Following an extensive nomination process, Asia Business Law Journal unveils the A-List of Thailand’s top 100 lawyers plus 28 Legal Icons. Byung Jin Park and Miran Lim report
The Thai economy has faced some headwinds in 2025 due to uncertainties from US President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy, and also a change in prime minister in September, the third for the nation in just two years. However, foreign direct investment in Thailand continues to grow.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, total approved foreign projects reached about USD6.27 billion from January to August 2025, up 125% from the same period in 2024.
The number of foreign companies authorised to invest in Thailand also increased by 28%. The top five investing jurisdictions by number of companies are Japan, Singapore, the US, mainland China and Hong Kong.
Thailand’s Board of Investment announced in October that US technology company Lumentum will expand its investment by more than THB2.3 billion (USD70.2 million) to establish a high-performance photonics semiconductor manufacturing base and R&D centre. Lumentum has been operating in Thailand since 2017 and its Thai facility currently employs more than 6,000 people.
Foreign investors should be aware of Thailand’s legal and regulatory landscape, especially as the Personal Data Protection Act is being more stringently enforced. The act requires companies to strengthen data governance and cybersecurity.
With enforcement expected to become even more rigorous, businesses will require more customised legal advice to navigate these challenges. Law firms with strong expertise in these areas are well positioned to ensure compliance concerns are addressed.
Against this backdrop, Asia Business Law Journal proudly presents Thailand’s top 100 lawyers and 28 Legal Icons for 2025. The A-List is the result of rigorous research and nominations from in-house counsel in Thailand and abroad, as well as Thailand-focused partners at international law firms.
Employment and labour laws
As the Thai government amends its labour laws to strengthen worker protection and modernise employment standards, including extending maternity leave for female employees, businesses may face higher costs in the short term. As a result, demand for lawyers with expertise in labour law has increased, as reflected in this year’s A-List.
Komson Suntheeraporn, a partner at DLA Piper specialising in employment and labour, receives praise from an in-house counsel based in Southeast Asia. “I consider Komson one of the best employment lawyers in Thailand because he consistently delivers a blend of professionalism, empathy and practical insight,” says the counsel.
“His understanding of the local legal landscape and its nuances gives me full confidence that his guidance is always contextually grounded and reliable. On top of that, he’s extremely reasonable with his fees and genuinely considerate when budget constraints arise.”
Wayu Suthisarnsuntorn, a partner at Pisut & Partners, is another employment lawyer with sound ability, according to his client. “His deep understanding of Thailand labour law, combined with the ability to tailor guidance for multinational corporations, makes his counsel both actionable and strategic,” says the senior legal counsel at a leading global data storage company.
Seri Emelliawaty Mat Zain, managing counsel for the Middle East and North Africa at SLB in Dubai, a global technology company focused on the energy industry, also speaks highly of Wayu.
“I especially appreciate his ability to provide clear, actionable advice in complex legal matters, and he has consistently delivered practical and best results for my organisation,” says Zain. “I highly value his ability to simplify complex legal issues and provide practical solutions for all matters referred to him.”
Commercial pragmatism
Client feedback submitted to ABLJ also reflected a preference for lawyers who combine strong legal expertise with commercial pragmatism, making them trusted advisers and the first choice for prompt, precise and clear guidance.
Ian Johnston, a partner at Wotton Kearney, is praised by the CEO of a renewable energy business in Thailand for “his ability to provide rational, dispassionate advice”. According to the CEO, Johnston assisted his company with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts and disputes relating to legacy shareholder agreements.
“He steered us away from arbitration even when we had a strong case, because the cost and time would not have justified it,” says the CEO. “His guidance has been instrumental in structuring contracts to allocate risk fairly and avoid costly disputes.”
Meanwhile, Shohei Sasaki, a partner at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, is acknowledged for his dedication to the Japanese legal community in Thailand by Amonrat Imsook, the compliance department manager of YIC Asia-Pacific Corporation in Bangkok, a Thai subsidiary of auto manufacturer Yazaki Corporation Group.
“Sasaki has greatly supported the Japanese community in Thailand by providing clear, practical legal advice in Japanese and conducting training sessions to enhance understanding of local laws,” says Amonrat.
“His expertise, cultural awareness and dedication have built strong trust and helped Japanese individuals and businesses operate with confidence and compliance.”
Sasaki has also been nominated by Ekachai Kaewboonchuay, a legal general manager at Asahi Kasei Asia-Pacific, a manufacturing company in Bangkok. “He possesses deep expertise in handling legal matters across various jurisdictions, including Thai and Indian laws, as well as trade competition,” says Ekachai.
“He also offers valuable insights into addressing inconsistencies in international legal frameworks. Moreover, he consistently demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism in providing legal services.”
Stakeholder collaboration
ABLJ gives recognition to Rachadawan Kelar, a managing partner at RWT International Law Office, after three clients praised her exceptional ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders.
“IP litigation involves a complex interagency relationship with government agencies, and perilous fact finding, making it difficult to successfully complete this task,” says Nattapan Ayapitak, a legal and compliance manager at Kao Industrial, an FMCG manufacturer in Bangkok. “Kelar possesses creativity and strong leadership skills, yet is flexible and able to work well with all stakeholders.”
Winfrey Yim, corporate senior trademark counsel (brand protection manager) at Henkel & Co in Düsseldorf, echoes Nattapan’s sentiment: “Rachadawan Kelar understands the needs from all perspectives: the clients, the government and counterparty. She has the insight and foresight to develop tactics and is willing to take risks while taking responsibility.”
Yip Chee Choon, a brand protection manager at BMW Group Asia in Singapore, adds: “She and her excellent team of lawyers and investigators at RWT International Law, in collaboration with the authorities in Thailand, have successfully taken action against many infringers of our IP rights in Thailand.”
Compiling the A-List
The A-List is based on extensive research. ABLJ turned to thousands of in-house counsel in the country and around the world – as well as partners at international law firms – to identify the lawyers who should make the cut.
A-List lawyers are defined on the nomination form as “lawyers who are currently the star performers of Thailand’s legal profession; the lawyers who are personally undertaking the country’s top legal work, crafting the most cutting-edge legal solutions to complex problems, and setting the highest standards in terms of quality, innovation and the ability to handle complex matters”.
Our 28 Legal Icons are defined as: “lawyers who are the luminaries of Thailand’s legal profession; the titans who command the respect of clients and juniors alike; the mentors who lead Thailand’s most admired law firms and/or legal teams, and who are the country’s most prolific rainmakers”.
All private-practice Thai lawyers and foreign lawyers based in the country are automatically eligible for inclusion in the nomination process. There are no fees or any other requirements for entry.
