Troy is a partner and the head of the firm’s International Practice, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, banking and finance, and general corporate law. With over 28 years of experience across Asia, he provides strategic legal counsel to a diverse range of Thai and international public and private companies, private equity funds, and government agencies.
His practice encompasses a wide array of domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, joint ventures, project and corporate financing, real estate developments, and energy projects. Recognized as one of Thailand’s Top 100 lawyers by Asia Business Law Journal since 2019, Troy is praised for his exceptional ability to bring parties together and facilitate transactions, even in the most challenging circumstances, with tight deadlines and demanding clients.
Fluent in both Thai and English, he possesses strong interpersonal skills that enhance his effectiveness in international M&A transactions. Troy’s comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape enables him to deliver tailored solutions that effectively address the complex needs of his clients.
Publications and Presentations
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- Cabinet Approves Amendments to Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, including New Merger Provisions
- Business Rehabilitation in Thailand: What Every Thai and Foreign Creditor Needs to Know
- COVID-19: Compensation Benefits Schemes for Employers and Employees
- PP-SME: New Option to Raise Funds For SMEs and Startups in Thailand
- Powering The Future: How Robotics & Automation Are Changing Thailand’s Manufacturing Sector
- Is Thailand Safe For Investors Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak?
- “Getting the job done: Outlook for Thailand M&A” – Asia Business Law Journal, 25 November, 2019
- “New debt crowdfunding regulations” – Thailand – IFLR 1000 International Briefings, October/November 2019.
- Thailand Chapter for The Merger & Acquisitions Review, 8th Edition, Law Business Research, 2014.
- Thailand Chapter for The Merger & Acquisitions Review, 7th Edition, Law Business Research, 2013.
- “Foreign Direct Investment in Thailand – Business as Usual”, ASIAN-MENA COUNSEL, Volume 9, Issue 8, 2011.
Awards and Recognitions
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- Recognized as one of Thailand’s Top 100 lawyers in Asia Business Law Journal, 2019 – 2024
- Notable Practitioner by IFLR1000, 2019 – 2024
- “Leading Lawyer” in Banking and Finance, Projects and Energy by The Legal 500 AP, 2009- 2014
- Troy Schooneman, received accolades for his ability “to bring parties to the table and make a deal happen, sometimes in the most trying of circumstances, with tight deadlines and demanding clients,” says Mark Fraser, managing partner of Frasers Law Company in Vietnam. “He has exceedingly strong interpersonal skills and is fluent in Thai and English, as well as having a strong background in international M&A transactions from deals undertaken throughout Asia and elsewhere,” says Fraser. – Asia Business Law Journal, 2020
- “Leading Lawyer” in Banking and Finance, Projects and Energy by The Legal 500 AP, 2009- 2014
- “Leading Lawyer” in Projects and Energy by Legal 500 AP, 2009- 2014
- “Praised for his in-depth knowledge and experience of pan-Asian markets” – The Legal 500 commentary, 2012
- “Respected for his expertise in corporate matters” – IFLR1000 commentary, 2014
Speaking Engagement
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- Speaker for a panel discussion at ALB Vietnam In-house Legal Summit 2024 (September 2024)
- Speaks on title “Algorithmic Fairness and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Legal World.” at the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Elite Roundtable Thailand 2024 (June 2024)
- Speaks on title “AI legal and regulatory considerations” at the WSG Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2024 (May 2024)
Education and Admission
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- LL.B., Monash University, Australia, 1989
- B.A. (Psychology), Monash University, Australia, 1989
Professional Qualifications
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- Senior Courts of England and Wales, 1999
- High Court of Hong Kong, 1997
- High Court of Australia, 1990
- Supreme Court of Victoria, 1990
A selection of matters in which Troy has been involved include:
Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Joint Ventures
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- Representing Stark Corporation PCL. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries PDITL and PD Cables (SG) Pte. Ltd. in connection with their cross-border acquisition of 100% of the charter capital of Thinh Phat Cables Joint Stock Company (“Thipha”) and Dong Viet Non-Ferrous Metal and Plastic Joint Stock Company (“Dovina”), the largest inbound private sector industrial transactions in Vietnam in the last three years, valued at approximately THB 7.5 billion (USD 239 million).
