2 October 2025 • 4 minute read
Asia In-house Counsel Conference 2025
2 OCTOBER 2025, 13:30 - 20:00
Location
Gaysorn Urban Resort
127 Gaysorn Tower, 19th-20th Floor, Ratchaprasong Road,
Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Created exclusively for In-house Counsel in Bangkok, we will be sharing our insights, exploring emerging trends and discussing the latest challenges facing In-house Counsel.
The conference will be comprised of a variety of interactive panel sessions featuring expert speakers who will provide practical tips, knowledge, and guidance to help you navigate an increasingly challenging regulatory environment. Under the theme “Empowering Legal Excellence: Strategies for Success in Southeast Asia”, our discussions will cover topical business trends such as employment regulations, regulatory risks, and financial distress management, as well as wellness strategies for top leaders. The conference will conclude with an engaging fireside chat featuring a highly respected General Counsel.
For more information, please contact Emily Weir.
Agenda
13:30 – Registration
13:55 - 14:00 – Opening remarks
14:00 - 14:45 – Mind the Gap: Navigating Employment Laws Across Southeast Asia
This panel session will delve into the complexities of employment regulations across Southeast Asia. The discussion will guide attendees through the unique challenges faced by businesses operating in this diverse region, highlighting key differences in employment laws and compliance requirements.
Key Discussion Points:
- Compliance Strategies: Explore effective strategies for navigating and complying with diverse employment regulations, ensuring legal and operational efficiency.
- Case Studies: Review real-world examples of businesses successfully adapting to local employment laws, providing practical insights and lessons learned.
- Future Trends: Discuss emerging trends in employment regulations and their potential impact on businesses in Southeast Asia.
Moderator: Komson Suntheeraporn, Partner, DLA Piper
Speakers: Chutchai Pongsuwan, Executive Director, Head of HR, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Nathwarut Temprom, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, AXA Insurance PCL. (Thailand)
Rattana Theekhasathian, Senior Human Resources Manager, Retail and Fashion Business
14:45 - 15:30 – Rules, Risks, and Realities: Staying Ahead in Southeast Asia
This session will provide in-house counsel with a strategic overview of the evolving regulatory landscape across Southeast Asia. The discussion will explore the region’s diverse legal frameworks and offer practical guidance on identifying, assessing, and mitigating regulatory risks in cross-border operations.
Key Discussion Points:
- Regional Regulatory Trends: Understand the key regulatory developments shaping business operations in Southeast Asia.
- Risk Management Strategies: Learn how to proactively manage compliance risks through effective internal controls and governance frameworks.
- Cross-Border Challenges: Navigate the complexities of operating across multiple jurisdictions with varying regulatory expectations.
- Case Insights: Gain practical takeaways from real-world examples of regulatory risk management in the region.
Moderator: Akyn Suttawatanadech, Of Counsel, DLA Piper
Speakers: Derek Heng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MMC Thailand
Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific, SITA
15:30 - 15:45 – Coffee Break
15:45 - 16:00 – AI and Tech Unplugged - Regional Trends You Need to Know
Join us for a fast-paced spotlight session exploring the latest AI and digital trends shaping Thailand and the wider Asia region. We’ll unpack how these technologies are driving efficiency, cost savings and innovation across all sectors – and what this means for in-house legal teams.
From the opportunities AI brings to the wider business landscape through to the challenges of managing change, this session will highlight how legal functions can play a pivotal role in helping organisations navigate transformation.
Speaker: Lauren Hurcombe, Partner and Global Co-Chair of Technology and Sourcing Group, DLA Piper
16:00 - 16:45 – From Strain to Strategy: Navigating Defaults with Legal Foresight
This session will focus on the critical role of in-house counsel in managing financial distress, both before and after a default event. Attendees will learn to identify early warning signs of financial trouble, explore restructuring options, and understand the legal tools available to mitigate risk and protect business interests.
Moderator: Waranon Vanichprapa, Country Managing Partner, Thailand, DLA Piper
Speakers: Pajaree Thongvanit, Head of Legal and Compliance, CIMB Thai Bank PCL
Matt Crane - Partner, Deal Advisory – Turnaround & Restructuring, KPMG, Thailand
16:45 - 17:30 – Beyond the Boardroom: Thriving in Law and Life
Discover the daily routines, mental frameworks, and wellness strategies that keep top leaders energised and resilient.
Moderator: Samata Masagee, Partner, DLA Piper
Speaker: Piny Ly, Purpose and Mindset Coach and Business Consultant
17:30 - 20:00 – Networking drinks
DLA Piper Speakers
Speakers
Piny Ly
Piny Ly is an Executive Coach based in Bangkok. She helps senior leaders and lawyers navigate career transitions as well as improve their executive presence, leadership and self-confidence. She was a Corporate M&A lawyer for 15 years in Australia and Hong Kong in international law firms and in-house before transitioning to coaching. Her last role was in Hong Kong as a Senior Leadership Team member and Head of Legal for Australia’s largest retail bank.
Pajaree Thongvanit
Currently, Ms. Pajaree is Head of Legal and Compliance, CIMB Thai Bank PCL. She joined CIMB Thai Bank PCL. in 2016 as Senior Vice President, Legal until 2018. Prior to this, she served Clifford Chance (Thailand) Limited as Senior Associate from 2007 to 2009; and Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) PCL. as Vice President of Wholesale Banking Legal, Senior Vice President of Wholesale Banking Legal, and Senior Vice President, Head of Legal, Wholesale Banking Legal, respectively from 2009 until 2016.
Matt Crane
Matt is a partner in KPMG Thailand supporting clients to understand and address complex challenges across strategy, operations and cash flow management in deals, separation and integration, distressed and restructuring situations. Matt leads the Turnaround and Restructuring practice in Thailand and is focused on identifying and creating value to clients in distressed, pre-deal and post-deal situations with extensive experience working with debtors and creditors in Thailand and previously in the UK.
Chutchai Pongsuwan
Over 25 years of experience in all areas of human resource and 15 years up in senior level of human resource from several industrial and business such as Securities business, Telecommunication, Logistic, Retails business, Asset Management, Hospitalities, Banking & Finance.
Nathwarut Temprom
Nathwarut Temprom is a seasoned legal executive with deep expertise in corporate and commercial law, insurance regulations (both life insurance and non-life insurance), construction law, personal data protection and cyber law. With leadership roles across top-tier insurers including AXA, Thai Life, Generali, and SCBLIFE, he brings over 20 years of strategic legal insight to the industry. Nathwarut holds LL.M. degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Iowa. Nathwarut was named among Thailand’s top General Counsels (Legal Heads) in Legal500’s GC Powerlist 2025.
Derek Heng
Derek is the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MMC Thailand. He has overall responsibility for the company’s performance and service delivery for all major clients serviced by the firm. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Derek acted as the General Manager of Marsh Thailand since Apr 2020. As General Manager, he oversaw Business Development, Placement, Insurer Consulting and Asia Client Services functions for the country and executing key strategic objectives set out locally and regionally.
Sumesh Patel
He is responsible for developing and driving the strategic direction of SITA in the Asia Pacific region. A recognized global leader in the air transport industry, Sumesh brings decades of experience working with airports, airlines, and governments around the world. With a strong focus on leveraging AI and emerging technologies, he plays a key role in helping airlines and airports enhance customer experience and drive operational efficiency. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding digital transformation across the region, aligning innovative IT solutions with the evolving needs of the air transport sector.
Rattana Theekhasathian
Seasoned HR Leader with extensive experience in retail business. Expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, HRIS, and HR policy development, driving impactful HR strategies aligned with business objectives.