Thailand

Independent firm Blumenthal Richter & Sumet continues to grow its broad-ranging dispute resolution offering under the leadership of Anuwat Ngamprasertkul. The team further bolstered its ranks last year with the hiring of a senior associate from PWC Legal & Tax Consultants. The disputes team has been busy, handling contentious matters relating to business rehabilitations, hostile takeovers, white-collar crime and disputes in the commercial, shareholder, real estate, employment and tax realms, among others. The firm works with a balanced mix of domestic conglomerates and foreign multinationals.

Head of the litigation and dispute resolution Ngamprasertkul is the main contact.

The team is acting for a group of foreign creditors in objecting to the business rehabilitation case of a large real estate company. Also on the restructuring and insolvency front, the team is representing a Thai automobile manufacturer on a potential dispute with its dealerships in relation to outstanding debt. A director of a domestic hospitality company has enlisted Ngamprasertkul and his team for a criminal case. The team is working with a Singporean investment company in a commercial dispute with a Phuket-based real estate developer where the client is alleging its investment and assets were siphoned off.

Client feedback

“The firm delivers authentic service, high efficiency, positive attitude and concrete knowledge.” – Commercial and transactions

Anuwat Ngamprasertkul

“We appreciate his positive attitude, knowledge, efficiency, quick turnaround time and professionalism.”

Chandler MHM continues to cement its standing among domestic disputes players through its growing caseload and mature team. With an experienced line-up of veteran litigators on board since 2021, the firm has tackled increasingly complex mandates for numerous industry-leading companies. The group represents local and international clients, and covers a spectrum of disputes including regulatory, insolvency, construction, insurance, employment, intellectual property, civil and tax and customs. It has significant expertise with court proceedings in the local courts, including specialised ones such as the labour and IP courts, and in domestic and international arbitration forums.  

The key contacts are dispute resolution head Waree Shinsirikul and partner Nathee Silacharoen.

Client feedback

“The relationship management and communications was handled well.” – Commercial and transactions

“Very responsive and proactive.” – Construction

Sakolrat Srangsomwong

“She is very responsive and sensitive to the client's needs.”

As one of the leading names in disputes globally, Herbert Smith Freehills in Thailand wins accolades from peers for its longstanding experience and stellar clientele. The practice focuses on commercial disputes and international arbitration in a myriad of industry sectors, including banking, mining, energy and construction, and technology, media and telecommunications. The team is respected by the market for its leading class action lawsuit expertise. The team has seen an uptick in competition and class action mandates over the past year. The team remains active in supporting Japanese clients on disputes arising out of their inbound investments, operations and joint ventures in Thailand.

The disputes leaders are managing partner Chinnawat Thongpakdee and partner Warathorn Wongsawangsiri. Both focus on general dispute resolution and international arbitration.

The team worked on two class action lawsuits during the past year. It defended local client Golden Land Property Development in a consumer protection class action proceeding and defended listed Japanese company JTrust and its subsidiary in a security class action proceeding.

The firm counts China Railway Construction, Credit Suisse and Total Access Communication among its key clients.

Client feedback

“Excellent legal advice and litigation strategy.” – Commercial and transactions

Warathorn Wongsawangsiri

“He is great with problem-solving and litigation strategy.”

Ilawasia was established in 2011 and features a dispute resolution group headed by managing partner Somphob Rodboon. The firm offers comprehensive litigation coverage, particularly in commercial, civil, intellectual property, international trade, labour and employment, and insolvency matters. The team is increasing its position in high-value real estate and construction disputes. The firm operates in Lao PDR and has an affiliate operation in Myanmar.

The main contact for disputes work is Rodboon.

The firm recently acted for construction company, TTCL Public Company, in an arbitration proceeding related to power plant project disputes. In a breach of contract case, the liquidator of Chao Phraya Insurance turned to the firm to help recoup funds that its insurance brokerage company received from clients that had not been reimbursed to the account of the general insurance fund.

Client feedback

“Quick responses and the work is professionally done.” – Commercial and transactions

Kudun and Partners’ well-rounded disputes offering comprises no less than 15 seasoned litigators who have acted before all levels of court, as well as in national and international arbitrations. Peers have noted the firm’s increasing visibility on high-stakes, large disputes. Clients range from domestic industry giants to overseas-based multinationals. The firm is experienced in complex commercial litigations and white-collar crime matters, and regularly handles litigations and arbitrations related to construction and employment. During the research period, the firm remained busy on a range of disputes borne from business restructurings, rehabilitations and employment issues, and it added mandates related to defamation, class action lawsuits and financial products. The firm is representing the largest creditor groups and the creditors’ committee in Thai Airways’ historic rehabilitation. In the past 12 months, the disputes team gained Gulf Energy Development, Hitachi Astemo Asia, Nusasiri and Sany Group as new clients.

