The Legal 500

The 'outstanding' Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd fields an 'extremely responsive' team that advises on cross-border power and energy projects, with an excellent track record on the largest and most complex project financings in the region. Recent highlights include advising on the extension of a syndicate loan, and also on loans for the construction of two projects. The 'innovative and creative' Stephen Jaggs has 'excellent negotiation skills' and 'produces top-quality financing documentation'.

The 'very good and capable' Baker & McKenzie fields a team of 'banking industry experts' with broad experience across a range of sectors, including projects and real estate. It is particularly recommended for its derivatives expertise. Thinawat Bukhamana and Chaveewan Likhitwattanachai advised True Corporation and its subsidiary companies on the establishment of a credit facility in order to expand its wireless telecoms business in Thailand; and also advised Magnolia Quality Development on financing for the construction of a mixed-use development in Bangkok. Komkrit Kietduriyakul and Viroj Piyawattanametha advised Gulf JP on the financing for its Nong Saeng Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in Thailand. Sawanee Sethsathira and Vit Vatanayothin are also recommended.

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is renowned for its project finance advice, which spans Southeast Asia. The firm has experience representing Thai banks in cross-border financing deals, and also assists international financial institutions. Recent highlights include advising Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank and The Siam Commercial Bank on the financing for a major hydropower project in Laos, and also advising Sun Edison as the borrower in Kasikorn Bank's financing of two solar plants. It also has experience in biomass and wind farm projects. The 'excellent' Ratana Poonsombudlert is recommended, as are Maria Makanas, Albert Chandler and Jessada Sawatdipong.

Linklaters provides top-level advice to borrowers and lenders on domestic and cross-border transactions. In a key highlight, it advised The Dow Chemical Company and Solvay, as sponsors, and HPJV (Thailand), as borrower, on the THB8.5bn financing for a hydrogen peroxide plant and steam methane reformer, which marked the first time that an offshore foreign entity sought a THB-denominated loan from Thai financial institutions. On the lender side, the team acted for Bangkok Bank in connection with facilities worth $350m granted to Indorama Group to finance acquisitions in the US and Mexico. The 'excellent' Wilailuk Okanurak has a superb reputation. Pichitpon Eammongkolchai and Wanwisar Nakarat are also recommended.

Clifford Chance (Thailand) Limited is recommended for its lender-side advice, and acts for several global financial institutions on domestic and cross-border financing transactions across the project, asset (particularly aircraft financing) and structured finance arenas. In a first, it advised on a major gold mine financing in Thailand for Investec Bank (Australia), and Fergus Evans led in advising Chinatrust Commercial Bank, as part of a syndicate of Taiwanese lenders, on the $45m refinancing of two aircraft for Dutch leasing company AerCap. Joseph Tisuthiwongse is also recommended.

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Peangpanor has solid experience advising lenders and borrowers on work ranging from projects through to acquisition finance. Kulachet Nanakorn advised Kasikorn Bank on a $33.3m refinancing of bridge loans to Pace Development Corporation, and also acted for Advance Paper Mill in a $136m financing for a paper mill project. Peangpanor Boonklum advised Charoen Pokphand Foods on a $740m syndicated loan to finance its acquisition of CP Pokphand Company. The 'excellent' Weerawong Chittmittrapap and 'very bright and commercial' Chinnavat Chinsangaram are also recommended.

The 'highly responsive' Hunton & Williams (Thailand) Limited provides an 'excellent service' to lenders on project finance matters. In a major highlight, Manida Zinmerman acted for Kasikorn Bank as lead arranger in a $160m financing for the construction of the Thaicom 6 Satellite. Surasak Vajasit advised Krung Thai Bank on a THB8bn loan granted to an Italian-Thai joint venture for a mining project. The 'first-class' and 'solution-driven' Waranon Vanichprapa 'brings an ideal mix of technical excellence and commercial understanding' to any transaction. Stephen Bennett is also recommended.

LS Horizon Limited advises borrowers and lenders on energy project finance, particularly in the power and renewables arenas. Chaipat Kamchadduskorn and Montien Bunjarnondha advised Bangkok Bank on a THB3.7bn financing for a solar power project. Other key clients include The Siam Commercial Bank and Krung Thai Bank.

Norton Rose (Thailand) Limited has experience across the telecoms and energy sectors, with a particular focus on renewables. The 'experienced and knowledge' Somboon Kitiyansub leads the 'strong team', and advised Partners Group on its investment through a loan to a sponsor in two wind farm projects.

The 'responsive and helpful' team at Siam Premier is noted for its 'understanding of clients' requirements'. Nithi Soomswasdi advised TIPCO Foods on a THB300m loan from Thanachart Bank, and also assisted Macquarie Bank on a subordinated loan financing for the first steel dust recycling facility in Asia. Suttiphat Khamsirivatchara is recommended, and senior associate William Lehane provides 'clear and concise' advice.

Traditionally known for its strong IP focus, Tilleke & Gibbins also provides 'rapid and effective advice' on banking and finance mandates. Santhapat Periera is 'very professional and competent'. Cynthia Pornavalai is representing two Japanese banks in a ¥16bn syndicated loan granted to a Japanese company and guaranteed by Thai subsidiary assets.

LawPlus Ltd's Kowit Somwaiya is an established practitioner who acts for both Thai and international banks.

PriceSanond advises financial institutions on lending, structured finance, and regulatory issues, and has project finance experience. Jonathan Uchima is rated for his banking expertise.

The 'excellent' Thanathip & Partners Legal Counsellors Limited acts for borrowers in cross-border transactions. The 'prompt and client-orientated' firm is also rated for its strength-in-depth. Arunee Mahathorn 'goes out of her way to negotiate and advise clients on commercial issues'. Thanathip Pichedvanichok is also recommended.

Watson, Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited has an impressive reputation for ship finance work, and acts for several Thai transport companies in this regard.