On September 5, 2023, prominent leaders from Blumenthal Richter & Sumet (“BRS”) in Bangkok and the Beijing-headquartered Zhonglun W&D Law Firm (“Zhonglun W&D”) convened to reflect on their five-year collaboration and explore strategies to further strengthening their dynamic working relationship. The primary objective of this gathering was to foster dialogue and reaffirm their shared commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to Chinese clients seeking investments in Thailand.

Present at this meeting were distinguished individuals from the Bangkok office, including Senior Partner Andreas Richter, a renowned expert in foreign direct investment with over three decades of professional experience. Joining him were Partner Ekkarat Ritthiplang, specializing in corporate law and cross-border transactions, who excels in managing interactions between foreign clients and Thai authorities, and Partner Stefan Riedl, a distinguished expert in Corporate and Contract Law as well as M&A, recognized for his proficiency in crafting and negotiating robust commercial agreements.

Also in attendance was Tongxin Xie, a Partner at Zhonglun W&D Law Firm based in Shanghai. Splitting her time between Bangkok and Shanghai, Tongxin plays a pivotal role in advising Chinese companies on their investments in Thailand. Collaborating closely with Andreas, Ekkarat, and Stefan, her practice revolves around guiding Chinese clients through Thailand’s investment framework, establishing foreign-owned subsidiaries, securing Board of Investment promotions, and obtaining relevant licenses and permits.

Leveraging Tongxin’s unique expertise in both Thai and Chinese law and business practices, BRS and Zhonglun W&D have strategically combined their strengths to form a collaborative working alliance that caters to the legal needs of large Chinese corporations and high-net-worth individuals seeking to establish and expand their businesses in Thailand. BRS’ China Desk, supported by two additional native Mandarin-speaking attorneys, provides specialized legal assistance to Chinese enterprises navigating the intricate landscape of the Thai market, particularly within regulated sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and other manufacturing and service industries. Together, the China Desk has already successfully represented Chinese clients in market-leading inbound transactions, including many state-owned enterprises.

“Zhonglun W&D is one of the earliest-established Chinese law firms and has evolved into one of China’s premier law firms with a global outlook,” remarked Andreas. “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to collaborate with a firm that boasts such a long and successful history in China and abroad. This cooperation uniquely positions us to harness our combined expertise in fostering cultural and economic connections between businesses in Thailand and China.”