What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Recently, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (BTSG) and the group companies has implemented business strategies consisting of three main business platforms (MOVE, MIX and MATCH). These three strategic business platforms of BTSG are:

To MOVE business focusing on mass transit with multiple modes of travel across rail, road, water or air. The sample of the transportation within the Group is the Green line core network and the new Pink and Yellow lines;

To MIX business with a media and marketing platform utilising data.

To MATCH business units which aim to create business opportunities through potential partnerships that synergise with the Group’s companies.

In my view, the significant achievements of the BTSG Legal Team come from providing strategic advice and support, as well as being actively involved in complex transactions covering broad areas concerning all business platforms. These have involved highly innovative projects, such as data related transactions, or ones which are significant in the market including motorway projects. The BTSG Legal Team is not just a legal advisor, but also plays the role of a trusted team member that can lead and work in-house to support the achievement the Group’s strategies.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Thailand over the next five to ten years?

Considering the formidable and often unprecedented challenges confronting the legal industry, I believe that the role of a general counsel in Thailand will undergo significant evolution in the near future. The general counsel will be expected to assume the position of a “leader” within the team, capable of guiding and inspiring team members to embrace change, harness technology to enhance efficiency, effectively tackle challenges and crises, and possess a comprehensive understanding of the business. These qualities are vital to ensure that the legal team remains a trusted and invaluable asset to the organisation.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

To me, we are the generation that faces with so many changes, the important skills for legal team are:

In today’s rapidly changing landscape, the legal team must possess learning agility; the ability to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn is crucial. This entails staying informed about business trends and developing a strong business acumen. As a corporate legal team, it is important to provide valuable support that contributes to sustainable business growth.

Digital fluency is also a key attribute; given the prominence of emerging technologies and the post-Covid-19 business context, lawyers must embrace digital trends. Being technologically proficient and familiar with digitalization allows for more efficient legal work and streamlined legal operations.

As we navigate the challenges of the future, these skills will be instrumental in ensuring the success of corporate legal teams in the in-house industry.