The Legal 500

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s team scores points for its ‘international network with great coordination from local offices’. Recommended lawyers include the ‘flexible’ and ‘client-focused’ Arkrapol Pichedvanichok and office managing partner Simon Makinson. Over the past year, the firm has seen an increase in instructions from Thai companies investing abroad and notably advised PTT Chemical International Private Limited, subsidiary of PTT Chemical Public Company, on its $60m acquisition of a 46% stake in US-based Myriant Technologies.

Baker & McKenzie is the largest team in the market and clients value its ‘extensive practice range’ and its ‘large global network that enables it to provide advice on a broad range of laws, and jurisdictions, without delay’. Lawyers are ‘experienced, agile, prudent and efficient’ and include the high-profile Kitipong Urapeepatanapong - noted as ‘the best for complex capital markets transactions’- and M&A partner Peerapan Tungsuwan. The firm’s ‘peerless capacity to resource deals’ guarantees it a role on most of the market’s headline transactions and it regularly acts for large domestic and foreign corporates. Highlights included advising Thai Airways on its $487m IPO.

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Peangpanor is the ‘leading domestic firm in the market since its demerger from White & Case LLP.’ Certainly, the firm’s trio of name partners are highly recommended, with corporate head Peangpanor Boonklum, capital markets heavyweight Weerawong Chittmittrapap and corporate finance specialist Chinnavat Chinsangaram all highly regarded in their respective fields. The firm acted for Health Network on its $327.5m merger with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services - the largest private hospital operator in Thailand.

At Clifford Chance (Thailand) Limited, Andrew Matthews is recommended for corporate finance, while Doungporn Prasertsomsuk is known for debt capital markets deals. Although its Bangkok practice is small, the corporate team leverages off its global reputation to act for leading Thai and foreign companies. In 2010, True Corporation instructed the firm on its THB4.35bn acquisition of Hutchison Wireless Multimedia Holdings.

Linklaters secured roles on major deals in the natural resources, insurance and retail sectors over the past twelve months. However, the highlight was undoubtedly advising French retailer Groupe Casino, and Thai subsidiary Big C, on its successful $1.2bn bid for Carrefour’s Thai assets, consisting of 42 stores across the country - a hotly contested and high-profile auction. Managing partner Wilailuk Okanurak and corporate finance specialist Pichitpon Eammongkolchai are the main contacts.

Norton Rose (Thailand) Limited’s team is led by the ‘efficient and responsive’ Phillip John, and includes the ‘highly knowledgeable’ Somboon Kitiyansub. In 2011, the firm advised PTT Aromatics on its proposed merger with PTT Chemical. Other representative clients included BBL Asset Management and HSBC.

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited’s market-leading energy practice reaps a steady flow of instructions on the corporate side. The firm recently advised Hutchinson Technology on the establishment of its first assembly plant outside USA, worth over $100m. Ratana Poonsombudlert is recommended.

In 2010, DLA Piper’s team was strengthened by the arrival of senior consultant Tim Dobson from Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd. Chanvitaya Suvarnapunya advised the University of Central Lancashire on the proposed structure for a joint venture with a Thai investor to set up a university in Thailand, worth approximately THB600m.

LS Horizon Limited is an ‘entrepreneurial firm with strong corporate nous’, and Sunpasiri Sunpa-a-sa and Sawanan Limparangsri are recommended for corporate and capital markets work. In a demonstration of its regional strength, the firm advised EDL on its restructuring and the privatisation of the power generation sector in Laos.

Hunton & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s corporate team is praised for its ‘increasing presence on the big Thai deals’. The firm is particularly recommended for advice to energy corporates, and it recently represented a Thai energy company on the sale of interests in a foreign coal mine to a Hong Kong-listed company. Edward Koehler and Stephen Bennett are noted for their ‘strong experience in the Thai market’.

Siam Premier received a significant number of energy-related instructions over the past twelve months, but it was in Thailand’s growing financial services sector that it really shined. Among its transactions, it advised Seamico Securities on the merger of its securities businesses with KTB, a subsidiary of Krung Thai Bank. Its joint venture with Allens Arthur Robinson continues to be a major plus for clients. Marcus Clark is recommended.

Tilleke & Gibbins attracts praise for its ‘respectful and efficient’ service and clients say ‘its response times are among the fastest’. Piyanuj Ratprasatporn heads a team that is growing in profile and size; notably the arrival Jeffrey Blatt as of counsel adds strength in telecoms and technology. In a headline transaction, the firm acted for Amcor on its acquisition of five Thai subsidiaries of Alcan Packaging from Rio Tinto.

Deacons predominantly works for foreign clients, with the real estate, telecoms and automobile sectors being active areas of work. Douglas Mancill is recommended for advising on compliance issues relating to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Boutique firm Thanathip & Partners Legal Counsellors Limited is a Thai institution and even its limited size scores points because ‘service is more personal given its smaller firm structure’. Thanathip Pichetvanichok receives glowing reviews for being ‘an excellent all-rounder with a disciplined approach to problem solving’ and for his ‘savvy on local and international business matters’. The firm advised BNP Paribas Personal Finance on the THB200m disposal of its interest in Cetelem.

In 2011, Watson, Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited ramped up its corporate offering with the hire of senior associate Christopher Osborne and three associates from Herbert Smith (Thailand) Limited. The firm has strength across the transport, energy and telecoms sectors, and deals included advising Minza Oil & Gas on the $100m sale of oil acreage in the East Timor Sea to an Asian oil & gas company.

Bangkok International Associates specialises in advising international clients on business issues. The firm recently advised the foreign seller of a glass bottle manufacturer in Thailand.

Blumenthal Richter & Sumet is advising Continental Automotive (Thailand) on its €120m factory investment - currently Germany’s largest investment in Thailand. Andreas Richter is recommended.

At International Legal Counsellors Thailand, managing director Jayavadh Bunnag is strong on the tax and regulatory sides. The firm specialises in advising local clients on international expansion.

Koerner & Associates Ltd is particularly active in advising on corporate matters in the automotive sector. Clients include DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-Benz (Thailand).

LawPlus Ltd recently advised on a cross-border deal involving three countries. Kowit Somwaiya is a ‘knowledgeable and decisive partner’.

At Lorenz & Partners, Till Morstadt is recommended for his ‘committed and professional service’. The firm specialises in acting for German clients on inbound investment.

Respondek & Fan Pte Ltd provides day-to-day corporate advice to Symrise AG and also advises Lufthansa’s data procession centre in Bangkok on general matters.

Rödl & Partner’s client list goes beyond German companies to include the Thai operations of other European and US-based companies. M&A and restructuring are active areas.

The Legists Ltd leverages off its strong projects practice to advise energy companies on general corporate matters.

Vovan & Associés focuses on advising French and US clients on inbound investment to Thailand.