Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution team members delivered a three-day Thai-language webinar series from August 24 to 26, focusing primarily on complex civil litigation in the construction sector. Pathanin Sornchangwat, associate, and Suruswadee Jaimsuwan, counsel, presented the first session titled “Lawyers and a Solution to Construction Business and Contracts.” During the event, they discussed common problems in the construction sector, provided practical advice on how companies can examine contracts to prevent unexpected complications, and addressed the role of lawyers in settling disputes. On the next day, Chusert Supasitthumrong, partner, and Pongpalin Chantrapirom, associate, discussed termination of business contracts. Chusert first explained principles of termination, including cause, methods, results, damages, and key issues businesses should be aware of. Pongpalin then addressed bases for termination of a logistics contract, pointed out particularly notable elements of a contract, highlighted key differences between contract types, and shared precedent cases from the Supreme Court. In the final webinar, Dutsadee Dutsadeepanich, associate, and Noppramart Thammateeradaycho, counsel, discussed issues related to permit withdrawal—informed by previous condominium cases. They noted some consequences of the action, and shared  legal defenses that condominium project owners might use when facing such an obstacle. They also shared their insights on the ongoing case regarding a recent court ruling on the construction permit of Ananda Development’s Ashton Asoke condominium project. Video recordings of all three sessions (in Thai) are available to watch on the Tilleke & Gibbins YouTube channel.

On August 25, Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and co-chair of Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional energy practice, joined the first day of the three-day Future Energy Asia 2021 forum to moderate a strategic session titled “Big Ideas: Clean Energy, Role of Oil & Gas, Innovations That Shape ASEAN’s Energy Transition.” Joined by leading companies in the oil and gas sector, including PTTEP, Baker Hughes, and Venture Global, Joseph led a session that handled questions about innovations such as the rapid growth of renewables amidst COVID-19 in ASEAN. During the session, he directed and fostered discussion of ASEAN’s drive toward fuel diversification, energy security, and decarbonization. Joseph and the panelists also analyzed strong demand growth for cleaner practices in the power and industrial sectors, considered how players in the energy industry are reshaping their strategies and focus, and highlighted innovations they have seen in policies, financing, technologies, and business models. The session showcased the development and innovation in today’s energy sector, and initiated discussions among high-level professionals in the industry.

On August 19, Tilleke & Gibbins and the Thai Listed Companies Association (TLCA) jointly hosted a Thai-language webinar to address the regulatory environment surrounding import procedures and permit applications for health products. In the first part of the session, Kasamesunt Teerasitsathaporn, partner in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, provided an overview of the Customs Act, explained penalties imposed under the act, identified lists of prohibited and restricted goods, shared examples of products that require a declaration of permit documentation, and highlighted notable Customs Act provisions relating to health products. In the second part of the session, Dr. Atthachai Homhuan, director of the firm’s regulatory affairs practice, related some interesting case studies involving a wide range of health products, including medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, contact lenses, and other goods. Dr. Atthachai ended the presentation with practical advice to companies about managing their importation operations in compliance with the Customs Act. A full video recording of the webinar (in Thai) can be viewed on the Tilleke & Gibbins YouTube Channel.

On August 19, Sher Hann Chua, a consultant in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok and Yangon offices, presented a session to the Thailand chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) titled “An Overview of Intellectual Property: What to Focus on in the Contract and the Field.” Moderated by Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and co-chair of Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional energy practice, the session focused on the intellectual property (IP) rights and issues that are most relevant to the oil and gas industry. In discussing IP rights and how they function in the energy sector, Sher Hann presented an overview of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyright, before emphasizing the crucial role that IP plays in major commercial transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. She also analyzed classic IP pitfalls that parties makes when working with others under a contractual arrangement, and providing practical tips on how to avoid these missteps.