Baker McKenzie LLP’s tax team is collectively led by Pornapa Luengwattanakit, Panya Sittisakonsin, Aek Tantisattamo, Nopporn Charoenkitraj and Geoffrey Soh. The practice handles all aspects of tax planning and transactions, and has demonstrable experience advising on tax controversy, tax audits, customs privileges, use of customs-free zones and FTAs. Luengwattanakit acts for local and multinational clients on tax and customs issues, including investigations, while Sittisakonsin advises on tax structures, offshore investments and tax planning, in addition to litigation. The practice also counts on the expertise of Sirirasi Gobpradit, who works across the automotive, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and insurance sectors.
Tax in Thailand
Baker McKenzie LLP
Practice head(s):
Pornapa Luengwattanakit; Panya Sittisakonsin; Aek Tantisattamo; Nopporn Charoenkitraj; Geoffrey Soh
Other key lawyers:
Sirirasi Gobpradit
Testimonials
‘The individuals are always available for us and get back in a timely manner.’
Tilleke & Gibbins
Tilleke & Gibbins’ ‘exceptional’ team is led by Auaychai Sukawong, who advises on tax structuring for inbound and outbound investment in the ASEAN region. The practice, which has experience across the consumer products, commerce and trade, and energy sectors, relies on the expertise of senior associate Peerapong Pornpipatkul, who focuses on the tax aspects of corporate restructurings and M&A transactions. Corporate tax issues, transfer pricing, international tax and personal income tax matters also take up a large portion of the team’s workload.
Practice head(s):
Auaychai Sukawong
Other key lawyers:
Peerapong Pornpipatkul
Testimonials
‘Superb response time, excellent attention to detail. Their knowledge was exceptional, and they were able to frame the matter in an international context.’
‘Extremely helpful and prompt responses.’
Key clients
Brown Brothers Harriman
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
China Development Bank
Fabrinet
Goldman Sachs
Grab
KBZ Group
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
TMBThanachart
UOB Kay Hian Credit Pte. Ltd.
Work highlights
- Assisting a Thailand-based purveyor of oil and gas on tax matters in relation to Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract involving a number of international elements.
- Advised IBM on Thai tax implications of the global spin-off of its newly formed company called ‘Kyndryl’.
- Advised an international NGO on tax obligations in relation to service providers and contractors in Thailand and abroad, as well as in relation to the hiring and termination of non-Thai employees in Thailand.
Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd.
Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd.’s ‘knowledgeable and informative’ team is led by Sumet Mingmongkolmitr, who has experience advising on bilateral agreements entered into by the Thai government for the avoidance of double taxation, and the prevention of fiscal evasion relating to taxes on income. Other key areas of expertise include acting for high-net-worth individuals and multinational corporations on their tax operations in Thailand, in addition to corporate tax matters, customs duty exemptions and joint venture tax considerations. Associate Sudarat Jirakietwattana is another key member of the team.
Practice head(s):
Sumet Mingmongkolmitr
Other key lawyers:
Sudarat Jirakietwattana
Testimonials
‘The BRS tax practice is very knowledgeable and informative.’
‘Sumet Mingmongkolmitr, managing partner of BRS, provides a personal service and is very responsive. Sumet takes the time to explain and responds well to calls.’
‘Sudarat Jirakietwattana is an associate in the team. She is very thorough and quick in her work, and gives precise advice.’
DFDL Legal & Tax
DFDL Legal & Tax advises on domestic and cross-border matters, including tax-related issues pertaining to M&A transactions, as well as income tax, capital gains tax and transfer pricing mandates. With demonstrable experience across the hospitality, technology and manufacturing sectors, the practice frequently advises international investors on tax structuring and restructuring, as well as planning and management. The team is led by Jack Sheehan, who focuses on the tax structuring of investments, in addition to corporate and international tax planning, and Nipaporn Supha-Utchaichan, who handles regulatory compliance matters. Jonathan Blaine remains a key contact in the group.
Practice head(s):
Jack Sheehan; Nipaporn Supha-Utchaichan
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Blaine
Key clients
Ekornes
Guam Regional Medical City
Work highlights
- Assisting Ekornes on an international corporate rationalisation project, involving restructuring of operations and entities to streamline overall organisation and optimise inter-company relationships.
