Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited > Bangkok, Thailand > Firm Profile
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited Offices

93/1 UNIT 902, 9F GPF WITTHAYU TOWER B
WIRELESS ROAD, PATHUMWAN
BANGKOK 10330
Thailand
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Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited > The Legal 500 Rankings
Thailand > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 1
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited is praised as 'one of the leading practices in the region for international arbitration in energy, oil and gas, renewables, power, utilities and infrastructure project disputes’. Noted for its ‘integrated global arbitration capability’, the practice runs international arbitrations for Asian corporations in a range of arbitral institutions. Head of the group Steven Burkill is a ‘key contact’ for London and Asia-based arbitrations involving oil and gas, power and large-scale projects. Kay Kian Tan represents multinational corporations in international commercial arbitrations in the international trade, insurance and transport industries, while Alan Polivnick focuses on cross-border arbitrations in the transport, insurance and reinsurance sectors.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘WFW Thailand provides an outstanding dispute resolution service both in international arbitration in the region and globally but also, for clients having disputes in Thailand, in the Thai courts.’
‘Of particular note is WFW’s integrated global arbitration capability. Many of the disputes are run jointly from Bangkok and London and span India, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.’
‘The team seems very experienced in the arbitration space and leads the process with a demeanour that exudes confidence. In the construction space, they have specialists who can “bridge the gap” between industry clients and the legal team.’
‘Steven Burkill has always been the key contact and leads on all cases. Having lived in the region for over 25 years he adds an important understanding of Asian expectations and ways to follow the cases.’
Key clients
Department of Mineral Fuels, Ministry of Energy, Government of Thailand
Precious Shipping Public Co Ltd
The Falcon Insurance Public Company Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Energy in multi-billion dollar arbitration proceedings relating to decommissioning disputes with oil major concessionaires concerning assets in the Gulf of Thailand.
Thailand > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited is well-placed to handle multi-jurisdictional disputes and acts for a range of clients, including investment banks, corporations, shipping lines and aviation entities. It is also noted for its specialisms in the construction, energy, insurance and commodities sectors. Practice head Steven Burkill has experience in representing clients in the Thai, English and US courts. Kay Kian Tan focuses on commercial litigation. Praised for his 'strong analytical‘ skills, Ratthakarn Boonnua has experience in international trade and commercial disputes.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘The attorneys at Watson Farley & Williams are hard-working, smart, and very enjoyable to work with. Ratthakarn Boonnua (partner) in particular has strong leadership, analytical, and teamwork skills, and Kunadha Gajaseni (associate) is very diligent, responsive, precise, and organised.’
‘I have found them to be very thorough in the way that they approach every aspect of the case.’
‘Ratthakarn Boonnua’s advice helped us to prevent litigation from occurring, whether substantively or procedurally. The advice we received was thorough and the firm was generally available on call for urgent assistance. Also worth mentioning are two upcoming leading associates, Kunadha Gajaseni and Chananya Ratthanacharoen.’
Key clients
Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited
Beale & Company
Escher Marwick PLC and Bedford Row
Poonsub Can Co Ltd
PTT Public Company Limited
Work highlights
- Successfully defended Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited in a multi-million dollar claim brought against by one of the distributor of BCP’s lubricant products in the Thai Courts.
Thailand > Insurance Tier 1
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited acts for Thai and international insurers, reinsurers and brokers on a broad range of insurance matters, notably in the energy, aviation and maritime sectors. Practice co-lead Alan Polivnick advises on insurance claims and represents insurers and reinsurers in litigations and arbitrations, as well as handling non-contentious and regulatory matters. Kay Kian Tan, who jointly heads up the practice alongside Polivnick, is noted for his expertise in dispute resolution and represents international insurers in Thai court claims, including the civil and administrative courts.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Alan Polivnick assists on various insurance contract disputes and gives his legal opinion promptly, in clear language and offers a balanced view.’
‘Alan Polivnick provides excellent advice, commercially aware, reasonable costs and thorough engagement.’
Key clients
Agoda Company Pte Ltd
AIG Insurance Public Company Limited
Priceline.com LLC
The Falcon Insurance Public Company Limited
Thailand > Transport Tier 1
Noted for its aviation and maritime expertise, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited acts for domestic and international clients, including automotive, freight-forwarders and logistics companies on cross-border matters, disputes, commercial contracts, regulatory and compliance issues. The Bangkok aircraft finance practice is part of the firm’s global aircraft finance network and deals with restructuring mandates and the renegotiation of leases. The practice group is led by Alan Polivnick, who has experience in handling contentious and non-contentious matters in the aviation and logistics sectors. Kay Kian Tan is another key contact and specialises in shipping disputes, as well as dry shipping contentious matters.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘The team provides timely advice that is practical and focused on solutions.’
‘Alan Polivnick understands the Thai environment very well and gives advice that helps the Client find a timely solution.’
Key clients
AirAsia Group (IHQ) Ltd
Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation
ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co KS
Genesis Aircraft Services Limited
Groupe ADP
KEOS Aviation UK Limited
Precious Shipping Public Co Ltd
Thailand > Labour and employment Tier 2
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited advises clients in the energy, natural resources and transport sectors on employment matters including employment contracts, redundancy programs, compliance and defending employers and employees against claims in the Labour Court. Practice co-leader Ratthakarn Boonnua has particular expertise in representing clients in the maritime and insurance sectors in employment disputes, while practice co-leader Alan Polivnick covers both contentious and non-contentious employment matters.Practice head(s):
Thailand > Projects and energy Tier 2
Praised for its team ‘collaboration mixed with great industry knowledge’, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited handles the full spectrum of renewable energy matters and advises developers on wind, solar, waste and energy power projects. The practice is also well-placed to draw on the expertise of the firm’s litigation team when renewable energy disputes arise. Christopher Osborne, who advises on all stages the energy project lifecycle, including regulatory matters and financial agreements, jointly leads the practice alongside Steven Burkill, who represents clients in renewable energy disputes.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The ability to pivot and advise on the legal matters that we are facing has been a major factor in maintaining our enagewment with WFW in Thailand. Advice is accurate and meets our need to mitigate the legal and commercial challenges we have on a day-to-day basis. High collaboration mixed with great industry knowledge.’
