line monorail system.

Key clients

BTS

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acted for PTT, a Thai state-owned oil and gas company, in a case brought by the Indonesian government at the Indonesian court concerning an oil spill.

Key clients

AIA, Mitsui Sumitomo, Orient Thai, Posco Plantec, Wizard Solutions

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Represented a group of major creditors of Sahaviriya Steel Industries, Southeast Asia’s largest flat-steel manufacturing complex, on a business reorganisation. 

Key clients

Export Import Bank of Thailand, Krung Thai Bank, Ladprao, Saha Farms, Siam City Bank, Triple T Broadband

Client feedback

 “Fast, efficient, to the point, robust advocacy, and strong on relevant detail. Not cheap but they are one of Thailand's best firms in this area.” - Dispute resolution

“The firm was responsive and delivered quality legal advice. There were no communication issues - the WCP lawyers spoke perfect English and Thai law concepts were carefully advised.” - Regulatory

“All partners and associates of the firm that have worked on this litigation matter have been highly attentive and responsive. Led by Sakchai Limsiripothong, the litigation team was of the highest calibre. The litigation involved many documents and many collateral estoppel issues arising from other cases involving the parties. The team reviewed all such matters exhaustively. In addition, the team was very attentive to all questions or concerns I had, taking into consideration and addressing them respectfully. The team collaborated well with co-defendants in the litigation. In addition to the team's thorough work, the team exhibited a creative approach to the issues presented in the litigation. I highly recommend this firm.” - Dispute resolution

“They are reliable and up to date. Timing is most important in legal matters and partners are accessible at all times.” - Corporate and M&A 

“The firm’s strengths are firstly, its commitment, both in terms of time and resources; secondly, its high reliability, for example, a committed turnaround lead time, high work quality, flawless execution, etc.; thirdly, the support in terms of strategic thinking, it goes beyond just legal advice, the firm also provides ideas and support in terms of strategic thinking. They work closely as a partner and as a team rather than just providing advice on legal aspects.” - Corporate and M&A

Regulatory  

Work highlights 

Advised Easyparcel Thailand, a web-based parcel consolidator and e-commerce shipping solutions provider, regarding foreign direct investment and business compliance in Thailand.

Advised True Vox Asia, a leading Malaysian start-up of a leading data analytics company, to set up its presence in Thailand and providing general advice on corporate compliance and data privacy.

Client feedback 

“Good local and regional expertise.” - Regulatory