Practices
Competition and Trade
Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Real Estate

Location
Thailand

Languages
Thai
English

Education

LLM, Ramkhamhaeng University

LLB, Thammasat University

Kasamesunt Teerasitsathaporn
Partner
+66 2056 5799

Biography

Kasamesunt Teerasitsathaporn is a partner in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group with nearly 25 years of litigation experience. Known for his attention to detail and ability to negotiate and deal with government officials, police, and prosecutors, Kasamesunt is sought after by clients to handle complex customs disputes, criminal matters, and civil cases. Clients appreciate his ability to distill complex facts into persuasive arguments and find practical solutions.

As a leader of the firm’s customs and international trade practice, Kasamesunt has significant experience helping clients resolve customs matters and handle customs assessments. Kasamesunt assists clients from the beginning phases of negotiations with customs officers through post audit, investigations, and litigation in Tax or Criminal Courts. These cases often have a criminal liability component, thus raising the stakes for clients.

Kasamesunt also has strong experience in both prosecuting and defending against fraud, forgery, and other white collar crime matters, as well as trying cases before Thailand's Administrative Court. In addition, in his many years of litigating, he has handled complex civil litigation involving contract disputes, consumer cases, product liability, regulatory affairs, labor, bankruptcy, reorganization, insurance, trade, property, transportation and logistics, and cross-border issues. He is adept at winning both inside and outside of the courtroom, having extensive experience in negotiation and arbitration. He is an aggressive litigator, and is a zealous advocate for his clients.

Regarded by his peers as a leading lawyer, Kasamesunt currently serves as a director of Notary Public Certification Examination Committee. He is a former director of the Draft Law Screening Committee at the Lawyers Council of Thailand—a committee responsible for reviewing all draft laws before they are passed by the legislature and the Editorial Department, and for reviewing legal articles to publish on Journal of Lawyers Council of Thailand.

Kasamesunt is also a member of the Thai Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, has completed the Barrister-at-Law requirements of the Institute of Legal Education, Thai Bar Association, and is a certified arbitrator of the Thai Arbitration Institute.


Experience
  • Acted on behalf of several multinational corporations in high-profile criminal customs disputes involving the assessment and calculation of customs duties and penalties. In addition to our representation in active customs investigations and inquiries, our customs experts regularly counsel clients in a variety of compliance and operational matters related to the import and export of goods and services in Thailand.
  • Represented an industry leader in edible coatings. Our client purchased products from a supplier, the quality of which was certified by a third party. Although the third party was dismissed from the case by a lower court, we successfully convinced the Supreme Court to amend the judgment below and hold the third party liable for failing to examine the product.
  • Defended a leading global logistics company in three separate criminal actions brought by the Thai Customs Department with potential fines in excess of USD 15,000,000. After a defense put forth at the prosecutorial review stage, the Public Prosecutor issued non-prosecution orders in favor of our client. These orders have since been confirmed and this case is final.
  • Obtained court approval of bankruptcy claims in  amounts of over THB 75,000,000 (company 1), THB 75,000,000 (company 2), and THB 150,000,000 (company 3). Our representation included submitting the application for debt repayment, providing supplemental explanations and evidence, and proving our clients’ right to the sums.
  • Secured payment on an arbitration award by filing a petition to enforce same and negotiating a prompt and favorable resolution at the first hearing.
  • Represented a client as a joint defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by the owner of adjacent land. The land owner petitioned the court to register a right-of-way across our client’s land to a public road. The trial court rendered judgment in favor of our client and dismissed the land owner’s complaint.
  • Represented a client in a criminal matter regarding forgery. We presented our client’s position and related facts to various governmental authorities. At the end of the government’s investigation, the public prosecutor declined to prosecute our client.
  • Prosecuted a dispute involving breach of contract and property rights. We secured judgment in favor of our client and a permanent injunction against future trespass.
  • Represented a group investing in various high-end villa projects targeting the European market in Hua Hin and Phuket.
  • Prosecuted a criminal claim, along with the public prosecutor, against a group of persons who unlawfully extracted funds from foreign business persons.