The three key partners in the dispute resolution practice are co-heads Somboon Sangrungjang and Pariyapol Kamolsilp, and Niruch Winiyakul.

The team successfully represented Jiangxi Water and Hydropower Construction on an EPC litigation case involving the government’s water supply project against a Thai contractor. Another happy client was Jetion Solar, which the Kudun team helped defend in a high-value breach of contract matter. On the employment side, the firm is defending a global seed company against a former employee who is accusing the client of unfair dismissal.

The firm welcomed the arrival of Emi Rowse Igusa from Herbert Smith Freehills to launch its new Japan practice.

Key clients include Advanced Info Service Public Company, Asia Wealth Securities, Big Camera, Digital Phone Company, LG Electronics, Mimo Tech, RHB Securities and Volvo Group.

Client feedback

“They think out of the box to find creative solutions for problems.” – Commercial and transactions

“All aspects of Kudun & Partners’ legal knowledge and professional advice are no different from the top law firms in Thailand. It is high value for money for its service.” – Commercial and transactions

“Kudun & Partners does well and it was able to get the temporary injunction approval from the court.” – Construction

Pariyapol Kamolsilp

“Very responsive and business-minded. Ability to offer creative solutions.”

“He is a respected team leader and closely monitors the cases he is in charge of.”

Emi Rowse Igusa

“Emi is a talented lawyer who is hard-working and diligent. She has a deep understanding of the Japanese legal and commercial market, and she is a pleasure to work with.”

Kongkoch Yongsavasdikul

“He gives well-thought-out legal advice, with strong commercial sense and professional legal knowledge.”/

Regional firm LS Horizon has a respected dispute resolution practice led by three partners. It has a notable commercial and regulatory litigation track record.

Key contacts at the firm are disputes partners Lersak Kancvalskul, Wanchai Yiamsamatha and Thanaluck Sunananta.

The team continues to defend the Stock Exchange of Thailand in relation to an injunction motion regarding the bourse’s delisting order filed by International Engineering Public Company. The firm is also acting for an international commodities company in relation to a petroleum concession dispute and arbitration.

The sizeable dispute resolution team at Rajah & Tann Thailand has the bench strength to handle important litigation. The firm boasts an experienced team of lawyers that covers the full spectrum of contentious Thai law matters, including civil, criminal and administrative litigation, domestic and international arbitration, and government investigations and compliance proceedings. The team has a strong track record for shareholder disputes, professional negligence issues, trade matters, and restructuring and insolvency proceedings. This year, the firm boosted its contentious IP offering with the joining of leading IP figure, partner Nuttaphol Arammuang from Zico IP.

Eight experienced partners cover the full scope of disputes work across a range of practice areas and sectors. Led by senior partner Surasak Vajasit, the other key individuals are Supawat Srirungruang, Pakpoom Suntornvipat, Ittichai Prasongprasit, Chotiwit Ngamsuwan and Krida Phoonwathu. For trade and customs matters, deputy managing partner Melisa Uremovic is highly regarded.

Publishable highlights include the team’s representation of True Corporation in a copyright infringement lawsuit over the ownership of architectural work and its defence for Fuji Cream Dot Com over its trademark rights in a cancellation action filed by another Japanese competitor.

Client feedback

“Rajah & Tann takes time and makes an extra effort to best understand the client's specific situation before taking actions towards resolution.” – Commercial and transactions

Nattaphat Wattanabanjongsul

“He relays to the client the facts and his perspective on how to best proceed with pragmatism and care. He inspires confidence.”

SCL Nishimura & Asahi is an alliance between Japanese firm Nishimura & Asahi and local outfit, SCL Group, an integration that was completed formally in mid-2021. The dispute resolution group has no less than seven dedicated litigation and arbitration lawyers, led by three partners. The team grew last year with the addition of an experienced team of litigators from a local rival. Its offering covers the full spectrum of disputes management and representation, from general commercial and labour disputes to international arbitration and tax dispute resolution. Notably, the firm has a respected contentious intellectual property practice. 

