Banking and finance in Thailand

Chandler MHM Limited‘s team of ‘effective negotiators’ is particularly experienced in acting for lenders on a range of cross-border financing matters, including energy, power, infrastructure and real estate projects. Practice co-leader Jessada Sawatdipong is noted for his expertise in project financing, with a focus on energy and natural resources mandates in the region. Practice co-leader Joseph Tisuthiwongse handles cross-border project and acquisition finance matters, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Supattra Sathapornnanon is praised as ‘one of the best in the market, particularly for project and cross-border financings’, and Pranee Klinratana takes a ‘methodical and diligent’ approach when handling project financing transactions.

Praised for its ‘strong expertise in project finance transactions’, Norton Rose Fulbright also handles acquisition and corporate finance matters and is particularly active in the energy, power and technology industries. The practice is led by Tassanai Kiratisountorn, who advises lenders and borrowers on cross-border transactions, with particular expertise in the energy sector. Senior associate Chormas Premsirinirund is another key name to note.

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Partners acts for local commercial banks and international banks on matters including acquisition financing, and energy and infrastructure project financing. Weerawong Chittmittrapap, who handles the financing aspects of infrastructure projects, jointly leads the practice with Sunyaluck Chaikajornwat and Jirapat Thammavaranucupt following the departures of former practice head Passawan Navanithikul and Nattaporn Pengkul to SRPP. Chaikajornwat counts major corporations, banks, real estate and investment companies as his clients which he advises on financing matters, while Thammavaranucupt focuses on the financial aspects of infrastructure and public private partnership projects.

DFDL Legal & Tax advises on a range of banking and finance matters across various industries, including financial institutions, energy and infrastructure, private equity and financial technology. Practice co-leader Vinay Ahuja ‘stands out’ in this space, handling domestic and cross-border finance transactions, from commercial and institutional lending to acquisition and leveraged finance. Nipaporn Supha-Utchaichan jointly leads the practice following Kunal Sachdev’s departure in July 2020. Walanchathas Sanguanwong is noted for her expertise in cross-border financing mandates and advises lenders on energy and infrastructure projects.

DLA Piper advises Thai and international banks, as well as other financial institutions and multinational corporations, on a range of matters including acquisition finance, corporate lending, debt restructuring, and project and real estate finance. Co–country managing partner Waranon Vanichprapa, who handles financing and restructuring transactions, regulatory matters and bankruptcy issues, jointly leads the practice with Timothy Tan who focuses on debt finance and debt restructuring transactions.

R & T Asia (Thailand) Limited's ‘responsive and helpful’ practice advises on loan facilities, securities agreements and commercial lending transactions. Managing partner Surasak Vajasit's client roster includes banks, other financial institutions and publicly traded companies. Piroon Saengpakdee focuses on project development and finance, while Pakpoom Suntornvipat advises clients as borrowers on facility agreements.

Siam Premier International Law Office Limited acts for commercial banks, public sector entities and other financial institutions on asset, real estate and project financing transactions. Practice co-leader Suttiphat Khamsirivatchara has experience in bank lending transactions, particularly structured finance, while practice co-leader Nithi Soomswasdi advises on financial institutions regulations, as well as handling banking, domestic and cross-border lending and project finance matters. Torsakul Cunvong assists insurers and commercial banks with drafting and negotiating bancassurance agreements.

Tilleke & Gibbins advises local and foreign banks, investment firms and financial institutions on a range of banking and finance matters including asset finance, corporate lending and loan projects. Santhapat Periera, who assists Thai Banks in the regional expansion into jurisdictions including Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, jointly heads up the practice with Kobkit Thienpreecha and Cynthia M. Pornavalai who is noted for handling property and real estate financing transactions.

The corporate and finance group at Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited has particular expertise in energy and transport financing matters, and acts for private equity firms, international banks and multinational corporations. The team is led by Christopher Osborne, who advises on project financing mandates, with a focus in the renewable energy sector. Senior associate Nicharee Pudphetkaew is also noted.