The Thai Corporate Counsel Association (Thai-CCA), together with Gibson Dunn Singapore and Matson Driscoll & Damico (MDD) Thailand Forensic Accountants, hosted a panel discussion on intricate issues surrounding post-acquisition disputes at the Victor Club on 9 November. The event focused on the challenges from both legal and economic valuation perspectives.
The Asia-Pacific region remains a significant epicentre for M&A, but continually changing geopolitics, unpredictable market forces and escalating regulatory measures, especially within technology and ESG (environmental, social and governance) sectors have led to an anticipated surge in post-acquisition disputes.
The seminar attempted to predict potential areas of conflict and provide effective strategies for prevention and resolution of commercial and sovereign risks. It also shed light on damage assessment methods relevant to both traditional industries and the dynamic startup sector.
The discussion was initiated by Visitsak Arunsuratpakdee, legal director & head of litigation department at True Corporation, who set the stage with a welcoming address.
The attendees then benefitted from enlightening presentations by luminaries including Paul Tan, partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher; Viraen Vaswani, disputes attorney at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher; Jonathan Lai, disputes attorney at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher; Eddy Lee, regional managing director and head of disputes and litigation Asia at MDD Forensic Accountants; and Bhurima Tienwuttinun, director at MDD Thailand.
Emphasising the critical nature of risk mitigation, Thai-CCA co-president Sahachai Wibuloutai concluded the session by discussing the importance of warranties and indemnity insurance as a safeguard in M&A transactions. He also suggested exploring further knowledge-sharing collaborations with regional insurers, displaying an openness to continued learning and partnership within the industry.
Thai-CCA said the day ended on a pleasant note with a casual dinner at the picturesque Ojo Bangkok, where founding members were able to relax and engage in cordial discussions. The seminar served a critical purpose ‒ spreading knowledge, promoting dialogue and encouraging collaboration in tackling increasingly complex post-acquisition disputes.