Key figures for the firm’s dispute resolution practice are managing partner Chavalit Uttasart and partners Vira Kammee and Punjaporn Kosolkitiwong. The latter joined from Dej-Udom & Associates in May last year.

The firm remains instrumental for Nok Airlines Public in its rehabilitation, assisting on the rehabilitation plan after going through the trial proceedings. It is also acting for the beleaguered airline on challenging more than 100 applications for debt repayment submitted by creditors. In another case, the team is representing a high-net-worth family on its numerous civil and criminal disputes relating to the appointment of an administrator of a deceased family member’s estate.

In a seminal case, Uttasart and his team are representing trust clients in a civil dispute relating to tort claims that arose out of several disputes. The cause of action for the alleged tort is based on the submissions in several lawsuits against the listed company. The ruling in this case will establish a precedent as to whether or not a listed company can make a claim against an investor for its actions and to what extent damages can be claimed. The Thai Supreme Court has never ruled on the legality of this type of action by a listed company, or on the validity of avoidance of a contract on the grounds that the operating results were exaggerated and caused an investor to misunderstand the true financial health of a company.

Client feedback

“They have professionalism with a deep understanding of the issues concerned.”– Commercial and transactions

Chavalit Uttasart

“Always calm and professional.”

Regional powerhouse Tilleke & Gibbins is a firm of choice for international clients for dispute resolution in Thailand. From its commercial litigation strength to its prowess in contentious intellectual property, peers and clients confirm the firm’s presence at the top end of the league tables. It boasts more than 30 attorneys in the Bangkok office that specialise in litigation and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to Thai matters, the Bangkok team regularly advises on litigation throughout the region in collaboration with litigators based in the firm’s offices in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. The team is notable in the areas of arbitration, aviation, employment, energy, insurance, intellectual property, product liability, and trade and customs. The firm’s disputes client roster includes many global corporations and industry leaders.

Five partners and five counsels lead the sizeable dispute resolution practice. The main contacts are the directors of dispute resolution, Chusert Supasitthumrong and John Frangos. Other key partners for are Nandana Indananda, Suebsiri Taweepon and Thawat Damsa-ard.

The team continues to act for Lonsin Capital in a high-value cross-border litigation over bond dividends. The judgment was issued in the client’s favour and the opposing parties, the plaintiffs, have appealed. Although details are confidential, the firm is involved in multiple high stakes cases including a high-value, cross-border subrogation claim, a $74 million battle over real estate in central Bangkok and a white-collar crime investigation from a Chinese heavy machinery manufacturer. The firm is also handling a significant maritime dispute involving five ship arrest petitions.

Highlighting the team’s penchant for market-leading mandates, Supasitthumrong is leading a team in a first-of-its-kind cryptocurrency dispute in Thailand. The firm also remains central to representing numerous creditors in the Thai Airways rehabilitation case, the largest in Thai history.

Client feedback

“The firm provided thorough legal and in-depth practical advice regarding a controversial matter, supported by excellent research.” – Government and regulatory

John Frangos

“He is responsive and provides reliable, professional, and intelligent legal advice.”

Weerawong C&P’s litigation and arbitration practice complements its market-leading transactional offerings. The firm maintains its first-tier status for commercial and corporate disputes, contentious government and regulatory, and employment matters. This year it debuts in the IP table and climbs into the top tier for its international trade and customs expertise. Its bench of seasoned litigators provides a comprehensive range of dispute resolution services before all court levels and global arbitration forums. The firm acts for clients across all industry sectors in both domestic and cross-border matters.

Senior counsel Phisit Dejchaiyasak leads the firm’s dispute resolution practice group, which includes partners Sakchai Limsiripothong, Rapinnart Prongsiriwattana, Natthida Pranutnorapal and Raweepun Pitakchatiwong. Pitakchatiwong joined from an in-house role at DTAC, a Thai telecoms provider.

The firm is representing a Thai Stock Exchange-listed real estate company in a dispute with a Singaporean shareholder. In a labour matter, the team defended a Fortune 500 US-based multinational corporation against an unfair dismissal claim by a former senior employee. A Japanese printed wiring board company enlisted the firm for criminal and civil litigation proceedings initiated by a former senior executive: the ex-employee sought to stop the liquidation process of the client’s Thai-affiliated company and claim a specific trade name.

The team continues to act for a state-owned oil and gas company in connection with a fatal explosion that occurred on one of its gas transmission lines in 2020. It is also working for the same client as a creditor in a project-related contractor’s insolvency.