"Chandler and Thong-ek is a very good local firm that has the capacity to handle a fairly busy deal flow," notes a foreign rival. "Not strong in international connections, but it is one of the best Thai law firms in Bangkok," a client comments....
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"Chandler and Thong-ek is a very good local firm that has the capacity to handle a fairly busy deal flow," notes a foreign rival. "Not strong in international connections, but it is one of the best Thai law firms in Bangkok," a client comments.
The firm's reputation is mainly attributed to its project financing work. Having a close relationship with local banks, the firm obtained key roles in a number of the most important projects in the energy and power sector.
Acting in the first financing by Thai banks for a petrochemical plant in the US, Albert Chandler and Jessada Sawatdipong represented Bangkok Bank's New York and London Branches, Siam City Bank and KfW IPEX-Bank on the $110 million financing to Alphapet. In another financing, the firm acted for the borrower, Thuen Hinboun Power Company, in a $600 million hydropower project in Laos.
Clients found the team "very faithful and available for advice even on short notice". The client also notes that the firm's good relationship with the authorities allows it to obtain non-formal information before filing.
More examples of the firm's advice to syndicated lenders include a $190 million financing for a polyethylene project by Bangkok Bank and Mega International Commercial Bank, as well as the gas-fired power project financing for Siam Power Generation, totalling $196 million.
In M&A, clients point to Ratana Poonsombudlert as a "top lawyer". "She is unquestionably the main asset of the firm, with good understanding of business in addition to her legal skills," one notes.
Poonsombudlert provided counsel to international law firms on Thai law in cross-broader transactions, including the acquisition of the hard disc drive business of Fuji in Japan, the acquisition of Rio Tinto's worldwide packaging business and GSK's acquisition of UCB's pharmaceutical business in emerging market countries.
The firm also assists clients in applications for investment, promotion and implementation of BOI and Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand projects across the electricity, hotel, petrochemical, computer, watch, food and mining industries.
In December 2008, Chandler and Thong-ek also worked on the restructuring of a $230 million term loan and working capital facility for Tuntex Petrochemicals, advising a group of lenders including the Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Bangkok Bank and Bank of Ayudhya.
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