Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution: international arbitration

Building upon the opening of its new office in Bangkok in November 2022, international arbitration specialist Ian Johnston leads the team at Clyde & Co and acts for local and international insurers and reinsurers, major hospitality organisations and construction companies.

Dispute resolution: international arbitration in Thailand

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited is lauded for its ‘wealth of dispute resolution experience across a broad geographic and industry background’. The group is particularly active in industry sectors, notably energy, construction and infrastructure projects. Sitting at the head of the practice is Steven Burkill, Kay Kian Tan, Ratthakarn Boonnua and Tossaporn Sumpiputtanadacha. Burkill specialises in disputes of a cross-border nature, while Tan is well versed in power and energy disputes. Boonnua regularly represents energy and construction companies in arbitration work. Sumpiputtanadacha focuses his practice on international litigation and international arbitration. Bhavish Advani is also a key name within the group for his focus on interntional commercial arbitration.

Responsables de la pratique:

Steven Burkill; Kay Kian Tan; Ratthakarn Boonnua; Tossaporn Sumpiputtanadacha


Autres avocats clés:

Bhavish Advani


Les références

‘WFW is professional, hardworking, and innovative.’

‘Tossaporn is impressive and excellent. He actively and comprehensively provides suggestions and the legal strategy.’

‘WFW team has the unique strengths for internal and external collaborations such as ability to connect the relevant expert to our case with appropriate timing. Their internal collaboration is also excellent. They utilise their internal legal expertise from their international resources.’

Principaux clients

Department of Mineral Fuels, Ministry of Energy, Government of Thailand


Supreme Treon Private Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising and acting for the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Energy in a arbitration, relating to decommissioning disputes with oil major concessionaries concerning assets in the Gulf of Thailand.
  • Acting for a Chinese state-owned construction company in a Hong Kong-seated HKIAC arbitration relating to construction and payment disputes with the developer of a luxury hospitality/residential resort development in Phuket.

DLA Piper

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Don Rojanapenkul


Autres avocats clés:

Robert Tang; Komson Suntheeraporn


Les références

‘Exceptional Thai law support on a multi-billion-dollar international arbitration.’

Principaux clients

Group Lease PCL


Korean Reinsurance Company


The Met Condominium Juristic Person


Embassy of the Republic of Singapore


Ninive Casseforme S.R.L.


RJR Engineering Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing an independent power producer in a dispute with its coal supplier in a Singapore-seated ICC Arbitration subject to English law.
  • Acting as appellate counsel for an IT provider for the air transport industry, and various C-suite directors, in relation to a civil claim filed by a Thai PCL for an alleged breach of an exclusivity provision in a Memorandum of Understanding.
  • Representing a seller in a post-M&A dispute with its buyer arising out of alleged discrepancies in the accounts of the acquired entity in a Thai-seated THAC Arbitration.

Herbert Smith Freehills (Thailand) Limited

Herbert Smith Freehills (Thailand) Limited leverages its extensive reach to deliver dispute resolution services across the whole ASEAN region. The group offers arbitration advice under a broad spectrum of civil and common law, as well as public international law. Warathorn Wongsawangsiri and Chinnawat Thongpakdee are both responsible for leading the team. Wongsawangsiri boasts extensive arbitration expertise and has been appointed by various institutions as a sole or co-arbiter. Thongpakdee has a broad disputes practice that covers civil, criminal and commercial litigation. Pariyapol Kamolsilp joined the firm in March 2024 from Kudun & Partners.

Responsables de la pratique:

Warathorn Wongsawangsiri; Chinnawat Thongpakdee


Autres avocats clés:

Pariyapol Kamolsilp; Jedsarit Sahussarungsi


Les références

‘Very strong bench of next generation partners based in BKK.’

‘I have worked with Jedsarit Sahussarungsi for many years. He is an absolute star, always able to see the commercial side of things.’

Principaux dossiers


Baker McKenzie LLP

Baker McKenzie LLP counts domestic companies, multinational corporations, state-owned entities and state agencies among its client roster. Its work typically involves pre-contentious negotiations, advice on arbitration clauses and management of the arbitral process. Wynn Pakdeejit spearheads the practice and regularly oversees complex commercial disputes. Pisut Attakamol is a key name for his international arbitration expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Wynn Pakdeejit


Autres avocats clés:

Pisut Attakamol; Suksawat Watewai


Les références

‘They have strength in legal matters, attention to detail, extensive work experience, and excellent English skills. They respond well to customer needs and can explain complex issues in a way that is easy for customers to understand.’

Principaux dossiers


ILCT Ltd.

Boasting a client roster comprised of large multinationals and domestic companies, ILCT Ltd. handles complex international arbitration across a range of sectors, notably oil, insurance, aviation, property development, and food and beverage. Jayavadh Bunnag and Wasantachai Watanavongvisudhi are jointly responsible for leading the practice. Bunnang specialises in matters involving the minerals, oil, gas and energy sectors. Watanavongvisudhi has specialist knowledge in domestic and international logistic and construction matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jayavadh Bunnag; Wasantachai Watanavongvisudhi


Principaux dossiers


Tilleke & Gibbins

The international arbitration practice at Tilleke & Gibbins is well regarded for its work in construction, energy, infrastructure, maritime and shipping disputes. The practice is led by Chusert Supasitthumrong, John Frangos, and Noppramart Thammateeradaycho, who brings shipping and maritime expertise to the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chusert Supasitthumrong; John Frangos; Noppramart Thammateeradaycho


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented the Thai subsidiary of a multinational real-estate developer in all stages of a construction-related arbitration against a Thai contractor in relation to the reconstruction of a luxury hotel in Bangkok.
  • Successfully represented an individual investor in relation to an attempt by the Lao PDR to enforce an ICSID arbitral award against him in the Thai courts.