Singapore law firm PDLegal has announced the launch of an office in Bangkok, its first overseas outpost, helmed by former Baker McKenzie M&A and commercial transactions lawyer Papon Charoenpao. 

The new office builds on the regional expansion strategy of PDLegal, which launched an India desk in 2021. The firm was set up in 2017 by disputes practitioner Peter Doraisamy, a former partner at Duane Morris & Selvam.

Papon, who had been an associate in Baker McKenzie’s Bangkok office from 2016 till 2023, has particular expertise in M&A work, financial services, venture capital financing and financial technologies including Web3-based projects.

As a result, the new office will focus on corporate transactions and advisory work, particularly cross-border investments, fintech and Web3, emerging technologies, digital currencies and international arbitration, among others.

“The launch of PDLegal Asia (Thailand) is in line with our promise to serve our clients’ regional ambitions. This expansion will enable us to grow alongside our clients, wherever their business interests take them,” Doraisamy said in a statement.

The office will add value to the firm’s clientele in Singapore who are looking to do business in Thailand and for the firm’s local Thai client base, which has expanded in the few months the firm has been in Bangkok, Papon told ALB.

“The firm already serves a number of local Thai clients, and continues to expand on local clients; additionally, in the short span that we have opened our office so far, regional clients have been pleased that we are now able to provide more comprehensive and cross-border legal services in a seamless manner,” he added.

PDLegal lists eight partners in total on its website. They include two hires made in 2022: Nazim Khan, who joined as a senior partner from UniLegal in March, and Wei Hong Ling, who moved from an in-house role at insurance company Marsh in October.