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Yuwadee Thean-ngarm

Partner and Director, Myanmar

Biography

Yuwadee Thean-ngarm is a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Myanmar practice, having moved to oversee the firm’s Yangon office in 2013 after a decade as an attorney-at-law and litigator in the firm’s Bangkok office. She is recognized as a leading lawyer in Myanmar by IFLR 1000 and Asialaw Leading Lawyers, and in 2019 was named one of the brightest young lawyers in Asia in Asian Legal Business’ annual “Top 40 Under 40” list. In 2023, she was named Myanmar Client Choice Lawyer of the Year at the Asialaw Regional Awards.

She advises clients on the full range of intellectual property and corporate and commercial matters under the fast-developing legal framework in Myanmar. With her deep understanding of the needs of international business in Myanmar, along with her broad practical experience overseeing legal work across virtually all practice areas, she assists her clients in developing strategies for corporate success in Myanmar.

In her corporate and commercial work, Yuwadee is especially active in advising foreign investors seeking to do business in Myanmar. She oversees a wide variety of matters, including business strategy and planning, company structuring and formation, law and legal updates, labor and employment, and tax. Yuwadee has extensive expertise in advising clients across diverse industries, such as banking and finance, chemicals, energy, logistics, manufacturing, service and trading, and telecommunications. On the intellectual property side, Yuwadee guides global and regional businesses in protecting their assets under the country’s new and still-developing regulatory framework for trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyright.

Yuwadee is also well known for promoting cross-border business between Thailand and Myanmar. She was elected to be the president of Thai Business Association of Myanmar for 2025-2026, coming after terms as the associations vice president from 2022-2024. She is a formidable thought leadership contributor, providing legal expertise to World Bank research projects on investment, employment, and property in Myanmar, and is a frequent speaker in regional seminars and events on various corporate and commercial and intellectual property topics.

Besides her experience in Myanmar, Yuwadee is a member of the Thai Bar Association and the Lawyers Council of Thailand, with significant experience appearing before Thailand’s trademark registrar, Board of Trademarks, and Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (IP&IT Court).

Experience

  • Assisted a regional packaging company in company formation in Myanmar, including conducting land legal due diligence, advising on the establishment of a factory, obtaining necessary approvals and licenses, and advising on labor and employment matters.
  • Advised a subsidiary of Thailand’s largest cement company in developing port facilities for private use in cement operations, including preparing agreements, structuring terms and conditions, and obtaining the Myanmar Port Authority’s approval for the deal.
  • Advised one of the world’s largest social network companies on Myanmar Wi-Fi and telecommunications laws and regulations as part of the client’s plans for the establishment of a subsidiary in the country.
  • Advised an international development organization on labor laws, employment agreements, office policy manual, tax, and banking and accounting reports for their company’s establishment in Myanmar.
  • Represented a leading providing of offshore ship and shipyard services in establishing a technical services and engineering company in Myanmar, including assisting with company formation, advising on environmental regulations and operational issues, and obtaining necessary permits.
  • Assisted a regional medical information services provider in setting up a medical information management and research company in Myanmar, including advising on laws and regulations for offering consulting and information services, market research and support services, and publicizing of medical information.
  • Protected the intellectual property rights of a famous drug company in regard to an osteoporosis drug product passed off by another pharmaceutical company. The Supreme Court ordered the cancellation of the infringing party’s mark.
  • Represented a top Italian fashion brand in a civil action against the Department of Intellectual Property at the IP&IT Court to appeal the Board of Trademarks’ refusal of our client’s trademark applications. The Court withdrew the Board’s decision and accepted our client’s trademarks for registration.
  • Acted on behalf of our client before the IP&IT Court and obtained a very favorable settlement just prior to the rendering of judgment in what has been widely regarded as the largest and most complex patent infringement case in Thai history. In this multijurisdictional case, our team not only secured a rare Anton Piller order to seize infringing goods, which enabled us to successfully prove infringement, but also formulated extensive strategies for protecting the validity of our client’s patent.
  • Represented a multinational pharmaceutical company in patent infringement litigation against a local generic company.  Managed a major pharmaceutical-related patent during a trial on patent infringement.
ABOUT Yuwadee

