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Prisna Sungwanna

Partner and Director, Laos

Biography

Prisna Sungwanna is partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Laos, overseeing the full scope of the firm’s operations in the jurisdiction, with a particular focus on corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution matters. With over 30 years of legal practice in the region, Prisna is regarded as a leading figure in Southeast Asia’s legal community. She is recognized for her expertise in corporate law, energy and infrastructure projects, and complex M&A transactions, and she is the lawyer of choice for major regional and international organizations looking to expand business operations in Southeast Asia.

Prisna has received remarkable recognitions for her work in Laos by several leading publishers. She was named “Laos Female Lawyer of the Year” at the Asialaw Regional Awards 2025. In addition, she is consistently ranked as a “Distinguished Practitioner” in Corporate and M&A, Banking & Finance by Asialaw (2024-), and recognized as “Highly Regarded” in Financial and Corporate by IFLR1000 (2025-). Clients and peers alike acknowledge Prisna’s expertise and leadership in the Lao legal market.

With a wealth of experience advising foreign investors, Prisna has a strong background in advising on compliance issues and regularly assists clients in practically managing and mitigating associated risks, advising foreign investors on corporate structuring and restructuring, and corporate management and control. She excels at guiding clients through the challenges that can arise as they pursue their business goals in Southeast Asia, and her long record in corporate structuring and transactions has made Prisna a go-to advisor for leading companies around the world.

Her client portfolio encompasses a spectrum of industries, including cosmetics, energy, finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology, and her comprehensive guidance extends to advising foreign investors on investment incentives, work permits, visas, and real estate matters. Prisna’s multifaceted expertise positions her as a cornerstone in facilitating seamless market entry and sustainable growth strategies for clients in the region.

Prisna is also dedicated to assisting pro bono clients, such as her longtime assistance to an overseas foundation in its support of hospital facilities in southern Laos and southern Thailand. Beyond her legal practice, Prisna also regularly publishes insights and updates on legal developments in Laos and Thailand.

Experience

  • Assisted an American multinational with diversified business operations in life sciences, technology, testing and diagnostics, and other areas with the Thailand asset sale related to the global sale of its applied, food, and enterprise services businesses to a US-based private equity firm.
  • Represented a German developer of industrial technologies in acquiring multiple Thai operations from a US-headquartered specialized equipment company.
  • Represented a Singapore-listed manufacturer and digital solutions provider for the healthcare industry in the disposal of subsidiaries in Thailand and Malaysia through share transfer transactions.
  • Advised a NASDAQ-listed technology company on establishment of its first assembly plant outside the U.S. with a total capacity of 500,000 items of suspension assembly per year at a total project cost of over USD 100 million and USD 35 million in project financing for the Thailand operation.
  • Advised a Japan-based international convenience store chain on the acquisition of 265 retail convenience stores through establishment of a joint venture with a listed consumer manufacturing company in Thailand.
  • Advised a Thai petroleum and chemical tanker operator on MRO business and aviation service, including its shareholders’ agreement and project agreements.
  • Advised a Southeast Asia oil giant, the major shareholder of six operating vehicles for petroleum retail business in Thailand, and more than 180 gas stations in-country, on the disposal of all operating vehicles in Thailand.
  • Advised on licenses and regulations for the manufacturing of ammunition, and assisted with the acquisition of shares and due diligence on legal risk and opportunities in an ammunition business.
  • Acted as legal advisor for the maintenance and refurbishment of a Cessna Skymaster T-337 of the Royal Thai Navy.
  • Acted for one of the parties in the amalgamation of two of Thailand’s leading power companies.
  • Acted for a European chemical and plastics conglomerate in its buyout of a Thai company’s interest in a Thailand-based PVC manufacturer.
  • Advised on a Singaporean company’s acquisition of five solar power plant projects in Thailand, in the project development phase, with a total capacity of 78 MW.
  • Advised a Thai interactive design and marketing agency on the sale of majority shares by existing shareholders to a division of a leading British multinational advertising and public relations company.
  • Advised a leading Japanese-based chemical industry group with operations in 25 countries on the acquisition of 75% of a major manufacturer of carbon fiber composite parts/components for automobiles in Thailand.
ABOUT Prisna

