Senior vice president – general counsel and data protection officer | Thai Group Holdings
Wit Maschamadol
Senior vice president – general counsel and data protection officer | Thai Group Holdings
Team size: 27
What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?
We recently led the legal work for a major domestic transaction in the insurance sector, which enhanced TGH’s market position. This involved complex negotiations and regulatory approvals from the OIC and other local authorities. Our team also resolved several regulatory disputes through alternative dispute resolution, revised group contract templates to align with Thai laws, and launched a legal training program to strengthen compliance across subsidiaries.
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organization’s resilience?
In the insurance sector, where trust and regulatory compliance are critical, crisis management starts with readiness. We maintain strong legal risk assessment frameworks and business continuity plans tailored to industry-specific challenges—such as sudden regulatory changes, market volatility, or emerging claims trends. During periods of instability, I work closely with management to assess legal exposure, engage proactively with regulators like the OIC, and ensure timely communication with policyholders and partners. I also empower my team to provide rapid, business-focused legal support to help maintain customer confidence and operational continuity across all insurance entities within the group.
What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?
In the insurance business, where handling sensitive customer data is central, digital transformation must be both secure and strategic. We’ve implemented legal tech solutions—such as contract lifecycle systems and compliance tracking tools—that streamline legal operations while supporting regulatory readiness for OIC and SEC requirements. As a certified Data Protection Officer, I ensure every digital initiative aligns with Thailand’s PDPA by embedding privacy-by-design into our workflows, especially in areas involving policyholder data, claims, and underwriting systems. Regular audits, role-based access controls, and legal input in system design help us maintain both efficiency and trust.
Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?
One of the most unique and defining moments in my career was leading the legal negotiations for what became one of the largest acquisitions in Thailand’s insurance sector. The transaction involved extensive coordination with regulators, complex due diligence, and high-stakes negotiations with multiple stakeholders. It was not only a legal challenge but also a strategic business milestone for the group. Managing the legal aspects of such a transformative deal—under intense scrutiny and tight timelines—highlighted the importance of legal leadership in shaping the future of the business.
We are currently living through a time of geopolitical change. Does this affect your company’s risk profile and, if so, what are you doing to mitigate this?
Yes, geopolitical shifts increasingly impact the insurance sector, especially in areas like investment risk, regulatory alignment, and cross-border reinsurance arrangements. In response, I’ve worked closely with our risk and investment teams to assess legal exposure arising from international volatility and to review the robustness of reinsurance contracts, investment structures, and sanctions compliance. We’ve also updated our legal risk matrix to account for emerging geopolitical threats and ensured our policies and operational frameworks are resilient to force majeure and regulatory disruption, both domestically and regionally.
What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?
In the insurance industry, where regulation, risk, and customer trust intersect, a modern in-house counsel must be adaptable, commercially minded, and deeply attuned to regulatory and operational dynamics. Strategic thinking is essential to navigate complex compliance landscapes, while strong communication skills are critical to translating legal risks—such as those related to claims, underwriting, or data privacy—into practical guidance for business units. Emotional intelligence also plays a key role, particularly in managing stakeholder expectations during crises or claims disputes. Most importantly, today’s in-house counsel must act as both a legal guardian and a proactive business partner.
How can general counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?
In the insurance sector, ESG principles are directly tied to long-term risk management and stakeholder trust. As General Counsel, I lead by example by ensuring ESG considerations are embedded in underwriting policies, investment decisions, supplier contracts, and corporate governance frameworks. I work closely with sustainability, risk, and operations teams to conduct ESG legal risk assessments—particularly around climate-related disclosures, ethical sales practices, and responsible data use. Through policy integration, employee training, and transparent reporting, I help promote a culture of accountability and sustainable business conduct across the group.
Are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?
In the insurance sector, the rise of AI is transforming claims processing and underwriting by improving accuracy, efficiency, and fraud detection—however, its adoption requires careful oversight to ensure compliance with data privacy laws and ethical standards. Additionally, ESG enforcement is gaining momentum, with regulators and stakeholders demanding greater transparency around climate risk, responsible underwriting, and sustainable investment practices. Legal teams must stay ahead of these trends to effectively manage evolving risks and support the company’s strategic goals.
What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this?
I am deeply passionate about data privacy and digital ethics, as well as the insurance business. In today’s data-driven world, responsible data usage is not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative—especially in insurance, where sensitive personal and financial information is handled daily. Protecting privacy builds trust with policyholders and supports fair, transparent underwriting and claims processes. Equally, I am passionate about the insurance industry’s role in providing financial security and contributing to societal resilience. Together, these passions drive my commitment to fostering innovation that is both ethical and impactful.
What have you done to further diversity objectives in your organization?
I actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our legal team by advocating for inclusive hiring practices that prioritize a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. I mentor young professionals from underrepresented groups to support their growth and development. Additionally, I have helped establish internal forums to amplify diverse voices in leadership and ensure inclusive decision-making. Beyond the team, I work to include DEI-related clauses in vendor agreements, encouraging our partners to uphold similar commitments and foster an inclusive culture throughout our business ecosystem.
Senior vice president – general counsel and data protection officer | Thai Group Holdings
Senior vice president and general counsel | Thai Group Holdings