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Suparerk Auychai

Partner

Suparerk is Managing Partner of Thailand. He specialises in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, corporate finance and securities-related law as well as privatisations, and company and general commercial law. 

He has substantial experience advising on numerous high-profile M&A and capital market transactions in a wide range of industry sectors, including banking and financial services, insurance, energy, power, real estate, F&B, consumer goods, retail, healthcare and telecoms.

Suparerk has built a wealth of experience during his more than 25 years of experience in advising clients on foreign investment in Thailand. He also regularly advises on regulatory and licensing requirements, the formation of joint ventures and strategic alliances, and the negotiating of commercial contracts and agreements.

Experience

Representative matters

MUFG Bank, Ltd. on its groundbreaking voluntary tender offer for Bank of Ayudhya. This was the largest ever acquisition by a Japanese bank in Asia, with a deal value in excess of USD6bn. This cross-jurisdictional deal saw MUFG become the first Japanese banking group to control a major Southeast Asian bank. Also advised on all contractual and regulatory aspects, as well as on post-integration matters.

Telenor Asia, part of the Norwegian majority state-owned multinational telecoms company Telenor Group, together with Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (dtac), on the amalgamation of the telecoms operations of dtac and True Corporation Public Company Limited in Thailand. The transaction is the largest telecommunications merger in Southeast Asia to-date, with the new company having a combined enterprise value of USD20.7bn, and serving an estimated 55m mobile customers, 5m broadband connections, as well as 3.2m pay-TV subscribers.

Tesco plc on the USD10.6bn sale of its entire interest in its business in Thailand to C.P. Retail Development, a company held by various CP Group entities, which includes a portfolio of nearly 2,000 stores nationwide in Thailand. Awarded 'M&A Deal of the Year: South & Southeast Asia' at the Asia Legal Awards 2021; 'M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)' at the ALB Southeast Asia Law Awards 2021; 'Impact Deal/Case of the Year' at the Asialaw Awards 2021; and 'Best M&A Deal – Thailand' at The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2021.

Starbucks Corporation on the USD650m sale of its Thailand retail business to, and entry into franchising licensing arrangements with, Coffee Concepts Thailand Co., Ltd. (a JV between Maxim’s Caterers Ltd. and Thai partner F&N Retail Connection Co., Ltd.) This transaction included assisting the Starbucks team to diligence over 400 past, current and potential future leasing arrangements as well as managing advice and investigations into key business and operational food selling and storage licences, as well as customs and import issues around Starbucks’ foreign sourced products. 

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Thai Bar and Associate

Awards

  • Ranked as a 'Band 1' individual for Capital Markets and Corporate/M&A in Thailand, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2024
  • Ranked in the 'Hall of Fame' for Corporate/M&A in Thailand, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, 2024
  • Suparerk is probably one of the best lawyers in Thailand and attuned to the needs of international clients, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2024
  • Suparerk maintains his reputation as a top corporate lawyer in Bangkok. He is regularly instructed on Thailand’s biggest M&A deals for international and local clients…, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2023
  • Suparerk continues to attract strong recognition, with commentators describing him as "a well-regarded and respected lawyer who is very senior." He is regularly instructed on Thailand's biggest M&A deals for international and local clients, including in the retail, TMT and energy sectors, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2022
  • Suparerk continues to attract strong recognition, with commentators describing him as "a well-regarded and respected lawyer who is very senior." He is regularly instructed on Thailand's biggest M&A deals for international and local clients, including in the retail, TMT and energy sectors, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2022 

Qualifications

Admissions

Thailand, 1992

Academic

LLB (Hons), Chulalongkorn University, 1990

LLM, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1993

LLM, International Legal Studies, New York University School Of Law, 1994

Languages

English, Thai
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.