- Representing Phelps Dodge International (Thailand) Limited (PDITL), a subsidiary of Stark Corporation PCL, in a cross-border acquisition financing extended by United Overseas Bank (Thai) PCL and Kasikornbank PCL in the aggregate facilities value of approximately THB 7.5 billion (USD 239 million) for indirect acquisition of all equity interests in Dong Viet Non-Ferrous Metal and Plastic Joint Stock Company (Dovina) and Thinh Phat Cables Joint Stock Company (Thipha) in Vietnam.
- Representing Dovina and Thipha, post-acquisition subsidiaries of PDITL, in the financing arrangements for revolving working capital extended by United Overseas Bank Limited in Singapore and United Overseas Bank (Vietnam) Limited in the aggregate facilities value of approximately USD 55 million for operations, expansion and further development of Dovina and Thipha.
- Representing STARK Corporation Public Company Limited as lead counsel in cooperation with the client’s team and all the other legal and financial advisors, which are located in different countries (e.g. Singapore and Vietnam) on the offering of 9.45 % shares or a total of 2,250,000,000 ordinary shares from one of the major shareholders — mainly to increase the proportion of shares held by minority shareholders (Free-Float) — to investors outside the United States and Thailand in reliance on Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, through Credit Suisse (Singapore) Limited and Credit Suisse Securities (Thailand) Limited amounting to THB 3.15 billion.
- Representing Quantifi Photonics Limited, a New Zealand company with respect to the indirect share acquisition of SmarTest.
- Representing BJC International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berli Jucker Public Company Limited (BJC), in connection with its acquisition of a 65% shareholding in Phu Thai Group, Vietnam’s largest distribution and logistics conglomerate. *
- Representing BJC International in connection with its acquisition of the “Family Mart” retail chain in Vietnam from Japan’s Family Mart Co., Ltd. *
- Representing BJC and Owens-Illinois Inc., the world’s leading glass container manufacturer, in connection with the acquisition of Malaya Glass Company Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Thailand, Vietnam, and China. *
- Representing Kuwait Petroleum International in connection with the sale of its “Q8” service stations in Thailand to Malaysia’s Petronas.
- Representing BJC in connection with its acquisition of Asia Books, the largest English language bookstore chain in South East Asia. *
- Representing United States Import-Export Bank on the Creditors’ Committee in connection with the debt restructuring of Thai Petrochemical Public Company Limited (TPI) and, subsequently, in connection with a dispute with TPI’s former shareholders. *
- Representing Westbrook Asia LLC in connection with its acquisition of a 40% shareholding in Amarin Plaza Public Company Limited. *
- Representing Demeter Corporation Public Company Limited in connection with its joint venture with Yingli Green Energy for the construction and operation of a 300MW solar module manufacturing facility in Rayong Province, Thailand. *
- Representing City Developments Limited, one of Singapore’s largest property developers, in connection with its acquisition of Exchange Tower, Bangkok.*
- Representing BJC in connection with its acquisition of a 51% shareholding in Danone Dairy (Thailand) Limited from Danone SA.*
- Representing Real Estate Asia Capital Partners L.P., a subsidiary of a U.S.-based investment fund, on its acquisition of the Jungceylon Project in Phuket, Thailand. *
- Representing LaSalle Investment Management in connection with its acquisition and subsequent disposition of The Crown Plaza Resort & Spa in Phuket, Thailand. *
- Representing Toshiba Corporation in the sale of several of its businesses in Thailand. *
General Advice
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- Advising Delivery Hero (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the operator of “foodpanda” in Thailand, on multiple investment structuring alternatives and the optimization of foodpanda’s businesses from legal and commercial perspectives.
