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John Frangos

Partner and Director, Dispute Resolution

Biography

John Frangos is a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution and litigation group. Based in Bangkok, he works with clients and the firm’s disputes team on complex cases across Southeast Asia. He is especially active in leading the firm’s aviation practice as well as its compliance and investigations practice.

On the basis of his expertise in the aviation industry, coupled with his exceptional client service, John is ranked as a leading aviation and transport practitioner by Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and Asialaw Profiles. Clients have described him as “absolutely one of the best aviation lawyers in Thailand,” and as “super responsive, incredibly knowledgeable, and really focused on getting the best outcome as quickly as possible” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021).

With many years’ experience in Thailand and Vietnam, John brings strong knowledge of local business practices and customs. He also has a deep understanding of the region’s political and economic landscapes, which shape the legal environment that businesses must navigate.

John serves as the Thailand chapter head for the New York State Bar Association and a committee leader for the Aerospace Council of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. He was previously a commissioner on the Anti-Corruption Commission for the Thailand chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce. In that capacity, he assisted the Thai government by providing his expertise and comments on its anticorruption laws. John has also worked with the Vietnamese government to propose amendments to regulations on aircraft registration and repossession.

John is admitted to the New York bar.

Experience

  • Advised a global aircraft leasing company on the successful repossession of a Boeing 737 passenger jet from a Thai airline before the Intellectual Property & International Trade Court in Bangkok and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
  • Advised an American beverage company on an internal anti-corruption investigation in Thailand.
  • Advised a global energy services firm on defending an anti-corruption investigation by the Thai government.
  • Advised an international e-commerce firm on handling multiple Thai criminal investigations related to alleged regulatory violations.
  • Advised an aircraft manufacturer on a joint venture dispute in Thailand.
  • Assisted a global aircraft leasing company on resolving a lease default dispute with a Thai airline.
  • Advised an Asian regional airline on a complex breach of contract claim against its Thai business partner.
  • Counseled a global aircraft leasing company on the successful repossession of a Boeing 767 passenger jet from a Thai airline before the Intellectual Property & International Trade Court in Bangkok and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
  • Advised a global oil and gas consulting firm on an internal anti-corruption investigation related to attempted bid tampering.
  • Advised a U.S. educational organization on criminal matters related to fraudulent standardized test taking in Thailand.
  • Assisted a multinational vehicle manufacturer on designing and implementing an anti-corruption compliance program in Thailand.
  • Advised an American precious metals company on all aspects of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as well as Thai and Vietnamese anti-corruption compliance in its joint venture transactions and general business dealings in Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Advised an international consulting firm on designing and implementing a corporate compliance program across its Southeast Asia operations.
  • Designed and implemented a special intensive anti-corruption training program for the board of directors of a large Thai company.
  • Advised a major American software company on defending numerous employment termination cases in Thailand resulting from a global merger.
  • Represented multiple aircraft and engine leasing companies on significant damage claims against Thai airlines.
  • Advised a global automobile manufacturer on a significant customs dispute in Thailand.
  • Advised one of the world’s largest oil field service companies on a full range of labor and employment issues under Thai law.
  • Advised a major international food and beverage company on its internal investigation of an employee’s misappropriation of company assets in Thailand.
  • Advised several global auto makers and auto-parts suppliers on product liability claims in Thailand.
ABOUT John

