Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd.

Tax and Customs

Senior Partner

A Tax & Customs veteran attorney and Senior Partner with over 30 years of experience, Sumet specializes in legal services concerning both local and international tax and customs, foreign investment and commercial matters in Thailand, and advises regional public and private enterprises as well as local high-net-worth individuals on a wide range of projects. Moreover, he possesses extensive knowledge of bilateral agreements entered into by the Thai government for the avoidance of double taxation, and the prevention of fiscal evasion in relation to taxes on income. He is widely revered for his comprehensive understanding of the Thai tax appeals process, and the application of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), particularly in connection with valuations for customs purposes.

He further advises clients on planning for tax efficient structures for various types of commercial transactions, including business transfers and acquisitions, trade agreements and resolving disputes with tax and customs authorities. Moreover, he has successfully handled numerous claims against clients by revenue authorities both in the post-audit stage and at the appeal stage in the Thai Tax Court obtaining both outright judgments in our favor or satisfactory settlements.

In addition to his expertise as a tax and customs lawyer, Sumet is also a seasoned veteran in the corporate sphere. He is particularly experienced in helping his clients establish presence in Thailand by designing and implementing corporate structures beyond Foreign Business Licenses including establishing Thai-owned companies, foreign-owned companies, partnerships with Thai owners and special shareholding structures. Upon establishment, Sumet regularly continues to advise his clients succeed in the Thai jurisdiction in connection with employment and other general commercial advice.

His clients and international directories have noted his wide-ranging experience in coordinating with Thai administrative agencies, including but not limited to the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), Ministry of Education, Labour Department and Land Department, which provides the foundation for his effectiveness in handling his client’s governmental transactions.

Moreover, Sumet's significant matters over the past year included

-Representing a major multinational automotive parts manufacturer in defending against tax claims by the Thai Revenue Office

-Advising a multinational agriculture conglomerate in value added tax and the Revenue Department’s view on business operations

-Representing one of the largest automotive suppliers in its category on discussions with Thailand’s customs department and successfully defending the client

-Advising a leading provider of international commercial and financial solutions regarding tax dispute and tax audit

Representing one of the largest global providers of engineering company in discussion with the Revenue Department’s audit section

-Advising a leading global law firm and providing the expert report on the Customs law and regulation as an expert witness’s evidence to the foreign Commercial Court.

Thai, English

Law Society of Thailand

Thai Bar Association

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Chulalongkorn University

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Chulalongkorn University