Surapol is a litigation and arbitration specialist with over 20 years' experience in Thai dispute resolution. He is locally and internationally respected as one of the country’s leading lawyers in this field.
Surapol worked with Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok before leaving to establish Siam Premier International Law Office, where he served as managing partner and head of litigation. He is now a partner in Herbert Smith's Bangkok office, where he handles commercial disputes in the Thai courts and in Thai arbitration, on behalf of well-known Thai and international clients. He also has a substantial practice advising in relation to complex and often high-profile criminal and regulatory investigations.
Surapol completed his LLB at Chulalongkorn University in 1980 and was admitted as Barrister-at-Law in 1981.
Recent cases include
- a Japanese retailer/franchisor in multi-million dollar ICC arbitration with its Thai partner concerning contract breaches and unpaid license and royalty fees
- several international construction joint ventures in a variety of claims and arbitrations arising out of major bridge, highway and other civil works in Thailand
- an international water company on contract interpretation and payment claims against a public body in Bangkok
- a US company seeking an injunction from the Thai court to prevent payment under a performance bond
- a Thai securities broker in multiple Thai court actions concerning illegal operation of nominee accounts
- a major investment bank enforcing a share pledge
- a major Thai public company in arbitration and court proceedings relating to the operation of an online lottery
- advising on disciplinary proceedings relating to securities and exchange regulations
- appointment as a Thai law expert in court proceedings in New York and in construction arbitration proceedings in Singapore
- a global investment bank, an international engineering company and other Thai and international clients facing tax, regulatory, criminal and corruption-related investigations by Thai authorities
Accolades
- Recognised individually as the leading dispute resolution lawyer in Thailand
PLC Which Lawyer? Handbook 2005
- “Leading lawyer” in the area of Thai litigation and arbitration
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2001-2, 2003-4, 2004-5, 2005-6, 2006-7
- “21 years of experience and sophisticated knowledge about the Thai legal system“
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2006-7