Projects: Thailand
THE FIRM This team maintains a prominent position in the power sector having acted in a number of South-East Asia's largest and most high-profile projects, such as the Nam Ngum hydropower project and the Thai Nong Saeng IPP. The group is regularly instructed in both domestic and international matters, and its international network means that the practice group is especially well placed to provide support on cross-border transactions.
Sources say: "Its market expertise and continuity are unmatched; it houses experienced lawyers with great depth of knowledge."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Jaggs offers vast experience of financing projects throughout Thailand and the surrounding regions. Sources regard him as "an exceptionally intelligent practitioner," and appreciate his complementary knowledge of banking law.
THE FIRM This well-established projects team has had another stellar year, advising its extensive client roster on some of the region's key deals. Specific highlights include acting as Thai counsel to the lenders in the USD2.7 billion Hongsa Power Project. Other notable clients include PTT, Chevron, BNP Paribas and the Asian Development Bank. Interviewees are quick to praise the group's ability to offer informed advice across a vast array of issues, with areas of expertise ranging from petrochemical and manufacturing matters to mining and renewable energy.
Sources say: "This very strong firm is really impressive in this area."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Firm founder Albert Chandler is a key figure in the projects sector, with one impressed source going so far as to label him "one of the best lawyers in the country." Ratana Poonsombudlert is a corporate and energy lawyer with a particular focus on oil & gas and mining, M&A and project financing on behalf of owners and lenders. Jessada Sawatdipong is regularly retained by syndicated lenders in financing major power and infrastructure projects.
THE FIRM This group has had a busy year handling power and renewable energy projects, particularly on the offshore side. High-profile clients include the Asian Development Bank and EchoFirst, and the team has continued to advise Quezon Power on projects in the Philippines. Its two specialist projects partners regularly work in close conjunction with the firm's M&A group.
Sources say: "This responsive team provides top quality advice."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Koehler's interest lies in project financing, and he leads on most of the firm's large energy matters. James Bradley offers expertise in the construction aspects of development projects, and is frequently instructed in procurement transactions.
THE FIRM This sizeable team benefits from the firm's extensive global network, and as such it is regularly retained on substantial cross-border matters. Its deep bench and broad range of knowledge enable it to provide expert advice across the power, transportation, petrochemical, water and waste sectors. In addition, interviewees express admiration for the strength of its renewable energy practice. Key clients include Bangkok Bank and Kasikornbank.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Sawanee Sethsathira is keenly sought after for her projects know-how, especially in the energy and infrastructure fields.
THE FIRM This team shows particular strength in the country's flourishing energy sector. It is equally well resourced to handle domestic, international and cross-border deals, and its lawyers offer experience across the full range of transactional issues. Recent highlights include advising a Thai company on the purchase of an interest in a US bio-plastic plant.
Sources say: "It provides all the elements that we look for in a firm; excellent advice and very good results."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees praise group head Wilailuk Okanurak as "a very capable lawyer who we are more than happy to have in charge of any team." In the past year, she advised on the development and financings of two wind power projects, and Dow Chemical on the financing for the construction of a Propylene Oxide plant.
THE FIRM Sources agree that this group is capable of deftly handling all aspects of projects work, including financing, structuring and operation matters. It offers expertise across a comprehensive range of sectors, including power, oil and LNG projects. The team acts for lenders and purchasers, and has a particular strength in representing sponsors of power projects. Highlights include advising several Thai banks on a syndicated loan to finance seven small power producer projects, valued at approximately THB33 billion. Its key clients include Siam Energy, TMB Bank and E.ON Climate and Renewables.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees laud firm chairman Weerawong Chittmittrapap for the depth of his experience and the value that he adds to the projects practice. He assisted G-Power Source, a subsidiary of Gunkul Engineering, in securing financing to be used as part of the company's expansion of its renewable energy business.
THE FIRM This team has an excellent reputation for its advice on solar and wind projects, handling every stage from research through to investment. In addition to its work on more traditional power projects such as gas-fired power plants it has been developing expertise in renewable energy, and the group's deal list serves as testament to its active market presence. It advised the Asian Development Bank on the financing of the Natural Energy Development Company's Lopburi-based 79 MW power plant. Other significant clients include Kasikornbank, Wind Energy Holding Company and Amata B. Grimm Power.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Fergus Evans is the Bangkok managing partner and also the key projects contact.
THE FIRM This team has extensive experience of energy projects and has worked on numerous large-scale infrastructure and power plant projects, both domestically and abroad. A key highlight was representing Hongsa Power in its USD2.7 billion financing by a conglomerate of nine Thai financial institutions.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees appreciate the depth of Chaipat Kamchadduskorn's experience of working with banks and lenders from major financial institutions.
THE FIRM This team is noted for both its domestic work in the climate change sector and its cross-border projects work. Interviewees agree that it offers an excellent grasp of renewable energy, project finance and regulatory matters. Clients include Standard Chartered and Bangkok Bank.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Somboon Kitiyansub is the key contact for this area.
THE FIRM In addition to handling traditional oil and gas sector work this team has also been developing its clean and renewable energy projects practice with the introduction of a dedicated group to address emerging legal issues in this area. Highlights include representing a Dutch company that is replacing its entire fleet of ships with a new fleet that is due to be constructed in Thailand.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Cynthia Pornavalai has a growing reputation in Thailand and continues to lead the projects team. Consultant David Duncan is also an active member of the group.