Industries

Aviation

Practices

Compliance and Investigations

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Location

Languages

    English

Education

    MIA, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

    JD, New York Law School

    BA, Stony Brook University

Insights

August 17, 2023
Aviation specialists from Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok office have contributed the Thailand chapter for Aviation Finance & Leasing 2023 from Chambers and Partners. The guide covers the most important legal developments affecting aircraft lessors, lessees, and financiers in 32 jurisdictions worldwide. In addition to the Thailand chapter, Tilleke & Gibbins also provided the Vietnam chapter for Aviation Finance & Leasing 2023. Each chapter provides in-depth details on the legal regimes affecting all aspects of aircraft sale and purchase, aircraft and engine leasing, and aircraft debt finance, including sale and lease agreement terms; taxation; lease registration and enforcement; lease assignment/novation; insurance and reinsurance; debt structuring; securities; liens; and many others that affect the day-to-day operations of leading players in the aviation industry. Chambers and Partners’ Global Practice Guides provide in-house counsel with expert legal commentary focusing on practical legal issues affecting business, enabling readers to compare legislation and relevant procedures across a range of key jurisdictions. The Thailand chapter of Aviation Finance & Leasing 2023 is available as a PDF through the button below, courtesy of Chambers and Partners. The full guide is accessible for free on the Chambers and Partners website.
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June 20, 2023
Thailand is not a signatory to the Cape Town Convention. This means that upon an airline-lessee’s default, a lessor cannot present an Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Authorization (IDERA) document to easily repossess an aircraft. However, Thai law does allow for lessors to obtain aircraft deregisteration without the need to go to court. Pursuant to Clause 12 of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) Regulation No. 23 (Reg. 23), the Director General of CAAT has the authority to deregister an aircraft when the possessory right to the aircraft under a lease agreement has expired for any of the following reasons: The lease agreement has expired due to the lease term; The lease agreement has been terminated by either the lessor or the lessee in accordance with its termination clause; The lessor and lessee agree to terminate the lease agreement; The lessor notifies the termination of the lease agreement and submits an irrevocable deregistration power of attorney together with an application requesting the exportation of the aircraft, and the lessor or its agent submits an application for deregistration of the aircraft to the Director General. Under Reg. 23, a lessor can submit a deregistration application to CAAT asking CAAT to deregister. The deregistration application consists of evidence of the lease termination, a deregistration power of attorney (DPOA), the applicant’s certificate of incorporation, and the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness and Certificate of Registration. CAAT will review the application and ask the lessee if it consents to the deregistration. If the lessee does not consent, CAAT may invite the lessor and lessee to one or more administrative hearings to give evidence on the dispute. If CAAT concludes that the lease has been validly terminated and the lessee no longer has possessory rights, CAAT will deregister the aircraft. Under Thai law, a lessor
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November 15, 2022
Litigation is usually the last resort in resolving disputes. Most parties to a dispute try to avoid litigation altogether, fearing that seeking recourse with the courts or arbitration will lead to a disruption in commercial relationships, result in increased legal expenses, and generally lengthen the period in which the dispute remains unresolved. While some of these concerns may indeed be legitimate, sometimes litigation is the only means for a party to obtain relief. For parties contemplating such recourse, it is reassuring to know that the Thai court system is generally an accessible, unbiased, and balanced vehicle for the resolution of disputes. Civil Litigation in Thailand aims to introduce some of the fundamentals of Thai civil court procedures and practices. While it is not an in-depth study, this brief guide covers the main issues concerning civil litigation in Thailand as either a plaintiff or a defendant. The full guide is available through the button below.
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June 30, 2022
On June 29, 2022, Tilleke & Gibbins collaborated with K&L Gates Straits Law LLC to offer a timely webinar entitled “Current Climate for Investments: Concerns for Investment Structuring & Disputes in Southeast Asia.” During the session, two attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group in Bangkok—John Frangos, partner and director, and Eric Meyer, consultant, highlighted different global pressures affecting investment in Southeast Asia, and pointed out key considerations for investors in relation to their future investments. Together with the speakers from K&L Gates, John and Eric provided an introduction to investment treaties in several jurisdictions and potential disputes that could arise due to the current investment climate. Toward the end of the session, the speakers summarized the key issues and highlighted ways to mitigate the existing risks. A recording of the webinar can be viewed below.
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Awards & Rankings

