Thailand 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Department head: international legal and intellectual property | Boon Rawd Brewery
General counsel and assistant general manager | Isuzu Motors Asia Thailand
HomeCare Greater Asia general counsel and general counsel Thailand | Unilever Thai Trading
Department manager, legal department | Ajinomoto Thailand
Executive vice president, head of compliance | Siam Commercial Bank
Assistant vice president, office of legal affairs | Thai Beverage
Vice president and head of legal | TCC Assets Thailand
Executive vice president, legal and international projects | Thoresen Group
Head of business laws counselling | Asset World Corporation
Senior vice president, office of corporate legal | Global Power Synergy
General counsel, head of legal, legal department | Citibank Bangkok Branch
Senior vice president, chief corporate and legal affairs officer | Amadeus
Vice chairman and chief executive officer | Super Energy Corporation
Head of legal, compliance and risk management APAC | Limagrain Thailand
Director, legal and compliance | Pandora Production Company
Associate vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary | Coca-Cola ThaiNamthip
Associate general counsel, Southeast Asia | Facebook (Thailand)
Deputy head of legal and compliance group | Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group
Manager, legal and compliance department | Kao Industrial Thailand
Corporate legal director, group legal | Thoresen Thai Agencies
Rising Star
General manager, compliance management and legal | Mercedes-Benz
Senior executive vice president, head legal and compliance | CIMB Thai Bank
Deputy head of division, head of legal department and data protection officer | ICBC
Senior executive vice president, office of general counsel | PTT
Executive vice president, corporate affairs and acting chief corporate management officer | Prime Road Power
Vice president, legal and compliance, company secretary | Major Development
Company secretary and head of legal, compliance and international tax | Thai Union Group
Senior executive vice president, head of legal affairs division and company secretary | The Stock Exchange of Thailand
Vice president legal and member of country leadership team | DKSH Thailand
Commercial legal lead | LINE Company Thailand
Rising Star
Chief commercial officer and general counsel | Minor International
Senior managing counsel - product legal (global) | Agoda
Rising Star
Assistant vice president, legal and compliance | SHERA
Chief corporate officer and executive assistant to CEO | Gunkul Engineering
Senior legal manager | PepsiCo Services Asia
First vice president, legal | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
Country head of legal and secretariat, and data protection officer | UOB United Overseas Bank (Thai)
Head of litigation and regulations department | True Corporation
Chief compliance officer and general manager of legal department | Mitsubishi Company Thailand
Senior vice president – general counsel and data protection officer | Thai Group Holdings
Vice president, senior lawyer, utilities and infrastructure law division | Siam Commercial Bank
Producing the Thailand GC Powerlist has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of each year since I worked on our first edition back in 2023. As well as the undeniable qualities of the GCs and other leading in-house lawyers profiled in the country, it has been a pleasure to experience the enthusiasm, friendliness and candour those I have spoken to while researching each edition.
Getting input from such a wide range of the world’s top in-house counsel allows us at Legal 500 to report on some of the trends facing the community, whether these are common to wide geographical areas or specific to the country in which they operate. Athicha Vuttiviroj, Country legal head of Novartis Thailand, spoke about a trend that she feels that the wider business world is quickly optimising operations, with GCs at the forefront of this:
‘The business landscape is evolving towards leaner organisations that prioritise productivity and efficiency for sustainable operations. This transformation often involves streamlining work processes and reorganising to eliminate redundancies. In this context, the role of in-house counsel is crucial, supporting the business in achieving its efficiency objectives while maintaining legal integrity, effective risk management, and long-term sustainability. Given Thailand’s pro-employee labor laws, it is challenging to justify the need for transformation when the company is not making loss. In-house lawyers must collaborate closely with relevant teams to ensure fair selection processes and compliance with statutory severance payments for affected employees. Additionally, they should manage the overall exit experience to minimise the risk of impacted employees bringing the case to labor court, which could incur significant legal fees and manpower costs.’
On the AI angle, Visitsak Arunsuratpakdee, head of litigation and regulations at True Corporation spoke about the continuing lack of regulation regarding the now common use of AI by corporations:
‘The rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the current absence of specific laws governing its use are the topics that have most drawn my attention. As we continue to integrate AI into various aspects of our operations, it is crucial to consider how we manage and utilize data to stay compliant with future legislation. One of the primary concerns is the extent to which we can use data without infringing upon future laws. This includes safeguarding trade secrets, managing personal data responsibly, and establishing internal policies that align with the increasing use of AI. As we navigate this dynamic landscape, it is essential to remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to AI governance and data management.’