Industries

Automotive

Aviation

Energy

Practices

Antitrust and Competition

Banking and Finance

Corporate/M&A

Customs and International Trade

Employment

Real Estate

Locations

Languages

    Thai

    English

    Lao

Education

    LLB, Ramkhamhaeng University

Insights

February 26, 2026
Laos’ Food and Drug Department (FDD) has been using a new online registration system for drugs since the beginning of the year. The system, which was implemented following the November 2025 issuance of Notice No. 5960/FDD, became the official pathway for submissions on January 1, 2026. Since that date, paper-based registrations have no longer been accepted. This marks a significant advancement in the digitalization of regulatory processes in Laos. As the online system is now the exclusive platform for registration, renewal, and amendments, companies that have not yet aligned their processes to the new system should act promptly to ensure a smooth transition. To assist with this, the FDD will conduct periodic training sessions on the use of the online registration system, which will be delivered either in person or remotely, depending on operator demand. To start using the system, drug and medical device manufacturers, as well as import-export companies, that have not yet registered must submit a formal request identifying the authorized personnel who will access the platform, after which they will be issued user accounts and access codes. Each request must be accompanied by the company’s enterprise registration certificate (incorporation certificate), a copy of the identity card or passport of each designated user, and a scanned copy of their signature. There is no restriction on the number of users per company, allowing flexibility to meet operational needs. Companies that already hold accounts and access codes from the trial phase may continue using them and may apply for additional accounts if needed. Additional Requirements The new system also introduces a standardized format for drug registration numbers. For example, an import drug registration number such as 06 I 4040/15 will be changed to 06-IM-04040-15, and a domestic drug registration number such as 06 L 4040/15 will be changed to
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January 26, 2026
Prisna Sungwanna, head of Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Vientiane, and Sayphin Singsouvong, associate, provided an updated Laos chapter for Foreign Investment Review 2026, a global guide to the legal and regulatory environment for foreign investment in 25 jurisdictions worldwide. Published and distributed by Lexology Panoramic, the guide discusses law and policy on oversight of foreign investment, regulatory frameworks, procedural requirements, and other important considerations for foreign investors. The Laos chapter aims to give investors an understanding of what to expect when establishing operations and operating in the Lao market, covering: Law and Policy: Government policies and practices, main laws and their scope of application (including details on investment promotional measures), definitions, rules for state-owned enterprises and sovereign wealth funds, relevant authorities and oversight, and national interest provisions. Procedure: Jurisdictional thresholds, national interest clearance, securing approval, the review process for competition clearance and associated penalties, involvement of authorities, facilitation of clearance, and post-closing regulatory powers. Substantive assessment: Substantive tests for clearance, authorities’ consultation with other countries and other relevant parties, transactional prohibitions and objections, mitigating arrangements and challenges to a decision, and protection of confidential information. Recent cases, updates, and trends: Relevant recent case law, key recent and ongoing developments. A PDF of the Laos chapter can be accessed through the button below. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam chapters to Foreign Investment Review 2026. Readers can also gain 30 days of complementary access to the full Foreign Investment Review 2026 guide and the rest of Lexology Panoramic’s varied offerings through this link.
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December 30, 2025
On December 17, 2025, Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) issued a notice introducing a new digital system that allows e-commerce businesses to obtain required certificates and licenses through an online, application-based platform. Notice No. 3988, which will take effect on February 1, 2026, introduces the E-Trust platform, a downloadable application that allows e-commerce businesses to remotely obtain acknowledgement certificates and business operating licenses. New Digital Registration Options Under the previous framework established by the Decree on E-commerce (2021), businesses were required to complete registration exclusively through paper-based submissions. The new system now offers businesses two registration options: Traditional paper-based process at the Division of E-commerce Management within the MOIC; or Electronic registration and renewal through the E-Trust platform. This change is expected to streamline procedures, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance accessibility for businesses operating outside Vientiane. The E-Trust platform facilitates compliance for both individuals and legal entities required to submit applications and renewals for required certificates and licenses. The development is particularly beneficial for businesses located in remote provinces, as it eliminates the need for physical travel and significantly accelerates processing times. Compliance Requirements and Penalties Businesses must obtain or renew the required certificates and licenses to avoid sanctions under the Decision on Fines and Other Measures for Violation of the Decree and Regulations on E-commerce (No. 2828/MOIC, dated November 11, 2025). Penalties for noncompliance may include monetary fines and other enforcement measures.
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December 16, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters to Infrastructure and Construction in Southeast Asia, a comparative guide developed by Drew Network Asia (DNA). The publication brings together insights from leading ASEAN law firms to address common legal and practical issues faced by participants in the construction and engineering sector across the region. Covering nine major Southeast Asian jurisdictions, the guide provides concise answers to frequently encountered questions relating to infrastructure and construction projects. Topics addressed include the regulatory environment, procurement practices, project structuring, risk allocation, contracting terms, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Each jurisdictional chapter follows a consistent question-and-answer format, enabling readers to compare legal approaches and market practices across countries. This structure highlights both areas of convergence and key differences between jurisdictions, supporting more informed decision-making in cross-border projects and investments. While the guide offers a practical regional overview, it also underscores that legal frameworks and market practices vary significantly between jurisdictions and may be shaped by local principles and industry norms. Readers seeking jurisdiction-specific advice are encouraged to contact the practitioners listed at the end of each chapter. The full guide is available for download through the button below or directly from the DNA website.
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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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