Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution: international arbitration

Building upon the opening of its new office in Bangkok in November 2022, international arbitration specialist Ian Johnston leads the team at Clyde & Co and acts for local and international insurers and reinsurers, major hospitality organisations and construction companies.

Dispute resolution: international arbitration in Thailand

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited

Leveraging its expansive network of offices, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited is capable of providing international arbitration and litigation services for clients situated in the transport, energy and infrastructure sectors. Notably, the team is also routinely engaged by litigation funders such as Augusta Ventures and Lighthouse. Steven Burkill, Kay Kian Tan, Ratthakarn Boonnua and Tossaporn Sumpiputtanadacha combine their vast experience to lead the practice. Burkill is well-versed in managing international disputes, while Tan counts a host of corporates and multinationals in his client roster. Boonnua bolsters the practice with his experience in international trade and business crime, among others, and Sumpiputtanadacha excels in international business law as well as international litigation and arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Steven Burkill; Kay Kian Tan; Ratthakarn Boonnua; Tossaporn Sumpiputtanadacha


Other key lawyers:

Bhavish Advani


Testimonials

Watson Farley & Williams’ Bangkok office is a market leader in the region for international arbitration in energy, oil and gas, renewables, power, utilities and infrastructure project disputes.’

‘Steven Burkill is excellent and provides a deep understanding of Thai and SE Asian disputes and dispute resolution. He is very highly regarded by Thai and international clients doing business in the region.’

‘Ratthakarn Boonnua has a wide international arbitration practice and a vibrant Thai Court commercial practice acting as advocate in the Thai courts and arbitration on some of the largest commercial disputes in the country.’

Key clients

Antanium Resources Pte Ltd


Department of Mineral Fuels, Ministry of Energy, Government of Thailand


Work highlights


  • Advising and acting for the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Energy in a multi-billion US dollar arbitration, relating to decommissioning disputes with oil major concessionaires concerning assets in the Gulf of Thailand.

Baker McKenzie LLP

Alongside capabilities that encompass the entire arbitral process, Baker McKenzie LLP's range of services also includes resolving post-M&A disputes and enforcing arbitration awards. Wynn Pakdeejit leads the practice with his extensive experience in a variety of international litigation. Pisut Attakamol counts multinational companies and major local business entities in his client roster, while Suksawat Watewaic's strengths include handling environmental, tax and commercial issues in the courts.

Practice head(s):

Wynn Pakdeejit


Other key lawyers:

Pisut Attakamol; Suksawat Watewai


DLA Piper

‘Leading litigator’ Don Rojanapenkul helms the DLA Piper team, which has experience across a diverse suite of issues including commercial and construction disputes, criminal cases and investigations. The team is also increasingly involved in international arbitration arising from construction and infrastructure. Senior consultant Peter Shelford is noted for his expertise in insurance and construction-related international arbitration, while Robert Tang handles complex disputes, routinely acting as co-counsel on international arbitration and insurance cases. Komson Suntheeraporn specialises in employment disputes, construction disputes and restructuring and insolvency.

Practice head(s):

Don Rojanapenkul


Other key lawyers:

Peter Shelford; Robert Tang; Komson Suntheeraporn


Testimonials

‘Don Rojanapenkul is a leading litigator in Thailand, known for his attention to details and his ability to structure effective litigation strategy which meets or exceeds his clients’ needs.’

‘Beyond Thailand, Don Rojanapenkul works cohesively with DLA Piper’s global network of highly qualified litigators.’

‘Don Rojanapenkul is an exceptional litigator. He is a trusted adviser to the organisation and continues to deliver exceptional services to every matter.’

Key clients

Korean Reinsurance Company


The Shell Company of Thailand Limited


RJR Engineering Limited and Ninive Casseforme S.R.L.


Work highlights


  • Acting as defense counsel for a subsidiary of a Thai listed energy company in a potential ICC Arbitration in relation to a $300m commodities dispute.
  • Acting as defence counsel for the IT provider for the air transport industry and various C-suite directors, in relation to a civil claim filed by Samart PCL for an alleged breach of an exclusivity provision in a Memorandum of Understanding.
  • Representing Shell in an LCIA arbitration against Schenker, a global logistics company which acts as Shell’s freight forwarding agent. The dispute concerns breach of contract and negligence claims arising out of tax and customs issues.

Herbert Smith Freehills (Thailand) Limited

Drawing on its office network across Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Singapore, Herbert Smith Freehills (Thailand) Limited has experience in international arbitration proceedings across the whole ASEAN region. Joint practice head Chinnawat Thongpakdee counts commercial and government clients in his roster, while fellow practice head Warathorn Wongsawangsiri is praised for his ‘longstanding experience in international arbitration‘, and handles cases across a range of sectors, including consumer products, healthcare and TMT.

Practice head(s):

Chinnawat Thongpakdee; Warathorn Wongsawangsiri


Testimonials

‘The litigation team at Herbert Smith Freehills (Thailand) Limited., no doubt, obtained a very strong knowledge and experience in international arbitration, which only a few firms in Thailand have this much quality. Their commitment to the work and deadline is also excellent.’

‘Warathorn Wongsawangsiri has a very longstanding experience in international arbitration, which makes him one of the leading lawyers in this area in Thailand.’

Tilleke & Gibbins

Capable of advising across a full suite of ADR proceedings, Tilleke & Gibbins is especially active in the construction, energy, infrastructure and maritime arenas. John Frangos, Michael Ramirez and Noppramart Thammateeradaycho steer the practice, with the latter possessing notable expertise in the construction, energy, insurance and aviation and shipping industries.

Practice head(s):

John Frangos; Noppramart Thammateeradaycho; Michael Ramirez


Key clients

Insultec International


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the Thai subsidiary of a multinational real estate development and property management conglomerate in construction-related arbitration before the Thai Arbitration Institute (TAI).