Rising Stars

Labour and employment in Thailand

Baker McKenzie LLP

Spearheaded by Suriyong Tungsuwan, who contributes his expertise in employment-related M&A and spin-offs to the team, Baker McKenzie LLP's comprehensive offering encompasses restructurings, employment compliance work, anti-discrimination laws and industrial disputes. ‘Standout’ Chaiporn Supvoranid focuses on employment disputes, fraud investigations, consumer claims and insurance claims, while Pisut Attakamol is active on the disputes side of the employment arena. Nam-Ake Lekfuangfu is regularly engaged by clients to handle employment and immigration matters, from modern workforce issues to the gender pay gap. Theeranit Pongpanarat is active across a diverse multitude of sectors, ranging from energy and electronics to retail and banking.

Practice head(s):

Suriyong Tungsuwan


Other key lawyers:

Chaiporn Supvoranid; Pisut Attakamol; Nam-Ake Lekfuangfu; Theeranit Pongpanarat


Testimonials

‘Expertise, responsiveness, understanding of the client’s needs and practicality of advice from Nam-Ake Lekfuangfu.’

‘This firm provides practical solutions for litigation issues. The team’s strength in litigation is impressive.’

‘Excellent technical skills and commercial understanding of results in effective, practical advice. Ability to provide efficient solutions. Very responsive.’

Key clients

Thai Airways International


Bangkok Airways


Standard Chartered Bank


Takeda


Mitsubishi Electric Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd.


Isuzu Motors Company (Thailand) Limited


Swarovski


Tesla


Work highlights


  • Advising Thailand’s national carrier airline on encompassing employment-related aspects of its major debt restructuring process.
  • Assisted a leading insurance company on employment law issues and requirements in connection with the amalgamation with another major health and insurance company.
  • Act as general counsel to a leading automotive client in the process of labour demands submitted by employees, including strike action and lock-outs.

Tilleke & Gibbins

On the contentious side of Tilleke & Gibbins's labour and employment practice, the team advises clients on sexual harassment claims, strike management and employment committee cases. Chusert Supasitthumrong helms the contentious team, being one of a few Labour Relations Advisors to the Thai Ministry of Labour, while Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut spearheads the non-contentious practice, which counts a number of leading multinational companies in its client roster. Key undertakings include advising on employee terminations, executive compensation and safety issues. Associate Nuanchun Somboonvinij assists with a range of contentious issues.

Practice head(s):

Chusert Supasitthumrong; Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut


Other key lawyers:

Nuanchun Somboonvinij


Testimonials

‘They have good insight into the Thai legal framework and are able to explain to non-Thai lawyers on the local requirements in plain simple terms, as well as provide advice that’s relevant and practical.’

‘Good understanding of Thai labour law, and the team is able to provide advice hat is plain and simple yet practical.’

Key clients

Alibaba


Booking.com


China International Capital Corporation (International) Limited


Dell


The Jelly Belly Candy Company


Pathology Asia Holdings Pte Ltd


POSCO


Rightsify Group LLC


Walt Disney (Thailand)


WarnerMedia


Work highlights


  • Engaged by China International Capital Corporation (International) Limited (CICC) to prepare a comprehensive employment law guide for the Thai market and assist in reviewing CICC’s template offer letter.
  • Advised Rightsify Group LLC on independent contractor and employment issues under Thai laws and regulations, including assistance in preparing a template independent contractor agreement and template employment contract for their use in Thailand.
  • Assisted The Jelly Belly Candy Company with employment-related advice for their Thailand operations, including reviewing and revising the client’s work rules, which are to be distributed and adhered to by their employees.

DLA Piper

A team that is capable of advising across the technology, transport and hospitality sectors, DLA Piper handles a diverse range of matters for its clients, from dismissal and discrimination claims to regulatory investigations and data privacy projects. Other key areas of expertise include layoffs and redundancies, harassment, bullying and discrimination. Steering the practice is Komson Suntheeraporn, who manages a range of contentious and non-contentious mandates, including data privacy. Senior associate Parada Saibua is experienced in handling an array of employment disputes, while associate Natnicha Nakhwan is well-versed in employment disputes, commercial disputes and arbitrations.

Practice head(s):

Komson Suntheeraporn


Other key lawyers:

Parada Saibua; Natnicha Nakhwan


Testimonials

‘Komson Suntheeraporn and Parada Saibua were both outstanding.’

Work highlights


  • Advising an IT company on an implementation of restrictive covenant and labour court proceedings.
  • Acting for a shipping service company in a significant maritime labour dispute.
  • Advising a major infrastructure and transportation company on a secondment arrangement for the supply of manpower in the operation and maintenance of a project in Thailand.

Kudun & Partners

Led by Niruch Winiyakul and Thanyaluck Thongrompo, Kudun & Partners's broad offering encompasses both contentious and non-contentious matters. On the contentious side, the firm handles industrial disputes, in addition to advising on health and safety law issues, whistleblowing and fraud investigations. On the non-contentious side, the team’s expertise includes workforce restructurings, due diligence and anti-discrimination laws. Winiyakul’s expertise encompasses contentious mattes, while Thongrompo counts a variety of local and international clients in her roster. Other key contacts in the group include Somboon Sangrungjang and Troy Schooneman.

