Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Transport in Thailand

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited has demonstrable expeirence across the aviation, automotive and maritime sectors, and frequently acts for freight-forwarders and logistic companies on contentious and non-contentious matters, as well as regulatory issues. The team has seen an increase in aviation-related work, such as handling domestic and cross-border issues, in addition to high-end disputes and commercial contracts, and advises on a range of structures and commercial relationships between foreign investors and Thai airlines. Sydney-based Alan Polivnick jointly leads the team alongside Kay Kian Tan, who specialises in international trade and shipping disputes. Key clients include Genesis Aircraft Services, Groupe ADP and Keos Aviation UK Limited, among others.

Practice head(s):

Alan Polivnick; Kay Kian Tan


Key clients

Agoda Company Pte Ltd


AIG


ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co KS


Genesis Aircraft Services Limited


Groupe ADP


KEOS Aviation UK Limited


MUFG Bank Ltd


Baker McKenzie LLP

Baker McKenzie LLP advises domestic and international clients, ranging from airlines, developers and project sponsors to contractors, suppliers and automobile manufacturers, on matters concerning aircraft sales and purchases, maintenance agreements, as well as PPPs and infrastructure projects, including road and rail matters. Suriyong Tungsuwan, who is noted for his experience in the automotive sector, jointly leads the team alongside Sawanee Sethsathira, who leads on PPP transportation transactions. Viroj Piyawattanametha focuses on project financing and development work, in addition to transport-related M&As, while Permsak Krairiksh advises on aircraft leasing and finance mandates.

Practice head(s):

Suriyong Tungsuwan; Sawanee Sethsathira


Other key lawyers:

Viroj Piyawattanametha; Permsak Krairiksh


Key clients

Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited


PTT Public Company Limited


Energy Absolute Public Company Limited


Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Public Co., Ltd.


Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited


Work highlights


  • Representing Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, RATCH Group Public Company Limited and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited in relation to the project development of the M6 and M81 motorway projects including negotiations with the Department of Highway of Thailand.
  • Advising Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GED) in relation to the project development of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Phase 3 Project, including negotiation of the PPP and EPC work.
  • Advising Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GED) in relation to the project development the Laem Chabang Port Phase 3 Project, including negotiation of the PPP.

Tilleke & Gibbins

Tilleke & Gibbins stands out for its expertise in the aviation sector, acting for a range of clients, including airlines, aircraft leasing companies, air cargo firms and other aviation-related companies, on matters concerning aircraft acquisitions and sales, in addition to aircraft leasing and financing. Disputes specialist John Frangos, who serves as a committee leader for the Aerospace Council of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, jointly leads the aviation group alongside Santhapat Periera, who handles aircraft-related commercial transactions. Noppramart Thammateeradaycho spearheads the shipping practice and has demonstrable experience advising on major maritime insurance claims.

Practice head(s):

John Frangos; Noppramart Thammateeradaycho; Santhapat Periera


Key clients

AerCap


Carlyle Aviation


Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company


Euler Hermes


GE Capital Aviation Services


Jeju Air


Pacific Air Holdings


Pratt & Whitney


Sky Leasing


Spafax LLC


China Shipping


Japan Transport Engineering Company


Maersk Line


Scania


Seafarers’ Rights International


Work highlights


  • Advised leading aircraft lessors on a USD 106 million aircraft sale and leaseback transaction.
  • Engaged to advise and assist on the amendment and restructuring of USD 20.5 million airframe and engine portfolio financing.
  • Represented Bureau Veritas in a virtual hearing at the Thai IP&IT Court, for a case involving surveyor liability claims brought against the client in relation to a shipment of rice that was found to be spoiled upon arrival at the destination.

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd

Counting domestic banks, financiers, lessors and lessees, export credit agencies, airlines and manufacturers among its key roster of clients, Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s transport team is led by Sarah Wilson, who advises on a broad range of aviation-related transactions, from workouts and restructurings to aircraft portfolio sales and purchases, as well as engine financing matters. The practice also relies on the expertise of Panuwat Chaistaporn, who is acting for various aircraft lessors in insolvency and business rehabilitation proceedings. Both Wilson and Chaistaporn are praised as ‘an exceptional combination on aviation matters’, and senior consultant Stephen Jaggs remains a key contact in the team.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Wilson


Other key lawyers:

Panuwat Chaistaporn; Stephen Jaggs


Testimonials

‘Sarah Wilson and Panuwat Chaistaporn are an exceptional combination on aviation matters.’

Key clients

Asian Development Bank


Japan International Cooperation Agency


Work highlights


  • Advised Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and Export–Import Bank of Thailand on a THB600m loan agreement to E Smart Transport Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Absolute Public Company Limited, to fund the development and operation of 27 electric ferries for mass rapid transport on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River.
  • Advised various operating lessors and financial institutions (including ECAs, commercial lenders and other finance lessors) with respect to the ongoing insolvency and business rehabilitation proceedings of Thai Airways, Nok Airlines and Thai AirAsia X in the Bankruptcy Court of Thailand.
  • Advising a leading international commercial bank with respect to its financing of a new airport project development in Cambodia.

JTJB International Lawyers Co Ltd

JTJB International Lawyers Co Ltd’s transport team is headed by Naiyachon Tathong, who has experience advising on contentious and non-contentious matters, from maritime disputes on charterparty claim, arrest and release of vessel cases, as well as demurrage claims, to shipping projects and related M&A transactions. Of note, the practice's caseload has seen an increase in the number of shipping disputes. Bunnasomboon Chaiparinya remains a key contact in the team.

Practice head(s):

Naiyachon Tathong


Other key lawyers:

Bunnasomboon Chaiparinya


Key clients

Asia Green Energy Public Company Limited


Olam international Limited


Ceva Logistic (Thailand) Co., Ltd.


COSCO SHIPPING Lines (Thailand) Co., Ltd


Namyong Terminal Public Company Limited


Seahorse Ferries Co., Ltd.


PICC Property and Casualty Co. Ltd.


Thai Yamaha motor co., Ltd.


lifestyles Healthcare


Sheffield Energy Pte Ltd


Thai Hua (2511) Co., Ltd.


Asia Golden Rice Co., Ltd.


Capital Cereals Co., Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Advised Asia Green Energy Public Company Limited on Force Majeure by the coal supplier in relation to Coal exports ban by Indonesia’s government in January 2022.
  • Representing Asia Green Energy Public Company Limited to file arbitration claim under SCMA against the vessel owner on the ground of breach of charterparty.