About

The largest company in Thailand and one of the most outstanding and financially robust companies in the world, PTT is a state-owned enterprise that owns and operates a sprawling energy empire involved in electricity production, oil and gas exploration and energy retail, among other areas. In support of these diverse business goals, PTT has a highly experienced, 60-person legal team headed by the well-regarded Peangpanor Boonklum (colloquially known as PB), who is senior executive vice president and group general counsel; she took over the role in July 2017 after a high-flying private practice career of 30 years. She outlines a number of particularly impressive projects that the team has completed over the past year, including: ‘The restructuring of PTT’s petrochemical, propane and bioplastic business chains and relevant service businesses by transferring all shares PTT held in the underlying companies to PTT Global Chemical Plc; the acquisition by PTT Global LNG Company Limited, a subsidiary of PTT, of a 10 % equity stake in Petronas LNG 9; and the sale of 5.41 % of shares in Star Petroleum Refinery on an overnight block trade’. PTT’s exalted status in the Thai economy is dependent on constant evolution and innovation, and this – combined with a need to adapt to a changing energy market – has meant the in-house legal team having to engage in restructuring and internal process changes, along with centralising and strengthening compliance efforts. Boonklum is anticipating the improvements this will bring to the team’s abilities, and is confident that she ‘will lead the team to adapt its mind set to be a trusted advisor and business partner in line with what the industry and business demands. Further, we will lead, guide, co-work, or manage the way outside counsel work to ensure they understand the business and provide the most effective solutions at all times’.