July 31, 2023
International Financial Law Review (IFLR) published the 2024 edition of its annual IFLR1000 rankings of leading law firms in domestic and cross-border financial and transactional matters across the globe. IFLR ranks firms only in the core transactional practice areas of Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers and Acquisitions, Restructuring and Insolvency (occasionally combining these areas into “Financial & Corporate”), and Project Development. This year, Tilleke & Gibbins achieved its best-ever results in the IFLR1000 rankings, earning the following firmwide accolades: Cambodia Financial & Corporate – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Laos Financial & Corporate – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Myanmar Financial and Corporate – Tier 3 Project Development – Tier 3 Thailand Banking & Finance – Tier 3 Capital Markets: Debt – Tier 3 Capital Markets: Equity – Tier 3 M&A – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Restructuring & Insolvency – Tier 3 Vietnam Banking & Finance – Other Notable M&A – Tier 3 Project Development – Tier 3 In addition to the firmwide rankings, twelve of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in the IFLR1000 2024 individual rankings: Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – M&A in Thailand Charuwan Charoonchitsathian – M&A in Thailand David Mol – Corporate/M&A, Insurance, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences in Cambodia Derrick Khoo – Financial & Corporate in Myanmar Dino Santaniello – Corporate/M&A in Laos Jay Cohen – Aviation, Banking, Energy in Cambodia Niti Muangkote – Financial & Corporate, Project Development in Laos Nwe Oo – M&A, Project Development in Myanmar Saithong Rattana – Project Development, M&A in Laos Santhapat Periera – Banking, Energy, M&A in Laos Supasit Boonsanong – Project Development in Thailand Yuwadee Thean-ngarm – Banking & Finance, M&A in Myanmar To see the full set of IFLR1000 rankings for Tilleke & Gibbins’ jurisdictions, please see the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,
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July 26, 2023
Who’s Who Legal (WWL) has released its annual Southeast Asia guide for the year 2023, and 12 Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers have been distinguished as market leaders in various legal practice areas. The firm’s 12 recognized lawyers, who are recognized for demonstrating their commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to Tilleke & Gibbins’ clients, are: Alan Adcock – Data, Franchising, Life Sciences, Patents, Trademarks Darani Vachanavuttivong – Patents, Trademarks Jay Cohen – Franchising John Frangos – Investigations Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut – Labor, Employment & Benefits Kasama Sriwatanakul – Trademarks Linh Thi Mai Nguyen – Trademarks Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh – Data Somboon Earterasarun – Trademarks Thawat Damsa-ard – Asset Recovery, Investigations Thomas Treutler – Patents, Trademarks Wongrat Ratanaprayul – Patents The WWL Southeast Asia rankings guide, published by the independent London-based group Law Business Research, aims to identify the foremost legal practitioners across a range of business law practice areas. The 2023 edition of the guide showcases over 900 lawyers, covering 34 distinct practice areas in the Southeast Asian region. The rankings are largely based on feedback and nominations received from other WWL-ranked and nominated attorneys around the world. These peer-driven recognitions highlight Tilleke & Gibbins’ dedication to maintaining the highest standards of legal service and helping clients achieve success. To read more about the WWL Southeast Asia guide, or to browse the full results of the 2023 edition, please visit the WWL website.
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July 20, 2023
Tilleke & Gibbins has received a remarkable slate of nominations for the prestigious Euromoney APAC Women in Business Law Awards 2023. The recently released shortlists for this year’s awards include Tilleke & Gibbins in both firm and individual categories. In the firmwide categories, Tilleke & Gibbins is in the running for five distinguished awards: Work-Life Balance National Firm Women in Business Law National Firm Indonesia Firm of the Year Thailand Firm of the Year Vietnam Firm of the Year Attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins also received seven individual nominations: Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyer of the Year – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year – Sarah Galeski Patent Lawyer of the Year – Darani Vachanavuttivong Shipping and Maritime Lawyer of the Year – Noppramart Thammateeradaycho Technology Lawyer of the Year – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh Trademark Lawyer of the Year – Linh Thi Mai Nguyen Corporate Rising Star of the Year – Nitikar Nith The APAC Women in Business Law Awards recognize law firms and professional services firms in the region for their efforts in promoting gender equality and supporting women’s advancement in the legal profession. Winners are determined through a rigorous process involving submissions, peer reviews, and judgment based on professional accomplishments and advocacy for gender diversity and work-life balance programs. This year’s awards ceremony will take place at an in-person event in Singapore on September 7, 2023. For more information on the APAC Women in Business Law Awards 2023, including a full list of nominees, please visit the awards website.
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