Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Restructuring and insolvency in Thailand

Baker McKenzie LLP

Baker McKenzie LLP has demonstrable experience in debt restructurings, divestment of distressed businesses, devising onshore and offshore fundraising structures and the protection of creditors’ rights, with additional expertise in the consumer goods, energy and manufacturing and transport sectors. The practice is jointly spearheaded by Wynn Pakdeejit, who is noted for his capability in the litigation sphere, and Paralee Techajongjintana, who is well-versed in financial restructuring, stakeholders’ rights under bankruptcy and business reorganisations and litigation in the bankruptcy court. Senior associate Yada Yuwataepakorn excels in commercial litigation, bankruptcy and the enforcement of debts, and fellow senior associate Karnsuda Oue-Amornrat is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Wynn Pakdeejit; Paralee Techajongjintana


Other key lawyers:

Yada Yuwataepakorn; Karnsuda Oue-Amornrat


Testimonials

‘They have always thoroughly analysed the issues at hand and provide consistently provided intelligible advice. They are reliable and always provided answers to our questions in a timely manner as expected.’

DLA Piper

Entrusted by Thai and international corporates, shareholders and distressed debt and asset purchasers and investors, DLA Piper is noted for its capability in handling contentious issues, with the team regularly involved in investigations, litigation and enforcement cases. The practice is vastly experienced across a range of sectors, including aviation, financial services, real estate, energy and manufacturing. Waranon Vanichprapa leads the team, fielding a diverse practice including all forms of restructuring, while Komson Suntheeraporn routinely advises Thai and multinational clients in domestic and international arbitrations. Don Rojanapenkul’s insolvency experience incorporates commencement through to claims against directors or third parties, and Timothy Tan handles contentious debt restructurings, with recent involvement in advising creditors in relation to the distressed PRC real estate sector.

Practice head(s):

Waranon Vanichprapa


Other key lawyers:

Komson Suntheeraporn; Don Rojanapenkul; Timothy Tan


Key clients

The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited


Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited


CIMB Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited


ASM Security Management Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Loxley Plc.)


Deutsche Bank, Hong Kong Branch


Tata Steel UK


Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund


SSG Capital


BlackRock


Clearwater Capital Partners


Work highlights


  • Advising an aircraft engine manufacturer, as one of the largest group of creditors, in the rehabilitation process and debt repayment of Thai Airways and representing for the clients in the restructuring proceeding in the Thai court.
  • Advising IRPC Clean Power Co Ltd on the debt restructuring in respect to the construction and development of a luxury hotel in Myanmar.
  • Representing a financial institution on the restructuring of convertible debentures issued by a well-known company operating retail platform in Thailand.

Chandler MHM Limited

Chandler MHM Limited's restructuring and insolvency practice advises creditors on claims when companies enter debt rehabilitation, as demonstrated by its advice on the debt rehabilitation of Thai Airways, where the team acted for creditors representing around 25% of the value of the debt claims submitted. The 'practical and responsive' practice is jointly led by Joseph Tisuthiwongse, who specialises in banking and finance, Waree Shinsirikul and Nathee Silacharoen, who are noted for their experience in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Practice head(s):

Joseph Tisuthiwongse; Waree Shinsirikul; Nathee Silacharoen


Testimonials

‘Cost efficient advice, very practical and responsive.’

‘They are very thorough. In a jurisdiction where there is a tendency to cut corners, they are intent on ensuring every aspect is covered off from a legal perspective.’

‘They are a responsive and responsible team.’

Key clients

Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited


Kudun & Partners

Representing creditors, corporate debtors, distressed debt purchasers, financial institutions and plan administrators, Kudun & Partners advises on financial restructuring mandates, insolvency proceedings, litigation and distressed M&A. 'Strategic, helpful and responsive' Somboon Sangrungjang co-leads the practice, with demonstrable capability in the dispute resolution and litigation sphere, while team co-head Pariyapol Kamolsilp is noted for his expertise in the steel, mining and telecoms industries. Saravut Krailadsiri, who helms the corporate restructuring practice, is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Somboon Sangrungjang; Pariyapol Kamolsilp; Saravut Krailadsiri


Other key lawyers:

Niruch Winiyakul; Kongwat Akaramanee


Testimonials

‘Good team, proactive and go beyond to help us achieve our goals. Very responsive.’

‘Somboon Sangrungjang is strategic, helpful and responsive to our needs. What sets him apart is that he takes time to learn and understand our business acumen. His advice is always on point and beneficial to us in the long run.’

Key clients

Shenzhen Airport Co., Ltd.


Shenzhen Cargo International Co., Ltd.


Shenzhen CTI Pest Management Co., Ltd.


Freelly (Shenzhen) Aviation Service Co., Ltd.


Zipmex Thailand Limited


Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand


Provincial Electricity Authority’s Employees Saving and credit Cooperative Limited


Chulalongkorn University Savings Cooperative Limited


PTT Saving and Credit Cooperative Limited


The Thai Red Cross Society Saving and Credit Co., Ltd.


Thanulux Public Company Limited


Altitude Development Co., Ltd.


King Marine Foods Company Limited


Wow Factor Public Company Limited


Vero Public Relations Co., Ltd.


Motor Image (Thailand) Co., Ltd.


