Our Phuket Lawyers
Our team around Thailand assists with a wide variety of matters, including:
Litigation—We advise clients in complex, high-stakes cases at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) venues. This includes matters involving: consumer class actions; products liability; real estate litigation; unfair competition; copyright, trademark, false advertising and defamation litigation; business torts; SEC investigations; private securities class actions; privacy; professional liability and white collar criminal issues. Our team has achieved victories in landmark cases in all of these areas. Our litigation clients operate in numerous industries, including pharmaceutical, media and entertainment, technology, financial and professional services, real estate, apparel, automotive, furniture and home goods, and e-commerce.
Real estate—Our lawyers are at the forefront of breaking developments in the real estate arena. Haris & Associates have advised clients large and small in some of the most innovative and sophisticated mortgage and mezzanine financings, sale leasebacks and workouts and restructurings. Our services include assisting individuals and businesses with major leasing efforts, private equity investments and joint ventures. Working in tandem with our highly experienced real estate litigation team, members of our real estate group also frequently represent clients in litigation matters.
Patent litigation— Our intellectual property lawyers have litigated patent disputes across any industries.
Corporate—The diversity of experience within our group matches the diversity of clientele and business opportunities in Phuket, Bangkok, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phang Nga and other parts of Thailand. Our clients range from emerging companies and startups to established private and public companies. We advise corporations and financial institutions in the structure, negotiation and documentation of complex business transactions.
Legal Team
KERT STAVORN
International Advisory Team
Of Counsel – International Investment & Real Estate
Areas of Focus
- Cross-Border Investment
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Corporate Structuring
- Hospitality, Hotel and Resort Development
- Real Estate Investment and Development
- Distressed Asset Acquisitions
- ASEAN Market Entry Strategies
- International Commercial Transactions
- Regulatory Compliance
- Strategic Business Advisory
Biography
Kert Stavorn serves as Of Counsel to Haris & Associates, bringing nearly two decades of international legal and commercial experience across Australia and Southeast Asia. Admitted to legal practice in Australia, he has advised corporations, investors, developers, and entrepreneurs on complex cross-border transactions, foreign investment structures, regulatory compliance, and commercial expansion throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Stavorn possesses extensive experience in international investment, corporate structuring, and transactional advisory matters involving multiple jurisdictions. His practice focuses on assisting clients in navigating the legal, regulatory, and commercial challenges associated with foreign direct investment, market entry, and regional business expansion.
He is particularly recognised for his work within the hospitality, tourism, resort, and real estate sectors. Throughout his career, he has advised on hotel acquisitions, resort developments, mixed-use projects, investment structures, distressed asset acquisitions, and commercial property transactions involving both domestic and international stakeholders. His knowledge of foreign ownership regulations, land holding structures, development frameworks, and project financing enables clients to approach complex investments with confidence.
In addition to his commercial legal practice, Mr. Stavorn has contributed extensively to humanitarian initiatives, legal technology innovation, and public interest projects throughout the Asia-Pacific region. His experience includes collaboration with international organisations, governments, and private-sector stakeholders on matters involving anti-human trafficking, Indigenous rights, economic justice, and access to justice.
As Of Counsel, Mr. Stavorn provides strategic guidance on international transactions, foreign investment, and regional business opportunities while working closely with the firm’s licensed Thai attorneys to support clients across Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Representative Experience
- Advised international investors on cross-border investment structures throughout Southeast Asia.
- Assisted hospitality and resort developers in acquisition, development, and operational matters across ASEAN jurisdictions.
- Advised on hotel acquisitions, mixed-use developments, and commercial real estate investments.
- Structured foreign investment transactions involving multiple jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks.
- Assisted clients with market entry strategies and corporate structuring throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
- Provided advisory services relating to distressed asset acquisitions and investment recovery opportunities.
- Worked alongside international organisations and government stakeholders on regional development and legal reform initiatives.
- Participated in leadership initiatives relating to legal technology, anti-human trafficking, economic justice, and access to justice.
Professional Expertise
- International Investment Advisory
- Corporate Structuring
- Hospitality and Resort Development
- Real Estate and Property Investment
- Cross-Border Transactions
- Regulatory Compliance
- Strategic Commercial Advisory
- ASEAN Market Expansion
Professional Qualifications
- Admitted Legal Practitioner, Australia
Languages
- English (Native / Professional)
- Thai (Native)
- Mandarin Chinese (Working Knowledge)
Office: Australia
BANCHAO TIAN
International Advisory Team
International Client Relations Consultant
Areas of Focus
- International Client Relations
- Chinese-Speaking Client Support
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Real Estate and Property Matters
- Civil and Commercial Litigation Support
- Contract Review and Documentation Support
- Foreign Investment Assistance
- Client Coordination and Case Management
Biography
Banchao Tian serves as an International Client Relations Consultant at Haris & Associates, where he plays an important role in supporting international clients, particularly Chinese-speaking individuals and businesses, navigating legal matters in Thailand.
