The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a second tier firm,

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is ‘the first choice counsel for Thai banks’, with the consensus being that Al Chandler is ‘the most high-profile banking partner in the local market’. Clients also single out the services of ‘capable lawyer’ Jessada Sawatdipong and ‘responsive’ corporate finance partner Ratana Poonsombudlert. Although the firm is well-known for its ‘market-leading project finance practice’, it also has strong experience across single-lender loans, syndicated loans, and refinancings. Deals included advising sponsors PTT and Petronas on the $200m development and expansion of the Trans Thai-Malaysia Pipeline.

Within Corporate and M&A (including capital markets), Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a third tier firm,

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited’s market-leading energy practice reaps a steady flow of instructions on the corporate side. The firm recently advised Hutchinson Technology on the establishment of its first assembly plant outside USA, worth over $100m. Ratana Poonsombudlert is recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited’s team is led by Sumit Masrungson and is known for bankruptcy cases and labour disputes.

Within Projects and energy, Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Real estate and construction, Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a third tier firm,

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited excels on the development finance side. Jessada Sawatdipong advised Krung Thai Bank on the provision of $75m facilities for the construction of several projects in Laos including the Namsana Hydropower Project.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a third tier firm,

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited was involved in two substantial business rehabilitations over the past year. The firm also has a strong record in bankruptcy law. Sumit Masrungson is recommended for contentious cases.

Within TMT, Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a third tier firm,

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited has experience on advising telecoms companies on business restructuring, regulatory and contentious matters

Within Tax, Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited is a second tier firm,

Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices Limited has a good track record in advising on the tax aspects of energy and infrastructure projects. The firm advised KrisEnergy on the tax planning issues involved in its acquisition of two petroleum exploration blocks from Tana Oil & Gas Group.