Baker McKenzie LLP > Bangkok, Thailand > Firm Profile

Baker McKenzie LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Thailand > Banking and finance Tier 1

Handling both debt and equity financing, Baker McKenzie LLP’s expansive client roster includes local and international commercial banks, syndicated lenders, and big project companies. Managing partner Thinawat Bukhamana, Sawanee Sethsathira and Komkrit Kietduriyakul jointly lead the practice. Bukhamana acts for Thailand’s largest businesses on a diverse array of matters, while Sethsathira leads the firm’s EMI/project development and finance team and Kietduriyakul helms the fintech and digital assets practice. Chaveewan Likhitwattanachai advises clients on real estate acquisition finance, telecoms financing and fintech transactions. Structured finance and derivatives expert Benja Supannakul is another name to note, as well as private equity expert Somika Phagapasvivat and Kullarat Phongsathaporn, who focuses on fintech and financial regulatory matters. Associate Kanokpan Poovaratanakul is also recommended.

Thailand > Capital markets Tier 1

Spearheaded by Komkrit Kietduriyakul, Viroj Piyawattanametha, Theppachol Kosol, Primyadar Duangrat and Benja Supannakul, Baker McKenzie LLP's capital markets practice fields a diverse practice across derivative and debt capital market transactions, as well as securities offerings, financial advice and cross-border financing. The firm is notably active in IPO and listing transactions, routinely entrusted by banks, issuers, institutions and governments. Kietduriyakul possesses a wealth of experience of derivatives, structured finance, project finance, capital markets and bankruptcy, while Piyawattanametha is demonstrably active in the debt equity capital market sphere. Kosol’s varied expertise encompasses infrastructure funds, equity capital markets and listing regulations, and Duangrat is well-versed in securities transactions. Supannakul bolsters the practice with her regulatory knowledge. Other key contacts in the team include Kowit Adireksombat and Pukkapol Khuntamanee.

Thailand > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Spearheaded by Pornapa Luengwattanakit, Jakkarin Bantathong, Peerapan Tungsuwan, Sorachon Boonsong, Sivapong Viriyabusaya, Yuthana Sivaraks and Sumet Orsirivikorn, Baker McKenzie LLP's key sector strength lies in the consumer goods, energy, financial institutions, healthcare, industrials and technology fields. Praised for its ‘commitment, dedication, and excellent work quality’, the team is routinely entrusted by clients to handle both domestic and cross-border transactions, alongside a wealth of experience across real estate finance transactions and the acquisition of shares and securities, among other issues. Tungsuwan is well-versed in handling corporate and M&A work arising from highly regulated industries, such as healthcare and life sciences. Luengwattanakit has particular strengths on the trade competition side of the practice, while Boonsong’s varied experience includes handling deal structuring, joint venture arrangements and legal due diligence. Thananan Sangnuan departed the team to join DLA Piper in March 2023.

Thailand > Customs and international trade Tier 1

Baker McKenzie LLP maintains a broad offering, covering global tax policy, dispute resolution cases and wealth management matters, with an increase of digital economy related work. The team’s multijurisdictional expertise and global network enables them to handle international transactions capably. Pornapa Luengwattanakit, Panya Sittisakonsin, Aek Tantisattamo, Nopporn Charoenkitraj, Keerati Saneewong Na Ayudthaya and Geoffrey Soh jointly lead the team, combining their wealth of experience to do so.

Thailand > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Drawing on the expertise of its global network to handle multi-jurisdictional disputes, Baker McKenzie LLP is capable of advising on a broad spectrum of disputes, ranging from administrative law and corporate compliance to bankruptcy and construction disputes. Wynn Pakdeejit spearheads the practice, possessing a wealth of experience in undertaking lead counsel roles in a variety of complex litigation, such as commercial and anti-corruption disputes. Paralee Techajongjintana specialises in environmental and regulatory issues, while Chaiporn Supvoranid bolsters the practice with his expertise in consumer claims, insurance claims, fraud investigation and employment disputes. Piya Krootdaecha's strengths lie in criminal litigation and Pisut Attakamol is particularly experienced in handling disputes arising from the commercial and corporate sphere.

Thailand > Insurance Tier 1

Counting international and local insurers, as well as self-regulatory bodies, among its key roster of clients, Baker McKenzie LLP's broad range of capabilities extend from regulatory and policy issues, to subrogation matters and insurance technology work. The practice is jointly led by Sivapong Viriyabusaya and Sorachon Boonsong, with the former being vastly experienced in insurance technology, as well as M&A and insurance regulation. Ampika Kumar is well-versed in M&A, corporate restructuring and business integration in the insurance arena, while key contact Amnart Pitakgorn is routinely engaged in regulatory and transactional matters. Thananan Sangnuan departed to join DLA Piper in March 2023.

Thailand > Intellectual property Tier 1

Recommended by clients for their ‘in-depth technical knowledge’ and ‘professional services’, Baker McKenzie LLP’s dynamic IP practice offers the full gamut of services, including trade mark portfolio management, patents, enforcement, commercial IP and digital media and copyright work. Operating across pharma, technology, and a diverse array of other sectors, the team provides IP advice to global leaders, start-ups, SMEs and individual investors. Nont Horayangura helms the firm’s trade mark, digital media and copyright, enforcement and transactional teams, while Abe Sun heads up the patent practice. Pattaraphan Paiboon and Kritiyanee Buranatrevedhya strengthen the practice with their expertise in IP commercial matters. Other key contacts in the group include Dhiraphol Suwanprateep and Say Sujintaya.

