LLM, Boston University
MCL, University of Miami
LLB, Thammasat University
+66 2056 5995 
In his multifaceted practice, Santhapat Periera helps clients—whether they are private, quasi-governmental, or governmental financial institutions, international or domestic businesses, or individual investors—capitalize on business opportunities in Asia. He specializes in structuring loan and financial transactions, establishing banks and other financial institutions, negotiating financing for trade and development projects, debt restructuring and business reorganization, mergers and acquisitions, energy and natural resources, and advising on the regulatory aspects of banking, financing, and investment in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Based on his legal expertise and client service, Santhapat is ranked as a leading lawyer by Asialaw Profiles and IFLR 1000.
With more than 30 years’ experience practicing law in emerging jurisdictions, 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.
- Acted as legal advisor to Chuwit Farm (2019) Public Company Limited (BKK:CFARM) on all legal aspects of its IPO and listing on Thailand’s Market for Alternative Investment, with its first day of trading commencing on June 6, 2024.
- Obtained BOI investment promotion for a leading biotechnology company.
- Assisted an aerospace and defense company to acquire a minority shareholding interest in three Thai companies engaged in high-tech products and related services. (Deal value: THB 205,000,000.)
- Provided advice related to cross-border electronic payment transactions to a credit card settlement company.
- Selected from several candidate law firms to assist a reputable Thai manufacturer in the IPO process, including preparation, conversion to public company, SEC filing, and SET listing. Several years after the IPO, the company has greatly prospered such that the owner has become one of the ten richest persons in Thailand. We are proud to continue representing this client.
- Facilitated client growth and increased capital for business operations by converting the client’s business from a private to a public company and listing its securities on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) stock exchange.
- Assisted a leading international bank on amendment agreements to a Term and Revolving Facilities Agreement and an Intercreditor Agreement with a large power cables supplier and manufacturer.
- Assisted a leading manufacturer of biodegradable tableware in several agreements surrounding an investment by a Thai asset management company. This included a Memorandum of Understanding, a Convertible Debenture Subscription Agreement, a Share Purchase Agreement, a Shareholders Agreement, and the Terms and Conditions of the Convertible Debentures Agreement. The aggregate value of the funding was THB 450 million.
- Represented a private equity fund controlled by a subsidiary of one of Asia’s largest banking and finance groups. A Share Subscription and Investment Agreement, an Undertaking Agreement, and a Disclosure Letter were prepared for investment into a major rubber company in Thailand.
- Acted for a large specialty finance company and a privately owned hedge fund sponsor as First and Second Lien Lenders respectively, in a Financing Agreement and a Loan Agreement involving other group companies and their Thai subsidiaries.
- 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).