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Kobkit Thienpreecha

Partner and Director, Corporate and Commercial

Biography

Kobkit Thienpreecha, a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ corporate and commercial group, has been a leading corporate lawyer with the firm for over a decade. Having been selected as counsel by numerous foreign clients that wish to do business in Thailand—ranging from private entrepreneurs to multinational industrial manufacturers, traders, and service providers from various industries—Kobkit excels at designing targeted, legitimate, and practical solutions for foreign business start-up structures.

Kobkit also specializes in offering diverse legal support services at the highest standard, including antitrust and trade competition, company incorporation, joint ventures, M&A, investment promotion, Foreign Business License, capital markets and IPOs, specific business permits and licenses, immigration, regulatory compliance, and all foreign clients’ affairs. With support from his experienced service team, Kobkit continues to overcome challenges and succeed in landmark cases, which further his reputation, attract referrals, and build his incomparable clientele.

Kobkit has received remarkable recognitions by several publishers. He was ranked as a “Recognized Practitioner” in Corporate/M&A practice in the 2019 edition of Chambers, while the Legal 500 Asia Pacific  2019 rankings note that clients speak of Kobkit as a “go-to-guy” for corporate and M&A work, and elsewhere in the guide he is identified as a “capital markets specialist.” Kobkit was also ranked as “leading lawyer” in Asialaw Profiles 2019, and as one of the top 100 lawyers in Thailand by Asia Business Law Journal.

Known for delivering sharp and reliable advice, Kobkit’s performance is outstanding and dynamic, as represented by his involvement in IPOs, securities transactions, M&A deals, bids for government projects, joint ventures, shareholders’ disputes, and NGO licenses.

Experience

  • Acted for Satang Corporation and its shareholders in the sale of a 97% stake to Unita Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kasikornbank PCL. This transaction is the largest successful and complete acquisition of a digital asset exchange operator licensed by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission, marking an important milestone for the Thai digital asset industry.
  • Advised Destination Group Asia, an integrated destination management company operating 33 offices in 11 major countries in Asia, on its acquisition by dnata, which as one of the world’s largest air services providers is based in Dubai as part of the Emirates Group.

  • Assisted Bottega Veneta, an Italian luxury goods and high fashion brand, with a transaction to buy back two stores in Bangkok from its Thai franchisee, Central Group, which is a USD 9.7 billion Thai retail conglomerate. The acquisition involved setting up a joint venture company to operate Bottega Veneta duty-paid stores in Bangkok.

  • Assisted AICA Asia Pacific Holding Pte Ltd, a leading manufacturer of high-performance and quality adhesives and surfacing solutions in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the Singapore-based overseas arm of Japanese listed AICA Kogyo, in acquiring a 60% stake in Thai Chemical Corporation Limited, a joint venture between Srifuengfung and Mitsubishi Corporation that manufactures plasticizers and adhesives in Thailand. The deal was worth over THB 670 million (about USD 22.2 million).

  • Provided regulatory advice on various cross-border transactions with Thai investors to First State Investments, a global asset management firm with more than USD 143.8 billion under management.

  • Entrusted by Restaurants Development Co., Ltd., a franchisee for KFC restaurants in Thailand, to provide legal advice on potential competition law issues relating to its franchise rights granted by Yum Restaurant International (Thailand) Co., Ltd., particularly with respect to local rules and restrictions on the expansion of franchise outlets.

  • Provided regulatory advice on cross-border approaches made to Thai investors, including certain marketing activities, to Merian Global Investors (formerly Old Mutual Global Investors), a global asset management firm with more than USD 44.8 billion under management.

  • Worked with Simmons & Simmons LLP to advise a major international bank in writing and implementing a set of internal cross-border guidelines for its investment bank business, thus assisting the business in understanding the various licensing and other requirements for offering or providing certain financial products and services to clients in Thailand on a cross-border basis. The scope of guidelines covers a broad range of global banking products, global markets, securities and derivatives, and other services.

  • Advised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., a Spain-authorized bank, in a multi-jurisdictional survey on the legal and regulatory requirements for the offering of certain types of financial derivatives, foreign exchange services, and bonds to the client’s targeted counterparties.

