Santhapat Periera
Partner, Corporate & Commercial
- Thailand
- Tilleke & Gibbins
- T +66 2056 5995
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Key Practices
Qualifications
- LLM, Boston University
- MCL, University of Miami
- LLB, Thammasat University
In his multifaceted practice, Santhapat Periera helps clients—including private, quasi-governmental, and governmental financial institutions; international and domestic businesses; and individual investors—capitalize on business opportunities in Asia. He specialises in structuring loan and financial transactions, establishing banks and other financial institutions, negotiating financing for trade and development projects, debt restructuring and business reorganisation, mergers and acquisitions, energy and natural resources, and advising on the regulatory aspects of banking, financing, and investment in Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and the Southeast Asia region.
With decades of experience practicing law in Thailand and other emerging jurisdictions in Southeast Asia, Santhapat’s practice is grounded in Asia but inspired by his international education and professional experience. He received a global legal education from Thammasat University, the University of Miami, Boston University, and Harvard Law School. In addition to being a licensed attorney in Thailand, Santhapat holds a license to practice in Vietnam in the areas of foreign and international laws. Santhapat represents Tilleke & Gibbins in the worldwide legal organizations of Lex Mundi and the International Bar Association.
A firm believer that, “foreign investors anywhere would prefer to have stable and predictable government policy,” Santhapat has served as an advisor to several committees and subcommittees of the Thai Parliament. Santhapat advocates for increased investment in Thailand as the firm’s representative to various chambers of commerce, including The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand.
- Represented a leading European security and defense company before and after a joint venture and acquisition of 40 percent shares in Thailand’s leading supplier of high-tech telecommunication products in a deal worth THB 200 million.
- Represented a major carbon black producer in Japan, also a shareholder in a related Thai based company, in their interest to acquire a controlling position in the Thai entity.
- Represented a multinational supplier to the petroleum industry in the establishment of their Thailand operations. In establishing their base of operations in Southeast Asia, we developed a flexible approach to provide for continued growth of the business in the region, and to minimize tax exposure for the company.
- Advised a global supplier in the heavy industries sector on various matters relating to the supply and installation of a production platform, bridges, and a flare tower in development of a petroleum concession, with a focus on tax matters (total contract price was approximately USD 1 billion).
- Represented a private equity fund controlled by a subsidiary of one of Asia’s largest banking and finance groups in facilitating their investment into a major rubber company in Thailand.
- Assisted a leading manufacturer of biodegradable tableware in several agreements surrounding an investment by a Thai asset management company worth a total of THB 450 million.
IFLR 1000
Banking and Finance 2024 – Highly Regarded for 7 consecutive years
M&A 2024 – Highly Regarded for 7 consecutive years
Asialaw Leading Lawyers
Banking and Finance 2024 – Notable Practitioner for 6 consecutive years
Corporate and M&A 2024 – Notable Practitioner for 6 consecutive years