City firms beef up offices in Thailand and Hong Kong

TWO City firms have bolstered their Asian presence with new strategies in Hong Kong and Thailand.

Clifford Chance last week opened an office in Bangkok to advise major financial institutions, investment houses and multinational corporations with existing business or proposed business in Thailand.

It will be run at first by seven lawyers, five of whom are Thai and come from the Siam Niti Law office and it will be headed by London partner Nicholas Martin-Smith.

Martin-Smith said: "Our coverage in Indochina is a very important part of the firm's strategy for south east Asia and Thailand, with its political stability, large, well-educated population and consistent GNP growth, offers our clients and, in turn, Clifford Chance, excellent prospects."

Wilde Sapte has boosted its Hong Kong service with the appointment of three new insurance solicitors, Rupert Skrine, Shara Lo and Chik Wing Hong.

Skrine has worked in Hong Kong since 1990 and specialises in non-marine and general insurance. Lo was formerly with Lombard General Insurance and Hong has considerable experience in insurance litigation.