Kudun and Partners

20/05/2026

Thailand is moving closer toward implementing its first comprehensive Climate Change Bill, marking a significant step toward a more formal climate and ESG regulatory framework.

Beyond environmental policy, the proposed legislation may increasingly affect businesses, investors, and corporate transactions, particularly in areas such as ESG compliance, supply chain obligations, carbon management, and investment due diligence.

In our latest article, we explore the key proposed mechanisms under the draft Bill and the potential implications for businesses operating in Thailand.

Authors: Chai Lertvittayachaikul l Phutawan Saelee

🔗 Read more information: https://shorturl.at/z2sKi

19/05/2026

Thailand is rewriting the rules for foreign investment and the implications could be transformative.

With the Thai Cabinet’s approval in principle of major reforms under the Foreign Business Act (FBA), foreign investors may soon enjoy significantly easier access to 8 strategic sectors previously constrained by licensing requirements.

This is more than deregulation. It reflects a clear policy shift that Thailand is positioning itself as a more competitive, investment friendly gateway for regional and global capital.

Key takeaways for investors and businesses:
✔ Reduced regulatory barriers
✔ Faster market entry
✔ Greater operational flexibility
✔ New opportunities across strategic industries

If enacted, these reforms could reshape how foreign businesses structure investments and expand operations in Thailand, particularly for groups that previously faced uncertainty under the FBA regime.

At Kudun and Partners, we are closely monitoring the proposed changes and assessing their practical impact on market entry, licensing strategy, and foreign ownership structures.

Authors: Thanyaluck Thongrompo | Sirapat Chaisarnseri

Read more information: https://shorturl.at/pZYks

15/05/2026

Kudun and Partners is pleased to announce its successful role in advising RIMAN, a leading Korean enterprise recognized for its innovative skincare and wellness solutions, on its strategic entry into the Thai market, in close collaboration with Jipyong LLC.

As part of this expansion, we advised on the RIMAN’s market entry and establishment in Thailand, including corporate structuring, regulatory and licensing matters, as well as strategic advisory relating to direct marketing and ongoing operational compliance.

The transaction was led by Kudun Sukhumananda, Managing Partner and Co-head of Corporate and M&A Practice and Capital Markets, Chai Lertvittayachaikul, Partner in the Corporate and M&A Practice, together with Thanyaluck Thongrompo, Partner and Head of Regulatory, Permits and Licensing. Working closely with Jipyong LLC, the matter highlights the firm’s strong cross-border capabilities and commitment to supporting international clients in their expansion across Southeast Asia.

15/05/2026

Southeast Asia remains at the forefront of restructuring and insolvency developments — with Bangkok continuing to play a key role in shaping the regional landscape.

Kudun and Partners co-sponsors the INSOL International Bangkok Seminar 2026, taking place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit.

Our partners participating in the seminar include:

📌 Niruch Winiyakul, Partner and Co-head of Labour and Employment will join the panel discussion “Shaping the Market: Case Studies and Lessons from Landmark Restructuring and Insolvency Cases in the Region” (15:30 – 16:15)

📌Emi Rowse Igusa FCIArb, Partner and Head of Japan Practice will serve as Seminar Co-Chair.

We look forward to engaging with leading practitioners and industry professionals from across the region and contributing to the dialogue on the evolving restructuring and insolvency landscape in Southeast Asia.

Register here: https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/18615/home/

14/05/2026

We are pleased to share a newly published article featured in the May 2026 issue of Asian Legal Business Asia edition: “Greener Pastures” by Sarah Wong, featuring insights from Kudun Sukhumananda and Kom Vachiravarakarn, Partners and Co-Heads of the Corporate and M&A and Capital Markets Practice at Kudun and Partners.

The article explores a growing trend across Southeast Asia, where companies are increasingly pursuing overseas listings as domestic exchanges face evolving market dynamics, shifting investor sentiment, and intensifying regional competition for capital.

The feature examines the changing IPO landscape in Southeast Asia, the rise of cross-border listings, and the future direction of regional capital markets as companies seek greater liquidity and broader international investor access.

Kudun and Partners continues to support clients on capital markets, regulatory, and cross-border transactional matters across Southeast Asia.

