Chandler MHM
Chandler MHM is one of Thailand's premier full-service law firms, resulting from the strategic combination of Chandler and Thong-ek Law Offices with the Bangkok practice of Japanese firm Mori Hamada and Matsumoto. The firm advises on M&A, capital markets, project finance, real estate, and regulatory compliance across major sectors including financial services, energy, infrastructure, and technology. Ranked consistently in Chambers Asia-Pacific and Legal 500 across multiple Thai law practice areas. Acts for SET-listed corporations, major foreign investors, and financial institutions on cross-border transactions. Maintains strong Japanese-client practice alongside broad multinational and Thai-conglomerate coverage.
Snapshot
Headline numbers a buyer checks first.
Practice areas
8+
2025
M&A, capital markets, project finance, real estate, regulatory compliance, energy, infrastructure, technology
Chambers Asia-Pacific ranking
Band 1 (multiple practices)
2024
Headcount (lawyers)
~200
2025
One of Thailand's largest full-service law firms
Founded
1974
Ongoing
Chandler and Thong-ek origin; MHM combination completed 2018
Profile overview
Chandler MHM is one of Thailand's premier full-service law firms, resulting from the strategic combination of Chandler and Thong-ek Law Offices with the Bangkok practice of Japanese firm Mori Hamada and Matsumoto. The firm advises on M&A, capital markets, project finance, real estate, and regulatory compliance across major sectors including financial services, energy, infrastructure, and technology. Ranked consistently in Chambers Asia-Pacific and Legal 500 across multiple Thai law practice areas. Acts for SET-listed corporations, major foreign investors, and financial institutions on cross-border transactions. Maintains strong Japanese-client practice alongside broad multinational and Thai-conglomerate coverage.
Practice areas
M&A and corporate
Mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance
Advises Thai conglomerates and foreign buyers on M&A, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring. Chambers Asia-Pacific Band 1 ranking for Corporate/M&A in Thailand. Handles SET-listed company takeovers, privatizations, and inbound foreign direct investment transactions.
Capital markets
Capital markets and SEC compliance
IPO, follow-on equity, and debt capital markets mandates for SET and NASDAQ/NYSE-listed Thai issuers. SEC-regulated offering documentation, prospectus review, and ongoing disclosure compliance. Strong Japanese-corporate capital-markets practice from Mori Hamada heritage.
Projects
Project finance and infrastructure
Project finance for PPP infrastructure, power-generation, EEC industrial development, and energy-transition projects. Government concession documentation, BOOT structures, and lender-side finance legal work. Key advisory role on Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor projects.
Regulatory
Regulatory, competition, and real estate
Thai regulatory compliance, Foreign Business Act, BOI promotion structures, and competition law. Real estate title, leasehold structures for foreigners, REIT formation, and property fund documentation. Data privacy under PDPA and financial regulation advisory.
Thai full-service law firm peer comparison
Chambers Asia-Pacific rankings, FY2024
Est. partners (Thailand)
~25
Primary strength
M&A, capital markets, projects
International affiliation
Mori Hamada (Japan)
Est. partners (Thailand)
~30
Primary strength
IP, litigation, corporate
International affiliation
Independent Thai
Est. partners (Thailand)
~20
Primary strength
Tax, disputes, corporate
International affiliation
Baker McKenzie (global)
Linklaters (Linklaters Thailand)
Est. partners (Thailand)
~10
Primary strength
Finance, capital markets
International affiliation
Linklaters (UK, global)
Allen and Overy Thailand
Est. partners (Thailand)
~10
Primary strength
Banking, finance, M&A
International affiliation
A&O Shearman (global)
| Firm | Est. partners (Thailand) | Primary strength | International affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler MHM | ~25 | M&A, capital markets, projects | Mori Hamada (Japan) |
| Tilleke and Gibbins | ~30 | IP, litigation, corporate | Independent Thai |
| Baker McKenzie Thailand | ~20 | Tax, disputes, corporate | Baker McKenzie (global) |
| Linklaters (Linklaters Thailand) | ~10 | Finance, capital markets | Linklaters (UK, global) |
| Allen and Overy Thailand | ~10 | Banking, finance, M&A | A&O Shearman (global) |
Watchpoints
Watchpoint
M&A transaction pipeline
Chandler MHM's revenue is closely correlated with Thai and cross-border M&A activity. EEC investment flows, Japanese-corporate Thai acquisitions, and PE-backed deals are the primary pipeline drivers. Rate cycle and regional capital-market conditions affect deal volume.
Watchpoint
Japanese-corporate client concentration
Mori Hamada heritage creates strong Japanese-client pipeline but also concentration. Changes to Japanese FDI flows to Thailand — particularly auto-sector BEV transition reducing Japanese OEM expansion — could affect this client segment.
Watchpoint
Foreign law firm liberalization
If Thailand's Foreign Business Act restrictions on legal services are eased under FTA negotiations, global law firms (Clifford Chance, Freshfields) could enter directly, intensifying competition for top-tier M&A mandates where Chandler MHM competes.
Where this profile is featured
Reports that reference this entity in their operator concentration or analysis.
Featured in
Thai Legal Market: Foreign Law Firm Restrictions and Big-Five Local...
Japanese-affiliated practice; multi-jurisdiction Asia coverage.
Featured in
Thai Labour Law: Termination Economics and the 400-Day Severance Cap
Japanese-affiliated practice; multi-jurisdiction Asia coverage.
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Competitor
Tilleke and Gibbins
Competes in Thai full-service law firm market alongside Tilleke and Gibbins.
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Sector peer
Allen Overy Shearman (Bangkok)
Allen Overy Shearman's Bangkok office (post-merger 2024); cross-border banking, capital markets, M&A.
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Sector peer
Baker McKenzie Thailand
Bangkok office of Baker McKenzie global law firm; ranked top-tier in Thailand by Chambers Asia-Pacific and Legal 500 Asia Pacific.
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Sector peer
DLA Piper (Thailand)
DLA Piper's Bangkok office; international law firm serving cross-border M&A, energy, financing, regulatory.
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Reports featuring this profile
Thailand Legal Tech & Smart Contracts 2027 Market Intelligence
Tier-1 Thai independent; AI contract review pilot across M&A and project finance
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Sits alongside 1 other Atlas profileThailand Legal Services Market Intelligence
Thai-MHM joint venture (post-2017); elite corporate, M&A, banking, energy, infrastructure practice.
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Sits alongside 7 other Atlas profilesThai Legal Market: Foreign Law Firm Restrictions and Big-Five Local Practice
Japanese-affiliated practice; multi-jurisdiction Asia coverage.
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Sits alongside 5 other Atlas profilesThai Labour Law: Termination Economics and the 400-Day Severance Cap
Japanese-affiliated practice; multi-jurisdiction Asia coverage.
Open report →
Sits alongside 5 other Atlas profiles