The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Thailand > Dispute resolution

Baker McKenzie's disputes group has a broad range of expertise across a number of key areas, including construction, IP, insurance and financial services, among others. The practice group is jointly headed by Chirachai Okanurak, who has experience in a variety of civil claims, including construction matters, and Kanit Vallayapet, who handles commercial and administrative disputes. Another key figure is managing partner Wynn Pakdeejit, who has developed considerable cross-border experience, having led the firm's Asia Pacific disputes team from 2014 to 2017. Senior associate Pumma Doungrutana is an experienced litigator in the Thai courts, covering insurance, international trade and general commercial disputes.

Weerawong, Chinnavat & Partners represents clients from pre-litigation through to enforcement. Phisit Dejchaiyasak heads up the dispute resolution team and has a reputation for representing insurance companies and major Thai corporations in domestic and international disputes. Sakchai Limsiripothong has handled commercial and IP disputes in a range of sectors including construction and banking, and Rapinnart Prongsiriwattana successfully represented Total Access Communication in the administrative court proceedings concerning telecoms concessions. Also recommended are Pathorn Towongchuen and Pralakorn Siwawej, who is rated for his 'in-depth analysis'. Warathorn Wongsawangsiri left the team in September 2019 for Herbert Smith Freehills (Thailand) Limited.

DLA Piper (Thailand) Limited's practice has acted on construction, shipping, employment and insurance claims and disputes. The department is jointly headed by Thai litigator and arbitration expert Don Rojanapenkul, who is most active in the banking, insurance, energy and telecoms sectors, and Peter Shelford, who has particular expertise in insurance, reinsurance and construction-related disputes, and successfully represented Blue Lotus Hua-Hin and Blue Lotus Construction in multiple arbitration claims involving several buyers alleging breaches of various agreements. Senior consultant Robert Tang is another contact for reinsurance and non-marine insurance matters. Also recommended are Komson Suntheeraporn and senior associate Ekasit Suttawat, who has experience in construction-related disputes.

R & T Asia (Thailand) Limited has experience in a wide range of disputes covering tax, employment, customs and trade, and general commercial matters. The team is headed by senior partner Surasak Vajasit, who routinely represents multinational companies in legal proceedings with government entities and private litigants. Another key figure in the team is Melisa Uremovic, who has particular expertise in trade and customs disputes. Also recommended is Ittichai Prasongprasit, a fluent Thai and Japanese speaker who specialises in trade and construction disputes and is well-placed to represent foreign litigants from Japan.

Siam Premier International Law Office Limited has notable experience in representing Thai and foreign corporations at every level of Thai court, and also in proceedings at the Thai Arbitration Institute. Techatat Udomsiri has handled commercial and employment disputes as well as administrative proceedings; Kong Suriyamontol has particular expertise in mining and natural resources disputes; and senior consultant Sumit Masrungson has decades of experience acting for public and private sector clients in commercial and administrative disputes.

Tilleke & Gibbins' dispute resolution group is known for its work in class actions and product liability claims, employment disputes and and insurance disputes. Further, the team has also developed expertise in the energy and aviation sectors. The practice is jointly headed by Thawat Damsa-ard, who is well regarded for his experience in foreign investment disputes, and John Frangos, who is regularly involved in contentious matters in the aviation, energy and construction industries. Also recommended is employment and labour law specialist Chusert Supasitthumrong.

Chandler MHM Limited's dispute resolution practice has experience in a number of Thai courts including the specialised labour, taxation and administrative courts. Practice head Chatchai Inthasuwan has decades of experience in corporate, insurance and construction-related disputes, and counsel Nathee Silacharoen, who joined the practice from DLA Piper (Thailand) Limited in 2019, has litigation experience in the insurance, hospitality and property sectors. Associate Jirayu Sanguankaew focuses on civil disputes in the hospitality sector, and is also recommended.

Kudun & Partners is instructed by domestic Thai and international companies in the public and private sectors, with particular expertise in disputes in the energy and TMT industries. Practice co-head Somboon Sangrungjang acts for corporate clients in administrative and commercial litigation, including consumer protection claims and insurance-related disputes. Senior litigation partner Pariyapol Kamolsilp, who also co-heads the team, has particular experience representing creditors in rehabilitation cases involving publicly listed companies. Also recommended is Niruch Winiyakul, who has experience in union disputes and international trade.

Natipatana Law Office has an established dispute resolution practice which is experienced in cross-border matters throughout the region. Managing partner Nuttawut Chinawong has expertise in labour, administrative and corporate disputes, and Nattaphol Chinawong has 'decades of experience' in commercial and civil disputes. Also recommended is Craig R. Arndt, who has handled litigation and arbitration for public and private sector clients, and recently acted for The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in an extradition case.