S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited


Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited


Mongkolkulwittaya School Foundation


Work highlights


  • Advising Thai AirAsia X (TAAX), the long-haul low-cost carrier under the AirAsia Group, which was granted by the court to enter into the rehabilitation process. Kudun and Partners represented four Chinese creditors to file four sets of debt claim applications to the official receiver, the total debt amount claimed is around THB 27m.
  • Appointed as the legal counsel of the creditors’ committee; representing every creditor in THAI business rehabilitation proceeding with initial estimated total debts of THB 352.49bn (approximately $11.34bn).
  • Representing Zipmex Group, including Zipmex Thailand Limited and Zipmex Asia Ltd in (i) cross-border restructuring process in Singapore court (ii) dealing with Thai creditors in relation to such restructuring, (iii) dealing with accusations from the Thai SEC and other Thai authorities in respect of restructuring and digital assets regulations compliance and (iv) disposal of its shares to a potential investor who aims to acquire majority of Zipmex Thailand’s shares through a merger and acquisition process.

Tilleke & Gibbins

Led by Cynthia M. PornavalaiJohn Frangos and Thawat Damsa-ardTilleke & Gibbins's restructuring and insolvency practice is well-versed in matters concerning business rehabilitation, distribution of assets amid company closure and managing business renewals. Pornavalai and Damsa-ard’s expertise broadly covers bankruptcy, restructuring and insolvency, with the latter recently achieving success in protecting numerous creditors’ interests in the Thai Airways rehabilitation case.

Practice head(s):

Cynthia M. Pornavalai; John Frangos; Thawat Damsa-ard


Key clients

American Express


Carlyle Aviation


Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company


Dnata Catering


Euler Hermes


General Motors Thailand and General Motors Powertrain


Pratt & Whitney


Work highlights


  • Representing an aviation operating and leasing company in the Thai rehabilitation proceedings of an airline that defaulted on three lease agreements, including preparing and submitting a debt repayment application (valued at $10m).
  • Retained to assist a world leader in the aircraft leasing industry in filing an approximately $2m debt repayment claim under the business rehabilitation plan of an airline.

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Partners

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Partners's multi-disciplinary service offering includes pre-litigation, litigation, and out-of-court restructurings, as well as assisting with the implementation of local and cross-border negotiations for creditors and debtors. The team has also recently been involved in a variety of rehabilitation work. Practice head Natthida Pranutnorapal has experience in corporate transactions, business reorganisation and insolvency, while senior counsel Suntus Kirdsinsap is adept at managing debt restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings. Senior partner Weerawong Chittmittrapap also remains a key contact in the team.

Practice head(s):

Natthida Pranutnorapal


Other key lawyers:

Suntus Kirdsinsap; Weerawong Chittmittrapap


Key clients

Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited


Saha Farms Company Limited and Golden Line Company


Business Limited as EY Corporate Advisory Services Company Limited


EY Corporate Advisory Services Company Limited


Triple T Broadband Public Company Limited


Export Import Bank of the United States


Jasmine Public Company Limited


Sahaviriya Plate Mill Public Company Limited


Bridge View Company Limited


Pace Development Corporation Public Company Limited and


Dean & DeLuca Inc.


BravoNext S.A.


DFDL Legal & Tax

Leading DFDL Legal & Tax's restructuring and insolvency practice is Audray Souche, Nipaporn Supha-Utchaichan and Kraisorn Rueangkul. The team represents banks, financial institutions, hedge funds, debtors, creditors and other constituencies of distressed situations across the region, with demonstrable experience in the technology, aviation, hospitality and retail sectors. Key undertakings for the practice include insolvency planning, divestment of distressed businesses and enforcing securities.

Practice head(s):

Audray Souche; Nipaporn Supha-Utchaichan; Kraisorn Rueangkul


Work highlights


  • Assisting Ekornes on international corporate rationalization project involving restructuring of operations and entities to streamline overall organization and optimize inter-company relationships.

Siam Premier International Law Office Limited

Bancha Wudhiprecha, Kong Suriyamontol,  Techatat Udomsiri and senior consultant Sumit Masrungson jointly helm Siam Premier International Law Office Limited‘s restructuring and insolvency practice, noted for its capabilities in handling debt for equity and asset swaps, formal and informal restructurings, as well as acquisitions of distressed assets and loan portfolios. Key contact Somchai Yungkarn routinely advises on issues relating to labour and employment, telecoms, banking, and business rehabilitation matters. Maythawee Sarathai joined from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in June 2022, bolstering the practice with demonstrable experience in distressed debt matters and foreign investments.

Practice head(s):

Bancha Wudhiprecha; Kong Suriyamontol; Techatat Udomsiri; Sumit Masrungso


Other key lawyers:

Somchai Yungkarn; Maythawee Sarathai


Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited is principally focused on representing international clients engaged in corporate restructuring for regulatory compliance concerns, as well as handling insolvency and voluntary liquidation proceedings. The team is well-equipped to advise on matters arising out of the aviation, energy and real estate sectors. Piyanuj (Lui) Ratprasatporn leads the practice, and is supported by Ivy Liu. Sydney-based Alan Polivnick is a key contact, contributing his broad capability in handling contentious and non-contentious matters.

Practice head(s):

Piyanuj (Lui) Ratprasatporn


Other key lawyers:

Ivy Liu; Alan Polivnick


Key clients

ALAFCO TG


AMECO Beijing TG


Chromalloy


Genesis


MUFG Bank Ltd