Supawat Srirungruang.jpg

Supawat Srirungruang

Partner

Practice Area:

Dispute Resolution
Environmental Laws
Project Development
Regulatory & Investigations
Technology, Media & Telecommunications
Customs & Trade
General Corporate Commercial

LLM, University of Sydney
LLM, California Western School of Law
LLB (Hons), Thammasat University

T +66 2656 1991 ext 116
E supawat.s@rajahtann.com

Supawat Srirungruang is a Partner in the General Corporate Commercial Practice of R&T Asia (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 & Telecommunications.

Supawat regularly represents and advises leading telecoms and technology-related 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 telecoms, automotive and energy. Who’s

Who Legal says: “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.”

Notable Cases & Transactions (Past 3 Years)
  • Advised and negotiated on behalf of the Thai Government in connection with the High Speed Railway Project between Thai government and Chinese government.
  • 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 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.
  • Represented a major Thai mobile telecommunications company in multiple concession-related administrative and arbitration proceedings.
  • Conducted an investigation on companies listed in SET50/NYSE with regard to activities involving payments of certain types.
  •  Advised the Government of the Philippines in its WTO Panel dispute against Thailand in respect of imports of cigarettes from the Philippines.
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.
  • Represented a tobacco importer in Customs-related proceedings brought before the Tax Court. The matter also involved the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement.
  • Represented a tobacco importer in various excise related appeals to the Tax Court.
  • Represented an energy company in arbitration proceedings in a dispute in relation to the power purchase agreement made with a Thai state enterprise.
  • Represented the subsidiary of an international energy company in respect of Administrative Court proceedings relating to environmental issues.
  • Represented a mining company in Administrative Court proceedings.
  • 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 corporatization.
  • Represented multinational clients on employment litigation matters including unfair dismissal matters and change of employment conditions.
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 corporatization.
  • 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.
Project Development and Regulatory & Investigations
  • Assisted the State Railway of Thailand with the preparation and negotiation of a design-built agreement worth approximately more than THB 50,000 million to be entered into by the State Railway of Thailand and the international contractor representing the foreign government in relation to one of the first two high-speed rail projects in Thailand.
  • Advised Thai electricity generating companies located in Rayong province in connection with the petition to object the draft zoning regulation.
  • Advised a European telecommunications company on a foreign ownership investigation by the Ministry of Commerce and Economic Crime Division.
  • Advised the U.S. shareholder of a life insurance company on its compliance with foreign ownership restrictions applicable to life insurance companies.
  • Advised a leading tobacco manufacturer on Thai regulatory matters involving tobacco products, specifically packaging, labeling and advertising restrictions and issues relating to disclosure of ingredients.
  • Advised a NYSE listed alcoholic beverages company during their FCPA investigation by the U.S. SEC, as well as its internal investigation.
  • Advised a U.S. heavy vehicle manufacturer on an issue regarding compliance with anti-corruption laws.
  • Represented a multinational manufacturer in its VAT-related dispute with Thai government authorities such as the Department of Special Investigations.
  • Advised various European manufacturers on reporting obligations under new National Anti-Corruption Commission regulations.
  • Represented a consumer goods company in an investigation by the Trade Competition Commission.
  •  Represented a U.S. manufacturer in an internal investigation relating to alleged employee misconduct.
Telecommunications and Technology
  • Advised a Thai listed company on administrative proceedings against 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.
  •  Represented various multinational companies in establishing a cryptocurrency business in Thailand
  •  Advised a number of leading international and Thai companies in connection with personal data protection compliance under the recent Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Corporate/M&A
  • Advised a Singaporean holding company on its acquisition of stakes in a Thai listed mobile telecommunications company.
  • Advised a European telecommunications company on its acquisition of stakes in a Thai listed mobile telecommunications company.
  • Advised a U.S. life insurance company on the divestment of its business in Thailand.
  • Advised a U.S. heavy vehicle manufacturer in its acquisition of a wholly-owned manufacturing business.
Customs & Trade Law
  • Advised a Japanese pharmaceutical company on its importation and licensing of pharmaceutical products.
  •  Represented a Japanese steel company in respect of a potential safeguard measure in Thailand.
  • Represented a leading tobacco importer in its successful appeal to the Thai Board of Appeal against an uplift of their declared customs values on imports from the Philippines.
  • Represented a leading tobacco importer in its settlement of a customs valuation dispute with Thai Customs.
  • Represented a leading tobacco importer in its customs valuation dispute with the Department of Special Investigations.
  • Advised the Government of the Philippines in its WTO Panel dispute against Thailand in respect of imports of cigarettes from the Philippines.
  • Advised a NYSE listed alcoholic beverages company on customs valuation disputes, as well as its settlement of a dispute with Thai Customs.
  •  Advised a NYSE listed alcoholic beverages company on its use of AFTA preferential rates.
  • Represented one of the largest Japanese companies in relation to the establishment of a free-zone.
  •  Advised a Japanese importer of vehicles and automotive parts on its use of JTEPA.
Competition Law
  • Represented a technology provider in responding to a request for information from the Trade Competition Commission.
  • 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.
  • Represented a tobacco importer in advising on competition law matters in respect of agreements made with operators in the supply chain.
  • Represented a logistics company in advising on the sharing of information with competitors.
  • Represented a U.S. manufacturer in advising on competition laws issues arising from its participation in a trade association.
Memberships / Directorships
  • Extraordinary Member, Thai Bar Association, 2003 - present
  • The Thai Chamber of Commerce, 2007 - present
  • Lawyers Council of Thailand, 2008 – present