Thailand > Corporate and M&A > Corporate and M&A
Corporate and M&A
Baker & McKenzie is applauded for its ‘strong political relationships’, its ‘leading M&A practice’ and its ‘excellence in support areas’. The team garners the majority of its instructions through the financial services, insurance and real estate sectors, and in a major recent highlight, advised Kasikorn Bank on its $220m acquisition of existing shares and newly issued shares in Mueng Thai Life Assurance and Mueng Thai Fortis Holding. The firm houses a significant proportion of Thailand’s leading lights including Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, ‘the name every client wants on their side’ and Anurat Tiyaphorn. The ‘dynamic and commercial’ Sorachon Boonsong is also recommended.
At Weerawong, Chinnavat & Peangpanor, Weerawong Chittmittrapap is sought after for M&A deals; ‘his connections, knowledge and legal skills set him apart from his competitors’. While, the firm’s demerger from White & Case LLP may affect its flow of referrals, it enjoys a leading reputation among Thai corporates and its international experience and ‘commercial aptitude’ should stand it in good stead. KTB Securities and General Electric Capital Asia Investments are recent clients. Other recommended partners include capital markets specialist Peangpanor Boonklum.
Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s ‘strong and supportive’ three-partner team wins praise for its ‘superb client management’ and ‘commercial legal skills’. Arkrapol Pichedvanichok is a ‘leading corporate lawyer’ and led the team advising Thai Oil on its $120m purchase of 80% of Sak Chaisidhi and its acquisition of a solvent distribution and marketing business from The Shell Company of Thailand. Suparerk Auychai and Simon Makinson are also highly regarded.
Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is ‘top choice for international referral work’, and in 2008, advised Morrison & Foerster Ito & Mitomi on the Thai corporate issues relating to the acquisition of Fiji’s HDD business in Japan and Thailand. Ratana Poonsombudlert is recommended.
Clifford Chance (Thailand) Limited wins praise for its ‘integration into the Thai market’ and recently advised Shell on the sale of its solvents business in Thailand and Vietnam to Thai Oil. Other representative clients include Cobra International, Istithmar Hotels and Istithmar Ventures. Andrew Matthews is praised for his ‘excellent business knowledge’.
Linklaters scores points for its ‘in-depth knowledge’, ‘intensive research’ and excellence in the corporate, corporate governance and capital market areas, with clients singling out Pichitpon Eammongkolchai as ‘reactive and well connected’. Among the firm’s recent mandates, it advised AIG, and certain subsidiaries, on the sale of 99.55% of the shares in AIG Retail Bank and 100% of the shares in AIG Card (Thailand) to Bank of Ayudhya, worth THB2.55bn
Norton Rose (Thailand) Limited is praised for ‘openly sharing issues and concerns’ and for being ‘experienced and hardworking’. In a major highlight, office managing partner Phillip John worked alongside the firm’s Singapore office to advise HSBC Asia Pacific Holdings on its $605.5m acquisition of 89% of Indonesia-based PT Bank Ekonomi Raharja Tbk. Somboon Kitiyansub is ‘customer-oriented’.
DLA Piper assisted DLA Phillips Fox in advising Fujitsu on its $48m purchase of Supply Chain Consulting Pty; Dr. Chanvitaya Suvarnapunya’s team undertook the due diligence in Bangkok. Supreedee Nimitkul is also a noted name.
Mayer Brown JSM’s extensive international network is illustrated through a client base that encompasses such well-known brands as Diageo. Peter Burke is considered ‘steeped in local knowledge’.
Siam Premier ‘understands that in the current economic environment in-house lawyers are under pressure to deliver’. Marcus Clark’s local knowledge ‘gives him the edge over his competitors’ and the firm recently advised Hewlett-Packard on the Thai aspects of its cross-border acquisition of an international IT service provider.
Deacons’ associated Bangkok outpost acts for an impressive list of foreign multinationals such as AT&T Group and Burger King. Managing partner Harvey Price is the main contact.
Herbert Smith (Thailand) Limited only launched its corporate practice in 2007 but has already established a solid deal flow. Recent transactions include advising GE Homeland Protection on setting-up business in Thailand. Rashane Leerabandhu is recommended.
Edward Koehler’s ‘knowledgeable’ team at Hunton & Williams (Thailand) Limited also includes the ‘responsive’ Stephen Bennett. The firm is strong on energy matters but continues to branch out, recently advising Ocean Life Insurance and shareholders on its sale of a 24% stake to Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance.
International Legal Counsellors Thailand specialises in advising local clients on international expansion, but also advises foreign businesses on establishment in Thailand. Mallika E S Margherita is the main contact.
LS Horizon Limited’s reputation continues to grow with Charin Satchayon praised as a ‘legal and regulatory expert’. Property is a strong area and it recently advised CPN, the largest developer and operator of shopping centres in Thailand, on the acquisition of a THB2.1bn hotel and department store.
Capital markets specialist, Thanathip & Partners Legal Counsellors Limited, ‘punches well above its weight’ and clients say, ‘being a smaller firm it also provides better value for money’. The team advised SET-listed Nation Multimedia on the proposed spin-off of two subsidiaries in preparation for their IPOs.
Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd has always had an impressive client list but recently its deal volume has grown impressively. Highlights include advising Automatic Data Processing on the $25m establishment of a subsidiary in Thailand.
Bangkok International Associates specialises in advising international clients on the domestic aspects of global transactions. The firm also sees a steady flow of work in advising on corporate issues arising from the Foreign Business Act.
Koerner & Associates Ltd boasts a niche in the automotive sector and clients include DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) and Continental Automotive.
LawPlus Ltd advised a leading electronic company in Japan on the acquisition of an interest in Thailand, worth THB70m. Kowit Somwaiya is recommended.
Lorenz & Partners specialises in advising on inbound investment into Thailand, and clients are largely comprised of European-based companies.
Respondek & Fan Pte Ltd is standing counsel to Symrise for all Asia Pacific matters. Clients praise the firm’s ‘excellent industry knowledge’ and its ability to ‘always provide other alternatives’.
The Legists Ltd advises international clients on establishment in Thailand, as well as compliance and corporate tax issues.
Headquartered in France, Vovan & Associés has a strong FDI practice with the capability to advise on high value deals.