Prompt Legal Services
Boutique firm Prompt Legal Services ‘has a thorough foundation and knowledge of tax law and regulation in Thailand’. Promboon Sookatup leads the team and advises clients on tax planning for corporate structures, commercial transactions and M&A projects. With experience across the manufacturing and logistics, real estate, hospitality and telecoms sectors, the practice frequently represents clients in tax disputes with government authorities, including the Revenue Department.
Practice head(s):
Promboon Sookatup
Testimonials
‘Prompt Legal has a thorough foundation and knowledge of tax law and regulation in Thailand. Overall, in the field of taxation, they can provide quality service to all customers.’
‘The team always communicates well with clients and are easy to deal or work with in a friendly manner.’
Kudun & Partners
Kudun & Partners’ workload includes domestic and cross-border M&A investment structuring and tax optimisation matters, as well as transfer pricing, tax-related disputes, estate tax planning and indirect tax issues. Chinawat Assavapokee, who advises on estate tax planning and indirect tax mandates, jointly leads the team alongside ‘knowledgeable’ Saravut Krailadsiri, who focuses on the tax aspects of corporate restructurings and cross-border M&As.
Practice head(s):
Chinawat Assavapokee; Saravut Krailadsiri
Testimonials
‘Saravut Krailadsiri is very knowledgeable about Thai tax matters.’
Key clients
Sea Oil Public Company Limited
Pro Pet (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Ruxchai Cold Storage Co., Ltd.
Summit Auto Body Industry Company Limited
Muang Khong Clean Energy Co., Ltd.
CNNC Joint Venture, consisting of NTL Marine, a subsidiary of Prima Marine Public Company Limited, Nathalin and Zhonggang Construction Group
Maguro Group Company Limited
Nathalin Corporation
Chai Watana Tannery Group Public Company Limited
White Living Company Limited
Seven Connect Advisory Company Limited
Nice Group Holding Corp Company Limited
S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited
Work highlights
- Advised an American multinational technology company on VAT implications of the permanent establishment in Thailand under the relevant laws and regulations based on the proposed structure.
- Advised and assisted Summit Auto Body Industry Company Limited in defending withholding tax assessment in connection with the payment of the purchase price for shares of the company incorporated in Indonesian under the joint venture arrangement.
- Advised a producer and manufacturer of tires and plastic injection molding in defending tax assessment in connection with corporate income tax, specific business tax, value added tax and withholding tax on (i) sale and promotion, (ii) cash rebate, (iii) intercompany loan, and (iv) other related transactions.
LawAlliance Limited
LawAlliance Limited has demonstrable experience across the oil and gas, financial services, insurance and telecoms sectors, and ‘offers clear-cut advice’ on matters concerning tax planning, as well as tax-related disputes. The team is led by Piphob Veraphong, who acts for clients on tax planning issues, with a focus on international transactions and upstream oil and gas mandates. The practice also relies on the expertise of Rachanee Prasongprasit, who focuses on tax audits and appeals.
Practice head(s):
Piphob Veraphong
Other key lawyers:
Rachanee Prasongprasit
Testimonials
‘LAL is very quick to act and offers clear-cut advice on issues. They have a network of professionals for tax and understand the client and their business.’
SCL Nishimura & Asahi Ltd
SCL Nishimura & Asahi Ltd works domestically and internationally, advising local and international clients, as well as high net-worth individuals, on cross-border tax structures, tax planning and compliance matters. The team is jointly led by associate Budhima Kerdsiri, who advises on tax compliance, appeal and refund issues, and counsel Vullope Techakasin, who has experience in tax disputes. Well-rounded Chavalit Uttasart is another key contact.
Practice head(s):
Budhima Kerdsiri; Vullope Techakasin
Other key lawyers:
Chavalit Uttasart
Siam Premier International Law Office Limited
Siam Premier International Law Office Limited acts for clients on the tax aspects of M&As, transfer pricing and corporate restructurings. The team is led by Praphan Phichaiwatkomol, who advises on tax issues arising out of inbound and outbound investments, joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, as well as corporate and commercial transactions.
Practice head(s):
Praphan Phichaiwatkomol