You may read the full article in the ALB Asia edition May 2026 issue here: https://www.legalbusinessonline.com/sites/default/files/e-magazines/ALB-ASIA-MAY-2026/30/

14/05/2026

On May 7, 2026, Niruch Winiyakul, Partner and Co-head of Labour and Employment together with Emi Rowse (Igusa), Partner and Head of Japan Practice participated as panelists in the New York State Bar Association International Section Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting 2026 in Bangkok. The conference brought together legal practitioners and industry professionals to discuss on “Cross-Border Trade, Investment, and Disputes in the Asia-Pacific.”

During the event, Niruch Winiyakul joined as a panelist for “Cross-Border Investigations in Southeast Asia,” discussing how to manage multi-jurisdictional investigations in the region — from navigating national laws and coordinating with local authorities to addressing operational challenges.

Emi Rowse (Igusa) participated in the panel “Commercial Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Southeast Asia: Recent Trends,” sharing insights on recent developments in commercial dispute resolution across the region, particularly regarding the preference by Asian parties to use multi-tiered dispute resolution clauses in contracts and the rise of cases involving third party funding.

Both sessions highlighted the evolving legal and regulatory landscape across Southeast Asia, particularly around cross-border investigations and dispute resolution. Kudun and Partners continues to advise clients on complex cross-border matters across the region, delivering commercially driven and practical legal solutions tailored to the evolving demands of the Asia-Pacific market.

Read more information: https://shorturl.at/ulX7K

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

Kudun and Partners is pleased to announce that the firm has once again been recognized in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2026, continuing its Tier 1 rankings in Commercial and Transactions and Government and Regulatory, while also maintaining its Tier 2 ranking in Labour and Employment.

These rankings underscore the strength and consistency of our Dispute Resolution, Litigation, and Arbitration Practice, as well as the confidence our clients continue to place in us to advise on complex, high-value, and business-critical disputes.

In recognition of their outstanding work and leadership, four of our partners have again been named Benchmark Litigation Stars:

🏆Somboon Sangrungjang, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, Litigation, and Arbitration Practice
🏆Niruch Winiyakul, Partner and Head of Employment and Benefits
🏆Emi Rowse (Igusa), Partner and Head of Japan Practice
🏆Kongwat Akaramanee, Partner

We are also pleased to announce that Songpol Pirunsarn, Senior Associate, has been recognized as a Future Star, reflecting the firm’s continued investment in developing exceptional legal talent.

Kudun and Partners is deeply grateful to our clients and colleagues for their ongoing trust and support and extend our appreciation to Benchmark Litigation for this recognition. These achievements reinforce our commitment to delivering commercially focused, strategic, and high-quality dispute resolution services across all matters we handle.

Read more information: https://shorturl.at/jEnl3

08/05/2026

Chai Lertvittayachaikul, Partner and Co-head of the Projects and Energy Practice, together with Korapat Sukhummek, Senior Associate, were invited to deliver a session on “PDPA and Fundamental Data Protection Awareness for Educators” as part of the Legal Training Program for Teachers at Thammasat University, organized by KH Academy, held on 22 April 2026 at the Tha Prachan Campus, with Kudun and Partners serving as a sponsor of the program.

The program aims to enhance teachers’ capabilities, promote accurate and up-to-date legal understanding, strengthen teaching and instructional delivery for secondary-level learners, support teachers in providing appropriate guidance on further legal studies, and foster collaboration with the Office of the Basic Education Commission. The program was attended by approximately 70 teachers from schools across the country, including Kamnoetvidya Science Academy and the Demonstration School – Secondary.

In addition, the closing ceremony and certificate presentation, held on 25 April 2026, were attended by key representatives, including Associate Professor Dr. Supreeya Kaewla-iad, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University; Burapha Sanguanwong, Founder and Managing Director of KH Academy; and representatives from Kudun and Partners—Senior Associates

Attapon Tanasanti and Kamonrat Kongtheing, and Associates Radit kijkusol and Suphatcha Sirilapanan.