Practice head(s):

Niruch Winiyakul; Thanyaluck Thongrompo


Other key lawyers:

Somboon Sangrungjang; Troy Schooneman


Key clients

Deloitte (Thailand)


Crown Equipment Corporation


Genpact Consulting Services (Thailand) Co., Ltd.


Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd.


King’s College International School Bangkok


Honest Financial Technologies International Private Limited


TC Manufacturing and Assembly (Thailand) Co., Ltd.


Royal Enfield (Thailand) Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Representing Genpact Consulting (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., a global professional digital and innovation services, in providing legal advice on the employment, payroll management, and insurance licensing business as well as in preparing the HR documents such as employment contracts, work rules, and termination letters to ensure compliance with Thai laws.
  • Representing Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of private cars, with corporate secretarial and consultation services in advising and providing legal advice on the leave encashment under the Labour Protection Act, the fraud by employees, the permits and licenses for operating the freezone, the registered address stated in the invoice, letterhead, envelope, and other documents as well as preparing and drafting the termination letter.
  • Representing one of the largest petroleum and petrochemical companies in the region in filing labour litigation case against an ex-employee on breach of employment contract.

R & T Asia (Thailand) Limited

Helmed by Saroj Jongsaritwang and Piroon Saengpakdee, R & T Asia (Thailand) Limited’s practice assists an extensive client roster that includes multinational companies and Thai conglomerates on an array of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team demonstrates expertise in disputes involving labour unions, managing termination for misconduct, conducting reviews of HR policies and employment contracts, as well as alleged fraud and anti-corruption investigations. Ittichai Prasongprasit holds vast experience in employment litigation, including disputes involving labour unions, while Supawat Srirungruang’s advises on a range of labour issues.

Practice head(s):

Saroj Jongsaritwang; Piroon Saengpakdee


Other key lawyers:

Ittichai Prasongprasit; Supawat Srirungruang


Siam Premier International Law Office Limited

Siam Premier International Law Office Limited advises clients on collective bargaining, termination of employment, industrial conflicts and strategic labour matters. Rawat Chomsri, Sumit Masrungson and Somchai Yungkarn jointly lead the practice. Chomsri regularly assists multinational and large domestic clients on contentious and non-contentious labour and employment mandates, while Masrungson has notable expertise in alternative dispute resolution, counting large private and public sector clients in his roster. Litigation specialist Yungkarn is entrusted by clients with sensitive labour and employment cases.

Practice head(s):

Rawat Chomsri; Somchai Yungarn; Sumit Masrungson


Testimonials

‘Response for a requirement is always fast and on time.’

Work highlights


Chandler MHM Limited

Steering Chandler MHM Limited’s labour and employment team, which has the capability to represent local and international multinational companies, is Waree Shinsirikul, Nathee Silacharoen and Chisako Takaya. Shinsirikul’s strengths lie in the litigation and alternative dispute resolution side of the labour and employment arena, while Takaya is entrusted by clients to handle employment-related M&A, as well as advise on labour law issues. Jutharat Anuktanakul is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Waree Shinsirikul; Nathee Silacharoen; Chisako Takaya


Other key lawyers:

Jutharat Anuktanakul


SCL Nishimura & Asahi Ltd

SCL Nishimura & Asahi Ltd's capabilities range from advising on employment law matters and representing clients in disputes to managing whistleblowing processes and negotiating settlements. Practice head Chanakarn Boonyasith has notable expertise in personal data protection mandates, as well as fielding a broader practice across contentious and non-contentious labour and employment matters. Associate Pitchabsorn Whangruammit, who routinely handles the review of employment contracts, is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Chanakarn Boonyasith


Other key lawyers:

Pitchabsorn Whangruammit


Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited's considerable experience extends from employment contracts and labour compliance mandates to employment disputes in the Labour Court. Ratthakarn Boonnua leads the practice, advising across the full suite of contentious and non-contentious matters, and counting maritime, insurance and energy sector clients in his roster. Piyanuj (Lui) Ratprasatporn's expertise spans corporate and commercial-related employment matters, as well as immigration and work permit-related issues.

Practice head(s):

Ratthakarn Boonnua


Other key lawyers:

Piyanuj (Lui) Ratprasatporn


Key clients

Chromalloy


Crowell & Moring


El Al Israel Airlines


KPMG Law Thailand

Active across a range of sectors, including electronics, food manufacturing and business consulting, KPMG Law Thailand's range of experience extends from employment contracts and internal policies to employee termination and disputes. The team is led by Kannika Boontaim, who is capable of advising clients on employment matters related to asset purchases for business operations. Boonyaporn Donnapee and Threenuch Bunruangthaworn, who act for Thai and multinational clients on labour compliance matters, are also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Kannika Boontaim


Other key lawyers:

Boonyaporn Donnapee; Threenuch Bunruangthaworn