The Legal 500

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s practice is led by the ‘highly commercial and user-friendly’ Stephen Jaggs. The firm scores points for its ‘unbeatable commitment and response times’ and strikes an enviable balance between acting for both banks and sponsors on regional energy projects. In a major highlight, the firm is leveraging off its global experience in public private partnerships (PPP) to advise Japan Bank for International Cooperation on a new PPP framework for Thailand. Other representative clients include The Kansai Electric Power Company and the Asian Development Bank.

Baker & McKenzie’s ‘market-leading resources guarantees that it is always one of the first firms you think of for a big financing’ and indeed the firm continues to garner roles on Thailand’s biggest deals. Notably it has secured several mandates arising out of the country’s long-awaited IPP programme and is currently representing Gulf JP in the $1.5bn financing of the construction and development of a gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Thailand. Sawanee Sethsathira is highly recommended.

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is ‘the undoubted project finance specialist in the market’, and the team demonstrates ‘unrivalled technical and commercial awareness’. Al Chandler’s involvement in a project ‘helps banks to rest easy at night’ and ‘ensures swift and efficient resolution’. Jessada Sawatdipong is also recommended as a ‘capable and thorough lawyer’. In a major display of its energy credentials, in 2010 the firm acted as Thai counsel to the lenders on the $2.7bn Hongsa financing - the largest ever project financing by a Thai bank.

Hunton & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s ‘in-depth knowledge of the energy sector adds value to any transaction’ and lawyers impress for their ‘dedication to the assignment’. In particular, Edward Koehler ‘understands the dynamic of the deal and communicates risks and solutions clearly’. The firm advised the lenders on a THB3.1bn syndicated loan provided to Siamgas and Petrochemicals for the acquisition of BP Zhuhai LPG.

At Linklaters, energy is a strong niche specialism of the firm’s finance practice under the leadership of the ‘commercial, authoritative and communicative’ Wilailuk Okanurak. Over the past year, the firm advised on a broad range of project financings, corporate matters and refinancings. Most notably, it acted for a Thai power company on its potential $300m acquisition of 49% interest in a coal-fired plant in Vietnam.

Clifford Chance (Thailand) Limited attracts praise for the services of counsel Joseph Tisuthiwongse, who is widely acclaimed as an ‘energy specialist particularly valuable for renewable energy work’. The firm advised the lenders on the THB8.5bn financing of Natural Energy Development’s solar power plant in Thailand.

LS Horizon Limited’s Chiridacha Phungsunthorn is considered a ‘very able and commercial lawyer’. The firm secured a role on the headline deal in the market in 2010; it advised Hongsa Power on the $2.7bn financing for the development and operation of the Hongsa Power Plant in Laos.

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Peangpanor acted for the syndicated lenders in the financing of seven Small Power Producer (SPP) projects to be developed by Gulf JP, worth approximately $1.1bn. Chairman Weerawong Chittmittrapap is recommended.

Herbert Smith (Thailand) Limited specialises in advising energy companies on contentious construction matters. Alastair Henderson is representing an energy development company on claims relating to a major hydroelectric plant.

Norton Rose (Thailand) Limited focuses on project finance and banking-related matters. The firm advised Bangkok Bank on a THB1.4bn credit facility to Rayong Terminal to finance the construction of a jetty and storage tank.

Siam Premier is recommended for the strong regional projects practice of Marae Ciantar, who hails from the Allens Arthur Robinson side of the joint venture. The firm represented Italian-Thai Development on the sale of its interest in the Nam Theun 2 dam.

The Legists Ltd has a historically strong reputation in the market for handling energy-related projects. The firm has experience on acting for both lenders and developers.

Tilleke & Gibbins has a growing practice that acts on both alternative and conventional energy matters. It recently advised a Korean industrial conglomerate on the establishment of a waste-to-energy project.

At Watson, Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited, Steven Burkill recently advised Minza Oil & Gas Ltd on the $100m sale of oil acreage in the East Timor Sea to a state-owned Oil & Gas company.