Industries

Automotive

Practices

Corporate/M&A

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Intellectual Property

Locations

Languages

    Thai

    English

Education

    MA, Chulalongkorn University

    LLB, Thammasat University

Insights

July 21, 2026
On July 6, 2026, Myanmar’s Ministry of Finance and Revenue introduced revised procedures governing the importation and exportation of goods and vehicles, replacing the framework that had been in place since 2017. The revised procedures were introduced in Notification No. 115/2026, which establishes updated compliance requirements and penalties for importers and exporters, covering licensing, declarations, product specifications, prior arrival of goods, and imports or exports made without the required licenses or permits. Scope Unlike its predecessor (Notification No. 6/2017), which focused primarily on import-related noncompliance, the new notification regulates both import and export activities and introduces a separate penalty schedule for export violations. Exporters are now required to ensure that their exports comply with the approvals stated in export licenses and permits, match the information declared in export declarations, and are supported by the required licenses, permits, and accompanying documents. Import Compliance and Penalties The new notification imposes several compliance requirements on importers. Importers must ensure that the country of origin, branding, labeling, and other product information are consistent with the relevant import license or permit, import declaration, and the imported goods. For vehicles and machinery, the model year must match the year approved by the Ministry of Commerce. Importers must also ensure that goods are not imported before the issuance or after the expiry of the import license or permit, and that the imported quantity does not exceed the approved amount. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in regulatory action. As for the notification’s revised penalties for noncompliance with import licensing requirements, imports made without the required import license, permit, or import declaration may be subject to fines ranging from one to three times the assessable value (AV) of the goods, depending on the category of goods involved. Certain vehicles and machinery, as well as specific
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March 23, 2026
In March 2026, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) introduced two regulatory updates affecting investors planning new investments or implementing MIC-approved projects. Minimum Investment Conditions for Tax Incentives MIC Notification No. 1/202 clarifies the minimum conditions for investments in promoted sectors to qualify for tax exemptions or relief under the Myanmar Investment Law. The notification establishes the following requirements: Investors must contribute at least 35% of the total investment amount in cash, as reflected in the relevant proposal or endorsement application. Where an investment involves a foreign loan, the investor must obtain approval from the Central Bank of Myanmar, together with a loan repayment schedule, and provide evidence that both the foreign loan proceeds and the capital contribution have been remitted in cash through an authorized dealer bank. Chinese Yuan Accepted for Investment Capital The MIC also issued Investment News Bulletin No. 1/2026, confirming that Chinese yuan (CNY) is now accepted as foreign investment capital for applications for MIC permits and endorsements, in addition to US dollars (USD). Investment funds contributed in CNY may be remitted through banks authorized to deal in foreign currency in CNY, following the same process currently applied to investments made in USD. These developments may affect how foreign investment capital is structured and remitted, as well as the availability of tax incentives for investments under the MIC framework.
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February 25, 2026
On February 18, 2026, Myanmar’s Ministry of Health issued Order No. 8/2026 announcing the prohibition of electronic smoking devices and related products under the Essential Supplies and Services Law 2012, thus outlawing their use, storage, and trade. The ban covers e‑cigarettes, heated tobacco products, electronic shisha, and all related components and accessories, including devices, parts, batteries, chargers, and flavored liquids (regardless of nicotine content). Prohibited activities include importing, exporting, selling, distributing, possessing, storing, transporting, and using these products, with immediate effect. Regulatory Compliance Businesses and individuals should promptly review their inventories, operations, and commercial arrangements to ensure compliance. Affected products should be withdrawn from the market, and relevant licensing, registration, and reporting obligations should be reviewed. Companies are also advised to update internal compliance procedures and coordinate with relevant authorities as necessary.
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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

