“Supawat Srirungruang is a highly respected lawyer recognised for his expert handling of the whole gamut of trade and customs work, from related disputes to compliance and anti-bribery matters.” – Who’s Who Legal
Supawat is Co-Managing Partner of Rajah & Tann (Thailand) Limited. Supawat is a licensed Thai lawyer.
Supawat focuses his practice on project development, telecommunication and technology, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and international trade laws. Supawat is particularly well known for his regulatory expertise in the area of technology, media and telecommunications.
Supawat regularly represents and advises leading telecommunications and technology companies in both traditional fields as well as new emerging fields (e.g., FinTech, cryptocurrencies, e-commerce, e-payment, data privacy, data security, and Over-The-Top (OTT)).
Supawat also has extensive experience in complex litigation, government and internal investigations in highly regulated industries such as telecommunications, automotive and energy.
EXPERIENCE
Telecommunications and Technology
- Represented a telecommunications company in connection with its administrative lawsuit regarding the administrative order and regulation issued by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
- Represented a major Thai mobile telecommunications company in multiple concession-related administrative and arbitration proceedings.
- Advised a European telecommunications company on a foreign ownership investigation by the Ministry of Commerce and Economic Crime Division.
- Represented two major Chinese e-commerce business in establishing its Thai operations to conduct online marketplace and e-payment service business.
- Advised a number of leading international and Thai companies in connection with personal data protection compliance under the recent Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Project Development and Regulatory & Investigations
- Advised and negotiated on behalf of the Thai Government in connection with the High-Speed Railway Project between Thai government and Chinese government.
- Advised a European telecommunications company on a foreign ownership investigation by the Ministry of Commerce and Economic Crime Division.
- Advised a NYSE-listed alcoholic beverage company during their FCPA investigation by the U.S. SEC, as well as its internal investigation.
- Advised various European manufacturers on reporting obligations under new National Anti-Corruption Commission regulations.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Represented a Japanese automotive manufacturer and importer / exporter in Tax Court proceedings with the Customs in respect of tariff classification and the interpretation of a bilateral trade agreement involving over THB 10 billion of duties.
- Represented a tobacco importer in criminal cases in relation to customs valuation of tobacco imports from Indonesia and the Philippines with the imposed fines of THB 60 billion and THB 80 billion respectively.
- Advised and assisted a petroleum company in the Administrative Court proceedings in connection with the dispute with the Ombudsman of Thailand regarding the separation of the company’s assets in accordance with the Supreme Administrative Court’s judgment and Cabinet resolution on its corporatisation.
Corporate / M&A
- Advised a European telecommunications company on its acquisition of stakes in a Thai listed mobile telecommunications company.
- Advised a Singaporean holding company on its acquisition of stakes in a Thai listed mobile telecommunications company.
- Advised a U.S. heavy vehicle manufacturer in its acquisition of a wholly-owned manufacturing business.
- Advised a U.S. life insurance company on the divestment of its business in Thailand.
Customs & Trade Law
- Represented a tobacco importer in criminal cases in relation to customs valuation of tobacco imports from Indonesia and the Philippines with the imposed fines of THB 60 billion and THB 80 billion, respectively.
- Represented a Japanese automotive manufacturer in Tax Court proceedings with the Customs Department in respect of tariff classification and the interpretation of a bilateral trade agreement involving over THB 10 billion of duties.
- Advised the Government of the Philippines in its WTO Panel dispute against Thailand in respect of imports of cigarettes from the Philippines.
Competition Law
- Represented a technology provider in responding to a request for information from the Trade Competition Commission.
- Represented a U.S. manufacturer in advising on competition laws issues arising from its participation in a trade association.
- Represented an alcoholic beverage company in advising on the potential claim against an abuse of market power by a major operator in the alcoholic beverage industry.
Environmental Cases
- Represented the subsidiary of an international energy company in Administrative Court proceedings related to health and environmental issues.
- Represented an energy company located in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in respect of environmental issues regarding civil claims and administrative proceedings.
- Advised a petroleum company in the Administrative Court proceedings in connection with the dispute with the Ombudsman of Thailand regarding the separation of the company’s assets in accordance with the Supreme Administrative Court’s judgment and Cabinet resolution on its corporatisation.
- Represented a Thai energy company in relation to the disposal of waste and water management under the civil claims.
- Represented a number of companies located in the Map Ta Phut area in connection with the administrative lawsuit regarding environmental and health matters.
- Represented a petroleum exploration and production company on a license issue.
- Acting as legal counsel to a petroleum exploration and production company in connection with its administrative lawsuit regarding the environmental and health matters.
MEMBERSHIPS / DIRECTORSHIPS
- Extraordinary Member, Thai Bar Association, 2003 – present
- The Thai Chamber of Commerce, 2007 – present
- Lawyers Council of Thailand, 2008 – present
PUBLICATIONS
- Contributor, “New Cybersecurity Subordinate Laws”, Lexology (Apr 2024)
- Contributor, “Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act – A Year in Review 2023”, Lexology (Jan 2024)
- Contributor, “PDPA Update: How to Notify Data Breach Incidents”, Lexology (2022)
- Contributor, “International Comparative Legal Guides, Cybersecurity Thailand Country Chapter”, Global Legal Group (2020)
- Contributor, “International Comparative Legal Guides, Employment & Labor Law Thailand Country Chapter”, Global Legal Group (2020)
