Chandler MHM provides extensive and in‐depth advice on Thai labor law issues. A dedicated team of qualified employment lawyers advise major Thai entities and foreign subsidiaries on a range of matters including labor law regulations, employment transfers, labor disputes, mediation and labor union issues.

Examples of our experience include advising on alleged fraud by employees, civil claims related to the dismissal of employment, collective bargaining agreements, employment issues arising from business restructurings and rehabilitations, employment transfers, human resource matters. 

With our history of engaging in a broad variety of general and complex labor matters, we are able to provide effective, practical, and innovative advice based on the latest developments and risks in labor law, other relevant law, and business practices. We also work seamlessly with lawyers from all our Practice Groups to provide a one-stop, full service solution for clients in connection with all types of business transactions and disputes.

Some Representative Transactions:

Labor and Employment Advice

• Two listed Thai state-owned telecommunications companies on contentious employment matters arising from amalgamation.
• A Japanese subsidiary in Thailand in relation to labor union matters and employment matters related to the transfer of business.
• Thai and foreign clients, both individuals and business entities, in court proceedings and in preparing legal documents relating to employment matters, for instance, employment agreements, termination letters, warning letters, mutual separation agreements and company’s work rules and regulations.
• A leading technology company from Germany on human resource matters, reviewing employment agreements and related human resource agreements.
• A Japanese subsidiary in Thailand in relation to labor union matters and employment matters related to the transfer of a business.
• Thai and foreign clients in the process of change of employment conditions and negotiation with employees including labor disputes resulting from unsettled demand.

Immigration

• Applications for visas and work permits for foreign workers.

Workplace Conflict Management

• A wholly owned subsidiary of a Japanese-based iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturer in relation to workplace fraud. The proceedings could lead to a major enforcement of anti-money laundering law.
• A leading logistics company - representing and acting for a leading logistics company in relation to negotiations with employees. The negotiations related to employee layoffs resulting from restructuring.
• A Thai commercial bank in the successful resolution of a dispute in relation to the termination of employment of a high-level employee.
• A major electronics manufacturer in relation to alleged fraud by ex-employees. It is alleged that ex-employees were involved in a “Kick Back” scheme. Advised on termination of the employee contracts and advised on the potential labor claims arising from the termination including claims for unfair dismissal.
• A worldwide manufacturer of rubber-made products in an unfair dismissal claim resulting from mutual separation of employment.
• An internal audit firm hired by our client in investigating possible wrongdoers (concerning alleged fraudulent transfer of money). Advised on the dismissal of employment from a Thai legal perspective. Acted as Thai counsel in successfully pursuing damages due to the breach of the employment agreement and wrongful conduct.
• Our client in relation to a claim for unfair and constructive dismissal brought by a former executive following a business restructuring.

Labor and Employment Litigation

• A battery manufacturer and distributor and its subsidiaries in relation to the dismissal of employment and alleged breach of a share acquisition agreement brought against our client by its former major shareholders and founders of the group company.
• A renowned international insurance group in litigation claims against its senior management and its financial staff in relation to systematic fraud in the criminal and civil courts.
• A major manufacturing company in relation to a claim for unfair and constructive dismissal brought by a former executive. This followed a business restructuring.
• An engineering service provider in the oil and gas industry (which provided engineering services to support crude oil and natural gas exploration and drilling) – in relation to compensation claims from former employees (following a reduction of manpower)
• An employee with support of one of the world’s largest interdealer brokers to defend against a labour claim on the allegation of breach of non-competition obligation.
• A company and its authorized director to defend a criminal case resulting from explanation of fraud as a reason for termination employment to the employee in a meeting.
• A global leader in building critical human infrastructure in energy, water, telecommunications and government services in an unfair dismissal claim for compensation and unpaid severance pay.
• A Thai public limited company (manufacturer) in relation to civil claims relating to the dismissal of employment and alleged breach of a share acquisition agreement.
• A Japanese company and its subsidiaries (Thai-based manufacturers listed under the Stock Exchange of Thailand) in respect to an approximately USD 5 million civil claim in relation to the dismissal of employment and the breach of share acquisition agreement.
• An international engineering service provider of oil and gas drilling and production operations in relation to an approximately USD 2.2 million labor claim concerning the retrenchment of manpower brought by its former engineers.
• A multinational manufacturing company in relation to a labor lawsuit in respect of alleged unfair and constructive dismissal brought against the company by a former executive.
• Employers in the Labor Court; employees in termination cases in the Labor Court; employers in negotiations with employees on labor cases; employers by reviewing/revising work rules and regulations; employees by advising on employment agreements, and both employers and employees on general labor law issues.
• An international oil and gas company on a high-value labor claim concerning unfair termination and breach of employment contract brought against it by its former expat employees.
• A Swedish vehicle manufacturing company on a civil claim concerning undue enrichment and on a criminal misappropriation claim against its former employee.
• Thai and foreign clients, both individuals and business entities, in court proceedings and in discussions with labor officials regarding labor and employment matters, such as, unfair termination, disputes regarding employee and employer privileges under employment agreements, and disciplinary action.
• Foreign clients in court proceedings related to labor and employment matters.
• A company to defend a labor case claimed by an outsourced employee for receiving the same rights and benefits as provided to the company’s direct employee.

Enquiries about Labor and Employment

Please contact us by E-mail.

Waree Shinsirikul

Ratthai Kamolwarin

Somporn Manodamrongtham