June 11, 2026
A total of 11 Tilleke & Gibbins intellectual property practitioners have been recognized in World Trademark Review‘s WTR Global Leaders 2026, an exclusive ranking of the world’s top trademark professionals. This marks an increase from eight practitioners in 2025 and highlights the strength and depth of the firm’s IP team across Southeast Asia. The firm’s recognized practitioners are: Cambodia David Mol Sokmean Chea Indonesia Wongrat Ratanaprayul (New ranking) Myanmar Yuwadee Thean-ngarm Thailand Alan Adcock Darani Vachanavuttivong Somboon Earterasarun Suebsiri Taweepon (New ranking) Nuttaphol Arammuang (New ranking) Vietnam Linh Thi Mai Nguyen Loc Xuan Le WTR Global Leaders draws on research from the WTR 1000 and WTR 300 to identify the very best trademark practitioners worldwide, bringing together a select group of professionals recognized for their expertise, insight, and contributions to the field. The full list of ranked individuals in the private practice category can be viewed here.
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May 14, 2026
Asian Legal Business (ALB) has published the ALB Asia IP Rankings 2026, the latest edition of its annual guide recognizing leading intellectual property firms across the region. Continuing the approach introduced last year, the rankings present a unified table in each jurisdiction, combining patent and trademark/copyright work to provide a more holistic view of the IP market. Tilleke & Gibbins has retained strong rankings in all three jurisdictions covered by the survey: Thailand: Tier 1 Vietnam: Tier 1 Indonesia: Tier 2 The rankings are based on work conducted between February 2025 and February 2026, covering both ongoing and completed contentious and noncontentious matters. ALB’s research draws on firm submissions, client feedback, editorial resources, and market input to identify the region’s leading IP practices. Tilleke & Gibbins’ IP team has maintained a strong track record across all ranked jurisdictions since the inception of the ALB IP Rankings in 2018. To view the full rankings, please see the May 2026 issue of ALB.
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May 11, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has continued to show excellent performance in the recently released Benchmark Litigation 2026 rankings for dispute resolution firms in the Asia-Pacific region. The rankings include two jurisdictions where Tilleke & Gibbins is active: Thailand and Vietnam. Firm Rankings A full summary of the firm’s rankings is provided below: Thailand Commercial & Transactions – Tier 1 Government & Regulatory – Tier 1 Labor & Employment – Tier 1 Intellectual Property – Tier 1 Trade & Customs – Tier 2 Vietnam Commercial & Transactions (Foreign Firms) – Tier 1 Intellectual Property (Foreign Firms) – Tier 1 Labor & Employment (International Firms) – Highly Recommended (top tier awarded in this category) White Collar Crime – Recommended (top tier awarded in this category) Energy & Construction (Foreign Firms) – Tier 2 International Arbitration – Tier 2 Individual Rankings The 2026 edition also recognizes 12 Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers in Thailand—more than any other firm in the jurisdiction—and four in Vietnam. Thailand Alongkorn Tongmee – Trade & Customs Chitchai Punsan – Commercial & Transactions Chusert Supasitthumrong – Labor & Employment John Frangos – Commercial & Transactions Noppramart Thammateeradaycho – Shipping Nuttaphol Arammuang – Intellectual Property Piyawat Vitooraporn – Commercial & Transactions Pongpalin Chantrapirom – Commercial & Transactions Suebsiri Taweepon – Intellectual Property Suruswadee Jaimsuwan – Commercial & Transactions Thawat Damsa-ard – Commercial & Transactions Tiziana Sucharitkul – Commercial & Transactions, Government & Regulatory Vietnam Duc Anh Tran – Commercial & Transactions Linh Duy Mai – Intellectual Property Loc Xuan Le – Intellectual Property Tu Anh Tran – Commercial & Transactions Benchmark Litigation’s annual research is based on interviews with dispute resolution specialists and clients, as well as analysis of recent casework and market developments. To view the full results, please visit the Benchmark Litigation websites for Thailand and Vietnam.
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