Surapol Srangsomwong (pictured), previous head of boutique Thai litigation practice LawAlliance Limited, has moved to join Herbert Smith in Bangkok as a partner.

Surapol will work alongside current Bangkok-based Herbert Smith partner Alastair Henderson to develop Herbert Smith's Thai dispute resolution practice.

The practice presently focuses on multinationals with investments in Thailand, particularly those in the construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy sectors.

Suapol has been a consultant for the firm since May 2005, and was also previously the managing partner of Siam Premier, one of Thailands leading local firms.

In another Southeast Asia appointment, Nick-Anthony Buford recently joined Herbert Smith as a senior US securities and capital markets associate in Singapore.