  • Represented Visa International, one of the world’s leading payment brands and one of the largest payment systems worldwide, on a range of matters, including corporate and regulatory compliance with Thailand’s Payment System Act.

  • Led the Tilleke & Gibbins team—working in coordination with the German lead counsel (Osborne & Clarke)—in advising Wirecard AG, a German listed electronic payment processing company, on all aspects of the Thailand portion of their purchase of Citibank’s merchant-acquiring business in 11 markets in the Asia Pacific region.

  • Provided complete legal and tax analysis—including preliminary due diligence and compliance checks, amalgamation, company formation, transfer of license, company secretarial services, and tax advice—to DNV GL Group, the world’s largest classification society, in line with its strategic global reorganization plan.

  • Provided full professional legal support for incorporation, foreign ownership licenses, architectural licenses, tax advice, and contract reviews to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, one of the largest architectural firms in the world, in establishing a subsidiary in Thailand to lead the design of the largest private-sector development in Thailand to date.

  • Assisted Booking.com, one of the world’s leading online hotel booking websites, in setting up wholly-owned subsidiaries in Thailand by securing a foreign business license (the first ever issued for that type of business) and investment promotion privileges from the Board of Investment.

  • Represented the world’s leading car seat maker in critical negotiations with the Board of Investment (BOI) on potential revocation of all benefits and privileges, which could have led to damages of over USD 20,000,000. In addition to our overwhelming victory at the BOI, we successfully obtained several Alien Business Licenses, which will allow the clients’ subsidiaries in Thailand to provide service to affiliates in the region.
  • Represented a leading electronic toll collection system provider as its sole legal counsel since the commencement of its operations in Thailand in 2006. In this capacity, we have assisted our client in bidding for government contracts, obtaining BOI promotion, and all other compliance matters.
  • Selected from several candidate law firms to assist a reputable Thai manufacturer in the IPO process, including preparation, conversion to public company, SEC filing, and SET listing. Several years after the IPO, the company has greatly prospered such that the owner has become one of the ten richest persons in Thailand. We are proud to continue representing this client.
  • Acted as the contributor from Thailand to a global survey and the development of a platform for marketing foreign securities and disclosure requirements, coordinated by Simmons & Simmons LLP, a leading law firm in the U.K. We provided extensive analysis, including original and in-depth research on the securities laws of Thailand pertaining to the offering of foreign funds. The survey summary was made available online to subscribers, which consisted of fund managers, securities companies, banks, insurance firms, and other financial institutions from all over the world.
  • Helped a client resume company operations by resolving corporate matters and litigation impeding the commencement of business.
  • Secured an Alien Business License for the world’s leading online booking website, which was a first and landmark achievement in this industry. Despite the fact that the governing authorities normally reserve all tourism operations for Thai nationals, we succeeded in convincing these decision makers of the great value that this business would add to Thailand and its economy. We coordinated and secured the approval of each authority and, ultimately, obtained the Alien Business License for our client.
  • Provided assistance in a full range of corporate matters and foreign business issues for a global healthcare and well-being retailer chain.
  • Represented the world’s leading manufacturer of lingerie and swimsuits by providing advice and assistance for a broad range of corporate and foreign business matters.
  • Represented a renowned Italian luxury fashion brand for its corporate matters in Thailand.
  • Assisted an iconic British luxury brand with foreign investment issues.
  • Helped an Australian fashion brand to restructure its Thai subsidiary company and assisted with a full range of corporate services.
