OUR PEOPLE

Pisut RakwongManaging Partner

EDUCATION

Barrister at Law, Institute of Legal Education of Thai Bar Association, 2010
Notarial Services Attorney, Lawyers Council of Thailand, 2009.
Lawyer License, Lawyers Council of Thailand, 1999.
Bachelor of Laws, Ramkhamheang University, Bangkok Thailand 1999.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND SEMINARS

Thailand chapter of “Getting the Deal Through: Labour & Employment in 44 Jurisdictions Worldwide”, United Kingdom: Law Business Research, 2017-2018
Selected speaker on Amendment of Civil and Commercial Code in Relation to Guarantee Law, invited by A.P. Honda Limited, 2015

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Pisut Rakwong, the Founder and Managing Partner. With an impressive range of expertise, Pisut’s practice areas include dispute resolution, corporate law, insolvency and restructuring, trade competition, labour and employment matters, insurance, administrative cases, and even white-collar criminal affairs. His wealth of experience extends to Thai court proceedings, as well as arbitrations conducted under the prestigious ICC, THAC, and TAI rules.

Pisut’s legal prowess encompasses a broad spectrum of commercial law, with notable focus on civil fraud, white-collar crime, shareholders’ and joint venture disputes, international trade, and employment matters. He is also renowned for his knack in obtaining emergency and interim injunctions, including the formidable freezing orders. Many of Pisut’s high-profile cases involve multiple jurisdictions, making him a sought-after expert witness in foreign courts, particularly for multi-jurisdictional claims relating to Thailand.

Pisut has also earned a spot on the THAC Panels of Arbitrators, specifically recognised as an arbitrator panellist for Corporate, International Trade, Information Technology, Shareholders, and Joint Venture Disputes, as well as the general commercial panel.

Before establishing Pisut & Partners, Pisut served as the Litigation Partner at Silk Legal, an esteemed international law firm nestled in the bustling streets of Bangkok. His remarkable ability to attract new business was pivotal to the firm’s success. Prior to that, he excelled as the Managing Partner of Jus Laws & Consult, an independent Bangkok law firm, where he honed his skills in building a robust litigation department and enhancing overall firm management.

Between 2010 and 2015, Pisut’s legal prowess reached new heights as the Chief Litigator at Price Sanond Prabhas & Wynne (formerly known as “Deacons”). He masterfully handled major litigation and arbitration cases while providing invaluable legal counsel across various fields for his esteemed domestic and international corporate clientele.

During his tenure at Rapeepat Public Law Office from 2003 to 2010, Pisut assumed a partnership role and emerged as a formidable force in civil and commercial disputes within the Thai courts, in addition to skillfully handling a myriad of arbitration matters.

Pisut Rakwong’s exceptional legal acumen and unparalleled track record have solidified his reputation as a legal dynamo. At Pisut & Partners, he continues to lead the way, ensuring that clients receive unrivalled representation and unparalleled results.

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Member of the International Bar Association
Member of the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific
Member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand
Barrister at Law, Thai Bar Association
Notarial Services Attorney, Lawyers Council of Thailand
Litigation Attorney, Lawyers Council of Thailand

CREDENTIALS

Asialaw Leading Lawyer 2018-2022 in Dispute Resolution & Litigation.
Dispute Resolution Star – Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific 2019-2021.
The A-list. Thailand’s Top 100 Lawyers 2018-2020 – Asian Business Law Journal.

