Projects, Infrastructure and Public Private and Partnerships

Trusted project development partner, building the nation’s foundation with legal expertise

Jirapat and Partners is a trusted legal project developer team.

We accompany clients throughout their project development journey from the first project initiation in its planning and feasibility phase to the selection of partners or contractors, negotiation and documentation and project financing. We continue to provide contract management service even post signing of the relevant project agreement that is flexible and responsive to the ever growing changes of the circumstances.

A heart of a project development is a materialization of the client’s commercial goal which often times clashes with legal limitations. It is inevitable for the project development to interact with administrative power, we bridge the complication diving into all relevant laws at every step of the project cycle. Known for our abilities to get things done, our team has a sophisticated expertise in public and investment laws.

As we dive into complex project development, we leave our marks in innovative and transformative steps to the Thai economy and infrastructure including highways, ports, airport, mass transit systems, new aviation freedom, and new free port rights.

Key Highlight Matters

Development of U-Tapao International Airport, the first airport concession in Thailand

Representation of the first and largest airport concessionaire in Thailand in connection with the development of new airport facilities at U-Tapao International Airport as a part of the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand development, including the development of a new terminal, cargo, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and other airport facilities. This project is the first airport concession project under the public-private partnership scheme in Thailand and the largest concession project in Thailand with an estimated value of THB 300 billion.

Strategic planning and development of Eastern Airport City, the first aerotropolis in Thailand

Representation of the one of the largest of property and infrastructure developers in Thailand in planning of the development of the THB 300 billion (USD 9.1 billion) Eastern Airport City at U-Tapao International Airport, the first aerotropolis in Thailand, providing a comprehensive legal and public-private partnership framework for its development as well as a negotiation for numbers of special privileges including: special tax privileges, visa and permits, and the unprecedented 24-hour places of entertainment operation. The aim of the Eastern Airport City is to serve as a regional aviation hub, tourist destination, and logistics center in Thailand, boosting Thailand’s economy in the long run.

Advising on relief measures to maintain concession project viability

Representation of the first and largest airport concessionaire in Thailand in connection with mitigating the adverse effects of the uncertain fate of the High-Speed Rail Connecting Three Airports Project, which is supposed to connect U-Tapao International Airport to Bangkok’s airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport, making U-Tapao International Airport truly become Bangkok’s third airport and providing Covid-19 impact relief for the project. This allows the concessionaire to develop the project with remedial measures in order to feasibly and viably operate the project further.

Advising on strategic Master Plan development for largest airport concession project, balancing commercial interests with regulatory compliance and international standards

Representation of the first and largest airport concessionaire in Thailand in connection with the initiation and development of the Master Plan for the airport and Eastern Airport City project. Our work involved drafting the Master Plan by balancing commercial interests, technical challenges, and legal compliance requirements, monitoring key development stages, and assisting with Master Plan revisions to ensure adherence to legal and international standards whilst protecting the client from potential liabilities or concession breaches.

Advising on securing MRO facility development rights to enhance airport competitiveness and establish as new aviation hub

Representation of the first and largest airport concessionaire in Thailand in connection with acquiring development rights for the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. The MRO project will provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services for aircraft of all sizes and models – a challenging capability rarely offered by international airports – thereby attracting airline bases, increasing traffic, and establishing U-Tapao International Airport as a new aviation hub.

Advising on acquiring rights to develop the existing terminal and utilize its facilities for cost-effective project operations

Representation of the first and largest airport concessionaire in Thailand in connection with acquiring the right to develop the existing terminal and other facilities. We assist in ensuring the existing terminal and other facilities together with the management of their commercial activities would be awarded to the client. We also assist the client to ensure that the renovation and operation of the existing terminal complies with the relevant laws and the concession agreement. The client seeks to utilize the existing facilities to support the project operation together with the new terminal to ensure maximizing the previous investments made by the governmental authorities and optimizing the public benefit usage of existing terminals and facilities.

Contract management of Green Line mass transit, including negotiation securing the repayment of O&M agreement debts

Representation of the first and largest mass transit operator in Thailand in connection with the contract management of the concession agreement of the main Green Line as well as the extension line’s Operation and Maintenance agreement, including strategic negotiation securing the repayment of Operation and Maintenance agreement debts exceeding THB 20 billion. The Green Line consists of two routes: the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line, with a total estimated value of THB 52.97 billion.

Strategic planning and negotiation of new fare policy for most of Bangkok’s Rail Transit System

Representation of rail transit operators in Thailand in connection with the legal strategic planning and negotiating of the implementation government’s new public transport fare policy across three major projects: the Green Line project, the largest mass rapid transit network across and connecting Bangkok to the surrounding provinces with an estimated valuation of THB 52.97 billion (USD 1.6 billion); the MRT Yellow Line project with an estimated valuation of THB 53 billion (USD 1.5 billion); and the MRT Pink Line projects with an estimated valuation of THB 50 billion (USD 1.4 billion), which together represent Thailand’s largest and first public monorail projects.

Contract management of concession agreement for MRT Yellow Line

Representation of the first and largest monorail operator in Thailand in connection with the contract management of concession agreement of the MRT Yellow Line. This is the largest public monorail project in Thailand with the value to THB 53 billion.

Contract management of concession agreement for MRT Pink Line

Representation of the first and largest monorail operator in Thailand in connection with the contract management of concession agreement of the MRT Pink Line. This is the largest public monorail project in Thailand with the value to THB 50 billion.

Contract management for Lamchabang Port Phase 3 project

Representation of the contractor, a joint venture between leading Thai construction firms and a Chinese state enterprise, on contract management for the THB 21,957 million Lamchabang Port Phase 3 project. Our support includes negotiating fine and penalty reductions, facilitating the introduction of a new joint venture member, and amending the project agreement as necessary. Integrating a new member remains a key challenge, especially given strict RFP qualifications—this project is no exception.

Advising on the management of the Gold Line Rapid Transit System to enhance primary transportation infrastructure with the project

Representation of one of Thailand’s largest mixed-use developers in connection with the legal strategic planning and negotiating of the agreement related to Gold Line operation. The Gold Line serves as a vital piece of public infrastructure, playing an essential role in enhancing urban connectivity by enabling visitors to conveniently access ICONSIAM, a project known as Bangkok’s Landmark of Luxury and Culture, through a fully integrated transportation network that connects all three major modes of transit — road, rail, and river.

Advising on amending requirements for Public Terminal Management Project to ensure project viability under materially changing circumstances

Representation of Thailand’s largest public terminal for liquid products operators, in connection with the amending of requirements under the concession agreement for the Public Terminal Management Project to ensure project viability under changing circumstances. The project involves the handling of liquid products in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong Province.

Advising on contract management for 3 water supply plants across industrial estates

Representation of the leading construction company in Thailand in connection with project operation, contract management and negotiation with EPC contractors and relevant authorities, including renegotiation of contract amendments to revise the specifications, quality and quantity of 3 water supply plants across multi-industrial estates to align with current position and reserve compensation under breach of IEAT agreement, with a total estimated value of THB 2,000-3,000 million.