LLM, University of Nottingham
LLM, University of Queensland
LLB, Thammasat University
+66 2056 5657 
Charuwan Charoonchitsathian is a partner at Tilleke & Gibbins, specializing in energy and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT), as well as cross-border M&As and a broader range of corporate and commercial legal matters. A versatile and highly regarded lawyer, she is ranked as a leading M&A lawyer by IFLR 1000 (2024-), a leading TMT lawyer by Chambers Asia-Pacific (2023-), and among the top 15 TMT lawyers in Asia by Asian Legal Business (2022-2023).
In her energy practice, Charuwan advises domestic and multinational clients on the development, financing, and operation of conventional and renewable energy projects in Thailand and across Southeast Asia, including ground-mounted and rooftop solar, biogas, biomass, hydropower, waste-to-energy, and wind projects.
Charuwan also helps to lead the firm’s market-leading TMT regulatory and transactional practice, advising many of the world’s largest tech companies on telecommunications and related infrastructure (e.g., data centers, satellites, subsea cables), AI and robotics, fintech, media and entertainment (e.g., OTT services and film production), and software-as-a-service.
With nearly 20 years of experience in private practice in Thailand, Charuwan is recognized as a go-to lawyer for clients requiring seasoned and practical advice on complex cross-border transactions, conventional and renewable energy projects, and TMT product/service offerings.
Charuwan holds master’s degrees from prestigious universities in Australia and the UK, is a Thai-licensed lawyer, and is a barrister-at-law certified by the Thai Bar Association.
- Advised the fintech arm of one of Southeast Asia’s 10 unicorn companies on the client’s day-to-day business operations in Thailand assisted with the launch of various new products. Advice has included developing a comprehensive handbook on Thai regulations related to cybersecurity, digital marketing, Thailand’s new PDPA, loans and lending, e-payment systems, and various other topics, as well as advising on nano-finance, personal loans, sale and purchase, regulatory and license issues, and KYC and AML/CFT laws.
- Advised a global retail giant on regulatory queries and concerns regarding their store value credit systems (which is one of the largest e-wallet pools in Thailand), including consultations with the Bank of Thailand regarding structuring the client’s store value model, advice on requirements under payment systems laws in Thailand, and a number of proposed schemes relating to commercialization of its store value pool.
- Advised a multinational insurance company headquartered in the Netherlands on the launch and operation of its Insurtech products in Thailand.
- Advised numerous financial institutions, technology companies, telecommunication companies, and fintech companies on planning and adjusting their data protection policies and business strategies to ensure conformity and compliance with Thailand’s PDPA.
- Provided tax planning advice for the Singaporean entity of a leading information and communications technology company ahead of a proposed business collaboration with a subsidiary of one of Thailand’s largest mobile phone operators.
- Advised a major Thai bank on the local regulatory framework applicable to the proposed launch of an online lending platform through its mobile application.
- Engaged to assist the operator of a blockchain platform that provides loans to customers worldwide in applying for a pico-finance license from the Bank of Thailand.
- Retained to advise a world-leading tech company on the launch of new products in the Thai market. Advice has included regulatory requirements for a feature that allows users to purchase e-tokens to give to content creators who can then exchange the e-tokens for real money.
- Acting for an artificial intelligence and robotic technology startup company to advise on a full range of legal matters related to the development of new technologies, including advice on non-disclosure agreements, JV agreements, joint development agreements, IP licensing agreements, and tax issues for shareholder agreements.
- Retained by a major technology and telecommunications company to advise on a full range of matters in Thailand applicable to the provision of over-the-top (OTT) services. Advice has included regularly advise on OTT regulations, content restrictions, data privacy, licensing agreements, collaboration agreements, production agreements, and tax matters, among others.
- Assisted a Thai renewable energy company in connection with its investment in solar business in Myanmar.
- Assisted a client in obtaining all required project licenses, and structuring and executing all required agreements, for a 45 MW wind farm project valued at over THB 1 billion (USD 32 million).
- Assisted a Thai power plant with submission of its bidding proposal under the SPP Hybrid Firm Program for a 27 MW biomass power plant project.
- Advised a small power producer (SPP) gas-fired power plant project in Thailand on development of a gas turbine contractual service agreement.
- Assisted a SET-listed bank on conducting legal due diligence on two very small power producer (VSPP) solar power plants in Chantaburi province and Saraburi province in Thailand.
- Conducted legal due diligence on a 9.9 MW biomass project in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, for a commercial bank.
- Assisted a cogeneration power company with development of the long-term service agreement for a gas turbine generator for a small power producer (SPP) gas-fired power plant project in Thailand.
- Conducted legal due diligence for a major Thai bank, as the lender, on a small power producer (SPP) project for development of a 122.26 MW combined-cycle cogeneration power plant in Anthong province, Thailand.
- Advised a SET-listed electricity distribution company in connection with its proposed investment in a rooftop solar company.
- Advised a publicly listed Thai printing company in connection with its acquisition of the printing business of one of Thailand's largest media companies.