DLA Piper > Bangkok, Thailand > Firm Profile

DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

Thailand > Insurance Tier 1

The ‘cohesive and responsive’ insurance practice at DLA Piper is considered by clients as a one-stop-shop for litigious, regulatory, and transactional insurance work. The group counts major insurers and insurance intermediaries among its multi-jurisdictional client base. Taking charge of the group is Robert Tang, who has been involved in a myriad of insurance arbitrations and disputes, notably cross-border energy and construction-related disputes. Bringing corporate expertise to the group, Samata Masagee is a key name for its transactional work. Thananan Sangnuan is highlighted for her knowledge of financial institutions and insurance regulatory advisory work, while Peter Shelford excels in insurance dispute resolution.

Thailand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Lauded for its ‘excellent skills in commercial negotiations‘, DLA Piper acts for major banks, financial institutions, bondholders, funds, corporate borrowers and lenders in the entire range of restructuring and insolvency matters. The group is active across an array of sectors, including aviation, financial services, construction, real estate, energy and manufacturing, and handles a mix of financial restructurings, turnaround and special situations, investigations, litigation and enforcement mandates. Practice head Waranon Vanichprapa is highly skilled in the area of restructuring and bankruptcy, as well as financing transactions. Komson Suntheeraporn has significant experience acting for creditors in court-supervised rehabilitation proceedings. Renowned litigator Don Rojanapenkul advises on a broad range of contentious insolvency matters.

Thailand > Banking and finance Tier 2

Leveraged and acquisition finance, corporate lending, project finance, real estate finance, restructuring, special situations and general banking advice are all part of the skillset of DLA Piper. Waranon Vanichprapa is responsible for leading the practice and handles an array of banking transactions in the hospitality, logistics, telecoms, real estate, retail and energy sectors. Pattadon Tejapaibul is a key member of the practice and is active in cross-border lending, acquisition finance and project financing. Timothy Tan left the firm in August 2023.

Thailand > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

DLA Piper is at the forefront of M&A and investment transactions in the energy, technology, financial services, insurance, real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors in Thailand. Its financial instructions M&A offering is particularly strong, as well as its banking, financial regulatory and securities expertise. Samata Masagee is responsible for leading the practice and regularly heads up M&A transactions and matters in the energy sector. Thananan Sangnuan is also a key name whose expertise lies in financial institutions and commercial banks in distressed circumstances.

Thailand > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 2

DLA Piper has extensive experience in handling arbitrations administered under the auspices of major international and regional arbitration centers, as well as ad hoc arbitrations. The group is well versed in applying to stay proceedings brought in breach of arbitration clauses and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Don Rojanapenkul heads up the practice and is active in international arbitrations and mediations. Robert Tang is a key contact in the group for his expertise in cross-border insurance claims, and energy and construction-related disputes. Komson Suntheeraporn specialises in contentious employment issues.

Thailand > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Described by clients as among the ‘best litigators in Thailand’, DLA Piper is active in disputes regarding insolvency, employment, insurance, construction, administrative law and commercial law, as well as investigations. Practice head Don Rojanapenkul regularly leads the firm’s complex construction, real estate, infrastructure, insurance and commercial disputes. Key members of the practice also include Robert Tang, whose expertise lies in cross-border insurance claims, energy and construction-related disputes, and Komson Suntheeraporn, who is well versed in contentious employment matters. Akyn Suttawatanadech excels in real estate and construction-related disputes and Santipap Dumprapai specialises in investigations.

Thailand > Labour and employment Tier 2

Leveraging its multidisciplinary structure, DLA Piper frequently works on cross-practice matters, including employment strategy for corporate transactions, regulatory investigations and data privacy projects. The group has particular strength in matters involving layoffs, redundancies, harassment, bullying and discrimination. Komson Suntheeraporn oversees the practice and is a key name for matters involving data privacy issues. Parada Saibua has extensive experience in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with labour unions. Natnicha Nakhwan’s broad practice encompasses employment contracts, investigations, regulatory compliance and labour disputes.

Thailand > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Drawing on the firm's full-service structure, DLA Piper’s real estate clients are able to take full advantage of its corporate, finance, regulatory and dispute resolution expertise. The group is proficient in real estate investments and project development, covering commercial, industrial and hospitality facilities. Waranon Vanichprapa and the 'responsive, responsible and communicative' Samata Masagee jointly oversee the group, with Vanichparpa leading on financing deals, and Masagee excelling in the energy sector. Sarita Prukaroon is ‘demonstrably a rising star’ in the real estate space.

Thailand > TMT Tier 2

DLA Piper is well equipped to manage corporate matters for companies in the TMT sector, and has a strong regulatory offering, assisting with the establishment of technologies and compliance with Thai law. Its expertise attends to companies using cutting-edge technology such as AI and cloud computing. It is particularly active in acquisition and investment work, involving complex negotiations and licensing, as well as arbitration proceedings. Samata Masagee leads the team with her strengths in M&A and commercial transactions for technology firms, venture capital and start-ups. Masagee's expertise is complimented by Don Rojanapenkul who heads the litigation and regulation team.

Thailand > Projects and energy Tier 3

Equipped with a stellar M&A offering, DLA Piper is active in cross-border transactions in the renewable energy sector. The group also advises lenders and sponsors on the financing of projects in the clean energy, infrastructure, real estate and hospital segments. Waranon Vanichprapa leads the practice and is typically sought out by financial institutions and multinational corporations for his significant expertise in project finance. Samata Masagee has a wealth of experience in corporate matters and M&A transactions in the energy sector.

Vietnam > Foreign desks

DLA Piper showcases demonstrable experience in handling commercial matters, M&A and project finance work, with clients positioned in the public and private sectors. Jointly leading the practice, Trinh Hoang is well versed in financing and restructuring of debt facilities across a multitude of jurisdictions, while Samata Masagee advises on cross-border transactions in the energy sector, instructed by foreign energy companies with a nexus to Vietnam, with the final head of department, Philip Lee, being widely-renowned in capital markets. Noted for her extensive corporate experience, Thananan Sangnuan specialises in domestic, inbound, and outbound M&A, while Lauren Hurcombe specialises in technology and outsourcing transactions, particularly the exploitation of technology-related assets.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms

DLA Piper has a notable presence in arbitration work in the Pacific region. In Australia, Sydney-based Gitanjali Bajaj and Cameron Scholes, Brisbane’s Liam Prescott, Melbourne’s Gowri Kangeson, and Perth’s Richard Edwards handle high-profile arbitrations across industries such as energy, transport, and construction. In New Zealand, Iain Thain leads a prominent practice. Turning to South East Asia, in Thailand Don Rojanapenkul and Robert Tang bring strong cross-border and international arbitration experience to the firm’s offerings.