Since joining the firm in 2020, he has worked closely with the firm’s legal team to assist clients in understanding legal procedures, coordinating documentation, facilitating communications, and ensuring that language and cultural differences do not become obstacles to effective legal representation.
Mr. Tian has extensive experience assisting clients involved in property disputes, contract-related matters, investment concerns, and civil and commercial litigation. Through his strong communication skills and multicultural background, he helps bridge the gap between international clients and Thai legal professionals, providing clarity and confidence throughout the legal process.
His work focuses on client communication, case coordination, document preparation support, and facilitating productive relationships between clients and legal counsel. He is particularly valued for his ability to communicate effectively with Chinese, Thai, and English-speaking stakeholders across a variety of legal and commercial matters.
Mr. Tian works closely with the firm’s licensed attorneys and litigation team to support clients throughout their legal matters. He does not provide legal advice and does not act as legal counsel.
Representative Experience
- Assisted Chinese-speaking clients in property disputes and real estate-related matters in Thailand.
- Coordinated legal documentation and case preparation for civil and commercial litigation proceedings.
- Supported foreign clients in understanding legal processes and available legal remedies.
- Facilitated communications between international clients, legal counsel, government agencies, and third parties.
- Assisted clients involved in contract disputes, investment matters, and commercial transactions.
- Provided multilingual client support throughout various stages of legal proceedings.
Professional Experience
- International Client Relations and Case Coordination
- Cross-Cultural Communication and Client Support
- Documentation Management and Administrative Assistance
- Foreign Client Consultation Support
Languages
- Mandarin Chinese (Native)
- Thai (Professional Working Proficiency)
- English (Professional Working Proficiency)
THIRA KOOCHI
Property & Transaction Support Team
Senior Property & Due Diligence Consultant
Areas of Focus
- Real Estate Due Diligence
- Property Asset Valuation
- Property Acquisition and Disposition Support
- Land Office Procedures
- Leasehold and Ownership Structures
- Financial Risk Assessment
- Property Market Analysis
- Transaction Coordination
- Contract Documentation Support
- Real Estate Compliance
Biography
Thira Koochi is a Senior Property & Due Diligence Consultant with a unique combination of legal, financial, and property valuation expertise. Holding degrees in both Law (LL.B.) and Business Administration in Finance and Banking (B.B.A.), he brings more than eight years of practical experience supporting real estate transactions, financial advisory matters, and property-related due diligence throughout Thailand.
Mr. Koochi possesses extensive knowledge of property ownership structures, land-related procedures, valuation methodologies, contractual arrangements, and financial risk assessment. His multidisciplinary background enables him to assist clients in evaluating both the legal and commercial aspects of property acquisitions, investments, and development projects.
Prior to joining Haris & Associates, he worked extensively in the property valuation sector, conducting title investigations, land due diligence reviews, zoning assessments, and market valuation analyses for financial institutions, investors, and corporate clients. He also served as a financial advisor, providing strategic planning, risk management, and investment-related guidance to both individual and corporate clients.
His practical understanding of property transactions, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis allows him to support clients throughout the due diligence process, helping identify risks and opportunities before major investment decisions are made.
Mr. Koochi works closely with the firm’s legal team to assist clients in property transactions, investment reviews, asset evaluations, and real estate due diligence matters. He is not admitted to practice law and does not provide legal advice.
Representative Experience
- Conducted property title investigations and ownership verification for residential and commercial real estate transactions.
- Performed legal and financial due diligence reviews for property acquisitions and investment projects.
- Prepared asset valuation reports and supporting documentation for financial institutions and corporate clients.
- Assisted clients in evaluating legal and commercial risks associated with real estate investments.
- Conducted zoning and land use reviews for development and investment projects.
- Coordinated with Land Offices and government authorities regarding property ownership and registration matters.
- Advised clients on financial planning, risk management, and investment-related considerations.
- Assisted in transaction coordination and documentation for real estate acquisitions and lease arrangements.
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand
- Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Finance and Banking, Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand
Professional Qualifications
- Licensed Insurance Broker / Agent
- Certified Property Valuation Professional Experience
Professional Expertise
- Property Due Diligence
- Asset Valuation and Appraisal
- Property Market Analysis
- Financial Risk Assessment
- Real Estate Transactions
- Land Office Procedures
- Contract Documentation Support
- Transaction Coordination
Languages
- Thai (Native)
- English (Working Proficiency)