  • Provided consultation on general corporate matters and securities laws and regulations for the world’s leading aircraft and automotive tire manufacturer.
  • Represented a U.S. private equity firm in opening a branch of a foreign securities firm and applying for approval from the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Helped a Phuket-based hotel to resolve a shareholder dispute.
  • Provided advice on corporate stake holding and disclosure rules to an offshore investment vehicle of the Singaporean government.
  • Assisted the world’s leading LPG gas valve manufacturer in the buyout of its Thai partner and application for Board of Investment privileges.
  • Assisted a Chinese state-owned telecom operator in establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in Thailand for consultation and technical support to mobile phone companies, as well as BOI application.
  • Worked with a leading military and defense subcontractor to restructure its subsidiary company in Thailand and submit a BOI application for a project related to the Royal Thai Navy and Air Force.
  • Represented a leading semiconductor manufacturer in its corporate dissolution in Thailand.
  • Assisted a leading motor oil producer in divesting its interests in two local companies.
  • Represented Thailand’s largest biogas producer in resolving a shareholder dispute and providing corporate services for affiliated companies.
  • Assisted a worldwide information technology company in selling a stake in its local subsidiary to a Thai partner.
  • Acted on behalf of a diversified manufacturer of engineered products and specialty systems to acquire a plastic bag factory in Thailand and incorporate a wholly owned subsidiary.
  • Assisted in an acquisition and corporate restructuring for one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, and metals.
  • Helped in the acquisition of beachfront land in Phuket for a Kazakhstan-based property developer.
  • Provided assistance to a logistics company in the establishment of a distribution center in the Eastern Seaboard, as well as a BOI application.
  • Represented a Thai manufacturer of lingerie and swimsuits in its conversion to a public company limited, its IPO, and its listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
  • Established a local entity, regional office, representative office, or branch office for the following companies, among others:
    • An engineering, procurement, and construction service company from India (2011)
    • America’s leading business and financial news company (2011)
    • A renowned e-commerce website engaged in global expansion (2011)
    • A Japanese manufacturer of environmental and industrial machinery (2011)
    • The world’s leading waterjet cutting machine manufacturer (2011)
    • A multilevel marketing company selling healthcare and nutritional foods from the United States (2011)
    • The world’s number one mobile and internet supply chain manager (2011)
    • The world’s leading cargo handling machine producer (2010)
    • A U.S. clinical trial services company (2010)
    • A leading agrochemical manufacturer from Denmark (2009)
    • A mobile phone software solution from Singapore (2009)
    • A Singaporean building system integration company (2009)
    • A freight forwarder from Italy (2008)
    • An India-based automotive parts manufacturer (2008)
    • An automotive and household appliance conglomerate (2008)
    • A major software developer (2008)
    • The top online travel booking service company in Japan (2008)
    • A global law firm specializing in customs matters (2007)
  • Engaged by BIMobject, the world’s leading building information modeling technology company, to assist them in entering into a joint venture (JV) with CPAC, a subsidiary of the cement and building materials manufacturer SCG, which is valued USD 15.6 billion and is Thailand’s largest industrial conglomerate. We reviewed a set of agreements relating to the JV and advised on corporate structure, IP licensing, compliance, and other regulatory issues.
  • Engaged by Syngenta Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., a Switzerland-based global leader in agricultural science and technology, to provide legal services to its subsidiaries in Thailand regarding solutions for operating as a 100% foreign-owned entity conducting full-cycle seed businesses and relocation of one of its business unit’s regional office from Singapore to Bangkok under the Board of Investment’s “international trading center” category.
ABOUT Kobkit