IN THE MEDIA

NOTABLE CASES

- M&A and Capital Markets
  - - Advising a Thai limited company and its shareholders regarding the sale of ordinary shares in a Public Company Limited listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The transaction was valued at THB 10.99 billion (approximately USD 343 million).
    - Advising and conducted legal due diligence for a Thai-listed company in the acquisition of a 40% stake in a leading company specializing in innovative water and pollution solutions, in a joint venture with another Thai-listed company.
    - Advising one of the largest non-alcoholic beverage groups in Myanmar on the conditions necessary for eligibility for listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and group restructuring to comply with Thai laws.
    - Advising various securities companies on relevant regulations, such as the Public Company Act, SEC Rules and Regulations governing the issuance and offering of securities to the public, as well as SET listing rules and regulations.
    - Advising and conducting due diligence for a multinational contractor on matters including land ownership, corporate status, zoning restrictions, and other issues prior to executing the Lease Agreement and relevant contracts.
    - Advising and conducting due diligence for a prominent global entertainment company in the acquisition of YouTube® channels from Thai artists and operators.
    - Advising and conducting due diligence for a leading Malaysian hotel operator in relation to the acquisition of a 4-star hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand, valued at USD 17 million, from Japanese investors.
    - Advising and conducting due diligence for a multinational company in the acquisition of a new plant to support its expansion in Southeast Asia and Australia.
    - Advising Thai and Laotian investors in the acquisition of a Duty-Free Project located at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge Zone
    - Advising a Thai investor in the acquisition of a 7.5-megawatt hydroelectric generating plant and associated facilities situated in Khoune City, Xieng Khouang District, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
- FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
  - Advising a Thai investor in the acquisition of a 7.5-megawatt hydroelectric generating plant and associated facilities situated in Khoune City, Xieng Khouang District, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
  - Advising a multinational telecommunications company regarding general corporate advice and services, such as establishing a company in Thailand and preparing and submitting applications to the Board of Investment (BOI).
  - Advising a “Unicorn” start-up company on the appropriate structuring of a company in Thailand, as well as the eligibility requirements, preparation, and submission of a BOI promotion application.
  - Advised a US company on applying for promotion, under the name of its subsidiary, to the BOI and securing protection under the Treaty of Amity and Economic Cooperation between Thailand and the United States.
  - Advising a United Kingdom company on the proper structuring of a company in Thailand, as well as the eligibility requirements, preparation, and submission of a BOI promotion application.
  - Advising a Thai Public Company Limited in drafting a letter to the Office of the Board of Investment, requesting an extension of their Board of Investment Certificate.

- OIL & GAS
  - Advising one of the world’s leading providers of technology for oil reservoir characterisation, drilling, production, and processing regarding compliance with regulations and labour and employment matters for its operations in Thailand.
  - Advising an international industrial services company and one of the largest oil field services companies in the world on regulatory compliance and labour and employment issues pertaining to its operations in Thailand.
  - Advising a multinational gas and engineering company on matters of taxation, employment, and expatriate services.
  - Advising and representing to a global petroleum company in a criminal charge related to computer offences filed by one of its employees. The charge was based on allegations of false input of information into the company’s database on its own servers.
  - Advising the first OPITO-Approved Training Provider of BOSIET with CAEBS, FOET with CAEBS, and HUET with CAEBS in Thailand on matters of regulatory compliance, non-competition, and labour and employment.
- CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL

- - Advising a global non-alcoholic beverage group regarding compliance with regulations, employment matters, and dispute resolution.
  - Advising a major Thai Public Company and producer/distributor of alcoholic beverages on matters of regulatory compliance, trade competition, the Alcohol Control Act, and providing assistance with dispute resolution.
  - Advising a global pharmaceutical company regarding regulatory compliance, employment issues, and dispute resolution.
  - Advising a global platform for food and beverage delivery services on matters of regulatory compliance, employment, trade
    secrets, intellectual property, and dispute resolution.
  - Advising a global consumer goods company on matters of regulatory compliance, employment, trade secrets, intellectual property, and dispute resolution.
  - Advising a global fast-food chain owner regarding regulatory compliance, employment matters, trade secrets, intellectual property, and dispute resolution.
  - Advising a European company on the acquisition of assets and establishment of a food delivery services entity in Thailand.
  - Advising a major Thai-Japanese automobile company, a leading supplementary foods manufacturer, and the largest dealer of Japanese automobiles in relation to distributorship agreements and disputes arising from the termination of distributorship.
  - Advising a major Thai-Japanese automobile company in relation to a criminal charge under the Trade Competition Act of Thailand, which marked the first significant case of its kind in Thailand.
  - Advising the World Bank on matters of agricultural cooperation, contracts, and alternative dispute resolution in Thailand.
  - Advising the State of Queensland, Australia, on the launch of competitive campaigns in Thailand.
  - Advising a Charity Organization of England and Wales regarding its current status, risks, and liabilities for its national office in Thailand.
  - Advising a Thai publicly listed company on the registration of its trademarks across the region.

