Category: News

Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Attorneys & Counsellors (“BRS”) proudly announces the internal promotion of two accomplished individuals to the position of partner: Ekkarat Ritthiplang and Weerasa Makepongtorn.

With over a decade of experience, Ekkarat has established himself as a trusted advisor to multinational and domestic corporations. As co-leader of the firm’s M&A team, his expertise spans corporate and commercial transactions, foreign direct investment, and regulatory affairs. Ekkarat’s proficiency in crafting and negotiating commercial contracts, coupled with his adeptness in engaging with Thai governmental bodies, has been pivotal in service and manufacturing industries ranging, among many others, from the automotive, chemical, trading sectors to IT companies.

Similarly, Weerasa has focused over the past 10 years on assisting foreign and local clients in navigating the complexities of establishing and successfully developing their businesses in Thailand. Her exceptional leadership within the firm’s internationally acclaimed Real Estate & Hospitality team is a testament to her outstanding accomplishments.  Weerasa’s guidance has been invaluable to a multitude of international and local residential and retail developers as she advises them on market entry strategies, joint ventures, and mergers & acquisitions.

Promoting Ekkarat and Weerasa to partnership positions reinforces BRS standing as not just a premier international law firm facilitating foreign clients’ expansion within Thailand, but also as a significant player in the local landscape, providing guidance to major Thai corporations and high net-worth individuals.

“Although Ekkarat and Weerasa have been instrumental in serving our foreign clients as exceptional Senior Associates, a role they will undoubtedly continue to excel in, we are excited to witness their evolution in fostering relationships with local clients,” states Senior Partner Andreas Richter.

Senior Partner Robert Schuler emphasizes, “Both lawyers embody our firm’s core value of legal entrepreneurship in delivering advice that supports clients’ legal and business objectives.  Weerasa and Ekkarat will surely play a key role in steering the firm’s growth in the upcoming years”.

The appointment of these two exceptional individuals as partners marks an exciting time for BRS as the firm embarks on a dynamic expansion journey, growing alongside its clients in an increasingly complex legal environment that brings new prospects and challenges.

Prominent law firms Blumenthal Richter & Sumet (“BRS”) based in Bangkok and Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba (“Momo-o “) located in Tokyo achieved a significant milestone in their partnership as key leaders from both firms gathered for a pivotal meeting on August 25, 2023, hosted at BRS’s Bangkok office in Thailand. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss and reaffirm their shared dedication to delivering exceptional legal services to Japanese clients seeking investments in Thailand.

Representing BRS at the meeting were Senior Partner Andreas Richter, a respected authority in the domain of foreign direct investment, boasting over three decades of professional experience, and Partner Ekkarat Ritthiplang , a distinguished expert in managing interactions between foreign clients and Thai authorities.

In attendance from Momo-o was Partner Shinichiro Uemura , a seasoned legal professional with a wealth of experience in facilitating cross-border transactions related to mergers and acquisitions, international trade, real estate, and taxation matters. Additionally, Ryo Sakata, a Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions attorney specializing in foreign direct investment and currently seconded at BRS, also took part in the meeting. Ryo’s presence underscored the vibrant exchange of knowledge and skills between the two firms.

Both BRS and Momo-o are esteemed members of Interlaw, a globally recognized Tier 1 legal network known for its commitment to excellence and innovation in the legal field. Capitalizing on their membership in Interlaw, BRS and Momo-o have synergistically combined their strengths to form an alliance that caters to the legal requirements of Japanese corporations and high net-worth individuals endeavoring to establish and cultivate their businesses in Thailand.

This alliance has played a pivotal role in bolstering BRS’s Japan Desk, an initiative supported by Andreas and Ekkarat. The primary focus of the Japan Desk is to provide specialized legal assistance to Japanese enterprises navigating the intricate landscape of the Thai market, particularly within regulated sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and other manufacturing and service industries.

Zhang Shuang, who leads Blumenthal Richter & Sumet’s (BRS) China Desk, recently met with Chanin Khaochan,  Deputy Secretary General of Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) to discuss Chinese investments in Thailand. The purpose of this meeting was to enhance the BOI’s and BRS’ ability to assist Chinese businesses and high net worth individuals in effectively establishing and growing their ventures in the Kingdom.

The meeting took place on August 18, 2023, where Shuang and Chanin exchanged their thoughts on the ramifications of prior BOI policies on Chinese investments in Thailand, specifically focusing on matters related to inbound investments and transactions. Among the areas explored were the tax advantages available to Chinese and other foreign enterprises operating in diverse sectors under BOI-promoted categories. The conversation also encompassed the strategic merits of combining BOI applications with respect to specialized technologies such as full automation. Additionally, they tackled the implications of BOI’s new policy and the regulatory challenges that Chinese companies encounter while operating within the Thai jurisdiction.

In line with our firm’s core commitment to providing legal counsel from a business-oriented perspective, Shuang seized the opportunity to address the unique challenges faced by Chinese professionals as they adapt to Thailand’s business culture.

“We consider it a privilege to learn directly from the source,” Shuang expressed with enthusiasm. “The evolving economic and friendly ties between China and Thailand hold immense opportunities, and we are excited about the future.” She emphasized that for more than four decades, BRS has assisted clients in achieving their enduring business and investment objectives in a highly regulated market. This commitment has translated into a distinguished track record of facilitating constructive interactions between clients and Thai authorities, thereby fostering mutual trust and success.

Guiding our firm’s China Desk, Shuang collaborates closely with Senior Partner Andreas Richter, a recognized authority in the realm of foreign direct investment with more than 30 years of professional experience. Together, they assist Chinese enterprises and investors in effectively navigating the complex Thai legal and market environment. Shuang’s comprehensive expertise spans all facets of foreign direct investment, encompassing aspects like corporate formation, regulatory and compliance aspects, structuring advice, and operational licensing and permit matters. Furthermore, she continues to provide post-entry support to her clients, offering insights on general commercial matters and pre-litigation procedures.