Wanchanit Sa-Nguanwong, General Counsel of ride-sharing app Grabtaxi Thailand spoke about the emergence of a new employment sector that is likely to assume ever-greater importance: that of the gig economy workers:
‘One of the most significant trends I have observed over the past year is the growing importance and scrutiny of the Gig Economy, particularly the role of riders, who are central to the growth of digital platforms. The rise of the digital economy has given birth to a new service segment that reflects freelance characteristics and challenges traditional employment models. This evolving landscape raises several important legal and regulatory questions. Firstly, what is the most appropriate regulatory framework for the Gig Economy, given its hybrid nature, blending elements of both employment and freelance work? Secondly, how can we design fair and practical regulations that consider the interests of all stakeholders, including service platforms and consumers?’
As always, massive congratulations to everyone who made it on to the list this year, especially those who are appearing for the second or even third time. There were a lot of very talented corporate counsel who unfortunately did not make it onto the list this year, so those of you included have achieved extremely impressive things to get here.
Joe Boswell
Global Editor – GC Powerlist
Legal 500
The Legal 500 successfully hosted the GC Summit Chile 2025 on 17 June at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental in Santiago. This premier event brought together a distinguished community of in-house counsel and legal professionals from across Chile and the wider LATAM region. Designed to foster dialogue, share strategic insights, and build lasting connections, the summit addressed the pressing legal challenges and innovations reshaping today’s business environment.
Through a curated series of panels, the Summit explored emerging regulatory frameworks, dispute resolution strategies, labour law reforms, and corporate crime implications. Each session balanced expert commentary with practical, real-world guidance for the benefit of the in-house legal audience. The day concluded with an engaging networking reception, enabling participants to strengthen ties and continue conversations in a relaxed setting.
The day commenced with welcome addresses from Margherita Birri on behalf of The Legal 500 and Daniel Álvarez Valenzuela, Director of Chile’s National Cybersecurity Agency, setting the tone for a day of forward-thinking legal discussions.
Sponsored by Magliona Abogados, the opening panel focused on the intersection of technology, data governance, and legal compliance. As Chile accelerates its digital transformation, this session explored the legal ramifications surrounding data privacy, cybersecurity frameworks, fintech development, and artificial intelligence. Speakers dissected current and proposed regulatory measures and shared best practices for corporate compliance. A key emphasis was placed on anticipating policy shifts and embedding digital resilience within legal departments.
Presented by Bofill Escobar Silva, this session tackled the increasingly multifaceted nature of legal disputes. From regulatory conflict to high-profile litigation, César Ramos provided a deep dive into dispute resolution tactics that go beyond the courtroom. Real-life case management experiences illuminated how organisations can approach complex legal threats holistically, blending legal, reputational, and strategic considerations. Attendees gained insight into structuring internal processes and external counsel relationships to manage high-impact litigation effectively.
With sweeping reforms reshaping Chile’s labour law landscape, Munita & Olavarría’s panel unpacked three transformative legislative shifts: the phased reduction of the working week, proposed pension reform, and the enactment of the “Karin Law”. Legal leaders examined how these reforms affect employment policies, workplace investigations, and long-term HR planning. Attendees received practical guidance on internal policy alignment, compliance risk mitigation, and engaging constructively with organisational change.
The final panel of the day, hosted by VCG Abogados, explored the profound impact of Chile’s new Economic Crimes Law on corporate environmental liability. The discussion centered on how environmental breaches are now reclassified as criminal offences, with heightened scrutiny and enforcement mechanisms. Panelists stressed the importance of cross-functional compliance, robust internal audits, and executive accountability. The audience left with actionable strategies to strengthen environmental governance and minimise exposure to criminal proceedings.
To close the summit, attendees enjoyed a vibrant networking reception. Set against the elegant backdrop of the Mandarin Oriental, guests connected over refreshments and informal conversation. The reception underscored the collaborative spirit of the event and provided a fitting conclusion to a day marked by knowledge exchange, strategic reflection, and community building within Chile’s in-house legal community.
GC Summit Chile 2025 proved to be a landmark event, reaffirming The Legal 500’s commitment to supporting in-house counsel with critical insights, peer engagement, and access to leading legal thought. Through its carefully structured programme and high-level discussions, the summit empowered attendees to confront challenges with confidence and contribute meaningfully to their organisations’ legal and strategic priorities.
Looking ahead, The Legal 500 remains dedicated to delivering timely, relevant content and fostering impactful conversations within the global legal community.
