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Chomanut Arif

Associate

Biography

Chomanut Arif is an associate in the corporate and commercial department of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok office. A well-rounded attorney with extensive experience across a broad range of industries, Chomanut advises local and multinational clients on critical legal compliance matters in Thailand, including matters related to labor and employment, work permits, and visas. She also has extensive experience reviewing, drafting, and advising on transactional agreements and general business contracts such as employment agreements, service agreements, and lease agreements.

Before joining the firm, Chomanut worked in the Bangkok office of an international law firm, where she specialized in corporate, commercial, and labor and employment matters. Chomanut holds an LLM from University College London and an LLB from Chulalongkorn University. Chomanut is a member of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and is fluent in English and Thai.

Experience

  • Advised various employers in Thailand on work safety regulations and other workplace-related issues, and assisted in reviewing employment documentation, including work rules and employee handbooks.
  • Conducted legal due diligence and risk assessments regarding legal compliance with employment and work safety laws and regulations in Thailand as part of various companies’ proposed M&A transactions.
  • Walked multinational and domestic businesses through the process of terminating employment of personnel, including planning and advising on options, steps, procedures, risks, and strategies for the cessation of employment, as well as preparing all relevant documents.
  • Assisted clients in drafting, reviewing, and amending a wide range of commercial contracts, including employment agreements, employment transfer agreements, service agreements, nondisclosure agreements, mutual separation agreements, noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, and termination notices.
  • Conducted audits for various multinational companies on compliance issues under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of the United States.
ABOUT Chomanut

Industries

Consumer Products

Life Sciences

Practices

Banking and Finance

Compliance and Investigations

Corporate/M&A

Employment

Location

Languages

    Thai

    English

Education

    LLM, University College London

    LLB, Chulalongkorn University

Insights

August 2, 2024
On July 17, 2024, Thailand issued the Ministerial Regulation under the Revenue Code regarding Revenue Tax No. 394 (B.E. 2567) to increase the personal income tax exemption amount on severance pay for terminated employees. Under this ministerial regulation, terminated employees are exempt from personal income tax on their severance pay up to a severance pay amount equivalent to their last 400 days’ wages, capped at THB 600,000. This tax exemption does not apply to severance pay relating to retirement or the expiration of a fixed-term employment agreement. Previously, this exemption, which has been in effect since 1998, only applied to an amount equivalent to their last 300 days’ wages, capped at THB 300,000. This aligned with the maximum severance pay rate specified in the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (LPA). However, when the LPA was amended in 2019, the maximum severance pay rate was increased from a rate equal to employees’ last 300 days’ wages for those who have worked for 10 years or more, to a rate equal to employees’ last 400 days’ wages for those who have worked for 20 years or more. The recent ministerial regulation was enacted accordingly to align with the updated severance pay rate and account for Thailand’s rising inflation rate. The new exemption rate applies to assessable income received from January 1, 2023, onward. For any excess severance pay withheld in 2023 and filed in 2024, individuals may request a tax refund from the Revenue Department, according to Revenue Department clarification. This should be done according to the applicable procedure within three years of the income tax return filing deadline. For more information on severance pay exemptions, or any aspect of employment law in Thailand, please contact Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut at [email protected], Ketnut Pukahuta at [email protected], Dusita Khanijou at [email protected], or Chomanut
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April 12, 2024
On April 10, 2024, new minimum wage rates for workers in certain hotels in Thailand were published in the Government Gazette, taking effect on April 13, 2024. Under the Notification of the National Wage Committee on Minimum Wage Rate for the Hotel Industry, the new minimum wage rate is THB 400 per day, applicable to employees working in four-star (and above) hotels that have at least 50 employees and are located in the following specific areas: Bangkok: Pathumwan and Wattana districts Krabi: Ao Nang Subdistrict Administrative Organization areas Chon Buri: Pattaya city Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai municipality Prachuap Khiri Khan: Hua Hin municipality Phang-nga: Khukkhak sub-district municipality Phuket: Whole province Rayong: Phe subdistrict Songkhla: Hat Yai municipality Surat Thani: Koh Samui municipality Rationale The increase in the minimum wage is to drive and stimulate the economy in Thailand’s tourism industry, which is critical to the overall economy of the country. The ten areas identified above are those that earn a significant portion of their revenue from tourism. The decision underwent a public hearing process involving stakeholders. Although there were objections from some hotels claiming they were not yet ready to bear the increased costs, the law was enacted, taking effect on April 13, 2024. For more information on Thailand’s minimum wage regulations, or on any aspect of employment law in Thailand, please contact Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut at [email protected], Ketnut Pukahuta at [email protected], Dusita Khanijou at [email protected], or Chomanut Arif at [email protected].
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December 15, 2023
Employment law specialists from Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Bangkok provided the Thailand chapter to the Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce from International Employment Lawyer. This global guide, which covers 45 jurisdictions worldwide, examines the issue of workplace restructurings, particularly in relation to the needs of multinational companies. The Thailand chapter was written by partners Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut and Chusert Supasitthumrong along with associates Chomanut Arif, Dusita Khanijou, and Ketnut Pukahuta. The Q&A-style chapter focuses on key areas related to workplace restructuring, covering each of the following topics in detail: Reduction in workforce; Restructuring or reorganization of the business; Changing terms and conditions; and Areas to watch. A PDF of the Thailand chapter can be downloaded through the button below. Tilleke & Gibbins also provided the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam chapters to the Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce 2024. To browse the full guide for all 45 jurisdictions, please visit the International Employment Lawyer website.
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December 15, 2023
As part of its membership in Lex Mundi, Tilleke & Gibbins has published an updated edition of its Guide to Doing Business in Thailand for 2023. This guide outlines the key factors for starting and operating a business in the Thai market. Issues covered include: Investment incentives Financial facilities Exchange controls Import and export regulations Structures for doing business Requirements for the Establishment of a Business Operation of the Business Cessation or Termination of the Business Labor legislation, relations, and supply Tax Immigration requirements This publication is part of Lex Mundi’s Country Guides series prepared by member firms in more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide. The guides serve as a useful resource for planning international business strategy and researching new markets. The full Guide to Doing Business in Thailand is available through the button below.
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Awards & Rankings

