Prisna Sungwanna

Partner and Director, Laos

Qualifications

  • LLB, Ramkhamhaeng University

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 recognised 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 organisations looking to expand business operations in Southeast Asia.

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 paediatric hospital facilities in southern Thailand. Beyond her legal practice, Prisna also regularly publishes insights and updates on legal developments in Laos and Thailand.

  • 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 specialised 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.