Industries

Consumer Products

Fintech

Practices

Antitrust and Competition

Banking and Finance

Capital Markets

Compliance and Investigations

Corporate/M&A

Tax

Location

Languages

    Thai

    English

Education

    LLM, University of Minnesota School of Law

    LLM, American University, Washington College of Law

    LLB, Chulalongkorn University

Insights

July 17, 2026
On July 11, 2026, media reports conveyed key messages from Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Vitai Ratanakorn’s announcement of a sweeping regulatory crackdown on grey capital activities. The measures target high-value cash transactions, gold trading, and stablecoin flows, with new requirements set to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2026. The initiative aims to prevent financial institutions from facilitating shadow economy activity, money laundering—particularly through stablecoins—and capital flight, through enhanced compliance obligations on commercial banks across multiple transaction channels. Expanded Cash Controls Close the Deposit–Withdrawal Circuit New fourth-quarter guidelines will require individuals depositing THB 5 million or more in cash to formally verify the source of their funds. This builds on restrictions introduced in April 2026, which required anyone withdrawing 5 million baht or more in cash to provide their bank with verified commercial justification for why electronic transfers or checks could not be used. That initial measure caused high-value physical cash withdrawals to drop by 35 percent nationwide. The upcoming deposit-side requirement closes the circuit on large cash movements. The BOT is also assessing tracking mechanisms for high-value banknote swaps, specifically targeting individuals seeking to exchange large volumes of THB 1,000 notes into smaller THB 100 or THB 500 denominations without clear business justification. Governor Vitai emphasized that these measures require continuous deployment of multiple parallel strategies rather than short-term fixes. Tightened Bullion Reporting Frameworks Restrict Money Laundering Channels The BOT has also tightened reporting frameworks for gold trading to close money laundering loopholes and shield the Thai baht from speculative bullion volatility. Regulators identified a recurring pattern in which buyers purchased large quantities of gold through digital applications in the morning and then made same-day physical withdrawals from retail gold shops in the afternoon. Gold shops are reminded of their duties to flag and report cash
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July 8, 2026
On July 7, 2026, the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) issued a press release announcing the establishment of two new subcommittees designed to intensify oversight of digital platforms and modern trade businesses. The formation of the digital platform subcommittee marks a significant escalation in competition enforcement following the TCCT’s Guidelines on Multi-Sided Platforms and E-Commerce Businesses, which took effect on March 25, 2026. Platform operators, sellers, and related service providers should expect heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential investigations into practices already flagged under the March guidelines. Two Dedicated Enforcement Bodies The first new body is the digital platform subcommittee—formally the Subcommittee on Supervision, Monitoring, and Prevention of Trade Conduct in Digital Platform Business. It is tasked with driving intensive oversight of digital platform businesses. It will coordinate with government agencies, the private sector, business operators, and other relevant stakeholders to supervise and prevent trade conduct that may affect competition, and to promote free and fair competition in the digital platform sector. The subcommittee will be composed of TCCT members and representatives from the Department of Internal Trade. The second body—the Subcommittee on Determining Guidelines and Action Plans Concerning Competition Conditions in Modern Wholesale and Retail Business—will study, analyze, and monitor market structure in modern wholesale and retail businesses, compile databases to analyze retail business concentration, assess impacts on small-scale operators, and propose supervisory measures for the retail sector. TCCT members will serve on the subcommittee alongside experts from government and private organizations, including the Office of Industrial Economics, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion, the Thai SME Federation, and the Thai SME Council. Operational Impact for Industry Participants These subcommittees provide the TCCT with a focused mechanism to investigate various trade practices deemed unfair, and the TCCT has authority under the Trade Competition Act to issue cease-and-desist
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May 25, 2026
After several years of policy discussion and continued efforts led by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to relax the list of reserved businesses under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (FBA), the reform process has now reached a significant milestone. On May 12, 2026, the Thai cabinet approved in principle two draft subordinate legislative instruments aimed at delisting certain reserved business activities under the FBA and reducing licensing requirements for foreign business operators. These developments signal a renewed and concrete effort by the government to modernize Thailand’s business regulatory framework in order to attract foreign investment and boost Thailand’s competitiveness in the global market. Nine Businesses Set for FBA Delisting Below is a list of the nine businesses that are being targeted for delisting from the FBA’s restrictions. A draft ministerial regulation would delist the first eight reserved businesses, while a royal decree has been drafted to delist the ninth business: Telecommunications services (Type 1 license only, covering operators without their own telecommunications infrastructure), under the supervision of the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Treasury center services subject to the Foreign Exchange Control Act B.E. 2485 and under the supervision of the Bank of Thailand. Securities-collateralized lending, pursuant to the laws governing securities and exchange and derivatives regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Agency, dealer, advisory, or fund management services relating to derivatives where the underlying assets fall outside the scope of the Derivatives Act B.E. 2546 (2003) Intra-group shared services, including administrative, human resources, and IT functions Intra-group domestic debt guarantee services Leasing of partial space for installation of financial service machines and automatic vending machines for employee use Petroleum drilling services Trading of agricultural product derivatives through a futures exchange, with physical delivery or receipt of agricultural products at a futures exchange–designated
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April 21, 2026
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has introduced special investment promotion measures to accelerate the development of advanced automotive manufacturing technologies and the transitional electric vehicle ecosystem. Published in the Government Gazette on March 31, 2026, BOI Notification No. 4/2569 aims to stimulate the use of automation and robotic systems to improve production efficiency and increase the competitive capacity of Thailand’s automotive industry. Qualifying Project Categories All existing and new investment projects under the following promotional categories are eligible to apply for the new privileges: General automotive manufacturing (category 3.6) Manufacture of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) (category 3.8) Applications will be accepted until the end of 2027. Incentives and Benefits Eligible investment projects will receive exemption from import duties for machinery, and a 50% corporate income tax (CIT) exemption for three years on investment in automation and robotics systems, excluding land costs and working capital. If at least 30% of the total value of the modified or total machinery used is linked to or supports Thailand’s domestic automation machinery manufacturing industry, this CIT exemption will be increased to 100%. Eligible existing investment projects will be exempt from CIT on existing business income, with the exemption period counted from the date on which income is generated following receipt of the investment promotion certificate. Eligibility Conditions Projects must meet the following criteria to qualify for these privileges: The project must not currently benefit from CIT exemption. Those that have already received investment promotion may apply once their existing CIT exemption or reduction benefits have expired. The project must have an investment value of at least THB 1 million, excluding land cost and working capital but including expenditures for machinery, equipment, software, programs, information technology systems, and cloud or data center services, subject to conditions stipulated in
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Awards & Rankings