September 30, 2024
Tilleke & Gibbins has once again been recognized in the 2024 Asian Legal Business M&A rankings, retaining its Tier 2 position for both Thailand and Vietnam. This marks the 11th consecutive year that the firm has been acknowledged in the publication, reflecting its sustained strength in the M&A market across the region. The magazine’s M&A rankings evaluate firms based on several key metrics, including the volume, complexity, and size of transactions handled, as well as the firm’s presence across Asia. The rankings also take into account key personnel hires and the overall growth of each practice group. The evaluation period for the 2024 edition spanned from August 2023 to July 2024. Tilleke & Gibbins’ representation in the Thailand and Vietnam rankings reflects the firm’s reputation for consistently strong support of corporate transactions across Southeast Asia. Asian Legal Business, owned by Thomson Reuters, is a leading source of information for legal professionals active in the region. To learn more about the M&A rankings, and to browse the full rankings, please see the Asian Legal Business website.
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September 13, 2024
The 2024 edition of the IFLR1000 Asia-Pacific rankings, released by International Financial Law Review (IFLR), highlights Tilleke & Gibbins’ continued excellence in financial and corporate transactional work. The firm has retained its strong rankings across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas, reaffirming its position as a leading firm in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, Tilleke & Gibbins received firmwide rankings in key jurisdictions, including: Thailand Banking & Finance – Tier 3 Capital Markets: Debt – Tier 3 Capital Markets: Equity – Tier 3 M&A – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Restructuring & Insolvency – Tier 3 Vietnam Banking & Finance – Other Notable M&A – Tier 3 Project Development – Tier 3 Cambodia Financial & Corporate – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Laos Financial & Corporate – Tier 2 In addition to these firmwide rankings, Tilleke & Gibbins had several standout individual recognitions, with 10 lawyers honored in the 2024 individual rankings, including new entries for John Frangos, Niti Muangkote, Santhapat Periera, and Tram Ngoc Bich Nguyen. The full list is as follows: Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – Highly Regarded, M&A, Thailand Charuwan Charoonchitsathian – Rising Star, M&A, Thailand David Mol – Rising Star, Corporate and M&A, Cambodia Jay Cohen – Highly Regarded, Banking, Cambodia John Frangos – Notable Practitioner, Restructuring & Insolvency, Thailand (new ranking) Niti Muangkote – Rising Star, Financial & Corporate, Laos; Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance, Thailand (new ranking) Saithong Rattana – Notable Practitioner, Project Development and M&A, Laos Santhapat Periera – Highly Regarded, Banking, M&A, Laos; Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance, Thailand (new ranking) Supasit Boonsanong – Highly Regarded, Project Development, Thailand Tram Ngoc Bich Nguyen – Highly Regarded, M&A, Vietnam (new ranking) To see the full set of IFLR1000 rankings for Tilleke & Gibbins’ jurisdictions, please see the Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and
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September 12, 2024
Tilleke & Gibbins has once again secured impressive rankings in the recently released Asialaw 2024 rankings. The firm has maintained its position as a top legal service provider across multiple jurisdictions, earning a total of 39 rankings in practice and industry groups, 19 of which are in the highest tiers. The firm’s performance continues to reflect its exceptional client service and legal expertise across Southeast Asia. Tilleke & Gibbins is recognized in all available categories for Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, demonstrating the firm’s strong presence across the region. In the individual rankings, 22 of the firm’s practitioners have been recognized, including three notable promotions and three new entries: Charunun Sathitsuksomboon (Thailand), newly ranked as a Notable Practitioner for Corporate and M&A. Linh Thi Mai Nguyen (Vietnam), promoted to Distinguished Practitioner for Intellectual Property. Loc Xuan Le (Vietnam), promoted to Elite Practitioner for Intellectual Property. Niti Muangkote (Laos), a new entry as a Rising Star for Banking and Finance. Prisna Sungwanna (Laos), newly ranked as a Distinguished Practitioner for Corporate and M&A and Banking & Finance. Suebsiri Taweepon (Thailand), promoted to Distinguished Practitioner for Intellectual Property and Technology and Telecommunications. Client feedback remains a key component of the Asialaw rankings, with Tilleke & Gibbins earning high praise for its responsiveness and commercial awareness. The firm’s sector-specific knowledge also continues to stand out, with clients expressing their appreciation of the firm’s understanding of their businesses’ operational contexts. For more details and to browse the full rankings, please visit the Asialaw website.
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July 19, 2024
Tilleke & Gibbins has been shortlisted for six awards at the Asialaw Awards 2024. The nominations highlight the firm’s outstanding performance and leadership in Southeast Asia’s legal landscape. The firm has received the following nominations: Regional Corporate/M&A Firm of the Year Cambodia Firm of the Year Laos Firm of the Year Thailand Firm of the Year In addition to the firm nominations, two individuals from Tilleke & Gibbins have been recognized for their exceptional contributions: Prisna Sungwanna – Laos Female Lawyer of the Year Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – Thailand Female Lawyer of the Year The Asialaw Awards celebrate the leading law firms and legal professionals across the region, recognizing excellence in practice and service. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 26. For more information on the Asialaw Awards 2024 and to browse a full list of the winners, please visit the Asialaw website.
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