This engagement reflects Kudun and Partners’ continued commitment to supporting professional development and contributing to capacity building across the legal and broader community. It also highlights the firm’s established practice in data privacy and personal data protection. Through KAP Cloud, a subsidiary of Kudun and Partners, the firm works alongside digital and technology solution providers to offer integrated PDPA compliance support — combining legal expertise with technological solutions to address evolving data protection requirements and help clients navigate complex regulations in a practical and effective manner.

Read more information: https://shorturl.at/LMR4W

07/05/2026

Kudun and Partners is pleased to announce that the firm has won Thailand: Client Satisfaction at The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Pacific Awards 2026. We would like to sincerely thank our esteemed clients for their continued trust, confidence, and support, without which this recognition would not have been possible.

This distinction is particularly significant as it is based entirely on client feedback and assessment, reflecting the firm’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality client service.

The recognition further reinforces Kudun and Partners’ commitment to delivering commercially focused, high-quality legal advice grounded in a deep understanding of our clients’ industries and priorities. We continue to emphasize responsiveness, practical solutions, and meaningful value in every client engagement.

The award was received on behalf of the firm by partners Troy Schooneman and Kom Vachiravarakarn at The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards ceremony held in Singapore.

Kudun and Partners remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence and to continuing to build strong, long-term relationships with our clients.

Read more information: https://shorturl.at/EE3Ir

07/05/2026

Kudun and Partners (KAP) has significantly strengthened its domestic and regional capabilities with the integration of Manunya & Associates Limited, led by Manunya Thitinuntawan, bringing over 10 years of the firm’s established practice together with her 25 years of professional experience, and onboarding of Krissen Pillay as Counsel in the firm’s International Practice, focusing on both our international practice and our new Vietnam practice.

These strategic expansion reflect the firm’s continued investment in top-tier talent and its ambition to support clients on increasingly sophisticated domestic and cross-border mandates across Southeast Asia.

Manunya & Associates Limited is a well-established corporate and capital markets practice with over a decade of experience advising listed companies, financial institutions, and major corporates on IPOs, public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and complex regulatory matters under the SEC and Stock Exchange of Thailand regimes.

Manunya Thitinuntawan, a highly regarded corporate and capital markets lawyer with over 25 years of experience, joins KAP following a distinguished career at Allen & Overy (Thailand) and as founder of Manunya & Associates Limited. Her practice spans complex M&A and equity capital markets transactions, including IPOs and regulatory matters on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, as well as cross-border and multi-jurisdictional deals.

Her experience includes advising on high-profile transactions such as the IPOs of Com7 Public Company Limited and PRTR Group Public Company Limited, and advising Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited on its merger involving Samitivej Hospital. Her arrival, together with her team, significantly enhances KAP’s ability to deliver partner-led, responsive advice on sophisticated transactions in an increasingly competitive market.

In parallel, the firm has expanded its regional offering with the appointment of Krissen Pillay as Counsel, who will join forces alongside with Troy Schooneman to strengthen KAP’s International Practice, and will lead KAP’s Vietnam-focused practice within its International team as Head of Vietnam practice.

Krissen Pillay has joined Kudun and Partners as Counsel in the firm’s International Practice, where he will lead the firm’s Vietnam-focused offering, with a particular focus on Thai and broader Southeast Asian companies investing in Vietnam. He has over 13 years of experience across South Africa, Vietnam, and Thailand, specialising in M&A, corporate, and banking and finance. Krissen joins from YKVN LLC, where he served as Counsel in Ho Chi Minh City for 6 years, gaining an uniquely intensive experience in both international practice and Vietnam market norm. Prior to YKVN, he worked with Bowmans in Johannesburg and Werksmans in Cape Town.

Krissen brings significant on-the-ground experience in Vietnam, having advised on a wide range of inbound and outbound investments, as well as complex regulatory and transactional matters in one of Southeast Asia’s most active investment destinations. He has particular depth in financial services, logistics, healthcare, and real estate transactions, and is experienced in both inbound investment and the structuring of complex multi-jurisdictional deals in the market.

With these appointments, KAP now comprises 12 partners—eight corporate and four dispute resolution partners—and over 70 fee earners, further reinforcing its position as a leading full-service firm in Thailand with growing regional reach.

Read more information: https://shorturl.at/Wgdve