April 3, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to announce that the firm has been shortlisted in two categories at the Financial Times (FT) Innovative Lawyers APAC 2026 awards: Innovative Lawyers in Cyber and Data Privacy – “Digital Identity & Cryptocurrency Compliance” Innovative Practitioner – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh The FT Innovative Lawyers APAC Awards recognize law firms and practitioners who are driving innovation in legal services and delivering innovative client solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. This recognition marks our third acknowledgment in the Innovative Lawyers category and, notably, our first-ever nomination in the Innovative Practitioner category at the FT Innovative Lawyers APAC awards. It reflects our team’s continued ability to support clients on groundbreaking, forward-looking projects across the region. The awards ceremony will take place on May 14, 2026, in Hong Kong. To learn more about the FT Innovative Lawyers APAC 2026 awards and to view the full list of shortlisted organizations, please visit the FT website.
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March 19, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has been recognized in 17 categories at the 2026 Thailand Law Firm Awards from Asia Business Law Journal (ABLJ), up from 10 categories in 2025. The awards highlight leading law firms in Thailand across a broad range of practice areas, as well as overall firm performance. This year, Tilleke & Gibbins was named a co-winner in the Best Overall Law Firm category as well as in the following practice-specific categories: Artificial Intelligence Aviation Blockchain & Digital Assets Competition & Antitrust Data Compliance & Cyber Security E-Commerce, Digital Trade & Platform Regulation ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Fintech Healthcare & Life Sciences Insurance & Reinsurance IP Litigation IP Prosecution Labour & Employment Private Equity & Venture Capital Shipping & Maritime Technology, Media & Telecommunications The awards are determined through ABLJ’s independent research, which considers recent work, client feedback, and market standing. The annual Thailand Law Firm Awards recognize firms demonstrating strong performance and breadth of expertise across key practice areas. For more details and the full list of winners, please visit the ABLJ website.
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March 9, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has been shortlisted in multiple firmwide and individual categories at the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026, including Regional Firm of the Year, reflecting the firm’s work across Southeast Asia and the continued development of its regional practices. In the individual categories, Aye Thuzar Hlaing has been shortlisted for Myanmar Associate of the Year (Corporate and M&A), and Linh Duy Mai has been shortlisted for Vietnam Associate of the Year (Intellectual Property). Tilleke & Gibbins has also been shortlisted in the following firm categories: Regional Firm of the Year Thailand – Law Firm of the Year Thailand – Law Firm of the Year (Litigation) Myanmar – Law Firm of the Year Vietnam – Law Firm of the Year Vietnam – Law Firm of the Year (Labor and Employment) Laos – Law Firm of the Year The winners will be announced on April 30, 2026, at the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards ceremony in Singapore. To browse the full shortlist for the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026, please see the Legal 500 website.
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