‘Chris Osborne – knowledgable, straight talking and highly effective.’
‘The depth of knowledge and experience of the legal team combined with technical understanding is extraordinary, we have retained them to do work on highly specialized matters in other regions of the world with outstanding outcomes. It is an extraordinary team.’
Key clients
Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited
Christiani & Nielsen Energy Solutions
Department of Mineral Fuels, Ministry of Energy, Government of Thailand
Greenovation Power
Synova Cooperatief U.A.
Wind Energy Holding Co Ltd
Thailand > Real estate and construction Tier 2
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited advises developers and high-net-worth individuals on a range of real estate and development matters, including industrial properties and residential estates. Christopher Osborne is noted for his expertise in the hotel and leisure sectors and leads the wider team on building due diligence for energy projects and construction developments. Kay Kian Tan represents clients in hotels and hospitality, and construction disputes, while senior associate Lyle Andrews utilises his chartered surveyor expertise to advise on construction contracts.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Christopher Osborne led the team in an organised and helpful way. They listened to all of our concerns and questions and made operating across jurisdictions as seamless as it could be.’
Key clients
Lancaster Resort Company Limited
Oxford University
STRABAG Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd
Thailand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited handles insolvency procedures, debt restructuring, reorganisations and company restructurings. Christopher Osborne heads up the team and has experience in advising foreign creditors in Thai insolvency proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court, as well as acting for domestic companies on the commencement of rehabilitation debt restructuring proceedings.Practice head(s):
Key clients
Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation
ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co KS
Genesis Aircraft Services Limited
Groupe ADP
KEOS Aviation UK Limited
Thailand > Corporate and M&A Tier 3
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited acts for regional and international clients, including corporations, banks, insurers and private equity firms, on inbound and outbound M&A and joint ventures. Practice leader Christopher Osborne is noted for his expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and also advises clients on regulatory and compliance issues. Alan Polivnick acts for foreign investors, international airlines, insurers and reinsurers on operations in Thailand. Senior associate Kasma Visitkitjakarn and associate Piyanuj (Lui) Ratprasatporn who joined from Tilleke & Gibbins in May 2021 are also noted.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘The team is focused on achieving results and protecting the client’s interests.’
Key clients
Flash Partners Limited
Guardforce AI Co., Limited
HK Onething Technologies Limited
Oxford University
STRABAG Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd
Suzhou Anjie Technology Co., Ltd.
Synova Cooperatief U.A.
Work highlights
- Acting for the Oxford University in commercial contracts for its Thai operations, namely the constructions of a medical research centre.
- Advising STRABAG Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd on the transfer of its infrastructure manufacturing facilities in Thailand that had been subject to government expropriation.
- Advising Guardforce AI Co., Limited on its share registration with the US Securities Exchange Commission.
Thailand > TMT Tier 3
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited counts telecoms, technology and film production companies among its key clients. The practice advises on regulatory matters and commercial agreements and is also noted for its litigation and arbitration capability in this space. Christopher Osborne jointly heads up the practice alongside Alan Polivnick, who handles commercial and regulatory matters.Practice head(s):
Key clients
Agoda Company Pte Ltd
Ant Group Alipay+
AirAsia Group (IHQ) Ltd
Airbnb Singapore Private Limited
HK Onething Technologies Limited
Konami Holdings Corporation
Priceline.com LLC
Singapore Airlines – subsidiary Pelago
Suzhou Anjie Technology Co., Ltd
Thailand > Banking and finance Tier 4
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.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘The team was professional. They can easily understand the way you think and contact you with comfort.’
Key clients
General Rubber (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
DIP Lenders – Valaris
Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited > Firm Profile
Dedicated to client care, industry focus and investment in our people
We are an international law firm advising on complex transactions and disputes through local knowledge and an integrated international network. We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across energy, transport and real estate.
Our business exists to help our clients achieve their goals, partnering with them to meet the challenges they face today and will face tomorrow.
Our values rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.
We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values.
Our teams are integrated across legal disciplines and offices delivering consistently high levels of service locally and in combination across borders.
History: Sector focus has been at the heart of our strategy since we opened for business in 1982. Having started life as an asset finance boutique focusing on the maritime and aviation industries, our transport focus quickly expanded to other supply-chain led industries, most notably, renewable and conventional energy and real estate and associate infrastructure across these industries.
Through our offices around the world, we provide a full suite of services within our core sectors enabling us to deliver exceptional value to our clients.
Facts
- Founded 1982
- 170+ partners
- 550+ lawyers
- 17 offices
Senior Partner: George Paleokrassas
Managing Partner: Lindsey Keeble
Global Sector Heads:
Aviation: Jim Bell, Charles Viggers
Energy: Malte Jordan, Henry Stewart
Maritime: George Macheras, George Paleokrassas
Mining & Commodities: Jan Mellmann
Oil & Gas: Chris Kilburn
Real Estate: Felicity Jones
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Ratthakarn Boonnua | Ratthakarn has served as lead trial lawyer in high profile multi-jurisdictional cases… | View Profile |
![]() | Steven Burkill | Steven specialises in complex international disputes, in particular, London and Asia-based arbitrations… | View Profile |
![]() | Kay Kian Tan | Kay Kian specialises in the energy, maritime and insurance sectors, where he… | View Profile |