- LITIGATION & ARBITRATION
  - Acting as an esteemed expert witness on Thai laws for a prominent global law firm headquartered in London, in the context of English proceedings for a multi-jurisdictional fraud claim exceeding US$ 1 billion. The claim involves 17 separate defendants and centres around a substantial investment in renewable energy in Thailand.
  - Successfully defended a global travel agent online and its directors from the alleged public fraud and computer crime at the preliminary hearings stage
  - Advising the River Condominium’s juristic person, empowering them to initiate a compelling civil complaint against the developer. The client’s assertive demands encompass the transfer and handover of coveted common properties, vital construction drawings, and the nullification of transactions between the developer and third parties. This bold action seeks restitution amounting to an impressive THB 1.4 billion. The dispute stems from the developer’s egregious failure to deliver the advertised common facilities, igniting a fervent pursuit of justice.
  - Advising the Ashton Asoke Condominium’s juristic person towards a momentous legal milestone by advising them to file an interpleading application in the esteemed Central Administrative Court. This groundbreaking case, known as Ashton Asoke, has garnered exceptional attention. Remarkably, the Central Administrative Court has demonstrated its readiness to accept such applications since November 2021, even prior to the finalization of fact findings.
  - Advising the 185 Rajadamri and its esteemed co-owners to assertively demand the immediate transfer and relinquishment of their well-deserved common properties. Additionally, they courageously seek reparations for a myriad of grievances associated with these communal assets, thus showcasing their resolute determination to pursue justice.
  - Advising a global reinsurer regarding property damage and business interruption claims arising from the unrest in Bangkok during May 2010.
  - Advising and representing a group of renowned celebrities facing criminal charges related to the improper promotion of a local beer through social media channels.
  - Vigorously pursuing a THB 5.8 billion claim on behalf of a well-established Thai IT company in the Administrative Court against a Thai government agency. The claim stems from a breach of an administrative contract committed by the agency.
  - Offering expert advice, representation, and defence to a Japanese trading company in the face of THB 2 billion claims brought by a Thai state enterprise in the South Bangkok Civil Court. The dispute revolves around a contract for the supply of turbines for a power plant, including an arbitration clause.
  - Aggressively pursuing a claim in arbitration proceedings under the ICC rules on behalf of a prestigious construction advisory firm. The claim centres around disputes arising from a hospitality project with the firm’s customer.
  - Pursuing a claim in arbitration proceedings under the THAC rules on behalf of a distinguished construction company against a large department store. The claim arises from disputes related to a development project in Rangsit.
  - Representing a US-listed company against the Royal Thai Air Force to enforce an Arbitral Award in connection with the procurement of flight simulation systems and governmental contracts.
  - Vigorously pursuing a THB 2 billion claim in the South Bangkok Civil Court on behalf of a global explosive company against a powerful Thai family. The claim alleges wrongful conduct by the family.
  - Defending a global financial institution against a THB 350 million claim from a prominent hospitality group in Thailand, filed in the Phuket Provincial Court, relating to a breach of contract.
  - Skillfully defending a global airline against passengers’ claims in the IPIT Court, stemming from an alleged breach of a carriage contract.
  - Representing a Japanese shareholder in the Civil Court, defending against another shareholder’s request to revoke a resolution of the joint venture company.
  - Vigorously defending a global semiconductor company and its directors against a criminal charge brought by a former employee, alleging non-compliance with Thai labour laws.
  - Providing a strong defence for a global petroleum company against a computer-related criminal charge filed by an employee, based on allegations of false information input into the company’s database on its server.
  - Taking decisive action to pursue a USD 1.2 million claim on behalf of a renowned global hotel chain against a group of employees. The claim alleges fraudulent diversion of online reservation commissions into accounts held by fictitious travel agencies owned by the employees.
  - Defending a global IT company in the Labour Court against a THB 450 million claim by Thai and foreign former employees, who allege unfair termination.
  - Aggressively defending a news agency against a criminal defamation charge, which relates to the exposure of corruption in the procurement of baggage carousels at an international airport.