Thailand > Labour and employment Tier 1

Spearheaded by Suriyong Tungsuwan, who contributes his expertise in employment-related M&A and spin-offs to the team, Baker McKenzie LLP's comprehensive offering encompasses restructurings, employment compliance work, anti-discrimination laws and industrial disputes. ‘Standout’ Chaiporn Supvoranid focuses on employment disputes, fraud investigations, consumer claims and insurance claims, while Pisut Attakamol is active on the disputes side of the employment arena. Nam-Ake Lekfuangfu is regularly engaged by clients to handle employment and immigration matters, from modern workforce issues to the gender pay gap. Theeranit Pongpanarat is active across a diverse multitude of sectors, ranging from energy and electronics to retail and banking.

Thailand > Projects and energy Tier 1

With both domestic and international capabilities, Baker McKenzie LLP fields a broad offering that notably includes public-private partnerships and engineering, procurement and construction contracts, as well as covering a variety of project development and financing work. Helming the practice is Sawanee Sethsathira, who possesses a host of experience managing deals in the oil and gas, power and infrastructure sectors. Viroj Piyawattanametha has particular expertise in relation to project finance deals, while Vit Vatanayothin's strengths lie in renewable energy project finance matters. Associate Napas Na Pombejra is especially active in the petrochemical, power and renewable energy sectors.

Thailand > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Praised for is 'team work and collaboration’, Baker McKenzie LLP advises on a wide scope of real estate matters, from property and hotel acquisitions and financings to development and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The team, which has global presence as well as local expertise, is led by the revered Sorachon Boonsong, who has over 30 years of practice in the real estate sector. Duangkamon Amkaew deals primarily with real estate M&A, in addition to advising on corporate structuring and restructuring, while Wittaya Luengsukcharoen is known for her work assisting top real estate players with their portfolios.

Thailand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Baker McKenzie LLP has demonstrable experience in debt restructurings, divestment of distressed businesses, devising onshore and offshore fundraising structures and the protection of creditors’ rights, with additional expertise in the consumer goods, energy and manufacturing and transport sectors. The practice is jointly spearheaded by Wynn Pakdeejit, who is noted for his capability in the litigation sphere, and Paralee Techajongjintana, who is well-versed in financial restructuring, stakeholders’ rights under bankruptcy and business reorganisations and litigation in the bankruptcy court. Senior associate Yada Yuwataepakorn excels in commercial litigation, bankruptcy and the enforcement of debts, and fellow senior associate Karnsuda Oue-Amornrat is another key contact in the group.

Thailand > Tax Tier 1

The tax practice at Baker McKenzie LLP is regularly instructed by large multinationals on a range of cross-border matters. Owing to its global network, the team is well-equipped to advise clients on its interpretation of double tax treaties to which Thailand is party, as well as transfer pricing mandates and foreign tax credit regulations. Other key areas of expertise include tax controversy, audits, restructuring, wealth management and real estate. Practice leader Panya Sittisakonsin specialises in tax structures, offshore investment and international tax planning, while Aek Tantisattamo boasts expertise in M&A and tax planning for inbound and outbound investments. Other key contacts in the group include Nopporn Charoenkitraj and Sirirasi Gobpradit.

Thailand > TMT Tier 1

With demonstrable cross-border capabilities, Baker McKenzie LLP’s comprehensive TMT offering includes expertise in software development and licensing, commercial contracts and litigation. Key undertakings for the team involve handling new technologies such as AI and blockchain, managing data protection and privacy issues, as well as a variety of electronic transactions. Leading the experienced team is ‘trusted adviser’ Nont Horayangura, Abe Sun, ‘true professional’ Pattaraphan Paiboon and Kritiyanee Buranatrevedhya. Horayangura represents a number of industry-leading clients on a range of issues such as AI, while Sun, who re-joined from the firm’s Singapore office in November 2022, bolsters the practice with expertise in IP matters. Paiboon’s strengths lie in the technology sphere, while assisting clients with telecoms issues, from data analytics and satellite to platform liability and e-commerce matters. Buranatrevedhya leverages her IP and technology experience to manage issues surrounding emerging new technologies. Dhiraphol Suwanprateep remains a key contact in the team.

Thailand > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 2

Alongside capabilities that encompass the entire arbitral process, Baker McKenzie LLP's range of services also includes resolving post-M&A disputes and enforcing arbitration awards. Wynn Pakdeejit leads the practice with his extensive experience in a variety of international litigation. Pisut Attakamol counts multinational companies and major local business entities in his client roster, while Suksawat Watewaic's strengths include handling environmental, tax and commercial issues in the courts.

Thailand > Transport Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP's key undertakings in the transport domain extends from road and rail-related PPP infrastructure projects to aviation and automotive matters. The team is regularly entrusted by a diverse array of clients, including global manufacturers and international suppliers, with aviation specialists on hand to cover regulatory compliance issues and licensing mandates. The practice is led by Suriyong Tungsuwan, who has experience in the automotive industry, and Sawanee Sethsathira, who advises on project development and finance of power, in addition to petrochemical and infrastructure projects in Thailand. Viroj Piyawattanametha's capabilities include assisting clients with PPP-related matters, while Permsak Krairiksh's aircraft leasing and financing expertise further strengthens the practice. Chavapol Akkaravoranun is another key name to note in the practice.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms

Offices of Baker McKenzie handle complex commercial and IP arbitrations, focusing on Mainland China-related disputes in the firm’s Hong Kong office. The firm has prominent offices in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and is highly active in Indonesia, representing high-profile clients in domestic and international arbitration across all offices. The department contains a number of talented individuals, with Gary Seib and Philipp Hanusch integral to the Hong Kong office, and Nandakumar Ponniya  and Ashish Chugh noted within the Singapore team. Thailand-based Wynn Pakdeejit has extensive experience in international litigation, while Andi Kadir sits as the co-chairman of the arbitration and ADR commission of ICC Indonesia.