IR Global: Real Estate Article in Art of Deal Making – Using External Expertise Effectively

The latest edition of the Art of Deal Making: Using External Expertise Effectively has been published, and Robert H. Schuler, Senior Partner at Blumenthal Richter & Sumet and head of the firm’s Real Estate practice, contributed the real estate chapter covering Thailand to the guide. In particular, the chapter covers:

  • Importance of local market intelligence to effective cross-border real estate transactions in the current COVID-19 market
  • Key elements involved in achieving an accurate valuation for a real estate portfolio prior to the deal making process
  • Top tips to optimize a real estate portfolio

The Art of Deal Making: Using External Expertise Effectively is a collaboration between IR Global members and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) which offers jurisdiction-specific advice on using external expertise effectively.

The Thailand chapter can be read below or downloaded here: Art of Deal Making: Using External Expertise Effectively.

Disclaimer:

This document is of a general nature only and is provided as an information service. It is not intended to be relied upon as, nor is it a substitute for specific professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd. for any losses or damages incurred by any person doing anything as a result of this document.

Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) Compliance: Full Enforcement of PDPA on 1 June 2021

Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (“PDPA”) will be fully enforced on 1 June 2021, one year after it was partially postponed due to the Thai government’s recognition that implementing compliance with PDPA law is complex and therefore costly and requires advanced training at all levels.

As the PDPA will soon be enforced, businesses should demonstrate that they are fully compliant with the PDPA to gain the trust of their customers, suppliers, shareholders, stakeholders and the general public, and at the same time mitigate the risk of a data leakage which may cause negative reputational damage and open the door for damaged persons to take legal action against the business owner under general rules.

Blumenthal Richter & Sumet provides comprehensive PDPA services including GAP Analysis, key compliance documents and training which:

  • Help management, the steering committee, working team and potential Data Protection Officer understand the fundamentals of PDPA compliance
  • Identify PDPA exposure on your current business structure and recommend how to mitigate the risks
  • Visualize your end-to-end flow of personal data collected inside your organization and that which flows out to others
  • Provides key PDPA compliance document templates for implementation
  • Build your staff awareness of PDPA compliance
  • Mitigate non-compliance risk, penalties under the PDPA and your negative reputational risk
  • Promote your transparency and government on data privacy

Disclaimer:

This document is of a general nature only and is provided as an information service. It is not intended to be relied upon as, nor is it a substitute for specific professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd. for any losses or damages incurred by any person doing anything as a result of this document.

Andreas C. Richter and GTCC Discuss German-Thai Trade and Investment and Clean Air Initiative with Thailand’s Minister of Industry

On 15 December 2020, Senior Partner Andreas C. Richter, the current President of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), and other GTCC members had a meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Industry H.E. Suriya Jungrungreangkit to discuss German-Thai trade and investment and GTCC activities such as the Clean Air Initiative.

The Clean Air Initiative aims to reduce pollution levels in Thailand in order to strengthen Thailand’s position as the leading foreign direct investment and tourism destination in the region and achieve sustainable economic growth and development in the coming years.

Top Rankings Awarded to Blumenthal Richter & Sumet for TMT, Tax and Corporate/M&A in 2021 Edition of The Legal 500

The Legal 500, one of the leading legal directory publications worldwide, has released its 2021 edition and Blumenthal Richter & Sumet has been awarded top rankings in Thailand, as follows:

  • Tier 1 – Technology, Media and Telecommunications (“TMT”)
  • Tier 2 – Tax
  • Tier 3 – Corporate and M&A (including Capital Markets)

In the editorial accompanying the rankings, the firm is described as “adept in advising on corporate acquisitions and foreign direct investment mandates”.

Praising the firm’s tax practice, the editorial writes “Blumenthal Richter & Sumet’s tax practice is active in numerous industries including the automotive, natural resources, mining and life sciences.” “Sumet Mingmongkolmitr is leading the team and is recognised for his expertise in tax issues relating to foreign investment and offshore tax structuring”, it continues. “He represents high-net-worth individuals and multinational corporations on their tax operations in Thailand”.

The firm’s TMT practice was also commended in the editorial, which said “The firm offers expertise in relation to a broad array of TMT matters such as data centre outsourcing, data privacy matters and software development”. “Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd acts for Thai and foreign clients established in or seeking to establish themselves in the digital and technology spheres”, it continues.

The Legal 500 publishes annual rankings of law firms which are determined through an assessment of law firms’ submissions, client feedback and independent market research. An emphasis is placed on teams that provide the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel, and other factors such as technical ability, reputation for handling complex and innovative deals, perception in the market, prestigious clients, capacity for the largest transactions and cases, market share, historical track record on top deals and cases, clear investment for the future in a particular practice area and progress with acquiring new clients, are considered.

If you would like to view the full rankings, please visit The Legal 500 website.

NIDA Workshop on Data Mapping and GAP Analysis under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)

Last week, the Faculty of Law of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) hosted a three day seminar named “Making the Ultimate Goal of Data Management”, and invited a data protection officer and leaders in the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) to share practical advice on complying with data protection law in Thailand to a high standard. Approximately 40 participants from government agencies, public companies, the private sector and hospitals attended the event.

Anuwat Ngamprasertkul, Partner at Blumenthal Richter & Sumet, was invited to host a workshop to wrap up the seminar, and using what the participants had learned he assisted them to list down personal identifiable information (PII) and link up the flow from end-to-end in a data mapping activity. He then analyzed compliance with the PDPA in a GAP analysis activity.

The participants provided feedback that they had a much clearer picture on how PII is collected, processed, disclosed and destroyed and on how to identify safeguards for companies as a data controller or data processor to comply with the PDPA law, which will be fully enforced on 1 June 2021.

 

Andreas C. Richter Discusses Economic Development in Thailand with German Ambassador H.E. Georg Schmidt

On 17 February 2021, Senior Partner Andreas C. Richter, the current President of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), along with the Vice President, Board Members and Executive Director, had a meeting with the German Ambassador H.E. Georg Schmidt to discuss current economic development in Thailand and upcoming projects.